Behind the Design: What it’s like to work with an Interior Designer
LAREN NICOLE IN A CLIENTS KITCHEN FEATURING CRYSTORAMA BAXTER 4 LIGHT CHANDELIER (Model: 8864-AG)
If you haven’t worked with an interior designer before, the idea of hiring a professional can feel very intimidating. A good designer can take a blah space too beautiful, but what really goes behind the design?
We sat down with interior designer Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs to give us a behind-the-scenes look of this process and a tour inside her recent Ashford Glenn Home project.
Lauren is an award-winning, Charlotte-based Interior Designer with 14 years of experience in residential, commercial, renovation & new construction design. Lauren followed in her mother’s footsteps learning how to run a full-time design business while parenting two girls of her own — And the foundation of her business and design philosophy is centered around the phrase, “Family + Function = Fabulous.” Focusing on the specific needs of her clients, Lauren enjoys working closely with them to ensure the results are a true reflection of their tastes.
Q. Can you tell us about the Ashford Glen House?
A. This home is located in south Charlotte, is 5300 sq feet, and was built in 2003. I was called in to give this entire home a much-needed face lift.
Q. What were the client's requests for the home?
Everything needed to be painted, all lighting fixtures needed to be replaced, there was minimal furniture in the home, and all bathrooms and kitchens needed to be cosmetically redone. The house was stuck in the 90s'/early 2000s and just looked and felt tired.
Q. Tell us about your design process?
I start with a consultation in the client's home, where we walk the project's scope and create a wish list. We also discuss needs and wants so functionality requests, design styles, and likes and dislikes. Next, I assign a budget range for the project elements to get all logistics out of the way up front. Then we have a second meeting where the fun begins as I present my ideas and plans. At that point, we are seeing all of the parts and pieces of a reimagined space coming to life and are ready to begin the implementation phase!
Q. How do you approach a project when working with a client?
I like to break down a project into phases and make sure that we create a flow in the house but always with creativity and independence in mind. And in a room, I like to tackle it in layers, the primary upholstery and largest pieces first, followed by a rug, accent tables, lighting, and window treatments.
How does lighting play a role in your design process?
Lighting is a main feature in my plans for two reasons. 1. 80% of homes are 20% underlit. This means that most homes do not have proper lighting, whether it be the amount of lighting or the type of lighting. I try to implement task, overhead and ambient lighting in every room. And my favorite saying certainly applies to lighting, 'Bigger is Better!' And to avoid overdoing it, always add a dimmer! 2. Lighting is the jewelry of a room.
Light Fixture: Libby Langdon for Crystorama Jennings Collection
Q. We love the mixing of patterns in the family room? What are your tips for mixing patterns in a room?
Mixing patterns is simply layering and creating proportions of patterns and colors. Start with your most significant piece, usually the sofa or sectional, and make it your most simple fabric. Then add some excitement with the accent pillows. You can also create a pop of fun with color or pattern in the chair fabric. Depending on how intricate the chair fabric is, you can add texture, pattern, or color to the rug. One of the other, but not both, can have a mid-grade pattern level. I also love to add a geometric flair to drapery fabric, which typically relates to the material on the pillows. So your largest pieces have the most simple patterns, and your smaller pieces can hold more design and color.
Q. Favorite spot in the home?
The living room of this home is my very favorite spot. It is the central focus of the house and what you see when you first open the front door. I love the balance of form and function. Performance fabrics is combined with mixed metals and draperies. We took a big blank wall and made it a work of art. All of the elements of this space work together, and one does not overpower another.
Living Room Room at Ashford Glen Home featuring the Crystorama Mirage Collection Sku 8006-PN
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Lighting featured in slide show include: Libby Langdon Sylvan Chandelier, Libby Langdon Jennings Pendant, and Mirage Collection.
“Lighting is truly my very favorite piece to shop for, it is the way you tell your story.”
