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12 Client Asks That Absolutely TRIGGER Designers
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Residential interior designers get into the business because theyre incredibly creative people who want to transform peoples homes into their dream spaces. They provide a great service not only to their clients but to anyone who sets foot in or sees photos of the beautiful settings they create. However, since they provide such a personalized service, theyre bound to have to implement design choices they dont particularly like or agree with every once in awhile. Thats just what happens when your chosen career revolves around pleasing other people, even when youre the professional in the equation. But everyone needs space to complain once in a while, right? Below, youll find a handful of design choices that designers are simply tired of or dont think look that great anymore, whether theyre outdated or low quality. And because theyre professionals who care about their craft, these designers also offered some advice on what theyd rather see instead. Keep reading to check out these 12 interior design pet peeves.Related StoriesAccent WallsSaiful IslamI think I speak for most designers when I say that accent walls arent really our favorite thing, says designer and Next Wave alum Maggie Dillon. There once was a time when accent walls were the hottest trend, and while Dillon says she understands that its a budget-friendly way to add visual interest, it just doesnt make enough of a statement. Most rooms with an accent wall feel unfinished. A more modern and pleasing alternative is to wallpaper the ceiling instead. Its a unique and playful way to create a focal point without the half-done look, she says. Plus, it adds a layer of character to the room thats unexpected and special.Related StoriesCeiling Fansgetty imagesIf you live somewhere hot, you know what a relief a ceiling fan can be. However, ceiling fans in rooms other than bedrooms are the bane of designer Avery Coxs existence. In Texas, heat is a real thing, and fans help keep things cool and circulatingbut Id prefer to pretend that a beautiful light fixture is the better choice, the designer says. If you absolutely need one in the living room, there are beautiful ceiling fans to choose from.Related StoryEngineered QuartzJohn keebleWhen it comes to high-quality design, the real thing is often the best option, including for countertops. As an industry, weve learned more about its flaws and health issues for fabricators, and I also think the look is starting to feel very dated, Cox says of engineered quartz. Rather than tell her clients no outright when they ask about the manmade product, she offers them alternatives like butcher block, concrete, tile, and natural stone (her favorite). She feels that engineered quartz and other manmade stones look too polished and pristine. I try to educate clients about patina and the importance of a livable home that shows soul and personality, Cox adds.Related StoryRed Oak CabinetryKentWeakley//Getty ImagesTrends come and go, but there are some that interior designers detest more than others. For Sarah Latham of Latham Interiors, thats red oak cabinetry and (more specifically) mosaic shower tiles on the wall. Shes not a fan of any outdated wood tone, but the red oak of the 1970s and 90s really gets to her. We love what we do and the clients that we work with, so helping them let go of a faded material can be a challenge, Latham says. Mosaic Tile Shower AccentsLatham dislikes an eye-level strip of mosaic tile on the shower wallan outdated tile trend thats still kicking around. Thats not a knock on the tile. Its only because she feels there are more beautiful and creative options for your bathroom to choose from. Martin DejaRelated StoriesMatching Furniture Setsgetty imagesWhen youre redecorating, it can be tempting to buy a full furniture set from one place. We get itthose product images do all look great together! However, doubling down on matching furniture will not win you any admiration from designers. A lot of clients are hardwired to buy the catalog sets like past generations, E. Norton of Norton Interiors says. Sure, it looks cohesive, but it also reads discount store and lacks personality. Complementary pieces in the same color palette bring more character into a home.Extending Dining Tablesgetty imagesWhile this choice is very functional, designer Denise Morrison is not fond of client requests for dining room tables that extend. Thats because they often compromise the aesthetic and spatial balance of the dining area; a well-proportioned table that can be used year-round is preferable. For flexibility, we recommend curved or oval tables, which allow for extra chairs to be added easily without disrupting the design, Morrison says.Related StoriesFaux Luxurygetty imagesDesigner Olga Doykhen puts it perfectly: Theres a big difference between something that looks expensive and something that truly feels refined. An oversize chandelier in a builder-grade home, a porcelain slab with a printed-on marble pattern, and other materials that are made to mimic the real thing dont translate well. In fact, they typically cheapen the overall aesthetic. Doykhens alternative is to take the slow decorating route and buy the materials and items that actively get better with time. Its hard to show restraint in this world of instant gratification, but high-quality pieces that patina are worth the wait. Related StoryTrendy Everythinggetty imagesWe love predicting and reporting on trends here at House Beautiful, but designers agree that no one should ever rely wholly on trends. Inspiration is great, but when a home is designed around piecing together viral trendsJapandi coffee tables, boucl chairs, plaster archesit risks feeling generic rather than personal, Doykhen says. Theres a reason why pieces and styles go viralits because theyre chic! However, their come-down is typically as fast as their ascent. A better way to express your love for a trend is to work in trendy elements as accents, Doykhen adds. Darla Bankston May, the founder and principal designer of Bankston May Associates, points out that trends tend to age quickly too, leading to an outdated home. Doykhen also emphasizes creating a home based around feel rather than looks. A well-designed home reflects its owners, not an algorithm, Doykhen says. Related StoriesAll-White Kitchensgetty imagesTo some, all-white kitchens are timeless. Others see lifeless spaces that arent living up to their potential. To Doykhen specifically, they lack the necessary depth, contrast, and natural materials that make a kitchen beautiful. All-white kitchens can so easily feel sterile. To prevent that, she suggests white kitchen devotees balance light hues with warm tones: creamy, nuanced whites instead of stark ones, natural stone with movement, unlacquered metals, and cabinetry with some variation in color, wood tone, or texture. This will make your kitchen feel more inviting and less like a showroom display.Related StoriesRequesting DiscountsSometimes, its not even a specific design ask that makes these experts eyes twitch. For Bankston May, she feels that when clients ask for discounts at the purchasing phase, it can undermine the value of the designers expertise and the quality of the materials selected. To combat this request, she focuses on the long-term value of the pieces she suggests and how they're more of investment products. Instead of discounts, clients can be offered value in other ways, such as phased payment plans or alternative selections that still align with their goals, she adds. Related StoriesPrefab Window Treatmentsgetty imagesWindow treatments greatly affect how light or heavy your home feels. Thats why designer Gabriela Eisenhart of Silo Studios is not a fan of premade drapery and shades. While prefab options can work, theyre never quite perfect, she says. As a professional, I want my clients to experience window treatments that are tailored to their specific windows. She knows that limited budgets dont always allow for this custom luxury, but there are other ways to make window treatments feel tailored to your space. She suggests they invest in custom hardware rather than builder-grade, clunky brackets at the top of the windows. Decorating with these types of custom pieces can immediately elevate a room. Low-Quality Area Rugsgetty imagesFor designer Steph Schlegelmilch of Studio Seva, area rugs from retail stores are a pet peeve. Stock rugs that are ready to ship are generally not our thing, she says. Not only do the sizes never seem to fit the space properly, but the fibers are usually not the best quality. She suggests going with a beautiful, hand-knotted wool rug thats completely unique. However, since a custom area rug isnt always realistic for some clients budgets or time lines, Schlegelmilch often works with her local carpet store to have them fabricate a custom rug out of broadloom carpet. That way, the rug is never too small, and it gives her team and the clients more flexibility to choose the right color. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.
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