Thursday, June 6, 2013

My Designing Brain Is At Work Again!!


I love to read books about Interior designers. What intrigues me is how they think. I love to read about their process in design.

One particular client was always very curious about how my mind worked. Of course she was a professor of psychology so naturally she wanted to know the  thinking process I used when I was designing her home.

She wrote this.......
As the comments indicate, you have a real talent for illuminating this kind of work by providing information on your vision and thinking about how to “get there”.

By making your thinking visible (that is, by explaining how you go about the design process) you provide scaffolding and appropriate support that allows others to think about  similar work.

Your comment about there being no right or wrong in the design world then allows people at all levels of expertise to buy-in to the process, and begin thinking about how they will approach their own project.  

Not sure you realize what an incredible gift that is, but in the world of cognition, teaching and learning, what you do, and how you think is EXEMPLARY!

WOW!! To say I was taken aback would be an understatement. So this post is dedicated to this lovely lady.

Since I am about to add a new element to my family room for the summer months I thought I would take you through my process in hopes that it might help you with your own design journey.

FIRST
I start by collecting images of the element I want to use in a room. I have been doing this process for the past year. You can see my collection of images, HERE!


SECOND
I examined the images closely to figure out what I liked, or disliked about each image. I then chose three of my favorite looks.

The three looks that I chose are pictured below………





I like the color of the wood and the contrast of the white. I also love the striped detail in the sail itself.



I did not even realize that this yacht is almost the same as the other yacht pictured above. This one has more detail in the sails and the stand is a  wee bit different. It is also facing a different direction. I do love the scale of this one.





I like the simplicity of this one, but I am wondering if it is too simple for such a large scaled yacht with so much of it being the sails. 

This has a stripe in the sail which I also love. It has a darker wood with a very dark blackish, green/blue paint. One thing I really love about this one is the green painted wood stand. I think that makes it interesting. This feature can be added to any of the yachts we have chosen.

THIRD
Now the fun part begins, the sourcing!!







FOURTH
Once the sourcing is done I will then have the measurements to try out to see just how large I want to go.

Here is my live-in Handyman making a template on the wall approximately the size of the first yacht pictured. The size is approximately 42w X 45h.

Remember I am the Big is better, less is more gal!

sailboat measuring 007 (800x600)
I am a very visual  so this really helps me get a grasp on the scale of the yacht.

sailboat measuring 008 (600x800)
Sails and even the yacht and stand!! Now I have a really good idea that this is the size we need for sure!!

FIFTH
Now for the price shopping,  shipping cost and availability.

Once we have all this information on hand we will sleep on it, and make our final decision between………

sailboat 1
                OR      sailboat
 


 
 

16 comments:

  1. What a great post to show what goes on behind the process!! And we are all not so lucky to have a live in handyman:) But boy is that a nice perk! Enjoyed this....and I bet you are going to help A LOT of people out there!

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  2. Kathysue, I've long admired your ability to walk us through design projects. It's one of the things that sets you apart from others. I've learned so much from reading your blog! Wish I had you here in Austin. Lucky clients who get to have you on a project. The client who wrote the comments knows a master when she sees it. Happy sailing this summer. ;-)
    ~ Sarah

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  3. Kathysue, love the direction you're headed. I have both of the sailboats and love them both. The one with the cream hull detail is quite a bit larger than the one wih black detail. In fact, it's huge! I had it on my mantel and it covered the entire space. Will be larger than your tape sketch but still fit nicely in the space. Mine is now above my antique armoire in our 2 story living room with a can light behind it (set on timer) to give drama. You can't go wrong with either one, enjoy!

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  4. what a treasured and insightful letter, well earned!

    and that handyman of yours is purely brilliant, what a fine way to visualize the end project. can't wait to see what you choose

    ps; was thinking of you as i just returned from a biz trip to san fran......oh am i seriously jealous of anyone living in your gorgeous state! and the plants available to you, drooling over here
    xo
    debra

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  5. This is such a great post Kathysue! I love what you did with the painter's tape... One of the things I struggle with most is scale, and this is most helpful.

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

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  6. Great tips!
    Reminds me of using tape to "map" out furniture pieces before buying them. Gives a wonderful visual, that is so helpful in designing a space! Eliminates costly errors!

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  7. A great post. I like how you masked off the area for scale. Great Idea!

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  8. Good thing I did check in today. Love both sailboats how are you going to choose? Anyway - great idea on taping out the boat to see the scale in proportion to the room. Such a GREAT idea!

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  9. you ARE exemplary! the yacht will look fabulous. love the scale.

    smiles.

    michele

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  10. What an inspired idea! I never would have thought about doing something like putting a template on the wall to gauge size. I would buy something I thought would be right, take it home and then have to return it if it wasn't right. You save yourself hours and days of wasted effort doing that. Thanks for the tip. I'm going to use this idea for everything from paintings to lamps, rugs and tables. Great tip KS!

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  11. Great post, a great inspiration to me,what a fine way to visualize the end project. Love both sailboats too.
    Vicky x

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  12. This is very interesting Kathysue. You have a much better feel for your process than I do. Mine is usually want, shop, obsess, cry...lol just kidding! You can't go wrong with either boat!
    Stacy

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  13. I'm with Tina...you are very lucky to have a live in handy man that enjoys your projects together. Can't wait to see the finished product. XO, Mona

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  14. I love your style! WOW! I pinned a couple of things! Thanks!

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  15. I can't wait to see your new boat in the room! I seriously like all three. Whatever you choose, it will be magnificent!

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  16. Now that is very smart...I always do that for me clients so they can imaging the scale of furniture but I have never thought of doing this with decor...Thanks for the tip!

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I would love to hear from you, Kathysue