New Year Fresh Starts
As the holiday season comes to a close and after the tree is put away why do so many of us look at what we loved so much about our homes and just decide that we now can’t live one more minute looking at the same old same old house.
I think for some it is just the fact that we have been on a whirlwind of holiday frenzy and now feel the need to just do something and some of it may be that we finally have the desire to do what we said we were going to do year after year.
I am guilty of some of this myself. In my case, I have been trying to execute my own personal home project. It has been in the planning stage for months and all of my subcontractors have been working to please me to get our clients ready for the holidays. What do they say about the cobbler being the last to get shoes? Well, in my case it is true.
Months of planning for my new perfect look is going to finally take place. It is not that I have planned an entire redo, it is that I am adding to a plan that has evolved over the past 5 years. That’s right you heard it from me. I did not on day one have the perfect home, but I did have a vision.
You may have a vision too. It does not all have to happen at once. So if you are asking what can you do to begin the perfect home, here are a few steps.
Evaluate the need for function. Has anything changed about your home or your lifestyle that needs to be addressed with design or esthetic? You may be working from home now or someone in your family. Are the kids driving you crazy or using the more formal space at home that wasn’t initially a kid-friendly area? Perhaps performance fabrics are an option. See our tips below:
What is Performance Fabric?
The term “performance fabric” refers to fabric that is designed to specifically withstand wear and tear while being easy to clean. Performance fabric = longevity and simplicity. Your family, pets, guests, and busy schedule are no match for the durable qualities of performance fabrics. This make them them your go to fabrics for indoor and outdoor furniture.
The Best Places to Use Performance Fabric
Dining Areas- Performance fabrics are ideal for dining chairs, banquettes, or barstools that are used multiple times a day
Desk Chairs– Especially for those who work from home, your desk chair receives, heavy use. They are a prime candidate for performance fabrics.
Sunny Areas – Performance fabrics have fade-resistant capabilities that make them ideal for protecting furniture by a window with a great deal of direct sun exposure.
Family Rooms - Upholstery in this room typically sees a lot of daily use. Performance Fabrics will help the longevity of your core pieces i.e sofa, chairs, ottomans.
To see performance fabric options head over to AmiAustinHome
Beautiful storage options that help to eliminate clutter to keep you sane. Designating areas that each person has their space when needed and enjoyed by all then the work and schoolwork is done. These functional pieces can be a great fit for any space. The beauty is, only you will know what’s inside.
Available through Ami Austin Home
Color choices in the home can work for or against you for creativity and focus. Soothing pallets of color that transition with your vibe can be instrumental for clarity and focus. Not only for your mind but, for displaying objects you like such as art and accessories without cluttering the house or your mind. Here are a few of my favorites:
If you are stuck inside and seriously sick and tired of nothing fresh, bring in some plants or flowers to elevate your mood and see how these colors affect your mood. You might try the same in a more permanent solution with art or reupholstering a chair or changing your accent pillows. One of the questions I ask clients as we begin a project is to ask about their favorite colors. About 8 out of 10 times the colors they mention are nonexistent anywhere I glance throughout the home.
Back to the functionality, if the spaces themselves just do not allow for the perfect functionality, then you may seek to be adding additional space. Working with a designer may be just the right way to begin that process. Designers are great for listening to understand how the space will be used and how it complements the existing home space and value.
Example of a CAD floor plan for a client project.
If you want to venture these changes on your own the best way to begin is by creating a mood board. You can get started by scouting out Pinterest sites and Instagram. Put all your ideas in one place and step back a few days later to see if your ideas still work with your desire for function or esthetic. You can get some great ideas however, sourcing some of these items will most likely be your challenge. Creating a relationship with a design firm that has access to trade only products will guarantee you find quality, expert execution and originality with your new look and lasting investment in your home.
We are here to help and look forward to your new you in this New Year. Browse our sites @amiaustininteriors and don’t forget to check out our partners @amiaustinhome
XOXO
Ami