Today I am posting Part 2 of the interview I gave on 2014 Decorating Trends. If you missed Part 1, click here. Thank you to Stefani and the Sherry & Maria Team at Keller Williams, for the opportunity!
Expert Advice From Interior Designer Lisa Gabrielson!
Lisa Gabrielson is an interior designer, antique dealer, blog writer and owner of Lisa Gabrielson Design.
Lisa has a BA in Art History, and studied design in Florence, Italy, where she resided for 17 years. Her style is influenced by her time spent in Europe, and can be defined as, comfortable, fresh, “ timeless interiors with a European accent”. Her work has been featured in Atlanta Magazine, The Cottage Journal, and Consumer Reports Kitchen Magazine, with Kitchen and Bath Makeovers hitting the stands soon. She is a participating designer for Room Service Atlanta. Her antiques and vintage finds can be found at the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta (dealer code LAG). Lisa lives with her husband Lorenzo, two children and golden retriever in Johns Creek, but travels back to Italy as much as possible. Visit her website at www.lisagabrielson.com for more information.We recently had an opportunity to ask Lisa about the trends she sees for 2014. This is the second of two blogs relaying the interview.SANDMT: Where do you start?Lisa: I start with a home consultation to meet the client, see the space, and determine their needs and wants. Often times, the client will want to incorporate a special piece of art, or furniture into the room, which I will use as an inspirational point of reference to get the ball rolling. From there, I show them photos to get them excited and make sure we are on the same page. Once a style and color palate has been determined, I put together a plan that includes virtual and physical mood boards, a room layout, and samples. Then it’s presentation, installation, and accessorizing; the part I love the most since it’s what gives the space personality and uniqueness.
SANDMT: How do you hire a decorator? By room? By project? By the hour?Lisa: Each designer varies, but I have worked on whole house projects involving remodeling, individual room makeovers, or even at an hourly rate if the space just needs styling and finishing touches. Many clients start with one room, and as budget allows, will finish the rest of the house over time. Most designers will charge an hourly rate or a project fee, plus a mark up on product.
SANDMT: What if you don't like the decorator's picks?Lisa: I work with my client to determine their needs and taste before I draw up a plan. We communicate a lot during the planning phase with inspirational photos and visual aids along the way. Most people have a hard time pinpointing exactly what they like, so pictures and websites like Pinterest and Houzz are wonderful tools to help narrow the guess work. I will usually offer two or three choices to ensure that the client gets exactly what they love. Design contracts typically include one change, with a charge for subsequent changes.
SANDMT: Are there "rules of thumb"s for different rooms?Lisa: In the bedroom, I like to place the bed so you can see it as you walk in. The living room should have good flow, with multi-purpose, comfortable seating. Lighting is often overlooked. It is important to offer different types of lighting throughout the house to create the maximum ambiance: overhead recessed lighting on dimmers, fabulous chandeliers and pendants, wall sconces, table and floor lamps, and also task lamps for reading. Most importantly, every room needs one thing of impact , whether it’s some great art, dramatic drapes, or over scaled lighting. This is what provides the wow factor!We hope these are helpful tips for you as you are doing spring cleaning, re-vamping your style, or getting ready to list your home. As always, give us a call if you need any referrals.
Enjoy this beautiful weekend!
All my best,
Lisa
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