DIY or Designer? You May Have Greater Success With Professional Help
Many people are not entirely satisfied with their home décor and are faced with two options when it comes to home remodeling. If you have a clear idea of what you want from your area, functionally and aesthetically, a strong initial impulse may be to do it yourself. If you have a great deal of time and patience and want the experience and satisfaction of designing and transforming your own space, this impulse may be justified. However, it is easy to underestimate and overlook many elements of the home design process, and the initial excitement can evaporate when faced with the headache of unanticipated problems. Even with a clear vision of your desired space, locating the pieces you need can be a complicated affair. An interior designer draws upon a network of connections and resources to expedite and facilitate the acquisition of the parts you need. Without an understanding of the practical half of design, even a simple remodel can consume a remarkable amount of time and energy if not appropriately facilitated.
If, on the other hand, you elect to approach the design process more casually, transforming a space piecemeal as you encounter pieces you like, working with an interior designer can be just as useful. This approach can be satisfying, but without a clear sense of the needs of the space, it can also lead to costly errors or an eternal project. Without a structure to the process, an expensive piece purchased early in the remodeling process might no longer seem appropriate in light of new acquisitions. You might also find that, because of the lack of an initial plan, your space may end up looking too crowded or too spare as the project draws to a close. At the end of a long and challenging process, dissatisfaction is the last thing you want.
An initial investment in a home designer ensures the avoidance of these problems. An interior designer will communicate with you to get a clear sense of both the function of the space and how you would like it to look and feel. They will then draw upon a depth of experience to clarify your vision of the area and orchestrate the remodeling process. The designer does not exclude you from this process; communication at every stage of the process ensures that you can enjoy the experience of making design decisions without the anxiety and complexity of hunting down an securing the pieces and services necessary for the transformation of the space. You will experience the satisfaction of the design process while avoiding the many pitfalls that the “do it yourself” designer risks.
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
Life Rolls On: Corporate Office Design Project
Design and fabricate a fantastic new office space that melds form and function with strict accessibility requirements and virtually no budget? Challenge accepted! In Icon Magazine's article "Roll With It," Sarah details her involvement in an ambitious pro-bono design project benefiting the non-profit organization Life Rolls On, which helps individuals with spinal cord injuries see possibility beyond paralysis.
The article explains that the LRO organization was founded in 2002 by a competitive surfer paralyzed in a surfing accident. When their headquarters upgraded from a cramped office to one nearly double the size, they realized they needed a designer to help fill that extra space! Enter Sarah Barnard Design, a participant in The 1% programs which connects non-profits with designers willing to donate their services.
Through the donation of an estimated 200 hours, the four-person firm rallied individuals and companies in the local community to donate money, time, and resources. Keeping in mind Sarah's commitment to sustainability in design, nothing went to waste! From re-purposed skateboard decks to "surprise" furniture donations, this space not only utilizes all creative opportunities but thoughtfully incorporates design elements into a cohesive design that reflects the organization itself.
Be sure to read the full article in Icon Magazine for even more insight on this exciting project! To learn more about Life Rolls On, visit their website at www.liferollson.org. For more information about The 1% program, visit The One Plus.
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
"Ocean Avenue"- Casa International
Beijing's acclaimed interior design magazine features a beautiful five page pictorial on the work of Sarah Barnard Design.
Sustainable design means different things to different people, but at its core, sustainability is the sensibility that objects and materials which are sourced responsibly are also beneficial for our mental and physical well-being, too. For professionals, sustainability is a standard that ensures our spaces are safe, comfortable, and beautiful. Interior designers like Sarah Barnard make decisions throughout the entire process that are geared towards that end: beauty and functionality melded in the healthiest way possible.
Working out of her Los Angeles based studio, Sarah Barnard is intrigued by clients who have unusual requests and lives for a challenge. She hasn’t met one yet that she didn’t like. In this project, the owners wanted an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They wanted a space conducive to relaxation and meditation.
This space is quite small (under 2000 SF) and so creating a sense of visual expanse was challenging. One strategy Sarah Barnard employed to raise the ceiling height was to paint out the crown molding to match the wall and ceiling color (but not the baseboard).
The media room also functions as a second bedroom with a contemporary sofa that folds out into a comfy guest bed. Also, this penthouse overlooks Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California. Anything that needed to go inside the apartment had to fit in the freight elevator. If the item could fit in the freight elevator...it couldn't be a part of the design!
The aesthetic is generally quiet and is a combination of contemporary pieces and vintage items. The living area is intentionally light and bright, encouraging the walls and furnishings to recede so that the ocean views can remain the focus. The master bedroom is intentionally considerably darker to promote sleep, while the horizontal lines of the furnishings and drapery echo the direction of the shoreline. Careful selection of organic natural textiles, non-toxic wall finishes, re-use of on-site materials as was feasible, incorporation of vintage fixtures and furnishings as well as energy efficient appliances and lighting.
This space is amazing! The clients live full time in the San Francisco Bay Area and use this unit as a relaxing retreat. Everyone who visits falls in love with the interior and the views!
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
Restaurant Design with Cuban Flair
Add a tropical flair to your household by drawing inspiration from Cuba! Mix earth tones and tropical colors with mid-century decor, and you'll instantly feel like you're on vacation. Use your chosen color scheme to color block the walls, pairing a bright color with a neutral like Terra-cotta. Explore natural elements like rich wood grains, and add tropical household plants to enliven your space. Choose furniture that predates the 1950's, and feel free to mix and match styles to give the area a vintage flea market look. The masonry walls, exposed beams, and outdoor style lighting create the illusion that the diners of this Cuban Café are relaxing on a cozy patio.
THE LOUNGE AREA IN THE REAR ALLOWS PATRONS TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE INFECTIOUS CUBAN ATMOSPHERE WHILE PLAYING DOMINOES OR LISTENING TO LIVE MUSIC.
The lounge area in the rear allows patrons to relax and enjoy the infectious Cuban atmosphere while playing dominoes or listening to live music.
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
Green: Inside and Out
Environmental Concept creates unique outdoor living spaces for high-profile clients in the Los Angeles area and strives to use sustainable practices that create healthier environments.
When designing their offices, we were asked to create a contemporary space that used organic materials, giving a result that was eco-friendly inside and out. Objects such as the reception desk were salvaged and rehabilitated for minimal environmental impact. The polished concrete floors and painted branch mural embody the contemporary organic approach of Environmental Concept.
Floating wall shelves display colorful concept sketches, while Aduze pottery and a driftwood side table welcome guests.
This zesty bathroom scheme was inspired by the colors found in the exterior garden.
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.
Sarah Barnard Design Featured in: Design Design Magazine!
Day Lighting: Strategies for Healthy Happy Interiors!
Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.
To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.