Going green is more in vogue now than ever before. It’s no longer a strange, unrealistic way of life, but is becoming more feasible and more sensible every day. Similarly, green design is making its way into homes and buildings the world over, and it’s a great idea to incorporate green concepts into every possible feature of a new design.

Professional designers like myself have an opportunity to lead the way in developing the concept of sustainable living for homeowners. When you incorporate principles of green living into your new space, you can feel good that it is healthy both for you and for the environment.

Sometimes it can be hard to find affordable alternatives for green design, but when I can offer items with comparable prices and construction to more typical options, my clients are eager to consider such green choices. Since sustainable living has become more desirable to more people, green products have become both more affordable and more attractive. Products are catching up as manufacturers respond to increased demand. And don’t think that being green means you can’t also be fashionable and luxurious—these days they often go hand-in-hand!

It can also be a nice surprise to find out that some of the materials and items you already own or use are greener than you realize. Many fabric manufacturers in Europe produce greener products than, say Asian or even American manufacturers. Fire retardants and toxic chemicals are avoided in favor of natural dyes. It might not be labeled as organic, but what you’re using unwittingly can still be better than alternatives.

Some green products you can look for to incorporate into a new green design include natural fabrics, energy efficient lighting, and low-flow faucets and water systems. It can be hard work to find some of these items, but if you truly value the positive aspects of sustainable living, then you already know that it is all worth it.

You can also make some changes to the way your household operates, as opposed to searching for new green items and products to replace traditional ones. Don’t let the need to adopt all the latest green technology overwhelm your desire to be pro-active. Instead, assess your current home or design’s state of environmental impact and find ways to maximize the potential of what you already have.

For example, you can fill a used two-liter soda bottle with water and place it in your toilet tank to save a half gallon of water per flush. (That’s both recycling AND saving water.) You can also look for an ultra-low-flow showerhead and reduce the amount of time you spend getting clean to save even
more water. Another major green improvement that requires hardly any extra effort is to unplug your gadgets and appliances when they’re not in use. Statistics say that in an average home, 40% of all electricity is used to power appliances that are actually turned off.

There are tons of ways to go green, no matter what your budget. It’s always a good idea to examine the choices you’re making for new designs, and in everyday living, to find green ways to work within your means. And be sure to keep an eye out for new green ideas and topics, to continually improve the quality of your environmentally sustainable efforts!

KD

When it comes to interior design, furniture, accessories,colors, styles, and materials are all important. But lighting is also an essential factor to consider, as it can dramatically affect the whole feel of a
room. This basic design element can enhance colors, inspire drama, and create a variety of moods. And of course, good lighting is about more than pretty and interesting fixtures—it also entails different types of light bulbs, technology, and controls to adjust the desired mood.

Lighting affects people’s emotions. With a proper lighting strategy, a room becomes a place of beauty, an enjoyable space in which to be.  Successful lighting provides a feeling of well-being, and can convey a sense of security, warmth, and comfort. Home lighting can evoke a mood, like cozy and relaxing low-level lighting, or stimulating and active bright lighting.  Insufficient lighting can provoke feelings of depression and gloom, while too much light or glaring lighting can be agitating and uncomfortable, even resulting in physical issues. It is very important to keep these effects in mind when planning lighting design.

The main types of lighting include ambient, task, accent, and of course natural light. A combination of all types, referred to as “layering,” will create the most effective lighting strategy. Ambient light provides an
even, general illumination and typically comes from a ceiling fixture like a chandelier. It can also be a hidden light source that washes the room with a glow. Task lighting gives a focused, practical light to a specific area in a room, for daily activities such as reading, cooking, and sewing. Accent lighting draws attention to a certain area to add interest and depth, like lights on a picture. Interior design can also make use of natural light through skylights and windows. The type of light isn’t always determined by the fixture, but often by the way it is used.

When choosing lighting, consider the mood you want to create and the tasks performed in each room, then choose the appropriate fixtures to complement your interior style. Always plan your lighting strategy ahead of time when you are remodeling. Recessed lighting set flush with the ceiling can provide general or accent illumination. Ceiling fixtures mounted directly on the surface can be simple domes that provide diffuse ambient light, or elaborate chandeliers which are both a decorative focal point and a source of general light. The image below is a unique and lovely chandelier I used recently in a client’s home. This amazing piece really made a statement in my client’s dining room, while also providing light by which to eat and socialize.

Pendant lights hang from the ceiling and can be used in different forms for general lighting and task lighting over tables and work areas. A general rule for chandeliers and pendant lights is to hang them about 30 inches above the table to keep harsh light from diners’ eyes. Sconces are mounted on the wall, and can direct light up or down depending on the design.  Floor lamps with directional shades can provide ambient or task light. Torchères send light toward the ceiling for indirect ambient light and drama, while standing lamps with adjustable arms cast light down to provide reading light or a soft accent glow. Table lamps come in all shapes and sizes for both a decorative touch and general room lighting. Tracking lighting can be a great solution if you need to brighten up a space with low ceilings.

Light control is most easily provided by lamp shades. You can send light up or down or reduce glare with different shades, depending on their shape, material, and opacity. Another way to manipulate light is to use dimmers, which offer even greater control over brightness and mood. Some allow you to create different presets for different times of the day or various activities. Dimmers can also conserve energy and extend the life of light bulbs.

The design of the fixture you choose and the color of light you require determine which kind of light bulb or “lamp” you’ll need.  Traditional lamps include incandescent, halogen, xenon, and krypton bulbs. The type of light is determined by the color temperature on the Kelvin scale—a bluer light and a cooler, fresher look comes from lights with a higher color temperature. I usually prefer incandescent bulbs, as they tend to be the most flattering kind of light. They are the most common type of bulb in homes, and provide a warm, consistent light.

Other types of light include compact fluorescents (CFLs), tungsten halogen, and LEDs. CFLs use about a third the electricity of incandescents while lasting up to 20 times longer. Tungsten halogen bulbs are also energy-efficient, lasting twice as long as standard incandescents, with a bright, white light. LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, cast a bright, clear light and last up to 30 times longer than incandescents.

Some fun examples for lighting can be found around bars and restaurants. The downlighting at the bar of the Ellina in the image below makes an awesome design statement. In the back right side of the photo, you can see the light from a recessed fixture in the ceiling, which really lightens and opens up that space. You can also see the pendant lights over the bar, which add decorational value, an intimate mood, and practical lighting.

Below is another photo from the popular Aspen restaurant, the Ellina. Again you can see the recessed lighting around the edge of the room.  There are also shot lights providing a dim, yet comfortable general glow for the diners.

KD

Using an interior designer for the first time can be a daunting experience. There are many things to consider, and after all, this is your home—your personal space with which you want to be very careful when trusting it to someone else’s ideas. That’s why it is very important to take your time and consider your options before deciding on an interior designer.

Your interior designer will do the research and legwork for you, using the training and experience they possess to help choose every little detail relating to decorating your home, including paint colors, fabrics,
textures, flooring, accessories, tile layout, furniture plan, finish selections, and construction management. A professional designer usually knows the best resources and may be able to help you cut expenses on your fantastic purchases. Your designer should visit you at your home, listen closely to your ideas and needs, and work with you to create the right plan for your project.

When you are starting your research, be sure to review several portfolios and personalities. Most decorators have a signature style and it makes sense to find somebody with a style similar to what you are
trying to achieve in your home. Find or take pictures of rooms you are drawn to and browse the internet to look for options. Ask if any of your friends can recommend a designer with whom they have worked before.

An important item to consider while you are searching for a designer is cost. Designers have several ways of charging for their services, and rates and mark-ups vary widely from one designer to another. Some use a flat fee, which is for the work only, with no mark-up for furniture, etc. Most commonly, interior designers will charge per hour and add a mark-up price for furniture. Hourly rates can range from $95 to $500 an hour, based on location and reputation.

Designers are usually able to buy furniture at a discounted rate ranging from 10 to 50 percent, depending on the manufacturer.  Standard designer mark-up is from 20 to 35 percent, based on how much experience the designer has and how much demand there is for the designer’s work. For my own designs, I ask for a 100 percent deposit on furniture before ordering, and if I have any shipping
costs I’m unsure of, I will bill the client as the pieces come in. Some designers ask for a 50 percent deposit and full payment before installation. It is also possible to hire a decorator for just a few hours, to give you guidance and ideas.

Once the designer has been selected and a rate has been agreed upon, you will want to sign a contract to protect both parties.  Be sure to have a written agreement listing all costs, any deadlines, and an explanation of exactly what the decorator will be doing. Then you need to decide on your goals, which may vary among a few different situations. You may be planning a brand new building, looking to remodel a current home, or perhaps you just need some help selecting furniture and accessories for a finished space.

For new constructions, it is best to have the designer involved from the very beginning, right alongside the architect. This way they will be able to work together in designing the layout, furniture plans, texture and finish selections, tile and flooring plans, the kitchen layout, etc. The whole project will run more smoothly if everyone is on the same page from the beginning and both the designer and the architect will also be able to answer any questions from the builder and owner.

Remodeling can be just as tricky and time-consuming as new construction. You may not know what’s going to be behind the walls when you start tearing them down, so be prepared. Often with old buildings, the foundation has slowly moved around and twisted under the building. I have also run across asbestos in the walls which needs to be removed by the proper people. In the case of a remold, some drawing
of floor and furniture plans may be needed. Depending on the scale of the remold, your designer might also need to produce some bathroom and kitchen elevations.

For clients who are only looking for help with furniture selection, the task is much easier and a designer will simply need to create a furniture plan. At this point, the designer will have the basic design concept and can present it to the client for approval.

Once the furniture plan is approved it is time to set a budget. Be clear with your designer about which styles and colors you prefer, any objects that must be in a particular room, your lifestyle—such as children, pets, or lots of entertaining—and exactly how you intend to use the room. After the designer knows what the client wants to put into a project, it’s easier to work together and decide on a more realistic budget. Don’t be shy about telling your designer if you don’t like something; if they don’t know about it then they can’t change it. If you are uncomfortable with the price of an item, let your designer know—they often have some different sources they can check to see if they can find a better price.

After the furniture design is finished, the designer should put together a proposal with the prices and item descriptions. Next the proposal must been approved and signed, and then there is normally an 8 to 12 week ordering period.  Many of the items in high-end design work are made-to-order and take some time to reach the client. Sometimes designers have problems, such as finding that their carefully-chosen fabric is being
back-ordered or has suddenly been discontinued, so there may be some changes to orders along the way. Many items are ordered from around the world, so you will also need to allow for shipping time.

When designers have items shipped, they use a receiving house. Ask your designer how the receiving house charges for services, as some designers like their clients to pay directly. The receiving house will inspect all the items and store them until the installation date. Depending on the size of a project, you should typically allow 2 to 3 days for a stress free installation.

After the installation, I always accessorize my designs with frames, flowers, candles, and the little details that really complete the feeling of a client’s home. Once the installation is complete, the client and designer should walk through the project together and see if anything needs to be tweaked or any adjustments need to be made.

Always remember that the design process takes time. You will need to communicate easily with your designer and work well together throughout the process. A professional interior designer helps things to run smoothly, organizes the project for you so that you have less to worry about, and is able to make decisions based on information of which most clients would not be aware. Despite the problems and frustrations that can occur, you will find that working with an interior designer to decorate a new space can be a very rewarding, enjoyable experience which produces the most inspiring results.

KD

There are a lot of important elements that combine to give a room the right atmosphere. Whether it’s warm and cozy, crisp and clean, or somewhere in the middle, the feel of the room comes from the many carefully chosen pieces and the way they are arranged within. Below are several examples of how I like to combine clean lines with soft materials. You can see that I like to use different woods and metals for a natural touch that mirrors the mountains of Aspen.

In the above photo, I love the small mirrors and the side tables. These decorative mirrors add both pleasing reflective accents and a touch of perceived extra space to the room. The side tables are practical and also decorative, continuing the bedroom’s color scheme and adding new textures. The lamps are made out of silk stamps, and the cozy, plush-looking headboard is made from hair-on-hide leather.

My clients select art that perfectly mimics their personalities. The abstract designs break up the space of the light-colored walls and add interest without being distracting. They also bring in hints of bold color that do not overwhelm or change the overall color scheme. The table here is made out of teak wood, and the whimsical chandelier creates shadows that look like branches on the ceiling and walls, which makes for a great effect at night.

This photo shows the overall scope of the project and the accents I’m installing in the background. Here you can see the mirror in the kitchen and the many different finishes I’ve used around the living area. I like all my designs to feel comfortable and inviting, but clean lined and organic. I wanted my clients to feel comfortable in the soft and welcoming textures of the sofa, and the pleasant lighting and atmosphere throughout the condo.

I loved working on this project for several reasons. The various finishes—mirror, stone tile, wallpaper, plaster walls—were enjoyable to work with, and I liked that they were expressive without being over the top. It was fabulous to see how they all came together at the end of the project and made the condo look bigger on the inside. I also enjoyed having such a wonderful team with the builder and the architect. We had great communication and they were very flexible, enabling us to build off of each other’s ideas. And I also appreciated that although my client had to travel back and forth a lot for this project, he was amiable and fantastic to work with.