The Finishing Touch
By on Mar 31, 2008
By Kathy Flaxman
Richard and Annie's home is a study in rich, deep hues. The flooring in the dining and living rooms is a dark cherry stained oak, complemented by sand toned cabinetry and a black granite countertop with specks of gold that reflect and capture the light. Janice, on the other hand, has created a lighter, airy ambiance using natural maple style floor and cabinets, with an unflecked black granite bar counter top as a striking contrast. Both homes are designer-perfect, inviting and beautiful, and while they are miles apart in their style, they share the same address.
For homebuyers, choosing finishes is an exciting opportunity to imprint a personal stamp of style and mood. Consider that although Richard and Annie and Janice live in the same condominium development, their homes could be in two different worlds. Faced with an array of choices, buyers may opt to go the 'safe' route, mimicking the model suite. But this is to resist the delights of the lovely selection of tones, textures, colours and materials that are available today.
But, how to choose? Will Shaker doors on kitchen cabinets be in style ten years from now? Is that cream coloured carpet going to show every speck of dirt? Will it stand up to steady use over time? Not to mention the doubts most people experience, such as, "Is my taste really ok? Is this a good contemporary selection of finishes or will I be sorry when I see it all in place?" "We hired a designer for a consultation," Richard states. "It was money very well spent," Annie notes. "We had chosen everything and were quite happy with our selection, and the designer said we had chosen well. Then she suggested we look at how all the pieces would work together. Whoops! A few changes and we had a much more coherent look."
A Designer Can Help
Hiring a designer is an option that many people enjoy. Expertise in materials, trends and colours is invaluable. Experience in making the most of a smaller space or alternatively, showcasing a grand spacious home to its best advantage reaps rewards for years. Most people need only one or two consultations to feel confident in their finish choices, often seeing options that they had not considered unfold before their eyes.
How to find a designer? Ask your friends and acquaintances. You'd be surprised how many people have had professional input into their homes. The development
likely has a person they recommend, and oh joy there may even be someone on staff to provide a consultation at no cost!
Some of the tricks of the trade include maximizing and unifying through colour and choice of materials. All those pretty tiles are appealing but if they bump into one
another from hall to room to room the effect could be spotty. Beige and off white may seem safe, but perhaps they will be too bland, even antiseptic. Comfort counts too. Wood and cork products underfoot are soft and forgiving; tile is hard and cool, as is slate and stone.Talking to happy owners, it's clear that a bit of homework and some professional help are a winning combination. Janice, whose suite would make any homeowner's mouth water, consulted with a graphic designer for colour advice and is delighted with a special combination of dove grey, pink and pale yellow that appears in special touches right down to her dinnerware. "I'm happy with all my choices," she says confidently.
Finding an Interior Designer
You've found your dreamhome, and now you're looking for a professional to help design your new home or condo - but where do you look? Word of mouth is usually the best reference so ask family, friends and colleagues for the names of interior designers they recommend. You can also find a designer by looking through showrooms or magazines and catalogues, and noting the names of the designs you like. Set aside some magazine photos to give the designer an idea of what styles appeal to you. The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is another resource for finding a professional designer (www.arido.ca).
When you have chosen a few potential designers look over the portfolios of each for versatility, flexibility and cost. A professional designer will be able to explain the design process, their work schedule, their billing costs and will ask you in-depth questions about your preferences and goals. Once you've agreed upon the details sign a contract prior to work commencing, to ensure that you get the results you want. Most important is communicating your desires to your designer, so that you can get a look you'll love living with.
