Ask Devon - July Q&A

Another summer month has already come and gone, but we have good news! We’re recapping our favorite Q&A submissions from the entire month of July in one blog. You won’t want to miss Devon’s tips on everything from styling a foyer, to the best tile layouts, to career advice for entering the interior design industry.

Should the bathroom mirror be the same width as the vanity?

If you have a fixed mirror, custom cut and glued to the wall - yes, fill the space above the vanity. But if you do an accent mirror or medicine cabinet, it should be slightly less wide (especially if you do sconces on the side).

Recommendation for upgrading pantry doors?

We love making pantry doors blend into the cabinetry. Replace them with cabinet doors to match the rest of your kitchen… it will make your kitchen feel even bigger!

Tips for styling a foyer?

Your foyer sets the tone for your home - it’s the first impression. It also needs to be practical. We almost always do a console table and a mirror, to drop mail and keys an check your hair on the way out. From there, add some type of seating for putting on shoes if there’s room for it. Then layer in some accessories and art. A lamp on the console table adds warmth, and then accessories bring in texture and personality.

What is your top piece of advice for someone starting in interior design?

Get an education first and foremost. Once you have that, get an internship so you can start getting real world experience. My biggest advice to young designers is master the basics first - know how to properly lay out a room (what clearances are needed and what relationships should be between pieces) then be sure to triple check details on everything you specify. Are the measurements accurate and appropriate? Do you know what is required from an electrical and plumbing standpoint? What existing conditions need to be taken into consideration? I could go on forever, there are so many details and things to keep in mind. But before anything, get an education to build a foundation and master the basics.

How to budget for renovations?

Write out your WHOLE wish list. Then, consult with professionals. Designers, architects, builders, and get real estimates for what each thing would cost. Add 25% for cushion. That’s your total “wish list budget”. From there, determine what you can afford to do, and if you need to break it into phases, consult with professionals to determine what makes the most sense and what is the most efficient way to break things up.

How do you style above kitchen cabinets if you have very tall ceilings?

Lean some big frames up there to draw the eye up and take advantage of the space! I also love faux greenery in applications like this to add some texture.

Do all seats in the living room need to be the same height?

They should be close so that when you’re having a conversation with people in the other seats, they’re close to you eye level. A few inches off is fine.

Tips for redoing a builder grade fireplace?

Always a fan of ripping off the builder grade mantle and tile, and replacing it with a clean porcelain or stone slab and floating mantle.

Modern way to lay 12” x 24” tile? Polished or honed?

Stacked, always. Horizontal or vertical… either way feels modern an fresh when stacked. I personally lean towards honed, but polished can be a nice way to bounce light around.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s Q&A roundup as much as I enjoyed answering all of your questions. Thanks for following along!

-dgw