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First Impressions

Melanie Morris June 30, 2020 Interior Design, Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized 0

Lately, I’ve been binge-watching the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it has me thinking about the architectural details in interiors that have all but become a thing of the past.

The scenes of the prewar era apartment buildings in New York are so intriguing.  New Yorkers have really perfected the art of gracious small-space living, long before that became a thing. There are a lot of little lessons that can be adapted from those vintage apartments.

How about those scenes where the apartment conserved a lovely phone nook – talk about things that we no longer have!

It’s really the entry foyers that I love. Those have been lost a bit in the modern times of open concept living.  What a gracious way to welcome guests to your home.  Much like a party invitation, the design should foreshadow the theme of the gathering with its color scheme and graphics. The same can be said for foyers, where a little taste of what is yet to come is tucked away further inside the home.

There are some places where you open the front door, step inside, and hello – you are now smack dab in the middle of the living room. When a package is delivered to your door or the girl scouts stop by with cookies, do they really need to be in the living area?  I feel that it is so much more civilized to have that little space between your primary living space and the front door.  This smaller area is easy to keep tidy, even if your kitchen and living room are being invaded by your kids and their friends eating popcorn. If other parts of your home look like a bomb went off… the pop-in guest doesn’t necessarily need to see that!

Here are some of our favorite first impressions in these elegant homes.

 

 

 

 

Foyer related resources.
Architectural Digest
Haute Residence
Coco Dsgn
Southern Living

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5 Reasons You Need a Space Plan for Your Interior Design Project

Melanie Morris May 13, 2020 Interior Design 0

While it may be true that many great designs have started with a sketch on the back of a cocktail napkin, it is also true that the words “let’s just get it, I think it will fit” have been the undoing of many redecorating projects! I purchased my very first sofa for my first apartment for $300 at the Salvation Army because someone else was sure it would fit through the door (it didn’t).

One of the very first things we do when starting a new project is to measure and create a space plan. There are several reasons why this is the foundation of our process.

  1. A great space is about so much more than just making sure the furniture all fits. Instead, it starts with an in-depth analysis of how the space is going to be used. You’ll start by defining the different zones within the home – space for work, space for sleep, space for socializing, and perhaps a space to properly display your extensive collection of rare books. Whatever it is, when you define the goals for your space and identify all of the special things that need to be included and honored, your home can’t help but support your lifestyle and reflect your unique story.

    Home Zone Example

  2. It is imperative that your furniture plan includes items scaled to correctly represent real-world items that will best suit your space. Because designers literally spend all day every day hopping for furniture (OK maybe a slight exaggeration), we are very aware of what typical sizes are for items. What size does a table need to be to comfortably seat 6 people? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In that U-shaped sectional, just because a coffee table will technically fit in the center, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to walk around it comfortably. How much space do you need to preserve your shins? Again, we’ve got this covered for you.

  3. Negative space is just as important as the positive space. I often say to clients who feel the drawing looks like it has too much-wasted space – you have to leave room for the “stuff” of life that we all have.



  4. A space plan defines circulation patterns, or flow, so you’ll want to be sure the rooms all work well together. You’ll reap the rewards the next time you host the office Christmas party, and everyone can mix and mingle easily.

  5. Scale and proportion are so important and can be hard to judge without a plan. For example, just because a large sectional will fit into a small apartment, doesn’t mean it’s a good fit. When furnishings are correctly scaled, you can make a small space feel expansive and well balanced. When shopping for furnishings in a large store, a huge sofa doesn’t seem big because it’s in a very large room, but when you get it home it’s a different story. The same is true for shopping online. For instance, 2 side by side pictures measuring 84” and 108” respectively, both appear to be the same size on a website. The moral of the story? It is hard to get a good feel for what will fit in your home or space without a plan.

    Space Plan Example

Once our space plan is done, we know very clearly what items we need to shop for and define. This process is a bit like coloring in the coloring book from there on out. When everything fits and flows together, it’s not an accident, it’s called living well by design.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer

Melanie Morris April 21, 2020 Interior Design 0

If you’ve just purchased an island home or are ready to invest in remodeling, it’s important to hire an interior designer. Beyond making your home beautiful and well-suited to your family’s needs, working with an interior designer can save you valuable money and time in the long run. Here are five reasons why you should hire an interior designer to update your home away from home.

Interior designers do so much more than make a space look pretty. Lagnappe Custom Interiors can also save you time and money, among other benefits.

1) Interior Designers Will Save You Time

As the old adage goes, time is money. And home renovation projects take quite a bit of time. By hiring an interior designer, you’ll be getting back valuable island time — time spent at the beach, relaxing or enjoying the outdoors — that you would have otherwise needed to spend managing the project. Plus, design firms like Lagnappe Custom Interiors are so experienced that projects are often completed more efficiently because of all of the industry connections, experience and project management skills. All you need to do is stock the fridge to enjoy your island home.

2) They’ll Save You Money

Many people object to hiring an interior designer because it’s an added expense on top of a home renovation and decorating budget. While it’s true that designers do charge a fee for their services, it’s often earned back in project savings. Hiring an interior design firm such as Lagnappe Custom Interiors can save you money in several ways, like:

  • Managing the project finances to stay within budget
  • Securing designer pricing on materials, furnishings, art and accessories
  • Avoiding costly mistakes through professional interior specifications, furniture selections and project management. Undoing and redoing work is very expensive!

3) They’ll Improve Your Home Value

Aesthetics are incredibly important when renting and selling your beach home. Families researching vacation rentals will be looking for spaces that are a beautiful, relaxing retreat from their daily life. If your space has been planned and designed by an interior design firm such as Lagnappe Custom Interiors, you can increase rental fees. Similarly, buyers will also consider aesthetics when purchasing a home in the Caribbean. A well-designed remodel can easily pay for itself when done right, adding equity to the value of your vacation home.

4) Interior Designers Have Local Expertise

Home remodeling projects have many moving parts; you have to hire an architect, general contractor and possibly more vendors, depending on the home. Interior designers eliminate the burden because they can hire these vendors for you and know who to recommend. This characteristic is especially valuable when updating a second or vacation home, like one you might purchase in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Beyond local connections, interior designers also have local expertise. This is so important here in the Caribbean when the sun, salt and sand can impact the wear and tear on your home. We know which outdoor fabrics to recommend (sadly, silk is out) and which countertops are best for a rental (invest in Cambria, which is maintenance free and covered by a lifetime warranty). This information saves our clients a lot of sad stories in the future.

5) They Are Expert Process Managers

While interior designers are sought-after for their creativity and design eye, one of the most valuable skills they bring to the table is process management. One of the reasons our clients love working with us is because we oversee the complex process of shipping logistics in the Caribbean. We’re very familiar with freight forwarding and the customs clearance process.

Designers such as those on our Lagnappe Custom Interiors team are expertly trained to balance the moving parts of these complex projects, which can take weeks or even months:

  • Hiring and managing vendors
  • Managing budgets
  • Creating and maintaining project timelines
  • Ordering materials and managing delivery schedules
  • Shopping for furniture, art and décor
  • Commissioning custom furniture or original artwork
  • Staging the home and adding extra, personalized details that no one thinks about but everyone loves
This kitchen remodel project was a true transformation.
It takes a lot of planning, time and budget management to turn this “before” into an “after”. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.