Welcome to your virtual designer... Sometimes, when people ask me what I think about a design project they've tackled on their own, I am left thinking, "Oh, I wish you would have asked me before you spent the money/time on that." Sometimes, the advice is as simple as, "two inches to the left" or "add a contrast color" or "one shade darker" or "no, that chair is way too big for your space" and the design goes from "nice" to "wow!" So, please, please ask me BEFORE you pick a paint color, hang a curtain, or select a flooring.

This is how it works: I am open to any and all design related questions. Just post your question on this blog or email it to me at yabdesign2000@yahoo.com. You can also send me a picture of the item or space for which you need advice. Then I will post your question and answer for others to see and reference. I believe so much in preventing design disasters that I would even make Skype appointments if you have a bigger design dilemma you want to run by me.

So, tell your friends and family and send in your questions and I will address them one by one. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Tip of the Day - Creating your design budget


Nobody likes this part of the design process. Who can put a dollar amount on true creativity and soul-stirring inspiration? Actually, our husbands can! They are pretty good about abruptly drying out any creative juices that may have been flowing while we are flipping through the design magazine, saying... "Why would any one spend money on that?"

OK, so besides, the whole Mars and Venus thing, we actually have to respect our spouses and our financial responsibilities to each other. And that is why we need a design budget. You know, as a designer, one of the hardest things to do is to get the client to decide on a budget. It's not that they don't want to, they just don't know what things cost.

So, here is the tip of the day: Do your homework. Go ahead and splurge on one or two things that you absolutely must have. Then, look at the other items and google-search the heck out of them. There are always great bargains, knock offs and substitutions out there. And then, with your new knowledge, set a budget about 20% lower than your max (the number that would send your hubby out of the house to "get some air".) Then, really (and I mean REALLY) stick to it. Create a spreadsheet with EVERYTHING you plan to buy on it and then go through each item and price it out - don't forget to allow for labor, taxes and shipping.

Remember, you don't have to get everything at once. Maybe you buy one lamp this paycheck and another next pay check. Then, next month, you can buy the area rug. Maybe you have to sell your kid's run-down dresser first so you can put that money towards the newer chest of drawers. Whatever works (but it would help to have a budget to know what would and wouldn't work, right?) Maybe instead of buying a new nightstand, you just repaint it to freshen it up. Doing your homework and your design budget will help you make these kinds of decisions.

Yes, making a budget is tedious and sometimes painful. But I PROMISE you will be in greater control of your project and much happier when you realize you actually can stay under your budget. Happy planning!

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