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.