They say there are things you just can’t learn in design school until you get into the real world.
To us, interior design is a constant learning process, and a fun one at that! Here are a few things we’ve learned over the years through experience that they didn’t tell us in school…..
IRREGULAR GRASSCLOTH SEAMS
People love the natural look of Natural papers (bamboo wallcoverings, grasscloths, jute). Because they are made of natural material and not printed like many papers, the seams do not line up horizontally when installed.
Many clients choose natural wallcoverings because they find beauty and character in its “imperfections”. Others have a hard time understanding why it won’t line up, when the sample they saw was lined up!
….Something to consider over-explaining when suggesting one to a new client….
MOROCCAN TILE CHARACTERISTICS
Right now we are in construction on a very fun, jewel-box of a project in the hills here. This place is totally Moroccan-ed out.
We are using this Moroccan blue tile in the Guest Bathroom. Look at the edges! Each tile has a personality of its own! No mass production here! See here how deep the blue color is in some areas, and then lighter in others? Gorgeous.
Check out the back of the sample board for the blue tile. Its uneven, but when installed, it has this distinctly special look.
This gorgeous star tile is going in the shower area. Another thing about Moroccan tiles – even within the same batch, colors can be inconsistent. Samples can vary from the final product- and tile dealers will make this clear to you! Some even have color charts showing the array of what the colors can be.
Look at the range of blues that are possible!
The clay tiles are hand-poured, and then hand dipped. They get their color from a mixture of ore and silica, cooked in an oven after applied. (ie Cobalt is used to obtain a blue color). Thus, your “blue” will, by nature, rarely match the sample you saw exactly.
CONVERSION FINISHES
Did you know that there are specific finishes for cabinets and other wood areas that you need to specify in the BEGINNING of a project? The most commonly used finishes are a Polyurethane or shellac finish (referred to as “bar top finish”) and a Conversion Lacquer finish.
(Above: project in Manhattan Beach)
A conversion lacquer finish is appropriate for Kitchens and Bathrooms, as they are high-moisture areas. Remember the saying: “Water on wood, no good”.? Make sure to avoid problems by specifying a Conversion Finish on these surfaces. This is industry standard, however, so a good millworker will know to use this.
