5 Feb, 2019
Do you really need an Interior Designer?
A few keyboard clicks and an online search away awaits you infinite creative design ideas and concepts. Curating designs is one thing, but implementing those ideas is a whole different ball-game!
A space is more than just a result of walls and windows. It evokes emotion and shapes one’s thinking. Its purpose is to positively stimulate the mind. Since every mind is unique, so do spaces need to be in order to achieve that purpose. Hence, a professional interior designer does not consider random ideas in vacuum, but rather with a certain context in mind. The designer’s ability to blend various aspects like design, utility, furnishing and lighting into perfect harmony, all within time and budget constraints to derive the best possible result is what makes their role in your furnishing project, vital.
Often, people forgo hiring an interior designer since they are working with tight budgets. In reality, an interior designer can actually save you money and time! Once a budget and delivery date is decided upon, the designer assumes responsibility to implement the plan to the budget, and within the committed date.
The designer knows what materials work best where, for what, and more importantly, they can source it for you, at the best possible rates. A reputed interior designer also has a trusted, skilled and experienced team on the job. This ensures quality workmanship and predictable control on timelines. This way, there is no time or money wasted on trial and error.
An interior designer lives and breaths the job, so they are bound to notice and know certain things you probably may not. You will most likely save some money, and get better results alongside! So, include an interior designer on your journey of transforming your home into your lovely abode!
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Minimalism:
From the multiple design concepts in practice modern, contemprory, minimalism,modern,traditional ,industrial, transitional, midcentury modern, scandenevian…. are being followed and applied.
Let me share some feelings on the minimalistic design thoughts on Interiors.
Minimalism in interior design means spacious rooms with minimum of furniture and detailing
The main element of this style is attention to shape , colour and texture
Fundamental principal of minimalism are sharp lines , low furniture , pastel shades
The main idea here is using simple and natural forms .This principle is a basic oriental style in design that’s the very basis for minimalism.
In the modern world a minimalistic accent is made on sharp geometric shapes and symmetry , shapes prevail over purpose.
Furniture must have streamlined shapes, upholstered with neutral colour , a shiny surface and straight lines, which will make it look amazing .Details should be made of stainless steel or chrome coats .The amount of accessory should be minimum .It is necessary to foresee enough space to keep all your stuff.(Simply designed wardrobes ,kitchens would be great).Pastel shades rather neutral shades would add a feather to the cap.
Minimalism is becoming very popular as this concept delivers a very light and free style.
Minimalism on the whole is a lifestyle that distinguishes by desire for perfect order and organised attitude .Its becoming popular among professionals ,creative people who value the combination of simplicity with sophistication .
Minimalism allows expressing yourself without using any screaming accessories or unusual furniture.
If you like Simplicity and strictness, Minimalistic concept is what you need.
To be followed by Modern design concept.
[28/06/2018]
Utility Or Aesthetics?
There was this requirement of my client in a typical Indian kitchen where a grinding machine was to be placed in the ‘beautiful kitchen’ and at the same time I did not want to present it ‘loudly’ … after some deep thinking done got a solution for the same and the machine got conveniently rolled inside the carcase on a custom-made trolley not disturbing the space on the kitchen counter. Now here, there were no ‘jazzy’ thoughts or complicated mechanisms,a neat sleek and minimal design concept got generated.
Now here this was a simple technique but then it has been continuing as a totally utilized concept in many of my projects, and so gave me a realization.
Becoming bold ….going with the ‘boho’ style .
What’s ‘boho’ style? – This was a style of fashion that was inspired by lifestyle of free spirits and happiness in 1960-1970.
It’s no secret that word is slowly leaning a bit more towards the modern side of the spectrum these days, narrowing down with the warmth required by having spacious rooms and enough storages trending on with ‘minimalistic interiors’.
Minimalism in interior means spacious rooms with the minimum of ‘detailing’, using simple form. This principle is a basis of oriental style in design, particularly Japanese design .
Shapes prevail over purpose.
Furniture’s must have a streamline line shapes and upholstered with neutral color.
Shiny surface and straight shapes looks amazing, detailing could be done with chrome or steel, cut short on the amount of accessories.
It is necessary to foresee enough space to keep all your stuff .
On the whole , what i’m trying to convey is that a balance has to be maintained between aesthetics and utility as they go hand in hand.
[24/03/2018]
Living:
Have you ever felt that a room was just ‘off’ somehow!! But have never been able to think of anything innovative.
A Living room is arguably the most used space in a home , it needs a good layout and furniture that promotes good traffic flow and positive vibes. Furniture placing and spacing is the key to comfort and function.
- A neat little reading corner made by custom made shelves
Be it planned makeover or for that sudden urge to re-arrange or renovate to get that good positive feel becomes a challenge , For the question arises in mind …How and where to start ?
A technical help In the form of an interior designer who can strategize the course of action keeping the liking and requirement would be a great relief.
And I always strongly feel depending upon the damage , a makeover can be planned of any scale.
Attending few walls specifically, spending a little on small buys and discarding unwanted clutter relocating a few existing furniture adding some color to the voids gives the change and that’s it.
I had a situation few years back
Where my clients moving to their new home had old furniture with emotional values . They were concerned if it would defer with the concept being planned for their new home , but with lots of thought retaining the good old bookshelf , I found a special corner in the hall , and with a recliner, some cladding on the wall a beautiful cozy space was born.
So it’s , like for me anytime a concept can be generated for a space And then added with furniture’s and fittings or otherwise if there’s some these knick-knacks you want to retain then create the space around with zeal and color which would give rise to a concept with those objects as references.
[09/03/2018]
……..Continued
Now, coming to man made wood which can classified as block board, ply wood, particle board, soft board etc.
Plywood:
Plywood is made from thin layers of wood that are peeled from logs. These layers (called veneers) are then glued together, under heat and pressure, with the grain direction of each layer parallel to that of the next layer, to make plywood.
Marine plywood is specially treated to resist rotting in a high-moisture environment. Its construction is such that it can be used in environments where it is exposed to moisture for long periods.
Plywood is used in many applications that need high-quality, high-strength.
BWP (Boiling Water Proof) or BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) plywood are called exterior grade plywood. They are made using phenolic resins and are adequately waterproof.
Block boards:
The core of block board is made of wood. These arranged in the form of long strips and finally glued together veneers, as a support on both sides. Can be considered as replacement for plywood and solid wood
Block board is widely used for making doors, cabinets and furniture
Particle Board:
Particleboard is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when appearance and strength are less important than cost. A major disadvantage of particleboard is that it is very prone to expansion and discoloration due to moisture, particularly when it is not covered with paint or another sealer. Therefore, it is rarely used outdoors or places that have high levels of moisture.
Soft Board:
Soft board is a multi-purpose, low density fiberboard panel that is easy to handle, lightweight and durable.
Soft boards which have been grilled or drilled to improve their sound absorbing capabilities are used as acoustic boards. They are used as ceiling and wall linings and carpet underlay’s particularly where reflected sound is to be reduced e.g.. in recording studios and auditoriums used as core material for partitions and doors, for partition panels, and as anti-drum lining for metal partitions and machine casings.
These are the most commonly used in wood industry. Like these there are many varieties of wood known by different names.
“Wood!?! Interesting….”
Talking of different types of classification of wood, which is our (GiD)staple, can be broadly of two types:
Natural & Machine or Man-made wood.
Natural wood can be further classified as Teak, Sal, Rubber, Beech, Pine, etc
Teak wood:
Teak is a yellowish brown timber with good grains and texture. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, counter tops and as a veneer for indoor furnishings.
Teak’s natural oils make it useful in exposed locations, and make the timber termite and pest resistant. Teak is durable even when not treated with oil or varnish
Teak is used extensively in India to make doors and window frames, furniture and columns and beams in old type houses. It is very resistant to termite attacks.
Rubber wood:
Rubber wood is always been used on a small scale, but has become much more common now, a relative new-comer on the market. The wood has become economically significant.
It is fairly easy to work, and glues well: it is mostly used in the form of engineered lumber (finger-jointed) which eliminates some of its disadvantages. Also, as it is a byproduct and plentiful, it is cheap, which makes it a very popular material in the countries with plantations.
Rubber wood is used in the manufacture of indoor furniture and gunstocks.
Sal wood:
Sal has been identified as suitable timber species for commercial production. It is moderately hard, easily worked and durable. The natural appearance of the sal wood lends itself to simple & also to complex designs which subtly blend in with the surrounding architecture & interiors.
In the future we will continue to see more and more sal wood used in interior & exterior decor. Sal has always been and will continue to be, a competitively prized material for furniture & other usages because of its beauty and durability.
One of the major benefits of sal wood is that its door frames and window frames can support walls in during Earth Quakes as other wood broke up in pieces during quakes but in case of sal wood it will support the wall .
Beech wood:
Beech wood has a fine structure compared to other types of wood. It is normally of pinkish –brown colour and is easily stained or varnished.
This is normally used for making furniture, musical instruments, flooring etc.
Renovation:
It takes a lot of time & effort in planning the exercise. These can be done only by discussing in detail (though many aspects will come about during execution). Another important thing to look at is the budget and value-for-money spent.
The thinking should not be restricted to anomaly fixing but it should be broadly defined. To sum it up, it will help if you can identify the pain points (the actual needs for the renovation) , do-ability (this where we come as a consultant) , aesthetic improvement and last but not the least , satisfaction.
Ganesh Interior Designs 