Adding a home office is one of the fastest growing interior design trends.  With all the technological advances in telecommunications and telecommuting, many business-minded people are turning to the home office as their new workplace.  For some it is more simply an addition of practical space to help them organize and keep in control of their very busy lifestyles.  Whatever the reason, if you’re considering a home office addition that can be not only practical but beautiful, seeking the advice of a Seattle interior design firm will get you pointed in the right direction.  Here are a few key elements that you and your designer will have to consider.

Location
Deciding where to create a home office can often be the most difficult part of the task.  Give some thought to when you’ll be spending your time there.  If you are a work at home professional who will need quiet time for phone calls or network conferences, you may need the office to be away from the hustle and bustle of home life.  On the other hand, if you’re a work at home parent with little ones around, you may need the space to be in view of a family room or play area.  You’ll also want to be sure you have some natural light but window shades or blinds may be required to keep the sun off your computer at certain times of the day.  A door that can be closed is also something to consider, and whether or not it has an inside lock function might be a personal consideration as well.

Needs
Just as anything in life, there are things we need, and things we want, and what we need and want for the home office is no exception.  When designing your home office, look first to the things you must have to make it a useable, efficient space. Obviously you are going to need adequate electrical outlets, telephone or cable connections and proper lighting fixtures. You will need access to all these features when you configure your office furniture.  The other absolute necessities are a good sturdy desk and a comfortable, ergonomically correct desk chair. Depending on the nature of your work, a filing cabinet may or may not be considered essential, but many desks will include one filing drawer, so this call can be made based on the amount of filing space you need.

Extras
This part of home office design is more aesthetic.  Once your furniture is in place and your computer station wired and functional, you can invest a little time creating the mood and style of your home workspace.  Obviously you want it to be a room that is comfortable but at the same time one that encourages productivity.  Here’s where a designer’s knowledge and skills enter into the mix.  They’ll suggest colors and textiles that will make your office a place to work but still provide a calm, comfortable atmosphere. Personal touches will add that little extra to make the space your own.  Paintings, posters, shelving, window dressings and such should all be brought together in a design that offers flow and continuity while being practical and functional.

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The tendency of going green is far from over.  It will become even stronger in 2010 and in coming years, and your home is the place to start, if you haven’t already.

Going green is not easy. It is a comprehensive activity, but there are 4 principles that make a home green. These will transform your home, your reality, and your world, and are the place to start once you decide to implement this lifestyle:

1.    Water efficiency
Appliances and fixtures are crucial to establish if a home is green.  Green options include low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets, which use only a fraction of the water old models use.  Equally, modern dishwashers and washing machines have evolved or use water more efficiently; there are even dry-clean models.

2.    Energy efficiency
Today, saving energy is not only important from an environmental point of view but also from the financial aspect.  Contrary to what you may think, it is fairly easy to remodel your home to make it energy efficient.  Simple things like replacing old windows, improving insulation, and changing from traditional light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones, go a long way in terms of energy savings.

3.    Resource efficiency
Getting more from less is a basic green principle.  Recycling is an essential activity.  Virtually everything can be recycled and reused to make kitchen cabinets and carpet tile, for example.  The tendency is moving towards using fast renewable natural products such as bamboo, which can be used to make beautiful floors and furniture pieces.

4.    Outdoor efficiency
No green home is such if its outdoor areas are not considered.  You cannot talk about green without taking into consideration the real green space: your home’s surroundings.  An old construction or a home that tends to be low energy efficient can be improved greatly by planting the right amount of shade trees and plants.  Landscaping experts say that a real green garden is composed of plants native to the region, and that the best way to arrange them is by their watering needs.

It pays to invest on a green home and to talk to a Seattle interior design expert who can guide you so that you make sound decisions that will mean savings and a better life for you, your family, and the world.

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It is as much a tradition as setting your goals for the New Year.  Every year, the color authority ‘Pantone’ picks the color for the year, amid a lot of excitement and speculation in the interior design industry as to which will be the next year’s color inspiration.

The color chosen for 2010 is turquoise, a color that, according to ‘Pantone’, reflects “thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing”.

It is certainly a very valid and important reason to choose such an important color, one that may bring calm and happiness in such turbulent times we are living in today, but also one that has to be considered carefully in order to use it in the right way.

Turquoise is a very strong color that must be used as a complement with lighter tones so as to not overwhelm the space and to make it look classy and fun.  It can look great in bathrooms, as it reminds us of the beautiful tones of seawater, and it can also be an amazing accent color for living rooms or bedrooms.

We always want to follow the trends in design and fashion, even more so when we start seeing the beautiful décor in magazines and TV shows; however, it is important that you also consider if the trends fit your life and home, because even if it looks great in a magazine, it may not be the right choice for your surroundings.

The best way to go when you want to make a bold change in your home’s décor is to ask for professional advice.  An interior design specialist will help you find the right way to use turquoise in your living space, or any other color for that matter, and she will explain what truly works for you, your family and your lifestyle.

If you live in the area, the Seattle interior design industry is booming with expertise, and is ready to start the New Year with you the right way and with the right colors.

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One of people’s main concerns nowadays is to keep up with the latest trends.  Whether it is fashion, cars, foods, or home décor and appliances, every year there is always something new out there, and if you are not in, you most certainly are out!  And it is expensive to be in; even more in times of crisis like the ones we are experiencing right now.

There are many reasons why contemporary furniture is a strong option under this panorama.  The time has come to update your home furniture, but you have your doubts.  After all, it is a big investment, however, there are 5 powerful reasons that may convince you to take the plunge.

Every professional Seattle interior design firm will tell you that contemporary furniture has the power to totally transform the look of your home, and this is due to the following 4 reasons:

1.    This style of furniture, if anything, is flexible.  It can be adapted to any space and place because it fits perfectly with modern environments.  You will have no problem finding a spot for every piece of furniture, since they will always grab the attention no matter where they are located.

2.    Contemporary furniture will definitely help you save money.  Even if you are thinking that it is a big investment for you right now, eventually you will have to do it, and if you go for it immediately, it will most probably fit perfectly once you decide to renovate you home later on.  It will really mean huge savings in the future if you don’t have to purchase new furniture at that point.

3.    This is furniture that works for everyone.  You can be sure every member of your family will be pleased with the change.  It will also awe the visitors to your home who were not so smart as to choose the contemporary style.

4.    Contemporary furniture is synonym of mix and match.  It will easily blend with other things around it.  The different colors work together, creating a space that looks like abstract art and that is, most definitely, beautiful.

5.    This is a style that won’t go away easily.  Contemporary is here to stay for a long time; its clean lines work to support the current tendency of green and simple living, meaning, your home is decorated and adapted for the future.

Contemporary furniture is a worthy investment.  You will be able to enjoy a cozy, interesting, balanced, and unique home that will give you, your family, and your friends, tremendous joy for a long time.  It will add so much value to your surroundings that you will ask yourself why you didn’t go for it before.

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The initial meeting with a Seattle interior designer can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, it is important to communicate as best you can and share your views, opinions and design expectations. To fully understand your personal style, an interior designer needs you to be prepared with both information as well as examples of your personal design preferences. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while meeting with a professional designer:

Share your failures:
It may seem embarrassing, but sharing your failed decorating attempts with a professional can be incredibly valuable. By showing examples of what you have tried in the past but found to not work for you and your family, a designer can move forward with design alternatives that will fix any existing problems with layout, room organization, furniture choices and even wall colors.

Share your lifestyle:
One of the most important pieces of information that you can offer your interior designer is an in-depth description of how, when and why you use your personal space. For example, are you seeking only family-friendly design ideas? Are you wishing to live a “greener” lifestyle with only sustainable, all natural materials? Or are you running a business from your home and need an office among your living space? All of these situations call for inventive and innovative interior design and by having this information ready prior to your consultation you can help your designer fully understand your needs.

Share your inspirations:
In addition to sharing your failed decorating attempts and lifestyle needs, it is also important to share the things, places and people that inspire you. An interior designer’s first responsibility is to make sure that your space reflects who you are. You can help with this step by supplying your designer with some visual examples of your own personal inspirations. Share with your designer anything that affects you creatively, emotionally or spiritually. These objects are not necessarily accessories or artifacts but can be anything from photos of your personal travels, articles from your favorite decorating magazines or even a few pages from your favorite coffee table book. The more examples you give the more “you” your space will be.

Share your budget:
All Seattle interior design firms will need an approximate budget when working through the initial details. It may not seem important to have a budget amount for the first few consultations but the truth is price point matters and is quite often the deciding factor when choosing anything from furniture and accessories to building materials and lighting fixtures.

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To kill a space, there is nothing better than strict rules, however, there are certain ‘crimes’ in decorating that not even the boldest interior designer in Seattle will dare to commit for the sake of originality or fame.

Crime #1: Neglect Editing
The rule that states that less is more is sacred.  An overcrowded room, full of furniture and trinkets, diminishes its main purpose, which is to showcase you and anyone else meant to enjoy it.  Be brave and get rid of half the furniture and everything else inside your rooms; keep what you truly love, donate what you think is beautiful, discard what doesn’t work, and allow for pure and positive energy to flow around every corner.

Crime #2: Shut Your Ears to the Room
Listen to the empty room before you decorate it.  Feel its proportions, its surfaces, textures and colors; check the quality and the direction of light, and let its function guide the design.  The furniture for a room must move places according to the space it was designated for.

Crime #3: Follow Trends Mindlessly
Forget about copying the minimalistic or Asian style presented by the top interior design magazine.  The best room is the one with a unique identity, where you go in and immediately feel its special energy and balance because it shows your personality; the room is you!

Crime #4: Settle For What’s Common
A room decorated with certain objects or style just because that’s what’s normally done, is a loser.  Your imagination is the limit as to what your special room can become.  Let it surprise you with your unexpected side, allow it to show you how confident and unique you truly are.

Crime #5: Not Make It Fun
Have you heard the advice: don’t take yourself too seriously?  Well, it applies to decorating too.  There is always, and there always should be, room to be ironic, clever and interesting in a funny way.  Good taste should be a personal principle, not an established rule.

Crime #6: Dread Color
Color is the cheapest and fastest way to imprint personality into a room.  A well-selected color completely transforms a space and opens it to the senses from the inside out.  Want to laugh, dream, dance, or rest fully in your home?  Paint it with vibrancy and let bold colors speak about you.  Never fear it!

Crime #7: Being Too Formal
Long are gone the days of formal dinning as in the XVIII century castles.  Today we enjoy using and mixing our best china every day.  At home, you want to actually feel at home; feel free, relaxed and be casual.  You want your guests to feel at ease and special.  You want to live your life at home!

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The continuing changes in the way people decide to decorate their homes are, naturally, the passion of any interior designer. It is also a very interesting subject in general. Not that there is an interior designer in every one of us, but most of us do take notice of the way a room is set up, the objects or items that stand out, the prevailing color pattern. One interesting trend all over the United States and relevant to interior design in Seattle, as well, is the comeback of the personal memorabilia style.

Remember your grandma’s house with all the doilies she made displayed on the armchairs and thousands of picture frames all over the room?

Let’s say you’re a fisherman, and you’ve traveled the world to find interesting fishing experiences. You would probably have memorabilia such as “ obviously and a bit boringly “ photographs. However, there are other interesting things you might have. Let’s say you picked up a fishing rod made by a native in the Amazon: let’s say it’s a wooden rod with fishing line made from palm strings:  interesting? Well, what if we were to clean it up, perhaps put a coat of varnish on it, find a nice base or pedestal and make it a part of your living room decor? This would be an interesting-looking conversation piece that would be related to a part of your life. Now imagine filling the room with such items.

This personal memorabilia would speak of the homeowner’s trip through life; his or her passions, hobbies, discoveries, successes, adventures. The intention is to bring the visitor into the life of the homeowner in a beautiful and interesting way and, at the same time, give the room a unique and appealing ambiance.

Many people display personal memorabilia, but few know how to make it interesting to outsiders and fewer still know when to stop with the picture frames. In truth, we all have many things that would make interesting decor items- but it takes an interior designer to pick the right stuff!