DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION ARTICLES Design Thoughts from Deborah
Working from Home
To everyone making the daily trek to a downtown office, these three words sound like heaven… working from home. Envisioning a peaceful retreat, we daydream about accomplishing our work from home but yet with all of the benefits of the office; a separate and personal work station, ample lighting, and that elusive but necessary quality found in most office buildings - professional atmosphere.
Like millions of others, I too tired of the daily drive and began the challenge of working from home. In the beginning, I made simple modifications to our basement and began my professional practice as a registered interior designer and licensed building contractor. Concentrating only on the functionality and appearance of my desk area, I had failed to recognize the importance of the “feeling “ or atmosphere of that space. After all, I was working from my home and no one but me was ever going to see my office, so what did it matter that my desk was situated next to the family television set or that I couldn’t see to the outside? Sure, clients were plentiful and my work load was handled, but I was having a hard time trying to “make myself” sit down and go to work. The fact was, I just didn’t feel professional while I was working from home so why bother?
Over the years, I’ve come to understand that working from home has many rewards along with a unique set of challenges not faced in a traditional office setting. Gradually, I began to accept the interruptions to conference calls; overflowing toilets, kids crying, door bells ringing and pets barking, and eventually realized that we can’t always control those unexpected “unprofessional” situations, but that we CAN DECIDE to improve our work space environment so that, by it’s very nature, the design of the office space will actually help us to work from home by creating a more peaceful, productive and professional atmosphere.
With just a few affordable and simple modifications to the space, light and color of an area that a home office will occupy, we can actually make a dramatic improvement not only to the finished design style, but to the way we actually “feel” when performing everyday work practices. To get you started on creating a more professionally productive office area in your home , check out these affordable tips:
Before we can begin to modify a space, you first need to “see” that room with renewed clarity. In other words, to be able to take a look at the areas where you work as if you were a first time visitor who is taking a first impression reading. Since it’s hard for most of us to objectively evaluate a room that we see everyday, you’ll first need to create a safe perspective for objective clarity. You do this by taking several photographs of your office area . By reviewing the photos, you will be able to critique the space objectively much as you do a room in a magazine photo.
Now, with pen and paper in hand to record your observations, examine the pictures for nearby family- life distractions such as; piles of laundry, kids toys, and TV sets. Take a minute and then record a few thoughts on how to reposition your office space to another location within your home , or if you are stuck with using only that exact floor space, why not plan on physically moving the toys, TV sets etc so that they are no closer than 15 feet from your desk area. By simply removing this activity or by repositioning them so that they’re out of your line of sight while seated at your desk , you’ll be amazed at the difference a few feet can make.
Now notice the type and quality of lighting on or near your desk; table lamps, overhead and recessed light fixtures, and most importantly, nearby windows and skylights. Remember that a well designed office, whether it’s a home office or an elegant high rise, will have several types of lighting all designed in a layering effect to give both general and task illumination to the entire area. In plain English, this means a bare minimum of one adjustable desk lamp, 3 overhead ceiling lights and at least one window or skylight within 7 – 10 feet of your desk. When reviewing the photos for natural and artificial lighting, most of the time we fail to realize that adequate lighting is not only essential in our job performance but that it will greatly influence the way we feel while working in our office. To understand the significance of light on our feelings and emotions, just think about the last time you found yourself home alone at night during a power outage… creepy wasn’t it?
And don’t forget to check out the wall and carpet color; if in the photo it appears to be bland and nondescript, you may want to consider upgrading to - color! By simply changing the wall color to a medium- based hue, a color found in the middle of most paint store sample charts, you will be able to increase the warmth and personal comfort level to one that is more aptly suited to a professional environment. Afterall, when was the last time you noticed an office building interior where the main color scheme was dull off white? And when you consider that leading social researchers have found that the use of wall and ceiling color, particularly in our work environment, has been clinically proven to dramatically improve productivity levels and promote a sense of well- being isn’t it about time that you thought about a color other than off white?
Working from home…many rewards, and lots of challenges, but when you add the key ingredients of space, light and color, we can perform our life’s work in a space that appears professional, while at the same time, allowing us to work with a greater sense of professionalism … and just think… all of this from a place we call home!
© copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC.
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My Home = Me
So many times throughout my career, I've been asked the following leading questions; "What are the hottest color schemes?", "Where is the best place to buy furniture?", and finally, "Why are decorative accessories SO expensive????"
Well, the answers are many, all of which, depend upon the individual circumstance. Sounds like a "beating around the bush answer'???…well it's not. The fact is that is, that with good design (not just trendy decorating for the sake of sprucing up) answers to those very questions are VERY different dependent upon the following criteria: household income group, career / employment sectors, social status within the community, family size and interpersonal relationships between family members, personal preferences for a comfort level, family and personal spending habits, perceived value of a comfortable living environment, actual value of the residence, and last but not least, expectations for the finished project.
Hey, if all of these points sound like an evaluation form for a psychology profile, YOU'RE RIGHT! When you think about it, what is good design if not but ALL of those factors figured into creating a truly comfortable and attractive location we call HOME. And what is HOME if not but an extension of ourselves?
As a professional, I've been trained to seek answers to those criteria factors prior to making my recommendations for that perfect design project. Most times, I don't even have to actually ask the questions…the answers are in plain view, all I have to do is just OPEN MY EYES and look around and REALLY listen during my initial interview. Most folks will share this info through many ways other than direct response to my questions. The manner of dress, the taste and expense level of dress, the mannerisms and use of slang in speech patterns, the cleanliness of the environment they now call home, the family travel, entertainment and vacation habits, interactions between family members, and general attitudes towards design and decorating. All of this goes into the big "consideration pot" so that, in the end, good design prevails (read this as – everyone is happy and the project FEELS like the folks who live there and not just a cookie cutter decorating job).
So as for the top three questions most asked, well, I have to say that I've had many different answers for many different people…I guess that's what the term individual style is all about!
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Less Is More
The other evening I experienced something rare; a really good movie! It was a first run, feature film starring a well known actor in a true story about a rather unorthodox doctor. Aside from the great story, there was something that impressed me greatly about this film - it's directorial subtlety. Even though this film dealt on a secondary level with the effects of childhood sexual abuse and a senseless murder/ suicide, it did so without gratuitous violence or gory re-creation of the events. It was so refreshing to see something truly sad without first "seeing" it through a movie-goers frightened eyes as the events are bloody reenacted before our eyes. It was evident that this director subscribed to that age old adage of LESS IS MORE. Okay…so what's the tie into decorating?
Well, that same old saying of "less is more" applies on an even greater scale to decorating our homes. I'm sure you've been noticing the recent explosion of magazine ads for furniture stores, wallpaper collections, bed linens and antique accessory shops...talk about clutter!! It seems that every piece that's featured in the store or "in the line" is displayed in the ad. I've even come across a recent full page ad for a wonderful vine pattern but it was repeated in EVERYTHING featured in the ad...the sheets, bedspread, window treatments, throw pillows, wallpaper, area rugs, lamp shades, wallpaper border, book jackets, bath towel edge trim and even the ceramic accessories …all had this same once lovely pattern repeated over and over again!
Unfortunately this "MORE is NOT ENOUGH" and "TOO Much is GREAT" style of decorating is becoming the norm. It seems that all across America we're filling our homes with an overabundance of "match-ie match-ie stuff" ! And the irony is that the homeowners who actually live in these MORE IS TOO MUCH homes, can't understand why their house "just doesn't feel right! "
The answer lies in subtlety. Just like in that most wonderfully directed movie PATCH ADAMS, a subtle approach to displaying or telling anything is with restraint. It's not always necessary to beat someone over the head with an overabundance of information, decoration or fake recreation for them to get the point…whether it's a movie or we're just trying to decorate our homes; subtlety and restraint are key to making the experience truly rewarding and comfortable.
With that in mind, the next time you really fall in favor with certain decorative pattern, or new trendy color or current "hot" theme don't abuse it… remember that RESTRAINT in using that favored decoration will go a long way in creating a truly comfortable home. And who knows,… maybe with the success of this new founded subtlety in Hollywood direction, a new trend will appear; one where LESS is MORE! And since everything seems to be influenced by Hollywood these days, that Less IS more way of thinking will also influence the way the average American decorates his home…I hope so.
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Comfort Sells
As retailers, so many times we are caught up in the process of selling that we fail to put ourselves in the position of a buying customer. By that I mean their esoteric reasons for shopping with us, as well as their 'real life' reasons for entering thru our doors including the customer's physical, emotional and aesthetic needs, and most importantly, the reasons that they are willing to spend their time and hard earned money in OUR store.
Over the years, I have found that successful retail shops all share a common bond by excelling in a combination of several factors that keep customers loyal and coming back, but ultimately, it boils down to one intangible element that does the trick every time …designing a retail environment based on fulfilling the customer's need for COMFORT.
On an esoteric level, studies have proven that comfort is that human need for an aesthetically pleasing environment that is free from all concerns of personal security, coupled with an unmistakable sense of perceptual comfort based on the 5 human senses of taste, touch, sight, sound and smell that satisfies this innate human need for comfort . And for retail locations that means: 1) a visually stimulating store filled with trendy but yet attainable merchandize 2) a retail space filled with lots of interesting textures to sooth curiosity- seeking fingers 3) a selling area filled with welcoming merchandize- appropriate background music to unify our ears with the visual feast of merchandize before us 4) a pleasant scent of fresh and CLEAN wafting thru the air to reinforce the customer's impression that this store cares and takes pride in its surroundings , and last but not least, 5) an unpalatable taste of satisfaction emanating from every person leaving the store … and planning to return.
On a nuts and bolts simplistic level , achieving a truly comfortable retail environment is as easy as: changing out the fluorescent bulbs to a color corrected tube with a high CRI , installing UV protection skylights through the store, playing music that sets the tone for your selling style and the merchandize you stock, arranging numerous display tables and vignettes so that the placement and design encourages customer exploration, and lastly, making sure that the store employees are properly inspired to leave a sweet taste of satisfaction in the mouth of every person entering thru the door.
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Decorating with the Color of Light
With several more weeks of winter still ahead and the dark dreary days looming large, here's a question to ponder:
Ever wonder why new furniture and decorative accessories never appear to be the same colors in the showroom as they do in your own home? Or better still, why is it that the "perfect" shade of lipstick and cosmetic foundations always look so wonderful in the store and end up discarded in back of your junk drawer?
Could it be that the color has changed on its own while you were driving back home with your new purchases or is it as simple a solution as understanding light. Without going into a great detail about metamerism and the electromagnetic spectrum and the role visible radiant energy plays in the end results we see, here's a few pointers to keep in mind whenever shopping for anything that has a color: Always remember that whenever you are looking at ANYTHING that has a color what you are really looking at is not a color but rather a light that is reflected back at you in the form of a color.
To make it simple consider a simple apple. If you look at this apple outdoors in the bright light of a sunny day it appears either a dark blue based burgundy red or a orange based red. Take the apple indoors and it appears either a darker blue based red or even a brownish based red but yet still a reddish color. Now when you take this same apple inside a closet and turn out the lights, the apple has no color at all but appears black as does everything else in the room….. could it be that the surrounding LIGHTING conditions effect the color we see? YOU BET! So in order to make sure the color of what you buy is what you will see in your home always insist on inspecting the color of your intended purchase under bright halogen lights or in a daylight setting. By doing so you will get the true under tone color of that object much like the simple red apple appearing to be either a blue based or orange based red once you inspected the apple in the brightness of a sunny day.
Once you understand what the undertone color of an object to be, you will be better able to anticipate what color that object will appear when placed in your home surrounded by the colors found in your other furnishings and accessories. In other words, if you purchase a blue based red sofa and place it in a skylight filled cool color scheme room, the sofa will appear bright and sassy. But if you position that same blue based red sofa in a darkly paneled room with only one ceiling light fixture with 60 bulbs , the sofa will appear burgundy instead of red…. a disappointing nightmare if you were expecting a bright and sassy red sofa!
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Cool Shades for Hot Spaces
Homes which feature several tall windows located throughout the home are always appealing because they offer additional areas for natural light to flood the interior and make us feel more comfortable within the space . The use of large and dramatic windows is a wonderful style setting architectural feature until it comes to 'dressing' the windows for sun control. The real challenge lies in coming up with a window treatment that addresses the problem of fading furniture while still allowing full view to the great outdoors….
Hummmm, a problem that can stump even the best and this very issue was a personal challenge until I realized that there was two sides to a glass window and that you can address this problem naturally. When you consider that before furniture can fade, the light must first come into the space and that by blocking the sun's harmful rays you would stop the problem of fading furniture; so it's only natural to consider the option of blocking the harmful rays that result in fading the furniture.
With this in mind, planting large shade trees outside in the direct path of the rays is always a good solution as is decorative awnings and pergolas. Since this will not always work in landscape restricted areas or if your house exterior lot and architectural style will not allow for either the large trees or added exterior sun control features, then the next best solution is for a physical barrier to block the rays completely. You can do this with full draperies or vertical blinds but these will block the view to the outside completely and can cost thousands of dollars per opening. A more economical solution is for the modern version of the commercial window film.
With today's updated technology, gone are the days of crinkled or silver looking windows once the film is applied so be sure to consider this option as an additional layer for dressing your windows in a style that will be protective of your furnishings as well as adding an energy saving design savvy to any space where large windows will remain uncovered throughout the day.
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Feng Shui
Over the years I have always felt that there was and is a universal force driving us all to aspire to a certain level of greatness and success. That statement can be defined in many ways depending your level of satisfaction with yourself. And we, as woman, fortunately or unfortunately tend to define ourselves by the appearance of our homes. If you doubt this thought , just think back on the last time you had an unexpected visitor to announce that they would be dropping by in just a few minutes. Regardless who it was, mother in law or friend, or complete stranger , the first thing many of us do is "pick up " the house or straighten the path from the front door to where it is that we would be visiting with this visitor. And without regard to our own personal appearance, we run around like gremlins trying to fix our house so that the visitor won't judge us by the appearance of our homes. Then, as we are opening the door we fluff our hair and check our appearance in the hall mirror. I can't tell you the number of times I've looked like the wicked witch of the West as I opened the door to an unexpected visitor with the knowledge that my house was at least straight and the clutter out of sight! And you know , the funny part is that we all do this without even thinking that we are seeking approval for ourselves. And all by getting someone else's approval of our homemaking skills . So is it no wonder that we all feel compelled to decorated and arrange our homes for appearance and comfort? Well, the answer is very complicated and each one of us must find our own answer to the "why" portion of the quandary . As for the "how" to make our homes more attractive, comfortable and easy to "pick up" whenever we're faced with an unexpected visitor, I CAN help there. And you know…the answer is found in the ancient art of FENG SHUI. This practice is nothing more than an organized method of placing, situating, organizing, arranging and coloring decorative objects, furnishings and building materials so that all are in harmony with the space itself. Because the study of FENG SHUI is a rather lengthy subject to mention in a mere few hundred words, I'd like to suggest that you read one or all of the three books on the subject of FENG SHUI that I've listed for sale featured on my books and video's page of this site www.dxmarket.com/deborahburnett/dir/index.html. These books are really easy to follow and explain the subject in a common sense way; much like the way I do whenever I speak on the subject in my presentation called FENG SHUI- WIND AND WATER SPELL HAPPINESS? So the next time the bell rings and you're rushing around like a mad woman, please stop and consider why you are doing so and then make a resolution to learn about FENG SHUI… I promise, the knowledge that you'll learn will not only help to make your home more comfortable, attractive and functional, it will actually allow your space to be in a constant state of visitor readiness!
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Practical Feng Shui for Retail Success
It's not as complicated as you might think, but more important than you might realize for success in today's business climate.
In recent years, the term Feng Shui (pronounced fung shh-way) is a phrase we've all heard, but few realize how dramatically it impacts our daily lives and retail success. The literal translation of Feng Shui is Wind & Water and is nothing more than the ancient Chinese practice of trying to make sense of something they understood but couldn't explain. Things like
how and why it is that certain spaces were radiating with an intangible overwhelming feeling of calm and inner peace while others were unbearably uncomfortable.
The science of Feng Shui More than 3,000 years ago, the ancient philosophers of China and India recognized that every room and building contains a certain indefinable energetic force that influences everything within that space. The Chinese named it Chi while those in India called this energy Prana. Today our scientists have found this energy to be components of the electromagnetic spectrum. Specifically, we now know the energy that the ancients defined as Chi or Prana is the visible portion of that
spectrum, and it's called light. The unseen force of this energy is actually the unseen force field of the light and how it interacts with the other known source of energy, which we call sound.
What's in it for me … and for my customer? Okay, enough science. The practice of Feng Shui simply helps us explain why and how we can manipulate that energetic force to better our own lives, happiness and business success. Consider this example. When most folks walk into a dark and stuffy hotel room, the first thing most of us do is turn on the lights and the television then open the curtains. Why? In an attempt to make the space feel more comfortable, we're redirecting the existing energy in that space by letting in
light and incorporating sound.
Bottom line: Feng Shui is a powerful tool to understand and use to ensure that our retail environments project an overwhelming aura of comfort and style so that our customers can feel good while spending money in our stores.
Position … position …. position
I look at Feng Shui as an art of energetic practicality; so starting at the front door, let's consider your store from the customer's perspective. Since energy and customers are in constant motion, make it easy for both to flow easily.Locate shelving and other display areas soenergy and customers can wander unimpeded both visually and physically. Avoid straight military style aisles, blind corners and dead end aisles. Customers (or energy) can't circulate if objects are blocking
the path. A good rule of thumb is to be able to see to the back of the store, and the best way to accomplish this is to angle the aisles and vary display heights.
Lighting the way
Making some areas brighter than others, you create a multiplicity of interest that unconsciously draws the customer to different locations within your store. You can do this by insisting on three layers of light for each retail location.
General overhead
FLUORESCENT LIGHTING should be rated at the people-pleasing temperature of 3,500 Kelvin and have an overall color rendering index (CRI ) of at least 85. By installing this type of fluorescent tubes, you're providing good walking around light that will not only enhance your customers' appearance but will also enlighten your merchandise so it doesn't appear green or discolored.
TRACK AND RECESSED LIGHTING should be positioned not only to highlight certain areas but also to force the customer's eye to zigzag through a path of light. By positioning groups of spotlights throughout the store rather than just along one wall or down the center of the ceiling, the random pattern of lights will lead the customer's eye from the front to the back of the store without missing anything on either side.
And don't forget about the power of a TABLE LAMP. No matter what kind of retail store you have, table lamps with amber colored 40-watt bulbs should always be included in the layout so store lighting levels will be at the customer's eye level – the level at which a sale is made.
Go with the flow
To keep the positive energy moving throughout the store, it's vital to clear out those items that accumulate stale and stagnant energy – the junk! Whether you sense it or actually smell it, when the inventory and outward appearance of your store becomes old, the store's vitality and profitability can suffer. Feng Shui teaches that to facilitate fresh and positive energy, you first must clean the store and change the displays regularly.
Because we are always in our stores, we can fail to realize what our customers actually see when they walk through the door. To help us clean up the clutter and freshen the displays, it's important to experience your store with "fresh eyes." Begin by using a wide angle disposable camera to photograph your store from the front door. You'll then be able to see things you probably forgot about or just don't notice such as dangling cords, visible trash cans and debris, stacks of empty boxes and other sure signs of old energy
which result in a poor impression for your customer – and a possible lost sale for you.
Everything in its place Why is it that whenever you walk into a store, you immediately turn right or that you notice a fireplace before a dressing room door? Consumer path directions and attention triggers are just one of the many mysteries of the retail universe. Through various teachings, Feng Shui lays out specific guidelines to help us design our spaces to complement the "natural" ways humans react and feel comfortable.
Throughout history, various schools of Feng Shui ranging from Compas to the Black Sect have preached cures or changes based on various rituals, so-called constructive and destructive cycles, ancient symbols, etc. To eliminate confusion and make it easier for us to understand and use, I've come up with a modified BAGU chart or overlay room grid based on the teachings of Nancy Lee Wydra, the founder of the Pyramid School of Feng Shui . To understand the chart and begin reaping the many benefits of Feng
Shui into your store, here are a few pointers. Starting at the front of the store, the right front section is best suited for products and displays that exude COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING – a great place to locate greeting cards, hostess gifts and thoughtful gifts. The middle right is energetically dedicated to the FAMILY. Try placing picture frames or baby gifts here. And the all important back right corner is RELATIONSHIPS. Use this space to display gifts for occasions such as Valentine's Day and everyday items that spark romance such as candles, aromatic scents and luxurious bath products. The center back of the store is dedicated to REPUTATION, FAME AND SUCCESS so go ahead and pump up the lights on this area. The back wall makes a great spot for a fabulous company logo or a
well-lit piece of showcase art.
Continuing around the room, the back left corner is considered the MONEY, POWER AND WEALTH spot, and the best location for displays of things that grow – plants, natural products, etc. The middle left is for COMMUNITY AND INVOLVEMENT and a great section to place an array of the new products geared toward entertaining. The immediate left section of the store should be considered the WISDOM AND EDUCATION section and is best when packed with books, new products that need explanation or added
employee assistance and signs advertising your upcoming in-store seminars.
Last but not least, the most important section of the entire store is the center because this is where the OVERALL HEALTH of your business is made or lost. This is THE spot to locate your cash wrap and to centralize your employees. Be sure to maintain a well-kept area filled with growing and healthy plants, a friendly babbling water fountain and several burning fragrant candles to foster a sense of comfort, peace and assurance. After all, in retail it's all about making the customer feel comfortable.
By providing a guideline to clutter-free, energetic displays using carefully positioned merchandise sections positioned within a well-lit and visibly exciting store, the simple tricks of Feng Shui will make it easier for dollar-generating energy to flow throughout the store, inviting customers to come in, enjoy their visit and open their minds to purchase options.
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Aging Comfortably
Face it… we are all getting older, and hopefully wiser, in our time left on this earth, so why not make it more enjoyable and comfortable especially as we grow older in our own homes. Here's a few tips that can help us live more comfortably as our bodies age:
LIGHTEN UP! Color and light are the two most important elements to our successful enjoyment and utilization of our homes. As we age, our eyes are ever changing and taking on a yellowish filter to all that we see. Our eyes are also requiring additional light and contrast for use to see as we had once been able. To compensate for our aging eyes, be sure to change the light bulbs in all of your lamps and overhead recessed fixtures to bulbs that filter out the yellow tones. The so called full-spectrum bulbs are great since they have a blue coating that give a somewhat "blueish" cast and cast a brighter "look' to surrounding objects, thus removing the yellowish glow found in most incandescent light sources. Another choice would be the Halogen PAR bulbs used in any recessed overhead fixture. The clear , crisp WHITE light of the Halogen PAR ( parabolic reflector ) is great especially in the kitchen and bath… a really good idea for us women when applying makeup – without great lighting we tend to end up with a clownish application of our makeup.
Another area to increase our lighting and improve our work surfaces is the kitchen. Since our countertops are one of the largest areas of raw color in the kitchen, why not consider changing your existing countertop to a medium light color such as Wilsonart's OASIS # D40260. It's a pale clear blue green that will work well with most color schemes and more importantly, it's a color that will provide the necessary contrast our aging eyes need when we are performing tasks in the kitchen. To check out the complete range of style, finishes and colors available from Wilsonart visit http://www.wilsonart.com .
CONSERVE YOUR EFFORTS! Also as we age, our reach and upper body strength is diminishing, so why struggle with adjusting window treatments every day?
The folks at Hunter Douglas have made it really easy to raise and lower their attractive window fashions with a their LIGHT RISE control systems available on most of their blinds. No more cords, wands; just a simple touch of your hand and INSTANT raise of lowering to suite your needs. To check out their products, visit http://www.hunterdouglas.com .
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To CLOSE or NOT TO CLOSE?
A few years back I had written a column where the subject was good ideas an hints to follow whenever you are visiting a friend or relative and have to spend a night in their guest room. In the article I mentioned to be sure to be polite and be sure to always close the seat lid on the commode before leaving. What a brew storm over that column. It seems that quite a few of you commented on the article dealing with HOUSE ETIQUETTE, particularly the section on the health reasons for closing the toilet seat and lid before flushing. All things being equal and allowing mistakes to happen, it seems that the newspaper staff goofed and added a question mark to the statement thus placing the entire comment in confusion. Well, ladies take heart, it IS true that germs and water spray are disbursed into the air through an open toilet seat whenever a commode is flushed. So the gist of the article was CLOSE THE ** TOILET SEAT LID AFTER EACH USE! There , I've said it… a battle cry for every woman whose ever been cold seated in the middle of the night! Okay, now that that's out of the way and we are already on the subject, here are a few other thoughts on the bowl.
A few years ago the new regulations for the amount of water capacity contained within each bowl flush went into effect. It sounded like a great idea at the time; use only 1.6 gallons with each flush instead of upwards of 8 gallons on older models, but like all governmental mandates, things get worse instead of better. Now, the new residential toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush with the working parts dependant on gravity so it takes two to three flushes to get the job done…Well, take heart, a few manufacturers have just introduced new commode models that feature trap drains that will reduce the number of flushes while still complying with the 1.6 mandate.
TOTO, a European plumbing manufacturer, has just introduced a new gadget that doubles as a commode. Its shape is similar to the old-fashioned bowl but it's now ergonomically designed to conform to the ever-expanding human rump. It offers the usual features plus has an upgrade to an internal gasket that supposedly contains odors within the bowl…finally, a blessing for womankind!
Now that the majority of the population is starting to gray, several of the plumbing manufacturers are taking notice. Instead of the extended height bowl being offered only in institutional white, now the taller commode seat models are somewhat stylish and come in several colors. And you know, the taller set height is not a bad idea even for those of us not yet in our golden years.
Here's the hard one to write about, but one a lot of folks seem to forget…and it's not just men! CLOSE BOTH TOILET SEAT LIDS after each use. Aside from the aesthetics of having an open toilet bowl, there's also the concern of germs. A recent study by toilet manufacturers has shown that the simple act of flushing an open lid commode will release water / germ spray into the surrounding air which can linger on the seat and nearby walls and floor…sounds gross…but true!
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Decorator or Designer?
Over the years, I have had to respond to numerous questions from perspective clients but always one question that for me is the linchpin for establishing our future working relationship. And it's the person's reaction to my answer, that for me, determines the type of client this person will ultimately prove to be. Because as a professional registered interior designer and licensed building contractor I sell a service based on perceived value and that value is in the eyes and pocketbook of the homeowner. The question is of course 'why hire a designer or a decorator and what is the difference ?'
For me the answer has always been simple- on a residential level, why seek professional design and decorating advise ? ….because it is a service that has both monetary and emotional value. In other words, professional advise allows the homeowner and their family to feel more comfortable in a place they choose to call home. Also the right professional advise will allow them to feel comfortable with the amount of money they will be spending in order to achieve that level of aesthetic, physical and emotional comfort found within the confines of four walls.
For commercial projects, it's all about money and safety. Not only the money the finished project will cost but also the money the finished project will make ( bring in ) based on the way the property appears. In other words, if two hotels are the same price and one looks out of date and the one next door is freshly painted where will you stay? And as for safety, it's all about knowing the building codes and standards as well as the proper application of fabrics, finishes and textures in order to give a person a fighting chance in the event of a fire or other personal life threatening events.
So for the average homeowner just seeking advise on how to arrange the furniture and what color to paint the walls, how do you go about finding the right professional to get your job done? Simple…first you need to know what type of professional you are looking for. Here's a quick lesson on selecting the right pro for your job!
DECORATOR: A person who is very talented in arranging interior furnishings, accessories and selecting color schemes. No specific education or business credentials are required to establish a practice.
DESIGNER: Same as above; the person just chooses to use the title designer rather that decorator
REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER : A person who has graduated from a 4 year college specializing in the field of interior design and is professionally schooled , educated and trained and then certified within the field of interior design to be knowledgeable and proficient in the practice of advising a property owner in all aspects of what it takes to make a house function and look great! This person will be aware of the building process, know how to read blueprints, specify finishes and detail lighting. In addition they will also arrange furniture, select color schemes and accessorize your home – just like a decorator !
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Deborah Burnett appears regularly on HGTV, National TV and worldwide radio with design ideas and decorating tips. She is a nationally recognized health and wellness design authority and keynote presenter bridging the gap between science and evidence based epigenetic design which explores how the body and brain are affected by the interior environment. As a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine she specializes in research and design pertaining to how color, light, sound and daylight affect sleep.
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