Frequently asked questions

What is a "Cocktail Culture"?

noun 1. cultural activities or commercial products (cocktails) reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people. https://www.design2space.com/blog/well-stocked-really-simple-home-bar-rules



What is Minimalism?

In a nutshell, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.



How long has there been an "IKEA Hack" site?

Folks, we have Jules Yap to thank for making all these awesome "IKEA Hacks" available in one place. Back in May 2006, she was doing a little search on "IKEA Hacks" and realized that there were just so many amazing Hacks floating around the Internet. She thought wouldn't it be great to have them all in one spot? So that's how "IKEA Hackers" came to life in the form of a website.



Why should I decorate with plants?

Outside of cleaning the air we breath, I like them because they provide a lively atmosphere, the greenery adds colour and beauty, and they bring a room to life.



What was/is the hottest color in Fashion in 2018/2019?

Ultra Violet, or Pantone 18-3838. This was Pantone's - Color of the Year it "is a complex, celestial shade of purple, veering toward the cooler end of the color spectrum, that calls to mind the vastness of the galaxy, the power of spirituality, and creative expression in all its forms."



Do you have any suggestions for buying seating?

Has this ever happened to you? You sat down somewhere, and you were unable to fit your legs under the table. Or you could rest your chin on the island counter? I hate to say it, but these things often get overlooked in homes, public spaces and restaurants everywhere. When considering chairs (and a table for that matter) height matters. Most dining room chairs have a typical height of 18 inches and most dining room tables 30 inches. The same consideration goes for bar-height tables and counter-height islands. Follow these recommendations: Standard Height 28 to 32 inches from floor to seat. Best for: 41- to 43-inch countertops, bar tops or pub tables. Counter Height 24 to 27 inches from floor to seat. Best for: 35- to 37-inch countertops. Extra Tall Height 33 to 36 inches from floor to seat. Best for: 44- to 47-inch countertops or bar tops. Short/Table Height 23 inches or less from floor to seat. Best for: Standard height dining tables. Workaround: Don't break this rule! I know this is harsh, but it's annoying for everyone involved. If you have no option, I suggest buying swivel stools that can extend or retract to a height you need them to be.



What is a "Mixologist"?

noun 1. a person who is skilled at mixing cocktails and other drinks.



Have exposed bulbs (Edison lights) gone out of style?

D2S thinks: This trend is just too useful to do away with. Com'on no shade needed! The simplicity of their look and design lends itself to any space. Choose one with a different coloured cord or try something a little more whimsical to up the vibe.



What is the difference between an Interior Decorator and an Interior Designer?

You may have occasionally heard the terms for interior decorator and interior designer interchanged. However, there is a difference between the two titles. An interior decorator generally refers to someone who deals with finishes, surfaces, furniture, and wall coverings. Also, an interior decorator may work in a variety of venues from a design showroom to a remodeling retail store. An interior designer is a more specialized career field, requiring a certain combined level of education, work experience, and licensing. An interior designer may create spaces for the inside of a commercial office building, design the lighting for a restaurant, or select the furnishings of a home. An interior designer will also deal with issues of safety like accessibility and building codes.



I don’t know what my design style is or how to articulate it, should I still work with an interior designer?

We hear this concern frequently. Rest assured we have a unique assessment system to draw out what colors, textures, images, shapes, finishes and feelings resonate with you. Your answers inform our design process. Our favorite part of our job is helping you create a space that’s completely unique to your personality and not a replica of “specific style” that looks done and impersonal.



What is the first step to choosing a colour scheme?

For a head-to-toe makeover, the first step is creating a colour palette. You want a color scheme that best complements your upholstery, artwork, rug and whatever else. Come up with a basic color paette for the whole house, and then take that from room to room. It plays itself out in different ways in different rooms. Add a bolder pop of color to tweak the colour scheme.



Help, I have low ceilings!

Fake that Height! Create strong verticals lines and avoid the horizontal lines. We recommend hanging tall, large mirrors because they add scale to a room. You should also kept the furniture low-slung, so the rooms seem taller.



Quickest way to freshen up a kitchen? Or Bathroom?

Extend Your Backsplash! Eye-catching tile can make a statement in the kitchen as well as in the bathroom. Cover as much of the wall as the budget allows.



My space just feels blah!

Play With Textiles! Mix up patterns and textures. Mix up old and new, expensive and inexpensive. Consider including or upgrading to a variety of materials. Use a range fine-gauge and open-weave linen, to raw silk and taffeta, to cotton velvet and distressed velvet. You might think of straw as an outdoor textile, but it'll look just as good indoors. Straw, jute, rush - natural materials and neutral tones are they always chic.



Dull, boring bookcases!

Paint or wallpaper your bookcases. This instant pop of color will brighten and re-energize any room! It’s amazing how something so simple as a coat of colorful paint can instantly energize and transform your space. Perhaps the simplest and most inexpensive way to transform a boring space is to apply a coat of paint somewhere unexpected. Bookcases are an ideal place to start because you don’t need to paint a large area. Other fun places to add a pop of color include painting fireplace mantels, the insides of closets, hallways and ceilings.



I love the Cape Cod theme, when is it too much?

Resist the urge to be too theme-y. The Cape Cod look is a very popular request. You know the hallmarks: beadboard, a blue and white nautical palette, some sailboat paintings. But this has been done so many times, it lacks individuality. Keep it subtle - the vibe you are looking for can be achieved through a palette, artwork and materials that give the effect without drawing on the obvious clichés.



What’s one quick change that will improve any room?

Lower the artwork. People tend to hang it too high; it should be at eye level. And don’t worry about having something on each wall. It’s better to cluster art in one or two spots than to spread it out.



Decorating a huge room can be intimidating. How do you deal with soaring spaces?

Our philosophy is to fill them with large-scale furniture and art. If you’re a less-is-more type, go for one massive piece, like an amazing painting over the sofa. Or a large sectional sofa. I a singificantly sized coffee table.



Is there a quick tip to rearranging bookshelves?

Organize 60 percent of books vertically and 40 percent horizontally on the shelves. This creates balance yet spontaneity (and shows off the back of the bookshelf if it’s lined with a decorative fabric or paint). Stack horizontal books lower than vertical ones: If the vertical books are 12 inches tall, place three to four books horizontally up to four inches high. Add green plants to soften the bookshelf, but avoid flowers, which can look cluttered and distracting.



One piece of advice I just can't say enough?

Stop overthinking every little change and just try it! It’s easy to say, “Oh, that chair will never work next to my bed.” Move it and see how it looks. Sometimes pulling that red armchair from the dining room into your orange living room can work miracles.



Is there an equation to choosing a color palette?

When choosing a color palette, assign 60 percent of the room a dominant color, 30 percent a secondary color, and 10 percent an accent color. In a classic room setting, this may translate to designating walls the dominant color, upholstery the secondary color, and a floral arrangement or pillows the accent color. If you have a nice view outside, frame it by painting the interior window trims a dark color.



Help, Modern or Traditional, what's the difference?

Well that's a loaded question. What is Modern to one person is Traditional to another person. I say don't fight it - traditional elements look less fussy when juxtaposed with more modern items, and the modern pieces look less sterile next to the traditional touches.



I want to try a bold style or color but there's always a risk. Where should I start?

Use small rooms to take big risks. A wallpaper pattern that would overwhelm your living room will be fabulous in your powder room or a small foyer. A bold paint color will awesome on a bookcase but not overwhelm a room. See where I'm going with this?



Should I use multiple lighting solutions in one room?

Fabulous interiors have a variety of layered lighting that can be individually controlled for different times of the day, events or moods. Most rooms require three types of lighting: general, accent, and task. • Ambient or general lighting illuminates a room in a fairly uniform manner. • Accent lighting is used to emphasise a room’s features, such as art and decorative objects. • Task lighting is all about directional and adjustable light sources – think reading lights and study lamps. Try and illuminate most of your room with an assortment of lights and lamps, preferably all fitted with dimmers.



Does design2space, inc. have a cleaning task list?

Yes of course we do. You can review here or PM me for a true PDF copy. Enjoy!!



What are some quick tips for increased rental opportunities for my new (or existing) vacation rental.

At a minimum you can do the following: Keep a clutter-free space. Remove personal items, like family photos, religious articles, etc. Keep expensive antiques out of your rental unless you live in the rental and have great insurance. Tie in themes with the location and surroundings. Keep it neutral; the rental can be tweaked by adding a few essential items - such as a colourful piece of art or rug. But for real indepth tips and tricks go to our Blog post https://www.design2space.com/blog/looking-for-a-new-side-hustle



Should I wallpaper all my walls? Is this current?

Long gone are the days where wallpaper is used on every wall in your space - that look can be overwhelming and somewhat dated. Instead, be smart and current. Whether you use a large leafy motif wallpaper on one wall or wallpaper on your stair risers and inside bookcases - it makes an instant statement, adds colour and present-day feeling to your home. And since your using wallpaer in smaller quantities it isn't as expensive as you would think so.



To add color or not?

We're big fans of neutral and white-washed walls (think Minimalism or Scandinavian design), but there's something about a splash of adventurous colour that makes a room feel like it's been lifted right out of photo shoot. Adding pops of colour, yellow, blue, purple and pink take it to the next level. Add to your bathroom, your living room, or your kitchen. We think that colour is the most natural addition to any space, and one that will make it feel instantly fresh, crisp and current. For color inspiration, see our blog post https://www.design2space.com/blog/2018-2019-hottest-color-trends