I wrote about the 3 Fs—Function, Flow, and Feeling—three basic principles that interior designers use to guide them when they are designing a space. You can find it in this post.
As mentioned, if you have the budget to bring in an interior designer for a build or a renovation, that would take a lot of load off your plate. If you are the creative type, however, and budget is a concern, you may want to go for it yourself. For those intrepid souls who want to stamp their home with their unique DNA, read on.
The 3Fs of Aesthetic Execution
This post will deal with the 3 Fs of aesthetic execution (I know, that’s such a mouthful) that interior designers give much thought to. Put simply, these 3Fs are Floor Plan, Finishes, and Furniture, and they are the tangible tools that bring the design to life.
For simplicity, I will use the living room as the room to talk about.
Floor Plan
If your project is not a renovation but a new build and you have no existing furniture and fixtures, some would say that this is much easier because the sky is the limit. You can choose anything you like and fill your space with it. However, for others, this may be a nightmare because there would be so many decisions to make.
Let’s choose the living room as an example here.
The best tip is go back to the basics. First of all, figure out what design style appeals to you the most—Japandi, modern midcentury, rustic, grandmillennial, boho chic, maximal-over-the-top-blinding-colors-abubot-filled, or minimalist. There are so many. Check out this link. On the other hand, maybe don’t check out the link. You may end up more confused.
Second, you need to pin down the function/s of that space. The complexity will come when that space has to double as a living room, exercise space, meditation nook, family den for shared activities…
Third, you would have to think about the flow, or how people will move around in the space and how they will move in and out of the space.
You can then make a floor plan.
Finishes
Finishes are the visible materials applied to surfaces like walls, floors, and ceilings. They determine a space’s aesthetic so make sure you choose finishes that amplify the interior design style you’ve chosen. They also serve practical functions like moisture resistance so most people choose tiles for wet areas (kitchen and bathrooms), ease of cleaning like the Virtuoso Silk Touch paint for your walls, scratch and stain resistance, or acoustic reduction.
Finishes could mean textures, colors, sheens, even patterns.
Go to the moodboards and collages that we’ve written about and make one for yourself. This is really a great tool that will help you make decisions about these concerns as well as the furniture and fixture you’ll be getting.
Furniture
Furniture are big-ticket items that dictate a space’s mood, flow, and function.
Things you need to ask yourself when you buy furniture (assuming price is acceptable):
- Is the style fitting to the overall design style you’ve chosen?
- Is it proportionate to the available space?
- Does it allow people to move around the space comfortably?
- Will it anchor the living room and indicate where you’d like people to congregate?
- Do the material and color fit the color palette you want the room to have?
If you’re doing a renovation, and you don’t intend to change the furniture, choose an interior design style that fits. Also make sure that the new colors you choose for the surfaces complement the existing colors of the furniture.
Designing a Home
Creating a home that has your heartbeat and carries your spirit is something only you can accomplish. Interior designers are trained to try to “read” you so be clear about what you want. Find a designer that speaks your language. However, it would also be very helpful if you speak theirs. This is the reason why we cover topics like design principles, fundamentals, and elements in this blog.
Making a dream house for you and your family is a challenge and a great adventure. Making an intangible dream a tangible reality is one of the most satisfying experiences in life. The kind of creativity that sparks ideas which are translated into a real home can only be ultimately achieved by you.
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