Fine Tuning the Finishing Touches
As someone who loves architecture and embraces Mies Van De Rohe’s ‘less is more’ philosophy of design, you might be surprised to hear that the finishing touches are a vital aspect of the building process for me. I love the pureness of space, but the more personal touches, such as artwork, furnishings, and daily use items that a client prioritizes, are elements that bring personality and life to a room. For this reason, a fine balance between minimalism and daily needs must be achieved to accomplish functionality & comfort in a home.
Styled Shelving
Balancing Minimalism & Maximalism
If, like me, you become stressed out by the presence of too many trinkets and you prefer a minimal aesthetic, this has to be planned upfront. I’ve had many clients who joke about a ‘push/pull’ dynamic with their partners regarding “stuff.” I’ve found there are several good strategies that can be implemented in the building process to prevent visible accumulation of clutter, namely, providing a designated spot ‘out of sight’ for the typical things to gather. The key is to thoughtfully and intentionally identify the problem areas so that they can be addressed in the planning stages.
Final Touches take Planning
In a search for the perfect furniture situation, our firm works with clients to evaluate layout options, fabrics, seat heights, etc., to best accommodate the client’s lifestyle. We have had clients pour spaghetti sauce on fabrics, text pictures of their pets destroying things, and measure key items to provide as thorough an evaluation of their needs as possible. This information gathering is a key aspect of the process. So are the conversations at the end of the project regarding art placement, display items, family pictures, and more. If your home will be your haven where you feel safe, it needs to have elements you love, even if the goal is a sleek and clutter-free environment.
KEEP IT FRESH
I mentioned this in a long ago blog post about accessorizing called The Display Towel, but the key to making sure home accents don’t get stale is to curate them frequently and change out items that no longer have meaning to you. It drives me nuts that the big box design stores offer millions of trendy trinkets that people buy to make their homes look “current” (I’m thinking of candlesticks in popular colors, little signs with words on them - you get the picture), but what is really important is to incorporate PERSONAL TOUCHES that make you feel good, and that tell a visitor “this is what I’m about”.
YOUR HOME IS YOUR HAVEN
At the end of the day, home should be where you feel the most comfortable and happy. The best way to do that is to focus on intentionally incorporating small touches that represent who you are.