25 Oct Interior Design: The Process of Editing
Once I have discussed a project with my clients I get to start the selection process. This is a really fun part of the process. I get to interpret my clients wants and needs and search for those items that will shape the final design. There are always so many great options, and I find that I end up with more choices than will make the final cut—fabrics, lighting, flooring, etc. Then I go through an editing process that leaves only those options that best suit the final design. I think of this process like a pyramid: I start with a large selection of possibilities and then edit them down to the few items that will create the design my clients are looking for. I am a very visual person and I like to spread all my options out and study how they work together. The winning choices usually stand out pretty quickly to me.
It is such an exciting time to be a designer: the huge array of beautiful elements that are available allow me to design a space for my clients that is truly unique and lets their personality shine. I do find, however, that my clients are looking for a simpler, less cluttered look. My guess is that with hectic day-to-day life, having a well-thought out place to come home to is a real plus. So I work hard to keep the overall design interesting but not overwhelming. Editing helps to filter out the elements that may be a distraction.
I love the process of finishing a space with accessories. It is similar to the one I use when making the bigger selections. I start with a big pile of decorative items around me, things I think might work. I have to view these items in the space to see how they interact with each other before I can decide what will stay. Then I get to play—pairing things together in different combinations, and then editing out what doesn’t work until I settle on the perfect look that finishes off the space.
In this Carmel home remodel, I started with a host of fabric samples, rugs, furniture and lighting options. The dining room chandelier was one of the first selections that made the cut—it added a modern touch that was sophisticated and yet accessible.
From there, I fleshed out the rest of the selections to find the right combination that makes the home unique and inviting.
Many times I fall in love with a fabric, light fixture or other element, but during the editing process I ask “do I like it because it’s perfect for the project?”. There are lots of lovely options that don’t end up enhancing the look my client and I are after.
Design and editing is a personal journey for me and my clients. I get invested in all the options I’ve collected and put together, so it becomes critical to look at them all with a discerning eye. The editing process helps me see how others may view my design and weed out what isn’t working. Editing allows me to be open to moving some items in and others out, the goal being a very cohesive design.
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