Understanding Space Before Redesigning

Space in any home or backyard is different.  It can be new or old, small or large, wide or narrow, short or tall, cement or wood… well you get the point.  Before you can even think about redesigning an area, you need to understand every aspect of the space.  This not something that can be done in a couple of minutes.  It can take weeks or even up to a year to fully understand it.  No, I’m not going to ask you to study your space for a year; I’m just trying to prove a point.  You need to take time to learn all aspects of the space you plan to redesign.  If you’ve been living in a home your entire life, you’ll have a better understanding of the space than if you just moved in.

Here are some tips to help you studying your space before redesigning it: 

Studying the space in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  The effect of natural light can have a great impact space.  A room might look completely different from morning to night.  Understanding the in and outs of the light can help you redesign the room to its fullest.  Listen to the sounds in the room as well.  The space might be noisy in the morning and then become loud at night.  Look out the windows to see if the views change at different times of day.  Consider options for different layouts of the space.  Perhaps you want to move a window to get a better view or change the entrance way for a better flow of traffic.

Ignore current furniture and decorations.  Don’t focus on items within the room, but pay attention to the space itself.  Try to forget about the flooring, carpets, light fixtures, furniture, wall colors, and window fixtures.  All of these items can and might be replaced.  View your space as a blank pallet.

Be open to new ideas and think outside the box.  It’s okay to move rooms around the home to better suit your needs.  Perhaps you currently have your bedroom upstairs.  Have you ever considered moving it downstairs?  If your living room is on the second floor you can maximize the day light much more efficiently.  This type of thinking might be unusually for a lot of people.  You don’t have to have keep your house layout the way it is just because you’re used to it or everyone else is doing it.  Really analyze how you can maximize your space. 

Challenges for the homeowner:

If you have lived in the home for several years, viewing your home as a blank canvas might be a challenge for you.  Ask a friend or relative to come over and help.  They might point out things you never would have thought of.  You will have the benefit of knowing your home and different times of day and how the light and sounds impact the space.  This puts you ahead of the game. 

If you are a new homeowner, it will take you a while to learn the small factors about the home.  The way the light falls, window views, and sounds.  With a little time you’ll learn the space better.  On the upside, you will also be able to see your home with fresh new eyes. 

When learning your space, consider the following to help point you in the right direction:

• Layout of the room, windows, and doors
• Direction of the streets, views, and gardens
• Lighting and sounds in each room at different times of day
• Room dimensions
• Room entry ways
• Unusual and wasted space
• Load baring walls

Visit Dish Chair for more information on papasan chairs. 

Dish Chair

The aptly named dish chair has a round shape and comes in three parts including the seat, frame, and cushion. They are also known around the world as papasan, sphere, moon, egg, saucer, or round chairs. They originated in Indonesia where they became very popular for their simple design and ultimate comfort. Today you can get a dish chair at almost any furniture store.

A papasan chair is typically made of a wicker or rattan material giving it a very earthy aesthetic. The cushion is the main focal point of the chair and comes in all different patterns and sizes. I recommend a thick cushion for more comfort and support in a neutral solid color such as beige or brown. This will help keep your chair in style for years to come, while you can simply update the overall look with a funky throw pillow on top.

The dish chair does not require any assembly and is relatively easy to move from room to room. The three parts as mentioned before are lightweight basically stack on top of each other as follows. The frame is placed on the ground, the seat is set into the frame, and the cushion is placed on top of the seat. Because the seat is not secured to the frame in any manner, you can adjust the back of the chair to be more horizontal or vertical to your preference.

To learn more about the papasan chair, visit Dish Chair today!

Help Me Redesign My Home

“I want to redesign my home… what’s the best way to get started?”  As a home designer this is one of the most common questions I hear.  From clients to neighbors everyone has idea of how to decorate their home, but they just don’t know where to start.

It’s a very valid question.  And I hate to say it, but there’s no straight answer.  When it comes to interior design, everyone has their own options and concepts around what they want – from knocking down walls to adding a new sofa. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Some designer. She can’t even tell me where to start!”  Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you high and dry.  Here are a few tips to point you in the right direction.  If nothing else, it will at least get you thinking.

1. Start from the sky and work your way to the ground, and think giant to tiny.  This rule will save you tons of time and money.  Whenever you’re remodeling or redecorating work your way from roof/ceiling all the way to the floor.  Why?  If you make a mess, it’s going to fall to the ground.  Trust me; you don’t want all that paint and rubble falling on your new hardwood floors.  When filling a room, pick the giant pieces first and then fill in the rest with the tiny stuff.  Furniture and carpet should go first, then small tables, lamps, candles, etc. 

2. Get comfortable with in your space.  Time and time again people fascinate that they have a massive room to decorate when it’s really a shoebox.  Learn, measure, and study your space and be realistic.  Decorating a small room can be just as fun as a large room.  Once you understand your area, you can buy or use appropriate furnishings in it to make it look bigger.  There are several tricks of the trade that can help with that and stuffing oversized furniture in a small space is not one of them. 

3.  Know who you are.  Okay, this is starting to sound like a therapy session.  What I mean is, understand your lifestyle and habits.  If you like to cook, entertain, and read then you’ll want to design with that in mind.  Great design is all about functionality, comfort, and aesthetics.  Remember, you’re going to be living in this space so make it what you want. 

4. Throw it away!  For Pete sake, don’t be like those people on the TV show Hoarders.  I know if can be difficult to get rid of things and I’m not asking you to get rid of everything, but at least sort out what you use and what you haven’t touched in over a decade.  Donating your belongings can be a very liberating experience.  Besides, the minimalist design can not only make your room look cleaner, but your life in general. Trust me, guest will notice if you have clutter and they might think your life is cluttered too. 

Before you start any of these suggestions, try to formalize a plan to help keep you organized.  You can get a binder and brainstorm about ideas, paste magazine clippings, note room dimensions and measurements, list your life habits, and schedule a garage sale (like how I snuck that in).  If nothing else, start thinking about and the next thing you know your room will be done! 

If you liked this article, check out my website for other suggestions on papasan chairs and dish chairs.  Take care until next time!

Papasan Chairs

Funky, retro, and comfortable are the three key words that describe papasan chairs.  They were originally designed in South East Asia and have since made their way around the world due to their unique and comfortable shape and design. 

The Structure Of A Papasan Chair

There are three main parts of a papasan chair: frame, seat, and cushion.  These chairs require no assembly as they are stacked on top of each other.  The frame of the chair is the bottom portion and should be set in a location where the chair will be placed.  Then the round shaped basket seat is placed on the chair frame.  Finally the cushion is thrown on top.  They are that easy and simple to set up!

Materials Of A Papasan Chair

The frame and seat of a papasan chair are typically made of rattan.  However, these days you can get them in plastic or even metal.  The rattan is a natural element that is light weight and resembles wood.  The chair cushion can also vary in material.  Some use a polycotton fill while other companies use natural elements.  In either case, you'll want to make sure the cushion is comfortable. 

Why Get A Papasan Chair

Papasan chairs didn't become popular just based on their name.  They are super comfortable, have a fun design, inexpensive, not to mention, easily accessible.  You can probably find one at your local Pier 1 Imports today. 

Consider a papasan chair to make your living area more stylish and comfortable.