I’ll admit, I can get really stuck in dreamland. It can be quite addictive. But eventually, if you ever want to get anything done, you have to stop. Which brings us to our next to last tip…
Essential Interior Design Tip #2:
Stop DREAMING. Start DOING.
Got it?…maybe not. That’s because you can’t skip straight to doing. You’d be skipping right over the most important part. In order to “do” you have to know what to do. Dreaming alone doesn’t get you there!
Dreaming is too fuzzy. It doesn’t produce anything real. As discussed in our last post, it’s conceptual. We utilize dreaming to come up with our concept, which for our homes is equivalent to our style. Our style is our FOUNDATION. Our jumping off point.
So how do you get from DREAM to DO?
The Design Process of course! Remember that? I talk about it A LOT (here and here)! About how design IS a process. It’s what differentiates design from decorating (talked about here and here).
In short, this is how I define the process:
Design = DREAM + DECIDE + DO
DECIDING is that crucial phase between DREAMING and DOING. It’s what propels you to DO!
DECIDE = the absolute “heart” of the design process. Skip this and your room will flat line!
Once you’ve defined your concept, REVealed Your Style, it’s time to move on.
You’re done dreaming!
It’s time to take that inspiration and turn it into something useful. Time to DECIDE how to turn those DREAMS into reality.
“Exactly what should you DECIDE?”
- Which room?
- How much to spend?
- Your timeline?
- What activities need to happen in the space?
- How many people should be accommodated?
- How should the room feel? Evoke emotion? Express your style?
- What are your space limitations?
- What can you reuse? (Tip #7 : Shop Yourself First)
- What should you buy new?
- What are your storage needs? Electrical? Plumbing?…
- Do you need a contractor? If so, how will you obtain bids?
I could go on, but you get it! This is where MOST of your decisions are made. I say “most” because as you start DOING there will be unforeseen occurrences and you will again have to make some decisions.
But the idea is the more decisions you make beforehand, the more smoothly your project will go. The happier you will be with the whole process!
Conclusion
Do NOT short-change the DECIDE Phase. This is where majority of your time should be spent. This is where the MAGIC happens!
I repeat:
DECIDE – It’s the HEART of any design project!
It’s time to stop DREAMING and start DECIDING. Only then can you get to the DOING of creating and enjoying that DREAM room!
And finally we’re on to the Numero Uno Tip. The one you’ve been so eagerly awaiting…
Essential Interior Design Tip #1: (You’ll just have to view it next to find out)