ARE YOU SEEKING INTERIOR THERAPY?

July 2, 2010

Interior designers and therapists have a lot in common. 

Of course, in the case of a designer, the ‘patient’ is someone’s home.

Did you know that homes, just like people, can have a story to tell?

If we’re lucky, it will be a very good story, especially if the home is relatively new. Older homes, on the other hand, might come with a bit of baggage  - what we sometimes refer to as a colorful history.

It’s all part of the package, right?

As an interior designer, it’s my job to sort through it all, and highlight the home’s true character while downplaying the flaws.

Where to begin?

Sometimes I need to be a sleuth, and coax out the story, but other times the story is told more easily.

For example, if you’ve ever seen a house with peeling paint on the exterior, and broken blinds hanging at the windows, you know right away that particular house is in need of a bit of love.

Some years ago, I found myself in a condo that had an intriguing layout, in the sense that the two wings on either side of the main living/dining space seemed to be almost mirror images of each other.

It wasn’t immediately obvious, but when I learned the background story, it all made sense.

The home I found myself in had originally been two separate condos; the previous owners had joined them together into one combined unit.

This explained the mirror-image layout.

It also explained the problem that had emerged as a result of the remodeling:  a large center support column – smack in the middle of the living room.

The present owner wanted something done about that column, which was understandable.

It literally divided the room in two, and was not attractive, to say the least.

This is where I came in. My goal, and the client’s directive, was to downplay the most obvious flaw – the column.

Since every project comes with it’s own set of challenges, those challenges can inspire some rather amazing solutions.

And sometimes, the best solution is to simply work with what you have. Especially if your nemesis is a support column –  you really don’t have a choice!

In this case, ‘therapy’ involved cladding the column in an attractive wood veneer.

The end result, was a stunning room divider that hid a pop-up television on the living room side, and a dining room buffet and storage on the other.

I like to refer to this as the ‘Surprise Element’ – those subtle design details that aren’t immediately obvious but are just waiting to be discovered and woven into the story.

Interior Therapy – when it’s done correctly – is a good thing!

Categories: Gaining Clarity, Home Design | Tags: interior, story, surprise element, Therapy | No Comments »