Interior Design Tips from a Pro

Q & A with a Pro Designer

We recently interviewed Victoria to learn her tips for anyone thinking about redesigning a room—or an entire house!

Question: What are some of your best tips around small changes you can make to a space that are cheap but make a big impact?

Victoria: "Paint and soft furnishings! But first, you need to get rid of the unnecessary furniture and clutter. This instantaneously makes the room feel lighter and ready to be updated. It might sound a bit cliche but paint is the easiest and most affordable way to dramatically update a room. With a few cans of paint, you can change the look and feel of a room. If you aren’t ready to commit to a different color on the walls, turn your attention to your textiles such as curtains, pillows, bedding, rug, etc. If there are more funds in your budget, look at updating your lighting or adding millwork."

Question: What design advice would you give to someone who is decorating a new room in their home?

Victoria: "An empty space is the absolute best canvas to work with. Here are the steps we like to follow:

1. Assess the room and determine its function. This stage is the least exciting for most but critical in the execution of a well-designed room. This is where you define what the room will be used for, measure the space, consider potential furniture configuration, assess natural light sources etc.
2. Get inspired and define your style. Inspiration is everywhere. With the rise of social media, we are exposed to many beautiful things and it can be overwhelming to decide one’s style. I recommend creating a board with pictures that you like. There usually is a recurring theme, style or scheme.
3. Make a list of the main furniture you will need. I highly recommend sticking with neutral colors for the main pieces as they serve as a blank slate which can be remade over and again simply by pairing it with different accent pillows and throws.
4. Find a focal point and accessorize based on its color scheme. A focal point serves as the jumping point for which colors to bring in the room. It could be an artwork or a textile that you like and intend to use."

Question: Any advice for homeowners looking to update their entire home?

Victoria: "I recommend that they take an inventory of their belongings. Next up is the editing stage: consider what goes what stays and what needs to be replaced. From there, build it all back layer by layer!"


Finding decor gems and home improvement materials

"The Restore is open to the public and is a fantastic place to find building materials, furniture, lighting and unique decor gems!" Victoria said. "The pricing is also very reasonable. It is important to stop by the store often as inventory changes daily and you never know what treasure you will find!"

A final thought from Victoria is something she also placed prominently on her website:

”Your home should reflect who you are and how you live, not current trends. It should be where you feel joy and happiness.“