Fashion Forward Thinking
I recently attended a design event at the Clarke showroom in Milford with Design Director, Jessica Chabot. The evening was full of Clarke goodness: social networking, a delicious dinner prepared on-site, and a captivating guest speaker, Richard Anuszkiewicz. Richard (for the sake of sanity, I will refer to him by his first name instead of last), services the Washington D.C. market as Director of the Kitchen and Bath Division and he was also featured as one of HGTV’s 30 under 30 in 2013.
His presentation last week, entitled, “Fashion Forward Thinking: Becoming a Savvy Designer” was geared around creating that “wow” factor in home design – abandoning the clichés in hopes of setting new, creative approaches to interior design. Within his speech, he listed out ten steps for successfully achieving this. Whether it be reconsidering the dynamic of families today – the need for in-law apartments and Ensuite living, or realizing that “yesterday’s luxuries have become today’s standards” -think soft-close drawer glides – there is a need for both creative and intellectual thought when designing today.
I decided to share some of the steps that seem the most relevant to Hawthorn Builders, from both an architectural and interior design standpoint.
Step 4 – The Hook : This was a new term to me in the context of design. What I learned was that the “hook” is your statement piece, the center of attention, something that people are drawn to. In the kitchen, it can be a decorative wood hood over your range, or the stunning kitchen pendants. In your built-ins, you can create “the hook” by your material choices and object placement. Together this will flow together to make that one unit, catch your eye.
Step 5 – Mood: A well designed room has a mood to it. This is often described as a light, airy and spacious feel. A positive mood in a home can be created by a few different design elements. One way to achieve this is by creating a comprehensive lighting plan. It is important to understand the different functions of lighting – utilitarian vs mood – and then place fixtures accordingly. Another way to design a spacious environment is to lay off on cabinets. Open shelving is very popular right now, although as a style it is not for everyone. An alternative to open shelving is keeping some walls free of cabinets, or not putting so many next to the hood.
As I work through my notes from Richard’s presentation, I realize that there are many more tips and ideas that I would like to share. Stay tuned for additional insight and detail on the way to enhance your space to the max!
The post Fashion Forward Thinking appeared first on Hawthorn.
