Part II - What does your Home say about You? Accessories can tell your Story

Bookcases, tabletops, walls, and what to do with them...

Photo courtesy of Albert Hadley/House Beautiful.com


How will you fill those spaces and places in your home,
so it reflects the real you?
 
Here are some suggestions from an interior designer who deals with this challenge daily:
 
  1. Work on one area at a time. What is crying for attention? Is it the empty walls, the bare tables or maybe a bookcase that needs help. This week I am working on re-doing a family room bookcase. Next week, a foyer table will be the area to tackle.
  2. Make a list of the things in your life that give you joy. For instance, my list includes family, our dogs, sailing, gardening and painting. Use accessories that reflect your passions.
  3. Gather the accessories you have and look for varying shapes, colors and textures. Shop online or hit your favorite gift stores for filler pieces that reflect only what you love.
  4. Notice Albert Hadley's bookcase arrangement above - it's interesting for its contrasts of shapes, sizes of items, or textures. Albert used items in a way that gently steers your eye from one element to the next.

Stay 'tuned' for my next BestDesignCoach blog post to find out about the second item on my website list - budget or space planning.

Most important... if you or someone you know is renovating, redecorating or involved with a new construction project - send them to this page to see how we can help them, or you!

Call Mary Alice Smith:  732 690-2030/masmith729@comcast.net

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
Allied Member ASID
Serving New Jersey and metropolitan New York with exceptional Interior Design

Part I: How An Interior Designer Helps You

What are some of the ways interior designers help Clients?

So often I'm asked how I work with clients or, what specifically do I do to help them. Even with all the TV shows on home design, people are not sure how we actually do our job.

My first response of course is to make sure they understand that many of those TV shows are far from reality! Besides the general answer that 'we solve problems' or 're-invent the look of a home', there are a number of ways I work with clients as it appears on my website:

  • Accessorizing, tablescapes, bookcase arrangement

  • Budget or space planning

  • Conceptual and design development

  • Drapery and blinds/shades - planning and design

  • Fabric selection and design for windows and upholstery

  • Flooring Selection - tile, rugs, carpet and wood flooring

  • Floorplans - including furniture placement and lighting schematics

  • Furniture floorplan, selection and design

  • Fixture selection - for kitchen and baths

  • Hardware selection - for cabinetry, doors, including kitchens and baths 

  • Kitchen and Bath plans - floorplans, vanities, fixtures, flooring and tile 

  • Lighting design - including plans, fixture shopping and selection

  • Paint selection - walls,ceiling, trim (including faux finishing);interior/exterior

  • Project management - pre-construction through post-construction

  • Shopping assistance - visits to local retailers for furniture, flooring and tile selection

  • Upholstery - new or re-upholstery and trim selection

  • Virtual design - designs for clients at remote locations

  • Window treatment selection - including drapery, valances, cornices, shutters,and trim selections


  • Great - so stay 'tuned' for my next BestDesignCoach blog post to find out about the first item on the above list - Accessorizing.

    Most important... if you or someone you know is renovating, redecorating or involved with a new construction project - send them to this page to see how we can help them, or you!

    Then call me, Mary Alice at 732 690-2030 to get the project off to a great start.

    M. A. Smith, Ltd.
    Interior Design
    Allied Member ASID
    Serving New Jersey and metropolitan New York with exceptional interior design





    How successful interior design Projects stay on Track

    I'm often asked, when I tell someone I 'm an interior designer -"It must be so much fun doing what you do - right?" My answer will always be yes, but sometimes it's not so much fun. It's not fun when things get bogged down and there's a lag that lasts too long.

    What I've witnessed over the years of being in this business, is that when communications become difficult, when there are roadblocks to getting information that you need - things have a tendency to delay progress and all are stuck in a 'gray' area of confusion.

    For instance, if I request information and availability on a piece of furniture, and the response is slow to nothing - other portions of the job suffer. If a client doesn't have time to discuss an important aspect of the design or if the contractor is nowhere in site - then, we have a problem.

    However, my remedy for all the above is the following:
    • I now only use trades that are readily available to communicate via cell, text, e-mail or in-person.
    • At the beginning of working with a client nowadays, I make sure that we can communicate readily throughout the project in whatever communication mode works for them. Time is of the essence in design and nothing gets done, unless I have approval from my client that it is a 'go'.
    I had a boss years' ago who always said at the weekly staff meetings "Why does it have to be so hard?"

    Well, it doesn't have to be hard, but you do need willing and able parties on all sides to get the job done. And, in retrospect, I can say my best jobs, my happiest clients were those projects that kept the lines open for all involved. Positive energy, honest and respectful communication is the secret to success - and it's free!

     It's simple, you just have to understand the power of good communication, if you want to get the job done right and on time.

    Mary Alice Smith
    M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
    Allied Member ASID
    732 690-2030

    Why these three 'R's work for Everyone

    Reclaim.Re-use.Re-furbish.


    According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, top remodelers have noticed a nationwide trend in reclaiming, re-using and re-furbishing elements of their clients residential projects.

    This is good news for a variety of reasons:
    • When reclaimed wood is used for flooring, etc., it is readily available and ready for re-finishing. Also, the use of reclaimed wood products lends a sense of historical interest to the residence (ie. reclaimed barn planks used for flooring or table tops).
    • It decreases the amount to products sent to our landfills (ie. old kitchen cabinetry and furniture).
    • It reduces dependency on products manufactured overseas and gives local tradespeople the opportunity to work with local clients.
    Reclaim.Re-use. Re-furbish - it's the American way!


    M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
    Allied Member ASID
    732 690-2030
    Create.Coach.Collaborate.

    Two ways to finish your Summer decorating Project

    Start with a rug for color inspiration

    Summer's not over till it's over and you still have time to get your summer decorating projects done.

    If you need a boost to get things going, here are some hints to get you started:
    • Use an 'anchor', or a place to start when decorating a room. Decide on one focal point for a room.
    • Not sure what color to use on the walls? Start with a color from a rug, a pillow or artwork.
    • Schedule the work to be done and write down all the steps needed from start to finish.
    Still need a boost? Think about calling an interior designer for help with keeping your project on track and on the right path.

    M. A. Smith, Ltd.
    Interior Design
    Call Mary Alice Smith at 732 690-2030

    How 60 Minutes can change the look of a Room


    In 60 minutes I changed the look of a bedroom
    for one of my clients.

    The bedroom's bed was where it should be, but changing or removing a few pieces of furniture made a great difference.

     Some framed prints were re-located,
    including the print shown in the photo above.

    Now, there is room to move around, a better balanced layout and a happy client!


    Have a great day!

    Mary Alice Smith
    M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
    Allied Member ASID
    732 690-2030