Why Design?

This client kept painting every bedroom she had lavender, even when she was young.  She felt her relationships were "childish" and caused her a bit of stress! In response to this, we repainted the bedroom a more "adult" color: a soft, sage.  Now her space feels more grown-up and restful.  Photo credit: Christina DeArment.

Recently, I was having a conversation with someone about the importance of interior design in one's life.  More specifically, how your home or workspace should be not only a place that feels like you, but a place that adapts as you adapt.  This concept seemed to baffle my friend, as he felt interior design was solely about spending a lot of money, making a house look fancy, and being on-trend.  In my mind, one's home is as changeable as we are and good design will "grow" as we do.  While design trends are fun to acknowledge, I believe that we one should only follow a trend if that trend speaks true to that individual and their personality.  We should want our homes to feel comfortable, stylish and function TO US and to the people who spend the most time in that space.  The moment we design a space for others, especially those people who are rarely going to use the space (if at all), we move away from what design should be about.  Interior design should be a representation of who we are, who we want to be and who we are becoming.  I want to go into a home and know almost instantly who lives there, what they like and what empowers them.  At least a little bit.  

So why am I drawn to interior design if I don't just want to make things prettier?  Ultimately, I want people to feel good in their homes.  I am someone who is very much energized by being in my own home and start to feel less grounded when I am away for too long.  York and Rose Interiors offers services to people who desire a space that is beautiful yet also supportive to their lifestyle.  Years ago, when I completed my Feng Shui Consultant certification, I was fueled by the idea that with a few alterations and "cures" I could work with clients to transform their spaces with minimal financial investment.  Often, a home may be close to working for the inhabitant but a couple of things feel off.  Perhaps he/she isn't sleeping all that well or feels that his/her home office isn't quite right even though it seems to be functional enough. By shifting furniture, or adding a few accessories, we would be able to change the energy of the space.  

Similarly with interior design, I believe that anyone can benefit from a designer even if it is solely to choose a new color for a room, reorganize a closet, look into accessorizing, decluttering, completely redesigning or looking for a few key pieces to add into their current design.  Making a home feel custom is doable in many ways including using reclaimed goods, reupholstering, and collaborating with local artisans and vendors who offer one-of-a-kind services and products.  In the end, interior design should be about you, support the design community around you and empower you in your space so that you feel empowered OUT of your space too.

This couple felt a Boho style interior represented their free-spirits and casual elegance.  One look at this living room and you can tell these individuals are classy yet fun!  Photo credit: Terra Lange Photography.