Luxury service or necessity? Interior Design is for everyone.
Interior design is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Let me tell you why.
INTERIOR DESIGN IS ABOUT HOW WE LIVE AND FUNCTION IN OUR HOMES.
FIRST AND FOREMOST.
Let’s breakdown the definition of interior design. To put it simply, it is the understanding of people's behaviour to create spaces that are reflective of their personalities and address their functional requirements. Interior designers interpret these behaviours to come up with creative and technical solutions within a home (or any building for that matter) that are functional, aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to the resident/s and most importantly, that add to the quality of their day-to-day lives.
I think the definition of what we as designers do gets lost amongst all the glitz and glamour. Think of the penthouses, mansions and expansive homes, and the exclusivity it breathes. Sure, there are budgets that allow for those incredibly detailed, material rich interiors which are most commonly associated with “interior design”. After all, interior designers are creatives and we work hard at creating individual, bespoke interiors for our clients. However, at the crux of it is you, the client, and more to the point, everyday people doing everyday things, with typical household budgets and hey, I’m one of those people too. Addressing everyday tasks and needs such as adequate storage, durability of furniture and the like (e.g. custom sofas made out of fabrics that can withstand spills and texta marks) means your house can indeed be more “photo worthy” or “guest-ready” because it is built to function for your needs (and packing up mess is a breeze) and all done so with a designer’s touch. Having kids or pets is not a valid excuse for not investing in design. In fact, I almost feel like it’s more of a reason to do so.
I believe firmly in investing in your home for the long-term and do not get on board with “trends”. I try to get to the heart of what my clients love and use that to form the basis of the design. That way, the result is timeless. My favourite quote is from interior designer Billy Baldwin: “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” I think we could all do with a bit more of this approach when designing and decorating our homes.
Photography: Bec Haycraft
YOUR HOME IS YOUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT
So let’s start with this. Your home is likely to be the biggest investment decision you’ll make in your life. You’re already investing a huge amount in your home, whether it be an already established home, or you’re looking to build or renovate or have already started your build or renovation. We all work with builders without question, and often start to ask things of them that are simply outside of their scope and expertise (unless they have an in house designer helping with your project) such as comments or recommendations on interior fixtures and finishes. I also see all too often an over-investment of funds into the build or renovation that leaves no room in the budget for the interior, or things that have simply been forgotten, or things/rooms/extensions that will remain unfinished for years to come. Sometimes this results in houses being built without provision for cabinetry (e.g. built in robes), window furnishings, and skimping on the quality of finishes and fixtures, leaving the transition to living in the property a pretty underwhelming experience.
Building and renovating your home without consulting with an interior designer can sometimes cost you more through poor decision-making (which sometimes manifests as buying things twice), build variations and “extras”, taking time off work to meet with trades and visit suppliers, or unexpected delays meaning more time in a rental or living in a half renovated home.
It’s also worth mentioning that good design takes time. We are not on a TV renovation show and unfortunately renovations do not occur over night, in a week, in a month, sometimes not even within the year. It all depends on the scope of the project of course, as well as ensuring the design is right for you (right down to the nitty gritty stuff), whether permits and engineering is required, trade availability, supplier lead times, just to name a few. Rushed, disorganised and “bitsy” projects are not in anyone’s best interests, especially yours. This is usually when costly mistakes happen too.
Creating floorplans and elevation sketches is an integral part of my process in order to explore ideas around layout, furniture requirements, storage requirements, and electrical requirements, amongst other things.
I CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
I often hear people say “I couldn’t possibly afford a designer”. This is a huge misconception. As an interior designer, I can genuinely save you money. I want to invest your money wisely, and so begins the balancing act of where to spend and where to save, as well as coming up with functional creative solutions that are driven by budget challenges. I have worked hard to build relationships with my wonderful suppliers and fellow industry professionals, and this only helps you. If budget is a challenge, I know a work around. I can look at ways to save you money in some areas of your home to gain valuable funds for other areas, without compromising on function, quality and aesthetic. I know these things, because I live and breathe these things (and I personally believe that a challenge is where true creativity shines). I have access to some amazing trade discounts which I can pass on to you too. Think of the savings you can make on some of these things as mitigating my costs.
I also don’t subscribe to trends (can we please stop highlighting niches in the shower/above the bath - why on earth do you want to draw attention to your shampoo bottles and razor?!) so I’m confident that interiors created with me are designed from the heart and in keeping with your genuine personal preferences and won’t need to be updated in a few years time because something is considered “dated". And most importantly, no two people are the same so why would our homes be?
Here at our Footscray Project we chose a cost-effective cabinetry material and splash back tile in order to splurge on the engineered stone benchtops and custom finish on the kitchen mixer.
I CAN SAVE YOU TIME (AND STRESS)
I have a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Diploma in Interior Design and Decoration. I understand the elements and principles of design, and I have worked hard to get to where I am to be able to provide my passion and skills as a service to you, to save your time and hard earned money to create a home that is a special place for you. Designers, generally speaking, are a little obsessive, and I am no exception! But that is why I love what I do and also why you should work with me! Who else loves talking about where to put power points, tile layouts, lighting, where your microwave and vacuum go, cabinetry, and tapware, amongst a long list of other things required for a build or renovation as much as I do?
As a qualified Interior Designer, I have a strong understanding of the elements and principles of design. There is a reason and purpose for every choice and design decision I make.
As a homeowner, when you’re juggling work, family and household duties, sometimes the thought of paint colour selections can be incredibly overwhelming. Decision fatigue is a real thing for DIY renovators. As an interior designer, I thrive on making decisions so that I can alleviate your stress and make the renovation process for you more enjoyable on the whole (I genuinely get a kick out of doing this). You can continue to work and earn your living (without the added stress of thinking about all the things you need to do for your project) and continue to give your best self to those around you. This gives you the opportunity to invest in me, who in turn invests in you and at the end of the day, designing spaces for my clients is what I live (and love) to do. There is simply no greater satisfaction than having a client trust me with designing their home.
“Thanks for being awesome and taking the stress out of all this for our fam!”
“The moment I met Erin she took the stress out of designing, planning and coordinating the project, helping me achieve something I never could have imagined.”
A LITTLE LOVE CAN GO A LONG WAY
I have renovated many clients’ homes and have also renovated my own apartment previously. I am now patiently waiting to renovate my own home, so I am also my own client. I know what it’s like to be on both sides! I have also worked with clients who have only needed simple updates rather than a whole house renovation, and thus saving them money! More often than not, this can be easily achieved through careful consideration of the little things which can completely change the look and feel of a space. It can make it feel as though you’ve paid for a renovation when in fact you’ve simply given what you currently have a little love. I can help you with things like this too! Just because I’m an interior designer, doesn’t mean I want to tear your house apart and start from scratch. The beauty is working with you, and addressing your needs, which includes a realistic approach to what we have to work with (budget) and time frame.
In our Beechworth Project, we were looking to create maximum impact on a budget. We made use of the client’s existing bed and bed linen, while specifying paint, fabrics for throw cushions, bed throw, bedside tables, bedside lamps and artwork. All other existing elements such as the wardrobes, window treatments (in this case, plantation shutters) and carpet remain. Check out the blog for some before and afters of this gorgeous residence.
Photography: Bec Haycraft
SO, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
Hè Hè Design offers a wide range of services that include colour consultations, design consultations, lighting consultations, pre-paid design hours, and concept and design development through to managing and coordinating the whole project from start to finish. And these varying services have different price tags and time frames, meaning you can afford interior design help on some level, even if it’s just to get you started on your own project.
“I see how accessible it is to seek the expertise of an interior designer and lighting specialist - what I thought would be something out of our budget was actually very reasonable and I know it is an investment that will pay for itself over and over when it comes to how much we love being in the home and the overall value of the house.”
Investing in your home is an investment in you and your family. If there is anything you are currently wanting to do around your home but don’t have the time, energy, or just need a little guidance, I’d love to work with you! Send me an email and let’s get started.
An example of a mood board that resulted from a Design Consultation. A mood board is used to communicate a look and feel for the project moving forward at this early stage. Here I was able to share my initial ideas with a client for their new home build through a series of carefully selected images that communicated colour palette, material palette, and design direction.