Along with millions of other Americans I am addicted to HGTV and its amazing home makeover shows. While I have always been an advocate of doing it yourself, I also know when to draw the line and hire an expert – i.e., plumbing, upholstery, electrical, structural changes…I’ve been saddened lately by what I see as a big gap between what you CAN do yourself and what you SHOULD do yourself.
My love of interior design has been tempered by what appears to be a lack of understanding about why designers themselves are important. Apartment 46 exists to guide people into new territory, to explore ideas outside of their immediate comfort level and to create spaces that uniquely and beautifully suit each individual’s style.
Anyone can go out and buy furniture and accessories but only some will know what to do with that furniture and how to properly edit accessories. Buying matched sets never works and too much or too little can impede the flow in the room. Designers know how to mix and match so that the space flows nicely, is interesting, and welcomes everyone that enters it. Arranging furniture is not a science. I always compare it to having math skills. You either have them or you don’t – there is no in between. I wasn’t born a mathematician, far from it! However, I was born with a deep need to create moods, stories, and places of comfort. I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl and will hopefully continue on for a long, long while.
I have a lot of people come into the store to pick my brain and get ideas of what to do with their furniture, homes and gardens. I don’t mind giving tips. If you’ve come to me you know I’ll happily share. On the flip side, I also offer my services for interior and garden design services, so it’s a fine line I tread. I don’t want to tell you how to strip a dresser then you go home and it doesn’t come out right because you really don’t know the ins and outs. I can give advice but I can’t teach style. The most common questions I get asked are about flower arranging, painting, and restoring furniture. Sure, you can restore furniture yourself. I actually recommend it – once! It’s difficult and time-consuming work that smells, is dirty, and takes a while. Inevitably, my clients end up bringing me half-finished pieces they gave up on. I admit, it’s not as simple as it looks on TV and absolutely takes longer than 30 minutes (including commercial breaks!) It’s important to remember that these shows are stocked with assistants, trained carpenters, painters and designers and THAT’S why it all gets done quickly and beautifully. They also have immense budgets, which normal people do not.
A designer is important if you feel stuck. We offer an unbiased eye, years of training, access to wonderful furnishings, art and accessories, and a list of talented resources such as upholsterers, electricians, and other craftspeople. We also offer TIME, the most overlooked, but most important aspect of hiring a designer. A designer spends countless hours locating one-of-a-kind items, negotiating pricing, collecting pieces for a client’s review, choosing fabrics, taking things to the seamstress or upholsterer, refinishing furniture, and putting it all together in your home in record time. When you hire a designer, you are hiring someone who can turn your dreams into a reality, and while there are corners that can be cut in terms of the budget, you will always get what you pay for.
In this crazy economic world we are now living in, having a special and calming place to escape to at the end of the day is more important than ever – I’d love to help you create that space!
Have a joyful week!
Melisa
