Greetings,
This month 's newsletter features in-depth coverage of Interior Redesign. Read below for an interview with a client who found that Redesign was just what she needed to revitalize the home she's been living in for 15 years. In the second article, we share some of the design ideas and process tips that went into our client's favorite Redesign--her family room.
As we wave goodbye to the end of summer, we hope you find this newsletter entertaining and educational.
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| Hooked on Redesign: One Client's Insights |
You regularly hear from us on the benefits and
features of
To a T's Interior
Redesign and Color Consultation services. This month, we bring you a different perspective--that of a client in Potomac,
MD who has fully embraced the transformative nature of Interior Redesign. Here are some insights as
to how To a T's services solved Linda's interior design needs:
Q1. What attracted you to the concepts of Redesign?
A1. I was eager to change some of my room's
design and felt a new styling would enhance their function and form. Susan created a totally unique and
inviting look for each of the rooms she worked on.
Q2. Were you familiar with Interior Redesign
before you began working with Susan?
A2. I was somewhat familiar with the concept of Redesign but had never
thought of it in terms of my own home. However, once I realized how ready I was for change and a new look, I
was hooked!
Q3. What was your initial focus area in
working with Susan?
A3. Susan and I first met in September
2009 when we worked together to select paint and carpet for the rec room; this
large room is on the lower level and had dark carpeting and trim paint. From there we moved to the redesign of
the living and family rooms with additional attention to art arrangements in
several other rooms.
Q4. What are Susan's
contributions and why do you like working with her?
A4. After living in my home for 15 years, I
felt it was looking tired, and that it was time for a change. Susan redesigned my rooms using the
furnishings I already had and brought an exciting, new feel to each of the
rooms. Her creativity and new
ideas have totally transformed my home. I'm thrilled that I have a new look without having to move, and the added
bonus is that I still enjoy the comfort and familiarity of my own furnishings. Working with Susan was such a pleasure;
she took great care to listen to my needs and then implement changes to provide
for them.
Q5. How many rooms have you made over with
To a T's help?
A5. As we
moved from one area of my home to another, I wanted to add Susan's touch to
other rooms. All told, we worked in 7 rooms: 3 were full makeovers and 4 involved changes to artwork and accessories.
Q6. What is your favorite room Redesign and
why?
A6. It's a tough call, but the family room
is my favorite room! I spend the
most time there visiting with family and friends, working at my desk, watching
television and doing needlework. Whereas the desk used to be tucked in a corner of the family
room and was the first thing seen from the foyer, its new
placement now provides a great view of the backyard woods and the many birds that
visit the various feeders. Both
the sofa and desk are oriented so the outdoors is the focal point. We also worked to conceal the television
and still have easy viewing. The family room is more spacious and balanced now;
it's definitely a room where function and design come together perfectly.
Redesigned Family Room
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Family Room Before Redesign
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Click here to see photos of Linda's Redesigned living room (under Potomac, MD).
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Redesign 101: Furniture Arrangement is Key
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Interior Redesign is composed of various process steps; each of which must be completed in a particular order to achieve the desired effect. When Linda asked for recommended design changes for her family room, the first step was to ask how she used the room and did it function as she needed it to? As we talked, it became clear that the current configuration was not optimal for Linda's priorities. Here are some insights into how we achieved the Redesigned family room.
Family Room Before
Linda's priorities for the room were: desk/computer use, entertaining, needle craft work and TV watching. With that in mind, we moved the furniture as follows:
- Moved the desk from the corner and placed it in front of the windows to maximize the view to the wooded back yard.
- Moved the beautiful painted armoire to the left of the desk (pictured above in Hooked on Redesign) and moved the TV to a closet (former wet bar on wall facing fireplace, not pictured). The armoire is now a focal point from the front door and entrance hall.
- Moved sofa to front wall facing windows and outdoor view.
- Positioned side chairs for TV watching and needle crafts.
- Re-accessorized bookshelves surrounding fireplace for cleaner, more updated look.
While the primary motivation of the furniture placement was to match function to need, the end result also achieved better balance, lighting and flow for the room--the ultimate Redesign trifecta!
Family Room After  |
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As always, if you need help
making your home the inviting, comfortable space you envision, call To a T
Interiors. We can help you select the perfect paint color, find
solutions to corral the clutter that accumulates for busy
families or redesign your living spaces to enhance the beauty and function for the whole family.
Wishing you a terrific Labor Day
weekend,
Susan
To a T Interiors
301-467-3563
www.toatinteriors.com
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Q and A Corner
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| Q. How do I decide what paint finish to use?
A. The finish or sheen
refers to the how shiny the painted surface will look. You should consider the room use and the
condition of the wall when selecting the sheen:Flat/MatteThis finish provides depth of color and is also ideal for
less-than-perfect surfaces. Flat is typically used for ceilings and walls in low
traffic areas (i.e., if the paint is scuffed or blemished it's not as durable when rubbed). Eggshell/SatinThe
slight sheen of eggshell/satin reveal color with a softly polished
glow and provide an easy-to-clean surface that's great for all high-traffic
areas including stairways, halls and kitchens. Semi-glossSemi-gloss
is particularly durable and stands up well to repeated cleanings. It is
typically recommended to highlight architectural details such as
moldings and trim.
__________________________Do you have an interior design dilemma? Send us your question/issue and we'll provide the answer.Click here for link.We
promise you won't have to wait for next month's newsletter; we'll get
back to you right away but may use your Q&A in a future newsletter.
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