Design Compromise: The Husker Hotel

There are two words that strike dread into the heart of design enthusiast wives everywhere: MAN ROOM. At the beginning of a marriage, we try to avoid the Man Room, using excuses such as, "Honey, there's just no room for that life sized cardboard cutout in the family room," or, "We just don't have any wall space left to hang your large foam finger! Maybe in our next house..." But time goes on, apartments grow, memorabilia multiplies, and evertually, we have to decide how to address the formation of a suitable MAN ROOM.

So, when my husband, Dane, and I moved into new apartment and found ourselves with our first official guest room, we came up with a suitable compromise. Dane has been a die hard Nebraska Cornhusker football fan practically since birth, and over the years he has collected quite a few nice pieces: An official helmet signed by Tom Osborne, an autographed game ball and several autographed pictures...these things are his babies! So, reluctantly (having grown up a loyal CU Buff, VERY reluctantly) agreed that these things needed a suitable home, but I wanted to display them in a tasteful, sophisticated way. With that the Husker Hotel was born.

For this room, I chose to use the team colors of Red and White along with pops of black and brown to keep the color scheme from looking too "themy." I found a modern white coverlet with embroidered circles for the bed, and accented it with graphic red pillows, red sheets, and plush velvet curtains. Autographed prints were put in oversized frames; ticket stubs from memorable games are displayed in photo clips on wall shelves. I purchased two inexpensive book shelves (the room also doubles as an office) and sewed velvet curtains to attach to the fronts to keep the room looking uncluttered.

When it was finished, the best compliment came from a friend upon seeing the room for the first time-- "Oh, the room is so neat, I didn't even notice the sports stuff!"

Mission Accomplished. :)

The happenings at Evolve

Wow, does time fly when you're having fun! It's been a while since my last post, and lots of things are happening!

First, I was finally able to go visit my last finished project, a "Big Girl Room" for 2-year-old Ella, and eventually her little sister Lilly. I hadn't seen it completed with bedding, etc., and it was so fun to see all the little pieces-colors, textures, combinations of patterns, etc.-come together into a great result.

Also, two new projects are in the works. I am helping with the remodel/redecorating of a Passive Solar home (heat is generated within the house by a large greenhouse, so no need for HVAC) in Boulder, built in 1982. It has a lot of potential, and the owner has been waiting to update it's look for a long time, so it is very rewarding to help her move toward that goal. In addition, I am helping with the space planning, construction documentation, and interior specifications for a new home in Steamboat Springs. This is an amazing opportunity in that the owners are very interested in modern, streamlined design, as well as environmentally-conscious design practices. This is the kind of house that we as designers always dream about, but rarely meet the perfect client with whom to implement it. It has been a very exciting, creative process so far, and I cannot wait to see where the end product goes!

Thank you to friends and family for supporting my move to independent design; I am always looking for referrals!

Where to start? The Basics

Happy Wednesday! I finished sewing some drapes for one of my clients a bit earlier than expected, so I thought I would write a new post.

When people learn that I am a designer, many will say to me, "Gosh I'm awful with design. I don't even know where to start." For me, the process tends to follow a bit of a pattern, and I thought I would outline the basics for those of you thinking about attempting a do-it-yourself remodel.

1) Find something you LOVE that you would like to incorporate into the room. I don't mean something you think is pretty, or that conveys some sort of style. I mean, something you see on the shelf that makes you gasp, drool, and proclaim that you absolutely must have it or you shall perish. This "thing" can be anything--a painting, curtain, vase, area rug, personal photo...I have literally redesigned my living room around a rust-colored pillow that I came across and absolutely had to have. The process will be easier if the object has a pattern to it, with many different colors. And, unless you are planning to start completely from scratch, your object should look good with your existing furniture pieces. Do this one step correctly, and you will not go wrong with the rest of your choices; they will just fall into place.

2) Examine the individual colors within your object. You should be able to identify the main color as well as several lesser-used accents. Pick your favorite accent color. Then go get some paint swatches and match it, because this should become your wall color. If the color is quite bold and the idea of four walls of fushia or turqoise seems a bit scary, consider painting only one wall in the bold color (preferably the one that makes sense as a focal point) and paint the rest of the walls in a coordinating neutral. TRUST your object; you already know the colors work together, because they exist in something you love.

3) Go shopping, and take your object. Think about finding things that COMPLEMENT each other, but don't necessarily MATCH. If your object has a lot of red in it, do not go out and try to find a million red objects. Rather, find many things in the other colors in the piece, and maybe just one or two red things. The thing I have learned is that you can make almost any group of colors work as a "scheme" as long as there are multiple things in the room in each color. Also challenge yourself to think "total picture" versus individual elements; many things will seem not to make sense at first, but once everything is placed in the space, it will all come together. Another important element, in addition to color, is the general lines of your object. Is your object a very geometric piece of art? Keep your accessories very clean, with straight edges and simple lines. Is it a rug with a bunch of swirling colors? Pick accessories that have curves in them, with lots of surface detailing. This is probably the trickest step in the process, but also the most important, as if it is done right it will give you a very "designer" look. Try it--you can always return!

4) Installation. Distribute your "pops" of color evenly around the space, and don't forget to add in what I call "room for growth"--decorative baskets, shelving, etc. that will allow you to actually live and grow in your showspace and hide away the things you don't want seen.

5) Have a party, because your room is done. Well done!!!

What Evolve Design is About

Evolve is born, and I'm like a kid with a new toy. Those of you who know me well know how much I love designing, crafting, and having a "project," so forming my own business doing these things feels like getting paid to wash my hair or paint my toenails; it doesn't really feel like work.

Every business needs a solid footing, so I thought this post would be a great place to share how I feel about the creation of spaces. But before I tell you what I do believe in, let me tell you what I don't believe.

I don't believe in convincing a client to pay for "custom" everything, only to end up with a space that only survives for a year or two before it just doesn't work anymore. I don't think that being a designer is just putting things down on paper and letting everybody else figure out how to accomplish them. I don't believe in the idea that an interior designer is accessible only to the minority population with a bunch of spare cash.

I DO believe in trying anything once, and pushing my boundaries of what exists and what I have done and not done to create new design solutions. I believe in catering my services to the client, rather than making a client conform to a more traditional designer/client relationship. I'll put on my sweats and paint walls myself. I take my clients shopping at TJ Maxx and Bed Bath and Beyond to help them find the right things for their space. I believe in rooms that not only CAN change, but are EXPECTED to.

Here are the three core values behind Evolve Design:

1) PEOPLE CHANGE. Whether in age, outlook, personal taste and style; none of us are rocking the scrunch socks and tight-rolled jeans of our earlier lives (thank goodness). Personal evolution should be something we expect, embrace, and plan for.

2) SPACES SHOULD CHANGE, TOO. Why? A family room can become a dance floor with the slide of a couple of chairs and a few good tunes. A bathroom can become a personal day spa with a good glass of wine and a few candles. A kitchen (inevitably) becomes the premiere social gathering place during every holiday. Creative storage spaces provide room to grow. The big bucks go towards neutral pieces that will last; accessories can be less expensive and therefore easily changed without guilt or hesitation.

3) THE WAY WE DESIGN IS CHANGING. As natural resources become slimmer and the phrase "Green Design" is becoming mainstream, interior and architectural design must constantly be looking for better options in material choices and applications. As a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Designer, I express these things in my designs as a "given." In addition, Evolve believes in an alternative approach to the designer/client relationship. In these economic times, good design cannot only cater to those with piles of extra cash. As a designer, I love to get my hands dirty. I love to paint, nail, sew, glue, draw, and make in general. If we can't find it, I'll create it. It's that simple!

There you have it--Evolve in nutshell. If you're wondering if I can help you, just ask. The answer is probably yes!

Evolve Design is born!

Hello friends and family! After months of slowly building up my freelance business, I have taken to steps to officially form my business, Evolve Design. I am so excited to be able to share this with you! It is my goal to use this blog in connection with my website and facebook page to keep you updated on some of the projects I am working on, as well as some helpful tips I pick up along the way. Check back often for progess!