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HGTV's Lee Snijders offers some quick interior
redesign tips
I recently returned from the annual conference of
the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (IRIS),
this year in San Antonio, Texas. This was my fourth
conference, and the best, in my opinion. Once a year,
interior redesigners from all over the country (and
even one from Australia!) get together to recharge
our batteries, learn new skills, and have fun.
The IRIS organization has grown by leaps and bounds
during the last few years, as more and more people
learn about the concept of one-day redesigns using
existing furnishings. Of all the things I do in my
business, one-day redesign remains my favorite. It
is amazing what creative rearranging of furniture,
artwork and accessories can do to enliven any room.
I was recently elected to the Board of Directors of
IRIS, and look forward to being a part of the continued
growth of this organization.
The keynote speaker this year was Lee Snijders, host
of HGTV's Design on a Dime. He was as cute in person
as he is on his show, looking much younger than his
38 years. Full of enthusiasm and energy, he spoke for
almost two hours straight. One of most important things
he said was that design should always be "all
about the homeowner." This is the design philosophy
of interior redesign professionals, and it certainly
is mine. When an audience member asked him if any of
the homeowners on the show had ever been unhappy with
their new room, Lee answered that it had never happened
because they always listen to the homeowners needs
and wants. Interior designers and redesigners
must be problem solvers, able to resolve issues of
functionality as well as aesthetics. Listening to the
client is vital.
Lee Snijders shared with us some
of his favorite design tips:
- The fastest way to change a space is not by painting,
but through accessories. New throw pillows can make
your couch seem new, and digging through your cupboards
may unearth some treasures that can give your room
a whole new look. And don't forget about plants,
which Lee called "nature's accessories."
- Use darker paint colors to make a room look larger.
Darker tones add depth, and because they absorb light,
they give the room what Lee calls "depth perspective."
- In kitchens, use "food colors." Lee
advises to observe what restaurants do. Many restaurants
use darker tones like merlot, eggplant, and golden
squash.
- To choose colors for your home office, Lee gives
the following advice: if you have a lot of energy,
use calming colors like earth tones; if you are a
procrastinator, use brighter colors for energy.
- For kids' rooms, Lee advises to give your kids "the
coolest room on the block." Kids are small for
such a short time, Lee says. Indulge them.
- For design inspiration, think about your favorite
vacation spot, restaurant, hotel or spa. What makes
it your favorite-- is it the colors? Fabrics? Artwork?
Lighting? Try to create the same feeling in your
own home.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on May 13, 2006.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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