Well it turns out that this lovely reader is Jane Hamilton of JAC Interiors, a prestigious interior design firm in Los Angeles. After chatting for a bit I asked Jane if she would be so kind as to answer some of my questions about interior design for the Daily Connoisseur and she agreed!
Our Q & A is below. All of the pictures you see are from JAC Interiors' portfolio.
What are some inexpensive things people can do to update the look of their home?
• Buy new throw pillows.
• Wallpaper just one wall for accent.
• Add inexpensive art found at flea markets, not just paintings but sculpture pieces. This really adds a curated, expensive look.
• Color arrange your bookshelves—this looks very Parisian chic.
• Bring out the wedding china and use in the bathroom to store make up brushes.
Where should we splurge and where should we save when decorating?
Buy more expensive things and use them on small areas. Buy some fabulous fabric and put it on a tiny piece of furniture like a stool, accent pillow or lampshade. This will add bling to the room and probably be the only thing people will focus their eyes on. You could splurge on a great wallpaper for a small space as well. Splurge on things that will give you great pleasure everyday such as beautiful bedding. You want to get maximum usage or impact from the things you are spending more money on. Save money on fabric for heavy use items like a sofa or chair in a family room. You can use less expensive items and add bling with accessories.
Clutter is so not chic. Do you have any tips for keeping clutter at bay?
Do a daily 5 minute pick up everyday before bed. Edit your possessions. Take a hint from the French who are great minimalists. Less good quality items are better than a lot of cheap junk and will make you feel better about your surroundings. You will be able to think more clearly if you eliminate clutter down to just a few items. We find having cute baskets are great, but be careful not to turn them into junk piles. You must edit periodically. The container store has super items to help you organize.
Can you give us a few do's and don'ts of interior design?
Do have a collection of tear sheets from magazines that capture the “feeling” of the room you would like. Don’t just follow trends, go with what exhibits your best self. Gather your favorite knick knacks around the house and display them together in a collection. You will give your guests an instant conversation topic when they come over.
Go for the best quality you can afford. Consider the light in your space and be sure to compensate for dark rooms or too light rooms when choosing paint colors. The final layer of accessories, such as lighting, art and pillows make a room. Many clients don’t see the value in this last phase and that’s the icing on the cake! A room isn’t done unless there is art and fabulous lighting.
Most people feel that hiring interior designers is only for the wealthy. Is this true? How is the industry changing?
Hiring interior designers is an investment that will save you money and time in the long run. It will give you peace of mind that you are choosing the right items for your lifestyle and personality. We save you from making mistakes on your own. Find a designer who understands who you are and your needs. They should be good listeners who uplift the client and make them look and feel great when the project is done!
JAC Interiors---Jane Hamilton, Andrea Putman, Christine Thompson
JAC Interiors is an interior design firm that serves the Los Angeles area. They were recently awarded the Best of Houzz 2013.
For more information on JAC Interiors, click here, or visit, www.JACinteriordesign.com
Thank you Jane!
News
♥ Read my latest piece for Huffington Post Style called, Get Your Spring Wardrobe Ready.
♥ The Biographile picks Lessons from Madame Chic as one of 10 Parisian Memoirs to Celebrate Spring.
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5 comments:
As a librarian, I always cringe when I see the "color code your books" advice but in the spirit of a generous Easter I'll say that as long as you're reading and supporting your local library you can shelve them any manner that pleases you :)
Bonjour,
I'm going to say here that in fact I loved your book, I am Brazilian and I live in Rio de Janeiro, a city on the mountain, I am also a blogger, and I love to read, his book was recommended to me by the owner of the bookstore, which is very tiny, and just loved, I finished reading today.
Sabrina
sabrinizza.wordpress.com
Hiring interior designers is an investment that will save you money and time in the long run. It will give you peace of mind that you are choosing the right items for your lifestyle and personality.
Interior Design
Nice blog i loved to read.
I am also a blogger, and I love to read, his book was recommended to me by the owner of the bookstore, which is very tiny, and just loved, I finished reading today.
Kenneth bordewick
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