Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“I want to know if it is possible to paint the fabric on an upholstered dining room chair. The chair is in perfect shape but the color doesn’t go with my dining room. I believe I saw this done on TV a long time ago. Thanks.”
Jamie says…
Yes, it is possible to paint upholstered furniture. Read more
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“So… my new condo has a small deck area (yahoo!) and the sliding glass door currently has vertical blinds as the window/door treatments. I hate them. Do you have any suggestions for a more modern looking alternative that will still give me easy access to my outdoor space? Thanks so much!”
Today’s Home Front chat…
…featured our very own Jason Claire! If you didn’t have a chance to participate in today’s Washington Post Home Front chat with Jason and Terri Sapienza, click here to see what was discussed. A special thank you to the Washington Post team for having us! Be sure to tune in to the Home Front chats every Thursday at 11am.
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“I’m in search of a new rug for my family room. My family uses the room a lot – we watch TV in there, the kids play on the floor, the dogs run through there… I want something nice, but also durable. What materials should I look for? Synthetics? I don’t want to fall in love with something, buy it and find that the rug needs to be professionally cleaned all the time. Thanks in advance!”
Bringing the outside in pt. 4: moss
- martha’s spring center piece
Check out this post from Martha Stewart. She suggests going to your local florist and purchasing cushion moss. The cushion moss can then take the form of whatever you’d like it to. She recommends using a wire mesh to shape a surface for the moss to grow.
So, what do you think about moss as an indoor decor element?
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 5
Interview with designer and Vastu co-owner Eric Kole…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I truly admire Russel Wright. He was the original design lifestyle guru. He felt that your whole life should be created as part of a design plan and paved the way for Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart and everyone else. He did it all: architecture, clothing, books, dishes (for which he is most widely known), and landscaping.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to have a successful proposal?
Lately I’m big on American walnut with grey, white and olive. I’ve finally kicked my cordovan and tan habit! I love using steel as a secondary element in designs (or chrome) and I’ve never been a blue or yellow person. Too traditional and country. What makes a design plan ultimately successful is if the client is happy. And would hire you again.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 4
Interview with interior designer Jamie…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art, painter, etc.) that inspires your creativity?
I’m inspired by nature. I like for the spaces that I design to feel like an oasis. Organic elements that you find in nature help make a space feel very warm and inviting. Most people tend to appreciate and utilize their rooms a lot more when it feels less like a furniture showroom and more like a home.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
I love to integrate different finishes and fabric textures. Mixing and matching woods and glass; shiny and matte; smooth and textured gives a space depth and character. Typically I like for earth tones to be the base of my designs, and then I use rich colors as accents in the space.
When did you become interested in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I’ve been interested in the design industry all my life. I love any opportunity that allows me to be creative and work with people. I started working at Vastu shortly after graduating from Marymount University with a four-year degree in Interior Design. I’ve learned so much about how to express my ideas, be more confident, and overall be a better designer. I consider myself to be at the very beginning of what I hope to be a very long career, so I expect to continue evolving in this industry over the years.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 3
Interview with interior designer Krissy…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I find inspiration everywhere; from architects, artists, chefs – pretty much anybody who is truly passionate about what they do. You can certainly tell when a chef has poured his heart into a dish or a craftsman his soul into a piece of furniture. Truly good design requires heart and passion.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
I believe that successful design must be truly personal. Therefore, the most important elements and colors that I incorporate into any design are taken from the client’s personal collection: a favorite piece of art, a family photograph, a beloved collection of any sort, an artifact acquired on a meaningful vacation, etc. All of these can inspire the design of a space; from the colors to the fabrics, to create a desired mood and allow the personality and character of the clients to shine through.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 2
Interview with interior designer Sarita…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I am inspired by many things. Anything that is beautiful or interesting to me can inspire my creativity. It could be a piece of art (I love modern abstract), a fabric, pretty wrapping or craft paper, or photos of beautiful spaces (I love Metropolitan Home magazine). When I’m designing for other people I like to find something owned by or loved by my client to inspire design ideas for their spaces that really reflect their personality and style.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
Lately, I am loving gray as a neutral base for rooms. It looks amazing with purples, blues, creams, dark charcoal or black. It’s the new beige. Also, I love white…especially white furniture. It’s so fresh and modern and looks great with anything. These days I’m really into pieces that have a combination of wood and white lacquer.
I think VARIETY is the most important element for a successful design. Every space needs variety to avoid being boring. Variety can be achieved with different textures, wood finishes, or wall treatments to name just a few ideas. The second most important element is SCALE & PROPORTION. Furniture should be scaled to the size of the space it is in as well as proportionate to the other pieces of furniture in the space.
When was it that you became interest in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I’ve always had an interest in design, I would say since I was old enough to ask for paint and craft supplies. As a little girl, I was the only child in the neighborhood that rearranged her bedroom furniture every other month. My mother remembers me giving her suggestions for the living room furniture too, I guess it is just something I have always had in me.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 1
Interview with designer and Vastu co-owner Jason Claire…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
Growing up in the 1970s, my house was dark and earthy to say the least. My bedroom was red, white, and blue despite my disinterest in politics, my brother’s room was rust and camel, my parents’ room was celery green, our kitchen was rust, gold, and brown, and our family room walls were covered in rust colored suede! In the 1980s we moved to a house that was entirely gray and white and much more minimal. Minimalism stuck with me – I like it in food, cinema, art, architecture, and design. Traveling around the world has also inspired my creativity. Local interpretations of modernism and minimalism are fascinating to see.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to have a successful proposal?
I like using a warm, neutral palettes and layering neutrals on top of one another. Color typically enters my projects in original art and accessories. It is necessary for clients to personalize their spaces too – so I encourage books, photos, and objects collected while traveling to be used as accessories as well. The result is a warm, modern aesthetic.
When was it that you became interested in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I have been interested in modernism and design since I was a little kid and my family and I used to go into New York to exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney, and The Guggenheim. I loved the furniture and object design floor at MOMA. I didn’t think of design as a vocation until after 4 years of college, 7 years of healthcare consulting, 2 years of business school, and then another year of consulting. Then I [finally] saw the light. I did study art and architecture in college which was fortuitous.
Welcome to Design Clique
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