Renovating
Ask an Expert: What is the One Design Rule You Live By?
In part three of our series talking to Houzz professionals, eight experts share the one design rule they feel is most important
Houzz professionals, whether they be architects, designers, builders, gardeners, or any other type of expert dealing with matters of the home, have a breadth of training and experience they bring to their jobs every day. We picked the brains of eight of them to discover their number one design rule.
Value simplicity
Andrew Brown of Brown + Brown Architects emphasises the importance of clean design:
‘Keep it simple. Clean lines allow a home to look better when it’s filled with a client’s possessions. A house should never look better when it’s empty.’
Andrew Brown of Brown + Brown Architects emphasises the importance of clean design:
‘Keep it simple. Clean lines allow a home to look better when it’s filled with a client’s possessions. A house should never look better when it’s empty.’
Look south
Stuart Duncan, from the building company Build Different, prioritises light:
‘My number one rule is always to base the house design around maximising solar gain; that means having large, south-facing windows. Solar gain can reduce your energy costs, but be sure to have a complementary ventilation solution.’
See 9 ways to bring the sunshine inside
Stuart Duncan, from the building company Build Different, prioritises light:
‘My number one rule is always to base the house design around maximising solar gain; that means having large, south-facing windows. Solar gain can reduce your energy costs, but be sure to have a complementary ventilation solution.’
See 9 ways to bring the sunshine inside
Personalise your space
Camilla Pringle of Camilla Pringle Interiors reminds us to make our space our own:
‘Design the space you want to live in, not one you think a potential buyer would want. We’re staying in our homes for longer now, so the culture for bland and impersonalised spaces has started to change, thankfully.’
Discover ways to add personality to your kitchen
Camilla Pringle of Camilla Pringle Interiors reminds us to make our space our own:
‘Design the space you want to live in, not one you think a potential buyer would want. We’re staying in our homes for longer now, so the culture for bland and impersonalised spaces has started to change, thankfully.’
Discover ways to add personality to your kitchen
Take your time
Egon Walesch, founder of Egon Walesch Interiors & Flowers, stresses the importance of taking your time and carefully examining your choices:
‘Follow your heart. Don’t rush. If you’re not sure about an element of the design, wait. Go to art exhibitions. Visit country houses. Walk in the countryside. Wait for inspiration to strike. If a colour doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Wait until you’re sure.’
Egon Walesch, founder of Egon Walesch Interiors & Flowers, stresses the importance of taking your time and carefully examining your choices:
‘Follow your heart. Don’t rush. If you’re not sure about an element of the design, wait. Go to art exhibitions. Visit country houses. Walk in the countryside. Wait for inspiration to strike. If a colour doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Wait until you’re sure.’
Respect individual lifestyles
Andrew Dunning of APD Interiors believes a homeowner’s lifestyle is key:
‘I always remember I’m designing homes for the owners. It’s not for me to be self-indulgent with my designs and include the latest product I’ve fallen in love with if it’s not right for the project. You need to consider the lifestyle of the homeowner and understand how they live.
‘For example, if they are total foodies, you need to plan kitchen storage and appliances meticulously. But if they eat out, can you reduce the kitchen size? Designing for families has its own challenges – sharp corners and shiny surfaces often aren’t child friendly.’
Andrew Dunning of APD Interiors believes a homeowner’s lifestyle is key:
‘I always remember I’m designing homes for the owners. It’s not for me to be self-indulgent with my designs and include the latest product I’ve fallen in love with if it’s not right for the project. You need to consider the lifestyle of the homeowner and understand how they live.
‘For example, if they are total foodies, you need to plan kitchen storage and appliances meticulously. But if they eat out, can you reduce the kitchen size? Designing for families has its own challenges – sharp corners and shiny surfaces often aren’t child friendly.’
Prioritise livability
Michael Parinchy from Pro Build 360 emphasises the importance of creating a natural and unrestrained living environment:
‘My number one design rule is to design the home around the people in it. Movement through the space and living in it should feel natural. Some designs may be impressive to look at, but are not necessarily naturally livable.’
TELL US…
What is the one design rule you live by? Let us know in the Comments below.
Michael Parinchy from Pro Build 360 emphasises the importance of creating a natural and unrestrained living environment:
‘My number one design rule is to design the home around the people in it. Movement through the space and living in it should feel natural. Some designs may be impressive to look at, but are not necessarily naturally livable.’
TELL US…
What is the one design rule you live by? Let us know in the Comments below.
Rebecca Leivars from LEIVARS prioritises respecting and valuing personal style:
‘Listen to your clients. Don’t push your view, don’t follow a fad, it will date. No matter what you would like to achieve in a space, it’s the clients’ home, not yours. Listen. It really is that simple. I live by the rule because I feel very passionate about giving clients what they want; their aspirations, desires and needs are unique to them, so being able to sign off a project knowing the space is unique to them and their lifestyle is a joy.’