Interior Design for Dismal Days
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcintyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
I live in Portland, Oregon, where the rainy season is long. My apartment, which seems so sunny and inviting in late July, feels dank for six months out of the year. No matter how wide I pull the curtains or how many accent lamps I buy, the pall will not lift. I need an interior decorating change to brighten up my life. If you're considering a career in interior design, you will no doubt run into clients like me. Here's how to help us.
Choosing Paint Colors for Bright Interior Decorating
Many people think that dark, deep colors feel warm and comforting, but if introducing light is your mission, you can't go wrong with light paint on the walls. Just because paint is light does not mean that it has to feel cold or antiseptic, though. To brighten a room's interior decorating without introducing a clinical look, focus on warm tones, such as toffee, mango, or khaki.Making the Most of Available Light
If your client's home has good windows, avoid covering them with overly fussy or heavy treatments. Simple sheers or Roman blinds, which can be retracted when not in use, are best at letting the sun in. Hanging mirrors opposite windows is a great way to catch the sunlight and reflect it back into the room. Make sure that the lamps you choose are not only aesthetically pleasing, but good light producers as well. Balanced spectrum sunlight lamps now come in many attractive designs.Become a Home Decorating Guru
Earning your interior decorating degree allows you to help desperate souls like me find our way to the light. As an interior designer, you have the opportunity to improve not only a home's interiors, but the quality of the home owners' lives as well.Source
About the author:
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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