As we leave behind the hotter-than-hot summer days and begin to feel the ever-so-subtle cooling breezes, many of us are left with the desire to mark the change of seasons (even where there are none). Homeowners can mark the passage of time by giving their home a facelift.

Precluding a home renovation, there are many things you can do to your home. Here are a few designer tips to help your home fall into its best version.

Pick one room, such as a powder room or entry hall, and wallpaper the walls with a bold, stop-you-in-your-tracks paper. This will help create an impactful first impression and fool every visitor into thinking you have done an entire renovation. Let them think what they will.

Never underestimate the power of color. The look and mood of a space can dramatically change when you alter the colors. For example, ivory and yellow are psychological substitutes for a room that may lack natural light, so they are great choices for creating an uplifting and bright room. A darker color such as black, brown or red creates a mysterious and warmer mood, and pink and green are purported to have a calming effect. Study your room, and determine your desired effect and then paint away.

Move your furniture around to create inviting and intimate conversation areas. Any space can become more intimate when you pull seating a little tighter. If your room allows it, create more than one arrangement within the room. Don't be shy to mix and match any combination of sofas, love seats and chairs. Refrain from lining the room with chairs; it will look like an arrangement for a group-therapy session. Conversational groupings should be interrupted by small tables to place drinks, books and magazines, as well as ottomans or hassocks to prop up your feet.

Do not be afraid to improve store-bought furniture. Say you picked up a pair of end tables at your local store; you can give it a custom edge or feature. Place a beautiful handkerchief, a remnant of a favorite wallpaper or a collection of antique prints on the surface, and top it with a piece of glass. Voila! You now have something quite unique.

Daring enough to try drafting or freehand drawing? Paint an unexpected surface such as the ceiling or floor. Try making a plaid pattern on the ceiling. This will entail some accurate measurements, tape and several layers of paint. If that sounds too restrictive, try a freehand detail on a wall or swirls of a roller on a floor. One layer after another, your bold floor pattern will come to life. The point is to have fun and give the room that "why didn't I think of that?" feeling to your visitors.

Finally, an easy makeover for any room that also improves the quality of the air and makes the room feel serene is the addition of plants and flowers. They will not only embellish the room but also make you feel so good!

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

2020, Creators Syndicate

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Give your home a facelift this fall - Chicago Daily Herald

Londons urban wellness hotel, Inhabit on Southwick Street, has announced it will reopen on 1st October 2020, offering a truly restorative experience for those travelling to the city.

Set across six Georgian townhouses in Paddington, Inhabit launched in 2019 to provide travellers with a more conscious place to stay all single-use plastic is banned, anti-pollution air filtration systems have been installed and meditation booths, infrared saunas and nature walks comes as standard.

The reopening comes at a poignant time, following the hotels recent admission to Design Hotels, an exclusive and handpicked global portfolio of over 300 privately owned and operated hotels which share an aligned vision and passion for culturally rooted hospitality and cutting-edge design and architecture. The Scandinavian-inspired design matched with traditional British heritage and Eastern flair found at Inhabit encourages a peace of mind and is the creation of architects Holland Harvey and interior designer Caitlin Henderson Design. Across the world, Design Hotels member properties anchor a community of travellers united in the pursuit of inspired environment, genuine local culture, and transformative, boundary-pushing adventures.

Additionally, the hotel has cemented its commitment to sustainable business practices having achieve Green Key certification. The award is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The prestigious eco-label represents the commitment of Inhabit to promise to adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation of Environmental Education and guests opting to stay at Inhabit can now be rest assured that they are helping to make a difference on an environmental level.

Inhabit also plans to unveil a digital version of their landmark wellness programme in time for the reopening, including Yeotown food and nutrition classes and recipe videos, a mindfulness podcast series, and online yoga classes, allowing for guests to continue to emerge feeling nourished, rested and inspired.

With its soothing spirit, Scandi-toned aesthetic and health-enhancing manifesto, Inhabit is ideal for busy solo business travellers as well as long-haul urban adventures after comfort and calm. With 88 fresh and uplifting guests rooms, Yeotown an inviting light-flood caf serving highest quality fair trade coffee, cold-pressed organic juices and a healthy, plant-loving menu, a digital programme of mindfulness activities, and the bounties of London on its doorstep, including nearby Hyde Park, Inhabit sets out to have a positive impact those who stay and the wider environment.

Average room rates: 150 +VAT for a double room.

Inhabit Hotel, 2527 Southwick Street, Paddington, London W2 1JQinhabithotels.com; +44 (0)20 7723 7723

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Inhabit Hotel joins Design Hotels and is awarded Green Key Certification ahead of October 2020 reopening - Premier Construction Magazine

Celebrated interior designer and film producer Gauri Khan will make her debut as an author with a book about her journey as a designer, announced publishing house Penguin Random House India on Monday. The coffee-table book, tentatively titled My Life In Design, will be released in 2021 under Penguins Ebury Press imprint, they said.

Khan said the book would be visually appealing, and guide both aspiring designers and people who want to learn about design in general. There are several experiences in my journey as a designer that I would like to record for posterity. The book will be very visually appealing with exclusive pictures and information that I feel could guide aspiring designers or those who are just generally interested in the art of design.

The lockdown has given me time to work on this coffee-table book and I will be extremely happy to see it published soon, said Khan, who owns Gauri Khan Designs (GKD), a well-known interior design company. She is also the co-founder and co-chairperson of the film production company Red Chillies Entertainment with her actor husband Shah Rukh Khan. According to the publishers, Khans journey as a designer -- be it renovating her own home, the homes of several Bollywood A-listers, including Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez, or designing commercial spaces such as retail outlets, restaurants, spas, hotels, show apartments and various turnkey projects -- has been an original and exciting story.

Beside giving readers an insiders view of her life and experiences as one of the most sought after interior designers in the country today, the book also promises to be a treasure trove with never-before-seen photos of her work, family and residence.

The pandemic has brought several learnings, and it has forced us to slow down, look around and ponder. As most of us are working from home there is renewed interest in creating our own happy space to keep us positive and motivated through these trying times.

I am delighted that Gauri Khan has decided to share her design philosophy and open up her home for all the readers. I am excited to be working on the book, and I look forward to publishing it, said Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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Gauri Khan sheds light on her journey as an interior designer in debut book My Life in Design - Hindustan Times

I asked if he remembered her being elated.

I do, he said. But also it was a project with a lot of problems. Stress. Deadlines. It was a design challenge, but also a business challenge. She had to get the project done. These things had to be manufactured.

She traveled to San Juan twice, the second time to supervise the installation. Among the attic discoveries was a Caribe Hilton postcard that she sent to her in-laws in Cleveland in January 1963. Here on business working like mad but enjoying the warm weather, she wrote, signing it Lonesome Helen.

The casino project was a triumph, but there were setbacks. While she was working on it, or shortly after, my father lost his job as the editor of an advertising media guide when the publisher folded. With her encouragement, he enrolled full time at Columbia University to finish his bachelors degree while she supported them. They downsized, trading their one-bedroom apartment at Bleecker and West 10th Streets for a studio in the same building.

My mother was also unsurprisingly, for a young working woman in the early 1960s a victim of workplace sexual harassment. One of her colleagues, an engineer, had a habit of getting in her personal space and saying inappropriate things, my father told me. There was no human resources department to deal with such things, which were more or less accepted then, so she was left to manage them on her own.

By 1965, my father had his degree and had been accepted into the Foreign Service. And just like that, my mothers career in lighting design was over. They moved to Martinique, and then to Paris, where they hung the Caribe Hilton fixture in the dining room of their apartment overlooking the Seine. It was packed away before I was born, and shifted in and out of storage as we moved from Virginia to Brussels and back, then again to Paris before we came home.

My mother returned to work for a few years in the 1970s, taking a job with a company that planned office space. And she found various creative outlets, learning to silk-screen as part of an artists collaborative in Marblehead, Mass., in 1969 and 1970, while my father was pursuing a masters degree at M.I.T. (Her handmade Christmas cards from that time survive, as do three silk-screened op-art shadow boxes.) Mostly, though, she threw herself into her role as a mother and, later, the spouse of a United States ambassador.

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The Lamp Was a Clue to a Life I Didnt Know My Mother Had - The New York Times

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed life to a different pace, but Houston interior designer Marie Flanigan is busier than ever.

In addition to publishing her first book, The Beauty of Home: Redefining Traditional Interiors (Gibbs Smith; $45; 240 pages), Flanigan has launched a new collection of lighting with Visual Comfort and a collection of natural stone slabs with Aria Stone Gallery.

Flanigans distinctive updated traditional style always showcases great lighting, so her collaboration with Houston-based Visual Comfort is a natural fit. It includes a variety of sconces, pendants, chandeliers and table lamps that can be seen on the Circa Lighting website now and will be in stock in December.

My inspiration was taking traditional fixtures and bringing them to life in a modern new way using the organic textures and refined metals and materials that are really representative of my work, said Flanigan, who is 38 and a mother of three. Just like the book is called Redefining Traditional Interiors, in essence, my collection is redefining light fixtures in a fresh new context.

Flanigan used some of the new lighting in a House Beautiful showcase house in Colorado, and it will be featured in the November issue of that magazine. Flanigan was in charge of decorating the library/tea room and used a deep red background with antique brass fixtures.

Oct. 7: at 11:45 a.m. during Fall Design Week events at James Craig Furnishings at the Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road (showroom 298)

More: Watch for announcements of other book signings at instagram.com/marieflaniganinteriors.

For the stone collection, Flanigans director of design flew to stone quarries in Italy to choose distinctive stone slabs that include a creamy white Bianco Dolomite, ruddy Breccia Pernice, veiny Calacatta Gold Borghini Diamond and Fume, a gray marble with spiderweblike veining.

The slabs arent just for kitchen and bathroom counters; Flanigan said that in projects shell choose marble for a tabletop or the surface of a side table. And while Cararra and Calacatta marbles remain go-to choices in home design, Flanigans a fan of out-of-the-box choices like green, rust or even deep charcoal.

Flanigan, a native of Lake Jackson, studied architecture at the University of Texas and later earned an MBA from the University of Houston, but learned the value of home from her mother, a gracious hostess, and learned to love materials when studying the centuries-old architecture of Italy.

Images from more than 20 homes several of them from the Houston area are featured in the book as Flanigan takes a master class approach, teaching the important elements of architecture, composition, character, palette, illumination, detail, simplicity, depth and surprise.

I dont want it to be Marie Flanigans view of how you should live. My mission in life is finding what beauty is for the people I work for and helping orchestrate that, she said. Getting to the heart and soul of what a homeowner is looking for is my favorite part of the job.

Throughout The Beauty of Home, natural materials shine through in every room, from construction materials to home furnishings. There are beautiful slabs of marble, onyx, travertine and other stone and wood applied in its many forms, natural grains in cabinets, the aging of antique doors, or various cuts in oak flooring. Natural light spills everywhere.

Much of Flanigans work is in new construction or dramatic renovations, working hand in hand with an architect and builder or contractor as plans for a home and its contents take shape.

I want a home to be a reflection of the people who live there and be a retreat from the world, Flanigan said. Nature is a huge inspiration for me, and I like to call on the texture of authentic materials, things you can run your hand across and experience true marble or real linen.

Architecture plays a big role in my work. You can decorate a home and fill it with furniture and only be at a certain level of design. If you consider interiors with architecture and weave them together, you can take it to an elevated level you would not have been able to, she continued.

Throughout her book, Flanigan emphasizes the importance of good architecture, elements as simple as placement of windows or more complicated, such as preserving the material details of an historic home.

Textures abound, from walls covered in panels of wool or suede, fireplaces surrounded by marble or cast concrete, wood floors topped with rugs of natural materials and fibers. Lighting finished with nickel or brass trim and chairs or barstools with cane backs or seats.

Natural stone repeats in kitchens and bathrooms, and Flanigan said that current projects feature slabs of stone on walls as much as tile.

And as beautiful as the homes in the photos are, nothings too precious to sit on or use. The era of rooms that people arent allowed to go into is behind us.

People are looking for more approachability today. They want to live in their homes and not cringe every time someone has a glass of wine on their rug, Flanigan said. They want beautiful things, but they want to be able to use them.

For some, that means lush interiors, fabrics you cant resist running your hand over, soft rugs beneath your feet and draperies that soften a room. In others, though, a more minimalist approach calls for a glass or acrylic coffee table that does its job in an almost invisible way or dining chars completely devoid of ornamentation.

Flanigan revels in wall treatments, whether its beautiful wallpaper, lustrous paneling or even stone treatments.

And you know were in an era of good self-care when closets are beautiful enough to make the pages of a design book. Flanigans closet treatments for men and women are worthy of any high-end boutique, with built-in cabinetry, lighted sections, chandeliers and furnishings.

I style every home we work on, and to be able to put this coffee-table book on their coffee tables will be a thrill, she said.

diane.cowen@chron.com

Excerpt from:
In Marie Flanigans new design book, theres beauty in every home - Houston Chronicle

Color and texture play equal roles in fabric design, a balance renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen knows well, as doesSunbrella, a leading manufacturer of performance textiles. Though the two have a history of collaborating, the recently launched Larsen Performance Collection marks the latter's first foray into designing a full collectionwith Sunbrella. The collection features a colorful selection of multi-use performance textiles that have the look and feel ofluxury fabrics with inspired designs.

A pioneer of 20th century craftsmanship, Larsens inspiration comes from a desire to weave designliterallyinto unexpected places, showcasing individuality and global ideas from his own travels. Larsen's familiarity with performance fabrics stems from his work atLongHouse, the16-acrenature reserve and sculpture garden he founded in East Hampton, New York. Striving to incorporate art in everyday settings, Larsens collectionwith Sunbrella offers rich, intricate patterns, which also are long-lasting, fade-proof and easy to clean.

Using his extensive print archive, Larsen reinterprets multicolor statement floral and stripe prints into woven jacquard patterns with soft chenille textures, giving a new tactile comfort to indoor and outdoor living. "Midsummer [the floral] was my most popular print which we did in the 50s in many colors," Larsen notes, "I've now revived the pattern as a jacquard woven."

As an avid and long-time basket collector, Larsen constantly refers back to fundamental basket weave patterns. The Interlacing pattern presents as a study in drawing out the essence of a baskets construction into a woven textile."We need fabrics to resist fading for all kinds of purposes, whether it's for children's spaces, work spaces, or living spaces," Larsen says, noting that anothersignificantconnection between these textiles and a properly woven basket is the durability.

The cornerstone of Hieroglyphs design comes from its fabric pattern. The Sunbrella design team created the performance version of a horsehair yarn, with bi-colors mixing matte and shine that give luster and durability to the pattern. Similarly, the Chinoise fabric features an all-over matelass pattern, providing a subtle yet eye-catching motif in a soft textural manner."It has been a pleasure having jacquard facilities and abilities to use multicolorsto create patterned fabrics which is what I've tended to do because they give pleasure," Larsen says about his experience designing with Sunbrella.

"Fortunately today, we have fabrics that are resistant to fading in the sun, rot or mildew, rain and wear and that is very special," Larsen says, noting the rising importance of multi-use spaces . "From quite bold, to subtle, to crisp, we have great variety in this small collection," he continues, "the colors have a crispness, cleanliness, bright or not, which I think will work well in many places."

Available now through Larsen Fabrics.

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Jack Lenor Larsen Teams Up with Sunbrella to Create Textile Collection That Doubles as Art - Interior Design

Samsung is a large, global electronics company that is known for its televisions, soundbars and smart devices. Through the launch of its Frame series of television products, the company is building a following within the home design community and integrators stand to benefit by the companys growing appeal.

James Mayo, director of custom install/channel strategy at Samsung Electronics America, states that over the past several years the company has worked hard to balance the traditional elements of television product development, with the needs of the interior design community.

Headlining Samsungs effort to bridge the differences between the electronics industry and interior design community has been the companys hugely successful The Frame line of products.

Available in a growing selection of screen sizes, The Frame line of products were developed to integrate into home spaces without looking like a traditional television.

The Frame line of products are capable of displaying fine works of art through the use of Samsungs QLED display technologies, and proprietary Art Mode technology, which provides homeowners a choice of more than 1,200 works of art to show at their convenience.

When Samsung first came out with The Frame, it was received so well, we had 55-inch screen sizes; a couple of main screen sizes.We quickly found out that the demand is far and exceeding just like a typical television, people want it in different screen sizes for different purposes, comments Mayo.

We went all the way up to 75 [inches] this year, which has been received really well; 55, 65 were always our best-selling screen sizes. So, we are testing it up higher and the 75 [inch model] has been received really well.

Not only does Samsung now offer the 75-inch screen size model, but it also went the other way, by introducing a 32-inch screen size. Mayo notes the smaller screen size enables homeowners to place their The Frame TVs in locations such as kitchens and smaller bedrooms.

In addition to the research and develop (R&D) efforts the company has put into The Frame series of products, Mayo stresses that Samsung is also supporting the merger of home electronics into interior design spaces, by opening up design centers across the U.S.

When we talk to designers one of the things, we that we find is that designers I think are kind of hardwired to avoid technology a little bit. That is one of the things that we are trying to warm up in the design community, he says.

Weve opened up four different design centers. One in Irvine, Calif., one in Washington D.C., one in Ridgefield Park, N.J., at our headquarter office, but the newest one we built is down in the Dallas Market Center in Dallas, Texas. And we have in there a Samsung Experience by the Dallas Market Center. What we are doing down there is really bringing designers; we built it right in where the designers are use, to working out of every day. What we are trying to do is to get them to come see the rooms, we have Frames set up in there, all of our technologies are set up in there. The designer can come in and show how it becomes a seamless part of their design.

Mayo adds that initially when Samsung designed the Frame line of products the company envisioned the products as secondary TVs within a home, but they were surprised to learn that because of the visual elements the products delivered, homeowners were using the TVs as their primary displays.

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CEDIA Expo Virtual Preview: Samsung Reinvents the TV with The Frame Product Line - CEPRO - CEPro

September 14,2020: All those who are under the misconception that luxury and sustainability dont go hand in hand need to have a second thought. A leading Malaysian interior designer, Andreas Budiman, has debunked the myth like a boss with his innovative eco-friendly yet plush interior design and home renovation projects. The founder of Malaysias topinterior designstudio AND Studio, Mr. Budiman specializes in creating sustainable homes that can save on energy costs

A name of big repute across Malaysia and Singapore residential renovation scene, AND Studio is a full-service interior design and home renovation firm. The company offers specialized design consulting and home remodeling services and caters to all kinds of home renovation projects. Whether its a luxury makeover just for the kitchen or an overall makeover of an entire home, Mr. Budiman and his team are ready to work for all.

What separates Mr. Budimans approach from that of the regular interior designers is his major emphasis in incorporating natural elements in his projectswith due respect to the safety of the planet. One of his recent projects was a condo makeover with natural design and elements which has introduced a new wave in the traditional scene ofinterior design in Malaysia. Located in a highly urbanized area, the condo has been transformed from a 4-decade-old house into a plush grand home, accentuated with natural elements.

The beauty of natural elements was the main concept behind the designing and renovation of the condo, said Mr. Budiman while speaking about incorporating natural elements in his recent project.

The house has been decked up with natural stones like marble which has brought a classy edge to the overall condo. Moreover, AND Studio has incorporated natural lighting in thehome renovationproject as much as possible to ensure almost zero energy consumption.

With thego greencampaign going strong with each passing day, homeowners are really conscious about attaining a sustainable design and eco-friendly living. But, in most of the cases, they are curious about how to incorporate that ethos into their homes and need a guiding support here. This is where we come in.

We try to bring in a natural feel in homes with the help of natural stones, like the way we did in one of our last projects. Natural stones carry a timeless appeal and they always add a dose of class when you are seeking a luxury makeover for your home. Moreover, they are durable. Besides, we focus a lot on getting in natural lighting for your home to reduce energy consumption as much as possible. We believe in creating sustainable home designs that would be pleasing to the eye, easy on pocket and also would contribute to the betterment of the planet.

While asked whether they had to face challenges while incorporating natural elements in their projects, Mr. Budiman mentioned a number of handicaps which they had to learn to tackle. He noted about the difficulties in carrying large slabs of natural stones through elevators and all the extra works needed to size them up before installation.

Yes, of course there are always challenges when we try to incorporate natural elements in our renovation or interior design projects. For example, natural stones usually com in big sizes. So, its a great deal of challenge to carry it in elevators and there is always a lot of on-site work involved before installation. But, we are happy to deal with challenges because we know the end product will serve a greater good.

Mr. Budiman also specializes in urban industrial-concept homes. Another of his recent project was on an industrial-concept home where he has used sophisticated black-accent concept design to create a suave urbane look.

A major name across the Asian interior design industry, Mr. Budiman has been widely appreciated by his clients for his vast knowledge, out-of-the-box approach to home design and renovation and personal touch. Unlike regular designers who are mostly running after money, Mr. Budiman is always more focused on helping his clients add value to their homes. He proceeds with every project with a personalized approach to ensure a clients specific needs and choices are addressed at their best. Many of his clients have spoken highly of his careful attention to detail and personalized care.

It helps a family to have a happy home. We do acknowledge your home is one of your most treasured assets and you wish it to be the reflection of your ethos and elegant tastes. Each design or renovation project comes with its own specific needs. Thus, we always stress on a personalized approach and minute attention to detail to ensure optimum satisfaction, added in Mr. Budiman.

The leading interior designer also aspires to educate his clients and visitors on various aspects of home renovation and interior design through his website and free reports that are sent to clients email. One of his latest educational guides is on hidden costs of renovation that provides exclusive tips on how to save time and money in a renovation project.

AND Studios official website is bustling with a series of happy testimonials from Budimans long range of clients. His clients have spoken highly of him for his unique design approach, impeccable professionalism, prompt response and transparent communication.

200% recommended!!

Even after the season of High Ticket Closing has ended, as my teams Accountability Leader, he continued to provide me with the support I needed in terms of promptly answering my questions, even going as far as setting up a one on one meeting just to best answer my concerns to try and give me more clarity and accountability.

He is truly a gem worth working with that is all about providing value first.

About Andreas Budiman

One of the most renowned names in the Malaysia and Singapore interior design industry, Andreas Budiman is a seasoned interior designer and home renovation expert. His interior design firm, AND Studio is based in Johor Bahru and is reputed for premier and eco-friendly interior design and consultancy for home owners. Budiman is one among the top High-Ticket Closers mentee of Dan Lok, The Asian Dragon and specializes in combining luxury with natural elements to create a warm and classy ambience inside the home.

For moreinformation, please visithttps://andstudiodesign.com/

Source: Story.KISSPR.com

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AND Studio creating sustainable homes with eco-friendly luxury interior design & renovation - Press Release - Digital Journal

Back in 2018, while the Dolan Twins were still living in their first Encino home, they enlisted the help of Mr. Kate and Joey to add some decorative touches. The couple decided to match the interior design to the mid-century exterior, and their dining room choices have since come back to haunt them.

After selecting a rustic dining table, Joey explained that they chose more mid century chairs for contrast.While placing the seats at the table, Joey and Kate discuss how they picked them.

"These chairs are cool," Joey says.

"I am obsessed with these," Kate responds. "These are made in Italy."

When the Dolan Twins were able to see the finished design, they harped on the chairs.

"They're made in Italy? Imported?" Ethan said.

"These are amazing! We're Italian!" Grayson exclaimed.

"A little bit," Ethan added.

But, more than two years later, the Dolan Twins said that Mr. Kate actually lied about the chairs, and they claimed that they were really from Walmart.

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Why Did the Dolan Twins Shade Mr. Kate's Furniture? What Happened? - Distractify

As we approach the final quarter of 2020, the profound business shifts caused by the coronavirus are more apparent than ever, from day-to-day operations to fundamental values. We asked seven interior designersMelissa Bodie, Kati Curtis, Javier Fernandez, Taj Hunter Waite, Christina Nielsen, Alisa Popelka and Danielle Rollinshow the virus affected their firms and how theyve adjusted to the changing times.

Alisa PopelkaCourtesy of Alisa Popelka

Keeping it realIve added a COVID clause to my contract and have had open dialogues with each client regarding how they are most comfortable moving forward with projects during the pandemic, whether that is to continue in-person, change to virtual services or put their projects on hold. By remaining transparent and keeping the lines of communication open regarding issues such as longer lead times, freight and shipping delays, and managing scope creep (as clients are spending more time in their homes and adding to their projects), it establishes that we are all on the same page. Each party understands we are working under abnormal circumstances, but still striving for excellent customer service, a great client experience, and a well-designed space clients will love to live in. Alisa Popelka, Alisa Cristine Interiors, Dallas

Javier FernandezCourtesy of Javier Fernandez

Back in actionIn the early days of COVID, most of my projects were placed on hold. That time was quite scary, not knowing if the client would call back. Around the end of April, the phone calls and emails from existing clients, as well as new ones, started coming in fast and furious. After a great big sigh of relief, I went to work and have not stopped. The projects range from sprucing up a couple of rooms to full-on remodels, including participating in The Hampton Designer Showhouse to boot. What I have learned from this moment is that our homes are critical to our well-being. With more time at home, I sincerely believe that clients are investing in their homes because they have fallen back in love with them. Javier Fernandez, Transitional Designs, New York

Taj Hunter WaiteCourtesy of Taj Hunter Waite

A different paceWhen the COVID shutdown occurred, there was so much uncertainty initially. As weve slowly started again, delivery of custom orders are all moving at a snails pace. For the most part, on full design service jobs, budgets havent been affected. [The most significant change] I have experienced is clients wanting to be a bigger part of the process. When I encounter that, I suggest our virtual service options. If you want to actively be a part of the process, I can source and advise you along the way. Considering the lines between work, home and family responsibilities are more blurred than ever before, I find being flexible in offering new methods of design delivery to be key. Taj Hunter Waite, All Things Taj, Miami

Kati CurtisCourtesy of Kati Curtis

creative licenseWeve had to get creative with installs. Some buildings wouldnt allow our contractors in, some would only allow a certain number in at a time, and some have only allowed work in one unit per day, so if someone else was working wed have to wait. Weve also had some clients on a tighter deadline, meaning we have to work quickly and be extra-efficient. Some materials have been delayed due to international shipping. Its all about adapting and finding new solutions to still deliver exceptional results for our clients. Kati Curtis, Kati Curtis Design, New York

Christina NielsenCourtesy of Christina Nielsen

Here comes the boomI am extremely grateful to say that COVID has impacted my business in a positive way, and I have never been busier. As the power of home is more prevalent than ever, my clients are looking to either upgrade their homes or move into new ones. While commercial projects have stalled, New York and the surrounding area is a buyers market, which has created a boom in residential design. It has, however, been a huge learning experience to transition from in-person meetings and appointments to purely virtual. I miss having the connection of clients and showrooms, but it is clear that the design industry remains incredibly resilient and continues to adapt. Christina Nielsen, Christina Nielsen Design, New York and London

Melissa BodieCourtesy of Melissa Bodie

A closer look Fortunately, business has been solid and consistent, thanks to our introduction of e-design services. But reading the startling statistics about the viruss effect on people of color holds up a microscope to the systemic, institutional racism in the U.S., and has propelled us to continue to strive for more diversity, inclusion and equity. We continue to examine our role within the design business, reassessing the brands with whom we work and from whom we source. Melissa Bodie, Melissa + Miller Interiors, New York and Philadelphia

Danielle RollinsCourtesy of Danielle Rollins

Full speed aheadI think the home industry is in for a major boom. People [have] started really seeing their home as a place of shelter, rather than a transient dwelling they pass through. I am seeing a major shift in how people view their spacestheyre making a major investment in the things they had put off or didnt see value in investing in before. My clients are going full throttle on curtains, carpets and fully decorated spaces. Danielle Rollins, Danielle Rollins Interiors, Atlanta

Homepage photo: A project by Danielle Rollins from her forthcoming book, Home for All Seasons | Courtesy of Rizzoli

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7 designers on how COVID has impacted their businesses - Business of Home