Dan's Papers - May 15, 2009 - Making Choices to Create Your Environment

Most people reading this column have had some type of interior design experience during their lifetime. Starting with a childhood play space - mine was the attic of my family's Manhasset, Long Island home - and moving on to dorm rooms, first apartments and eventually houses, we all in one way or another have "created" an environment. Most of us know what we like, but making all the pieces of the puzzle work together is often a frustrating process. Much consideration has to be given to harmonizing the floors with the walls, the furniture with the carpeting, the lighting with the colors, and so on. The framework for good design involves the basic principles of proportion, balance and harmony. I advise my clients to know their style and know their "stuff."

Take a good look at your possessions and photograph each item. Photographs help you to view a piece of furniture, carpet or any object more objectively. Ask yourself, "Do I really love this lamp? Does it fit into my planned décor?" Be tough in determining what works and what needs to be eliminated. Place photos in a binder and you'll be well equipped to go shopping. A photo takes the guesswork out of finding items that will work with what you already own.

Measure everything and take notes. Know your space and its limitations. Study your room, take measurements and consider the room's use and traffic patterns. Measure the room, including any architectural features, such as built-in bookcases and fireplaces, using a steel measuring tape. Make note of the size of each piece of furniture, including its height, width and depth.

Research what the marketplace has to offer and be familiar with new products in your price range. Find out what that leather sofa you've been dreaming of will cost you. You should invest the time to visit the major design showrooms in the D&D Building, 59th Street and 200 Lexington Ave, NYC. The salespeople are very knowledgeable and will give you tear sheets for future reference. Ask savvy friends about their favorite showrooms and sources.

Find inspiration in design magazines. Tear out pages that appeal to you. Compile a notebook with your notes, and add in paint chips, fabric and wallpaper samples. After you've spent some time looking at photos, take stock. Are you attracted to rooms that are sparse and modern or cozy with details? Have you picked several things in the same color blue? Even a small detail, like a chair in yellow silk or a mahogany wood kitchen countertop, can help you in deciding a design "direction" for a room. Most publications list a source directory in the back of each issue that will direct you where to buy an item featured on its editorial pages.

Unify! Narrow down your options and see how everything looks together. You must learn to edit elements that just don't work. Even if you love that Bloomingdale's chesterfield sofa, if it overwhelms the space, check it off your list!

Find a focal point. Every room needs to have a design focus and one very expressive lead element. When you enter a room your eye bounces from place to place until it finds someplace to rest. If your space lacks a focal point, the décor can appear cluttered and busy. What architectural asset does your room possess? A living room with its own grand fireplace, for example, has a "built-in" focal point. Fireplaces are naturally appealing and with mantels to decorate, they easily steal the show. A main area of focus can also be created with a dramatic piece of furniture such as a stately armoire, an eye-catching chandelier or an oversized coffee table.

Balance is a subtle and very important component in good design. Balance makes the relationship between objects seem comfortable. It's a sense that everything is properly placed. Give the eye objects to view as it hops around the room. Repeated visual elements establish balance. For example, you probably don't want red cushions on every chair but you want to see that color on more than just the sofa. Examine the room and see what's missing or too overdone. You can bring a room into equilibrium through thoughtful placement.

Last but not least, make a budget. Price items that you're considering before you make any purchases. An itemized shopping list will highlight what stays and what goes. An educated and patient consumer can get the look they desire for less money, so shop around. Even if you hire a design professional, these basic steps will help you attain the look you'll love for years to come. Planning is the key to a beautiful home.

Until next time, happy decorating!

Donna Avedon, recognized as one of New York's top designers, creates environments that reflect her clients' personal style. For more information, go to avedondesigns.com.