What are some do-it-yourself trends you are seeing right now in Interior design?
I’ve seen people refinishing a lot of the darker woods, or the orange oak wood from late ‘90s, early 2000s—so trying to refinish those with a lighter white oak look or more natural wood graining. I think people are a little more open now to wallpaper. ... Some people are taking on and installing wallpaper [and] powder baths in areas where you can make a big impact in a small space.
Where do you think homeowners should draw a line between DIY and calling on a professional?
I think definitely when it comes to plumbing and electrical, I would rely on the professionals—just for the cost involved, it’s not worth the risk of fire or flood hazard. In terms of other projects it just depends on a realistic view of how much time they have to dedicate.
How can calling on an interior designer add value to a home?
I think designers add value in that they listen to the homeowner on what they want to achieve, and then they put it together in more of a formal vision. ... They think with the end in mind, which for a lot of homeowners ends up saving them time and money and frustration, because they’re not piecemealing it together. They have everything selected in spreadsheets, and all of that is done initially before any kind of renovation or new construction even begins.
What are some small steps homeowners can take themselves to enhance the functionality of a home?
I think in terms of functionality it’s really thinking through how you use this space. Sometimes there’s simple changes that can be made such as changing out towel bars for a robe hook or moving a trash can to a less congested area or adding pullout drawers for kitchen cabinets. Simple things like that can go a long way for daily use, but it’s really being mindful of how you operate in this space.
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