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Portfolio
Of Impulse and Intent- Dec. 15, 2008
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When you think color, DON'T THINK PAINT! | | | [ click thumbnails to open in a larger window ] |
2009 is right around the corner. So no doubt, there will be a flood of articles focusing on ways to refresh your interior for the New Year. Mix in a little "designing on a budget" talk, and you've been set up for "Quick Fix" mania. Here are some of my thoughts on what to avoid during this season of change. Quick Fix Philosophy #1 - Gorilla design: Loud, chest beating design moves executed with the thought that drastic change, with lots of "hair and teeth" is better than the stale box that is driving you crazy. Example: Impluse painting projects with absolutely no color context, specific plan or style direction. And just for the record, "I like Red", is not a direction. Quick Fix Philosophy #2 - MASH unit decorating: This activity involves relocating existing unsuccessful design items from room to room, in hopes that you can miraculously revive them...or at least keep them alive bit longer. Example: Poster prints from your first condo, apartment or past life that keep you visually complacent. The "Something is better than nothing" strategy. And my personal favorite, Quick Fix Philosophy #3 - Mission Style Impossible: You have only two hours...just days before your big party...armed with a ridiculous and unreasonable budget...to find as many affordable, yet interesting accessories as you possibly can. But time is of the essence. You must hurry. To the Mall!!! Go! Go! Go! Are you kidding me? That's a game show, NOT a design plan. I guess that's the problem isn't it. Quick fixes really don't fix a thing. They merely provide the illusion of change. And in some cases can hinder the real progress of building layered and well-edited interiors. I know, not what many of you wanted to hear. But, trust me. After years of "un-doing" client's bad quick fixes, I have come to three key realizations. 1.) Functional interiors don't just happen, they are dripping with intent. They work because someone thought things through. 2.) When you think color, DON'T THINK PAINT! The most complete rooms are layered with a color scheme that reinvents itself throughout the room. Your walls have a role to play, but so do all of the other elements that help complete the space. 3.) If you have a functional plan and a sound color scheme, as you complete the room over time, it will look "put together", even though it may not be totally finished. Curbing the impulses, that derail real decorating progress, is the first step toward building interiors that don't need to be "fixed". I know it's not always easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. So, beware of quick fixes that keep you from developing a realistic plan that can be layered with interest over time, or as the budget will allow. Again, there is no substitute for a clear, long term style direction. It really does make all your selections much easier. The impluse to edit interiors to your evolving personal style will never go away. After all, change is a necessary element for so many reasons. However, a more disciplined approach, no matter what your budget, helps you determine if the change you're making is actually advancing your intended decorating vision. Painting just to change your look never guarentees a finished space. Often times, you're left with the same problems just a new color to work around. Recycling meaningless accessories that don't, or never did, fit into your broader style plan has no real value. Nothing, is better than something that doesn't work. Editing your visual junk can be difficult I know, but clearing the weeds from your design garden is a must. To be honest, if you don't have a plan, you don't have a prayer. Sorry if that hurt. But, environments that inspire us in so many of those magazines have thought, inspiration and an intended visual path. The best spaces are collaborative artistic statements that break through the clutter of today's noisy decorating atmosphere. We've only scratched the surface on this one. More next week. - Philip Sassano (Comments: info@refinedrustic.com) | |
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