In the last issue of this ezine, we discussed the growing trend of do-it-yourself design. Thanks to many innovative websites, homeowners can now assume the role of interior designers and personalize many of the design elements in their homes. This month we’ll take a look at ways to put your own stamp on your window treatments, bedding – and yes, even your furniture.
Windows
Roller shades and blinds have been fairly boring until now. Although effective at keeping out the sun, they usually had to be adorned with fabric curtain panels or valances to soften their otherwise industrial and mundane look. Not anymore. Smith and Noble, one of the first to market design products on the Internet, offers a wide range of window covering options, including many in grass and other natural materials. The company was one of the first to offer the option of fabric bandings that you can repeat in cushions or tablecloths.
Other companies offer interesting designs for your windows that look better when drawn. Consider The Shade Store which offers shades with bold patterns or Chilewich fabrics. Customization options are minimal but they have a nice array of designs.
If you are modern and adventurous take a look at www.Orangepiel.com. They offer high-quality roller blinds with or without motorization in a print design of your choice. You can choose the size you want, then your fabric. You can even move your “window” around on the fabric to maximize the placement of the design in the space. Fabric options range from burn-out styles (which let the design speak through filtered light) to black-out for deep sleep.
Bedding
Most of us like soft, pliable bedding with a high thread count. Printed fabrics can be a little coarse despite the thread count, however, because the ink usually sits on top and creates a stiff layer. www.Inmod.com has solved the problem with embroidery. They offer modern and traditional patterns that can embellish cotton, linen or silk fabrics. First you choose your fabric and its color, then the design and thread colors. The website’s flexibility allows you to change different elements – color, design, etc. – as you go without having to start over from scratch. You can then “place” the bedding in your room so it simulates what you already have. It feels like Sims — and is just as easy.
Furniture
Customizing your own furniture is the final frontier. Furniture makers and designers have kept this part of the design process a well-guarded secret – and for a reason. It is not easy to design a piece of furniture with the right proportions and properties. After all, that is what a designer’s education and experience teaches her to do. But if you are adventurous enough and dare to take the risk there are companies that offer a palette of options to help you can create your own look.
Chervan a venerable traditional furniture maker, offers a mix-and-match approach to upholstered furniture design. You can choose the size you want, plus the arm, back, cushion style, leg and finish to create a piece of furniture that is uniquely yours.
For a contemporary modern look try Shangrila Sofa, a California-based company that makes custom upholstery in China. Most of their designs are inspired by the mid-century greats such as Le Corbusier, Arne Jacobsen, Mies van der Rohe, and Eames, to name a few. These are not heirloom- certified pieces, which are only available through the manufacturers that hold the licenses to the designs (such as Knoll and Herman Miller) and the recognizable designs may not be identical and correct. So if you are a stickler for proportions, beware of buying a reproduction. However, at Shangrila you can design your own sofa arrangement and choose the frame size, upholstery leather and leg style to create a look that fits your contemporary taste.
As you can see, the design world has changed. For some, however, the choices of do-it-yourself design are overwhelming and may not necessarily be less expensive than working with a professional. But if all you need is a lampshade to match your daughter’s bed linen, you can enjoy the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
If you are tackling a more complex set of parameters, such as your entire living room with window treatments, lighting, upholstery and accessories, you might find yourself mired in indecision as you try to put the third or fourth piece of the puzzle into place. So if you can’t make up your mind between all the choices you have, the professional interior designer is only a phone call away. We will provide guidance and help you narrow down the options so that all your design choices fit together beautifully.