Ask Devon - August Q&A
We’re back on the blog for another roundup of our favorite Q&A submissions from the month of August. Although this month passed us by in the blink of an eye, we dove into some really great topics in our weekly Q&As. Keep reading for a recap of our informative design tips, ID career advice, and Devon’s all time favorite feature DGI has ever put on a project!
Why do most people overlook interior finish of cabinets, and what’s your go to interior finish?
It’s usually an upgrade to do something other than maple interiors for cabinets, and in my opinion it’s not necessarily worth the extra spend. That said, we’ve done white interiors on two recent projects, and I do love the fresh feel. I would love to do some walnut interiors someday if a project’s budget allows.
Moving into a bigger house… advice for shopping new furniture and keeping some old ones?
It’s really hard to fit the same sectional in two different homes, so I would definitely recommend investing in a new one to fit your new home. Custom window treatments are also a big investment, but are specific to the home and make a huge difference (in terms of function and aesthetic) so I would recommend prioritizing that. Lots of our clients will repurpose their bedroom furniture in a guest room and upgrade their primary bedroom.
The answer can be simplified to: what can you budget for the new home? Figure that out first, and then prioritize big pieces and replace smaller things over time.
three tips for career change to interior design?
Research firms that you admire. Start to think about where you might want to get your first internship.
Get an internship once you’ve gotten some courses under your belt. You’ll learn a lot about the industry and what direction you want to go in with your career. When you apply, don’t just say “you want to learn from them”… that is assumed and will naturally happen. Instead, explain what skills you would bring to the team. That will go a lot farther, especially with smaller businesses.
(Maybe the most important in my opinion) Learn the industry related technology. The Adobe Creative Suite is crucial (photoshop, indesign in particular). You also need to learn Modeling and Drafting software… you will need to use it wherever you work. Sketchup, Revit, and AutoCAD are great ones to prioritize.
I want to do paneling… should i carry that paneling throughout every room in the condo?
I prefer to save it for the “special” areas like the main living area, the primary bedroom, and even a hallway. If you do every room, it could almost get lost (as weird as that sounds). But if you get a break from it, then your eye picks it up when you walk into those spaces and it gives them a boost.
Our new Townhouse is brand new… where should i prioritize “upgrades” to make it look luxe?
Swap out light fixtures for unique, sculptural pieces.
Install wallpaper in some areas.
Invest in custom window treatments.
Best way to break up a long, narrow hallway upstairs?
Always a fan of giant frames in a hallway. Here’s the trick: keep the photo small since there isn’t much room to step back and see it - go for a big mat. These are the triptych frames from Framebridge, and I love the asymmetry. It also helps to add detail on the ceiling, like wood beams, to break it up.
What is your favorite feature (convenience or for looks) that you’ve put on a project?
Every project has something that I love, but my all time favorite (possibly because I look at it everyday) is the gallery wall in our own home. It was actually a last minute add because we realized that wall felt way too empty, and it makes me SO happy every time I walk up the stairs.
Do you have to use Marble on fireplace? What other options are there?
We use porcelain on so many fireplaces. It’s thinner, so lighter for vertical applications. You can also do quartzite, limestone, or any other natural stone. Or plaster. Or tile.
Are all white kitchens with matte black still in?
I think a white kitchen is classic and will always be around, but just because EVERYONE else is doing it doesn’t mean you need to do it. There are so many options out there, get curious and look around.
What are the best unique, durable countertop options?
Quartzite is a durable natural stone option (much denser than marble) but porcelain is also a good option. Porcelain is “printed” onto the slab instead of poured through, like quartz. Therefore, you get much more graphic patterns, more representative of a natural stone and incredibly durable.
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of our favorite Q&As from the month of August. It’s always fun to hear from you!
-dgw
