SOS Boca Raton Drapery Workroom *blog*

At SOS we’re always looking for new ways to become more involved in the boca raton interior design community and other local areas.

So what a joy to find others already meeting here in South Florida!

Here’s what the group is all about:

“Our Meetup was organized to bring together Decorative Painters and Designers in Southern Florida.

Our group interests are Interior Design, Architecture, Decorative Wall Design and other Professionals in the Design Industry.

We will be networking with and educated by other respected professionals in their communities.

We will discuss hot trends in the industry and how we each can make a difference.”

Click here to check out their page on Meetup.com!

There is something gratifying about ripping apart fine furniture

And when you’re deep into the world of Boca Raton upholstery you will get your chance to rip up some of the finest.

Today I have a few pictures for you of a Roche Bobois sectional we had the pleasure of tearing apart and reupholstering. Yay! Enjoy.

This is what the original fabric looked like…

And with a little hard work…

TaDA!

R o C h E    B o B O i S !

This is just one small part of the sectional. We have a lot more pictures, but those will have to wait until next time.

Until then,

Have a Superior Optimum day!

(nothing against products made in China)

George was re-upholstering an office chair as a favor for someone the other day and found something I thought was interesting…

Chinese newspapers! (see below)

This may be fairly common (and it didn’t seem to raise an eye brow on George) but I thought it was interesting and had to take a picture!

Well at least its not horse hair

Today we are here with Los Angeles celebrity interior designer Mark Cutler our next interviewee in our series “Interviews with Interior Designers.”

We asked Mark some fun questions about his work and his blog about interior design, Mark Cutler Design and he gave some great answers. So without further ado, the interview:

TJ: What is the best part of being an interior designer?

Mark: You get to design the backdrop against which people live their lives. That’s a very intimate place to be.

What a poetic answer!

TJ: How did you get interested in interior design / design in general?

Mark: I always had an interest in design, mostly architecture. So I studied architecture in college and worked at that for a few years, then at some point became much more interested in the Interiors elements of design. So I finally gave in to that and opened my own office about 7 years ago.

TJ: How did you get started as an interior designer?

Mark: When I worked as an architect I used to watch the Interior designers very closely to see how they worked. I guess that’s where I learned it, I never really worked for anyone as a designer, I just figured it out as I went along.

TJ: How would you describe your style?

Mark: My style is somewhat eclectic. It certainly has elements of tradition in it, but with a little bit of a twist. You will see antiques mixed with modern elements. I think good design is timeless, so it is a bit hard to pin it down.

TJ: What has been your favorite design job so far?

Mark: My favorite one is always the one that I am currently working on.

TJ: What project has given you the most satisfaction?

Mark: I judge my satisfaction from the look on the face of my client the first time they walk into their new home. It’s a very special moment to witness.

TJ: What motivated you to start blogging about design?

Mark: LOL I have a lot to say. I think too that it is interesting for people to hear the personal side of design too. Also to learn about the process, I think with magazines etc it sometimes looks effortless, its not so I like to write about how the design happens, my favorite finds etc etc

TJ: What has been the best part so far of writing a design-related blog?

Mark: I was not expecting their to be such a community, I am always thrilled to see how willing people are to share their discoveries and thoughts and talents, it’s a breeding ground for great talent.

TJ: Do you read design magazines/blogs? which ones?

Mark: Well I read all the major magazines, digest, elle décor, met home, veranda. I also read a ton of blogs domino has a great one, peak of chic and desire to inspire are some of my favs also dezeen

TJ: When you were a child did you want to become a designer?

Mark: lol yes I have to say I wanted to design from early on. I always thought I would be an architect though.

TJ: If you could meet any designer (past or present), who would you like to meet?

Mark: Hmmmm well I would love to meet Albert Hadley, and I think Van Day Truex would be another that I would love to meet

TJ: You’ve designed for many famous people. If you could design something for anyone (past or present), who would you like to design something for?

Mark: Well that’s a tough one, I think I would love to design for someone like Catherine Hepburn, she had such great style that I think it would be a tremendous challenge.

TJ: What is, in your opinion, the biggest design mistake today?

Mark: Too much stuff

TJ: What do you think will be the next hot trend in interior design?

Mark: Yikes… Not sure go ask Crate and Barrel. LOL

Thank you Mark for the interview! Well, dear reader, I hope you have enjoyed today’s designer. I know I did.

Have Superior Optimum day!

-TJ

p.s. Here are some amazing pictures of Mark’s work; a real mix of traditional elements with modern. For more see his interior design gallery.

(featured in the Los Angeles version of Luxe Magazine)

Here they are 10 reason you should subscribe:

1. New products
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5. Case studies in effective business practices <– click for a great article about applying E-myth to your workroom business
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7. Solutions to common problems
8. Entertaining articles
9. Industry book lists
10. and my favorite, Classifieds!

So hurry up and subscribe already! <–click for subscription info

If you are just joining us, lately we have been contacting people in interior design and related industry and asking them some fun and exciting questions about their work.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of them, Sandra Holmes a master home staging professional in South Florida. Sandra is the driving force behind Home Staging Concepts and has been featured in an interview on the series MoneyTalks. She is passionate about interior redesign as a marketing tool. We asked Sandra a bit about her work, her favorite designs, and style. Here’s what she had to say:

TJ: How did you get started in interior design?

Sandra: I became an Accredited Staging Professional and then I also received my Master Accredited Staging Professional Designation.

TJ: What has been your favorite design job so far?

Sandra: All of our work is amazing as it depends on the type of house/condo and the style. My favorite so far has to be one I did at the Diplomat Residences.

TJ: What project has given you the most satisfaction?

Sandra: My satisfaction with the staging business is when I get a phone call from the realtor or home seller that tells me they received an offer on their property and they know it is because it was staged.

TJ: What are your favorite design jobs?

Sandra: Where the house is already cleaned, painted with the right colors, and upgrades are in place.

TJ: How would you describe your style?

Sandra: Simple-yet stated. People say WOW when they walk in. We do everything from contemporary to traditional.

TJ: When you were a child did you want to become a designer?

Sandra: I have always decorated my room as a child and even the house I was raised in. I didn’t know then that this would be my passion.

TJ: What is, in your opinion, the biggest design mistake today?

Sandra: Sometimes, I feel it is too much stuff.

TJ: What is the best part of being an interior designer in south Florida?

Sandra: Meeting all of the fantastic people.

TJ: What do you think will be the next hot trend in (South Florida) interior design?

Sandra: Home Staging!! Staging to Sell, Staging to Live!

Don’t you love people who are passionate about their work? As a testament to the value Sandra delivers, here is what one of her clients had to say:

“Sandra, you do make miracles happen. We had two villas that were both on the market for one year. After we found out about you and hired you to stage our properties they both sold within 30 days. Great work!” - Dawn and John Bullis

When I saw that I just had to add it (I hope Sandra doesn’t mind).

Thank you Sandra for the interview!

Well, I hope you enjoyed today’s interview, dear readers.

Have a Superior Optimum day!

TJ

P.S. Here are a few pictures of Sandra’s work -

(see more at http://homestagingconcepts.net/)

I lived for three years in Japan while studying at a university there. It was a very fun three years and I was able to see some very interesting, and by western standards unconventional, designs.

In particular, there is one Japanese designer that I (and the rest of the SOS team) have really come to admire: Shinzi Katoh.

Often it is difficult to buy Japanese items here in the US, but these are available online –> Shinzi-Katoh mugs

While we are on the topic,
I also happened upon a good book about Japanese design. It’s called Japanese Style by design enthusiast Sarah Lonsdale.

<– click picture for more book info

As the second interviewee in our “Interviews with Interior Designers” series we are here with Renee Finberg of Renee Finberg Interiors of Boca Raton.

She is a top notch Interior Designer with, among other things, a love of European design and “a passion for chandeliers, functional draperies and antique clocks.”

We asked Renee some questions about her career in interior design and her opinions on interior design in general. Here’s what she had to say:

TJ: How did you get started in interior design?

Renee: I was raised in the industry. My mother was a Decorator in Miami Beach.
We always had a very special home that was beautiful to live in.
I am all about aesthetics; certain environments affect us deeply on many levels.
I know how living among beautiful things that relate to you as an individual can help you to feel special, calm, enriched or whatever atmosphere you are looking to achieve in your personal space.
Whatever mood a client is looking to achieve in a room can be created by a talented & sensitive Designer.
If attention to tiny details is paid to a home, it just might change the everyday life of the client.

‘The Design’ & Ambiance of a space is in the Details.

Renee: The second and third time that I am hired by the same client.
Because at that point we both know each other very well, and the mutual trust is the most fertile ground for exceptional Design.

Renee: Undressed windows, whether it is a contemporary or traditional home.

Bonus Question:

(This is from my correspondence with Renee after the initial interview. I thought it was such a great expression of the kind of designer she is that I included it. I hope she does not mind)

TJ: I love your answer to the first question. I’ve never thought about the affect of design on a client as an individual quite that way before; that, if I understand you right, it could really change their everyday life (through changing their mood) in a positive way.

I guess that makes the job that much more rewarding, since you are having a positive effect on lives.

Renee: Yes, TJ, it does affect the homeowner in a positive way. Just think about how clients are affected when they hate something that has been done by designer. I know you have heard & seen all the negative feelings and words.
Why wouldn’t they be affected positively when they love to be home because of something you have created for them based on your meetings with them and your insights into the individual? Right ?

I think that is the kind of genuine care that everyone should want in an interior designer.

By the way, since first contacting Renee for an interview she has started blogging too! You can visit her blog at: http://reneefinberg.blogspot.com/
Be sure to visit and leave her a comment. You are sure to learn even more interesting things about Renee like, for instance, that she is a skilled equestrian.

Well, I hope all of you have enjoyed today’s designer. And thank you, Renee, for the interview!

Have Superior Optimum day!

-TJ

p.s. Here are a few beautiful pictures of her work.

(A living room featured in Palm Beach Illustrated)

(A bedroom featured in Boca Raton Magazine)

(A private elevator foyer)

If you missed Part I of our interview with talented Interior Designer Susan Jamieson of Bridget Beari Designs be sure to click here and check it out!

Today we are back with Susan for another round of interesting Q &A.

TJ: What has been your favorite design job so far?

Susan: My favorite design project was a project in the Virginia mountains. This was a second home for my clients. I was allowed to design the house from the furniture to the silverware in the drawers. The project will be featured in the October edition of Southern Living. The home will be used for the cover shot as well as 5 interior pages.

TJ: WOW. That’s pretty impressive! Do you read many design magazines & blogs? Which ones?

Susan: Sure - I read them all! I even read blogs. Traditional Home, Domino, Southern Accents etc. Modern and traditional - I can get ideas and inspiration from anywhere but the best source of inspiration is by traveling and seeing new things.

Tj: You’ve even done some blogging of your own, right? How did you get into blogging about interior design?

Susan: I started blogging to write down all my thoughts on my work and the work of others. Clients and others really responded to it. They like to see all the work I have done. They are also interested in the process so we are adding video of projects. All the writing has inspired me to write and book. I am only about half way through but I enjoy putting my thoughts down on paper. It is very therapeutic. The design life can be very hectic. Keeping all the subcontractors on schedule is a bear!

Well that was fun! Thanks again Susan. We are looking forward to the video blogging and to your book!

And thank you all for reading.
Have a superior optimum day,
TJ

It’s been a little while since I last posted. I should have mentioned beforehand that I’d be away.

Of course George has been here working hard (no rest for the weary).

I was up visiting my relatives in West Virginia. This song pretty much sums up my little vacation.

I still have the second half of Susan Jamieson’s Interview to post. Its really good. So stay tuned!