TWO TRICKS to tie it all together! - The Gunther Project
Do you know whose space is most challenging for me to design? My own. I’m supposed to pick one look, one aura, and only one? I like everything. (Okay, almost everything…maybe not chenille). So how do I choose one thing I love and can live with forever and not experience a severe case of design FOMO? If you are experiencing analysis paralysis, this blog is for you!
The “TWO TRICKS” I find most helpful when designing for myself as well as for my clients, is to 1. envision a mood, and then stick strictly to it 2. be at least 80 percent practical. So, for me, that means 1. I need zen, relaxing vibes to destress and 2. I have dogs (black AND white…UGH!), and we entertain a LOT, so I need easy to clean, stain resistant furnishings! For you, your two tips could be 1. I need cheerful, especially in winter and 2. I have a bad back and need firm seating. It could be anything you want. You just have to know what your 1 and 2 are, and then stay true to your tricks!
In my own home, for my 1. I implemented a stress free, zen: I created a neutral palette and stuck to it everywhere. Then I eliminated and continue daily, to eliminate clutter. Benjamin Moore’s Alabaster covers every wall and ceiling, and Dove is my moldings. That’s it. Period. To do a neutral space means continuity throughout and a lot of restraint.
For my 2, the practicality aspect came in with a hundred or so yards of Scalamandre’s Hopsack. It’s an off white performance fabric that tolerates everything from red wine to Fred drool (sorry, but true). And, it’s comfortable, so it doesn’t feel like you are sitting on plastic ware. I did add some boucle, just to shake it up. You should always mix your textures.
So how do you come up with your mood and keep it practical? For your 1. create a mood you need to experience daily. If you need calm, use neutrals and stay consistent. There are a gazillion neutrals. Stick with one or two… three max. If your 1. is that you want cheery, fun vibes, then grab a colorful fabric that makes you happy, and use those colors for your palette. Start slowly and add judiciously, and pull out anything that feels “too much.” For your 2. practicality, think about your needs. Are you watching football with snacks and your feet up? Maybe that cushy sectional is key. Do you have lots of kiddy toys? Built-ins are one great choice, but if that’s not in the budget, I once did a great ottoman with a lift up where our client stored tons of Legos and Tonkas. If you have dogs that are not (“ahem”) well-behaved, I have been known to shop for very discounted area rugs that get frequently replaced rather than a pricey wall to wall.
The key when you are having a hard time deciding, as was I, is to remember your 1. and your 2. Keep the 1. consistent throughout your home, which will create a great flow. And keep your 2. in mind as you select your purchases, so they work for you now and in the future. Try those two TRICKS and you can pull it all together!
