5 Tips for Hiring the Perfect Designer for YOU

Hiring a Designer Series - Part 2

Once you have decided to seek professional help for your design project, the next step is finding the perfect person to do the job!

This step of deciding who to hire can be just as difficult, or more difficult, as the previous step of deciding to hire a professional. So, we have provided you with some tips that should help you find the perfect designer that is right for your project & your style!

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Details for hiring the Perfect Interior Designer:

1. Do Your Research 

It is important to research designers to see if they are licensed and how many years of experience they have. Registered Interior Designers have a very broad range of skill sets. Looking for designers that specialize in the type of project you want to do can help you narrow down quickly! Visiting their website and Houzz profile is also a good first step when researching.

2. Know Your Style

Once you know the design style you want to achieve—traditional, contemporary, eclectic, transitional, etc.—then you can explore the work of designers in your area & find the best fit for you! Also, if you do not find any local designers you are interested in, many people work with designers from other cities, states, and even countries.

3. Consider Compatibility

After you have chosen your top designers, the interview process begins! As you meet the different designers, note their personalities, hobbies, communication style, etc. If you “click” with the designer on multiple levels the whole process will be more fun! Projects typically go more smoothly when personalities match.

4. Know the Designer's Ability

If you are looking to hire someone for an extensive remodel project, be sure that the designer has experience in this. For instance, Paula is a Registered Interior Designer that worked at an architecture firm for 10 years, so she can easily draw new construction plans for a remodel or addition.

5. Be Honest & Open

When you are meeting potential designers it is better to talk about too much than not enough. The more you get to know them initially, the easier it will be to choose a designer. Also, make sure to discuss your budget and your time frame realistically. These are 2 huge factors the designer will need to know to keep you happy!

**In the next few weeks we will wrap up this “Hiring a Designer Series” and talk about what to do once you've hired that perfect designer!

If you have any further questions for us, we would be happy to help answer them! Contact us here.

Part 1 - Are you Ready to Hire an Interior Designer?

Part 3 - 5 Things to Expect after Hiring an Interior Designer

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Worlds of Wallpaper

By now, you have probably noticed that Wallpaper is making a BIG come back in the Interior Design World. Who would have guessed 15 years ago that Wallpaper would be the most-wanted textile of the decade? Not us!

But we are actually loving it!

Below are some of our favorites from 9 different categories of Wallpaper.

Worlds of Wallpaper Product info:

1. Floral 

Florals are great for kids rooms & fun accent walls. They are usually more bold and playful, but there are beautiful, subtle florals that can provide a more traditional or romantic look.

Resources: Hygge & West, Mr Perswall, Ellie Cashman

2. Geometric 

As designers, we love Geometric wallpaper! It is the best way to convert a simple room into a modern & chic space.

Resources: Cole & Son, Clever Spaces, Shumacher

3. Textured  

If you want to keep your room simple, but add interest in the details, textured wallpaper is perfect for you! 

Resources: Rockett St George, Lowes

4. Damask 

Damask is a classic print, which makes it very versatile. It can be used for almost any style of interior design to bring a sense of luxury to a room.

Resources: Graham & Brown, Fabrics & Papers

5. Replica 

Do you want a tile wall, but don't want to spend a fortune? There are multiple companies that create almost exact replicas of tile, wood, or other natural materials on wallpaper. It is also similar to textured paper, in the way that it is usually 3D and adds a layer of depth to a room.

Resources: Wallpaper Collective, Piet Hein Eek

6. Motif 

There are endless options when it comes to Motif wallpaper. You can find motifs of animals, food, and other exotic objects. It is especially great for a thematic room!

Resources: Hygge & West, Mini Moderns, Spoonflower

7. Mural 

Mural wallpapers are the coolest! They are mostly used on one wall to create a beautiful accent. If you have a large wall and don't want to buy a lot of art to cover it, mural wallpaper is a wonderful solution.

Resources: A New Wall, Rebel Walls, Murals Your Way

8. Metallic 

This is the ultimate interiors trend right now. Everyone seems to be bringing in touches of metallic to their home, and wallpaper is an intriguing way to do so!

Resources: Calico Wallpaper, Anthropologie, Flat Vernacular

9. Retro 

Mid-Century Modern Elements are also trending right now & what better way to play up those elements than with retro/vintage wallpaper? 

Resources: Graham & Brown, Aimme Wilder

As you can see, the options are endless when it comes to cute wallpaper. Plus, there are so many creative ways to use it, besides just pasting it on to a wall!

We have seen people wallpaper their old furniture, or the inset of their stairs, or even their ceilings!

The world of wallpaper is your oyster, & we would be happy to help you find the perfect way to use it.

Contact us here for inquiries.

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Are you Ready to Hire an Interior Designer?

Hiring a Designer Series - Part 1 Are you wanting to update your living or work space?

Are you debating seeking professional help?

We know it can be a difficult decision, so we have 5 questions that can help you decide if you are ready to hire an Interior Designer!

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1. Do you have a realistic budget for new items and professional services?

Often times clients under-estimate how much they want to spend on furnishing their new home, or updating their current home. If anything, it is best to over-estimate your purchase goal and don't forget to calculate 10-15% of the budget for professional services (depending on scope of work).

2. Are you willing to relinquish some control and open up to new ideas?

The purpose of hiring a professional is to help you design in new ways and with new trends you might not have known about. In most cases, if you trust your designer, you will be the happiest with your results!

3.  What is your time frame and is it reasonable for what you want to accomplish?

Looking for new items and having them shipped in often takes longer than expected--especially if you are buying custom-designed pieces or popular items that may be back-ordered. Patience is key for achieving your ideal design.  We are happy to do a rush job when needed, but the best results come from time and communication.

4. Are there certain aspects of this project you plan on handling yourself?

If you know that you want to be in charge of selecting particular items within a certain room, then communicate that ahead of time, so there is no wasted time and money between you and the designer.

5. What kind of style do you expect to achieve and how will you communicate your expectations?

Maybe look through design magazines or online photos for inspiration (such as Houzz or Pinterest) to give to your designer. That way you will both clearly understand in what direction you want the project to go.

If you can answer all of these questions confidently then now you probably know if you are ready to hire a designer!

**In the next few weeks we will continue this "Hiring a Designer Series" and talk about finding your perfect interior designer and what to do once you've hired that perfect designer!

If you have any further questions for us, we would be happy to help answer them! Contact us here.

Part 2 - 5 Tips for Hiring the Perfect Designer for You

Part 3 - 5 Things to Expect after Hiring an Interior Designer

 Click here to see other Blog Posts by Paula Ables Interiors

Tricks of the Trade: Designing With Multiple Mirrors

Tuesday's Tricks of the Trade

Today we are excited to feature our first "Tuesday's Tricks of the Trade" Video!

This particular feature talks about the potential pitfalls you may face designing with multiple mirrors in a Master Bathroom.

http://youtu.be/HwtTQq1jJes

We will be posting monthly videos to share our interior design "insider" tips, that will hopefully be useful for certain projects of your own.

Enjoy!

(Have an question or idea that you would like for us to blog about?  Feel free to email us with your requests!)

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By: Nature

In the design world Nature has become the theme everyone is working around. Whether it's having a live-plant wall on your back patio, or a tree stump coffee table, or even simply using natural colored paint, people want traces of Mother Earth integrated in their interiors.

We recently visited Pacific Shores Stones and were inspired by the colors of the huge, natural stone slabs & the slabs themselves.

All of these patterns are from images taken of the slabs by Paula at Pacific Shore Stones.

Each stone comes in a huge, solid piece [pictured below] that can stay as is or be broken up and used for countertops, bathrooms, or custom furniture.

This is one of our favorite ways to make a statement and  incorporate nature in a client's living space!

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Best of Houzz 2015

PAULA ABLES INTERIORS of AUSTIN, TX Receives Best Of Houzz 2015 Award

 Over 25 Million Monthly Unique Users Rated Top-Rated Home Building,

Remodeling and Design Professionals in the United States and Around the World

AUSTIN, USA, January 22, 2015 – Paula Ables Interiors of Austin, TX has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The contemporary and unique interior design firm was chosen by the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer Satisfaction. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers.” Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the world who discover and love a professional’s work to learn even more about that business’ popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz community.

Paula Ables is excited and honored to be a winner of the “Best of Houzz 2015” awards and looks forward to what opportunities this may bring.

“Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building, remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the right people and products for their project,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Paula Ables among our “Best Of” professionals as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

Follow Paula Ables Interiors on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/painteriors/__public

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Faux Plants? No longer Faux Pas!

If you come from the South, you have probably heard people say: “Your grandmother would roll over in her grave if she knew you had that fake plant in your house!”

But, if you have a black thumb (like me) and a strong desire to not shame your ancestors, I am here to tell you how to make a faux plant no longer a “Faux Pas” in your home!

Faux comes in Plastic, Silk, Rubber and Preserved plants.

In areas high up, where some pop of color is needed, go with the less expensive plastic style plants.

Down low, where it can be seen and touched, spend a little extra for the nice silk or preserved plant.

Below are a few things to consider when searching for the perfect faux plant:

1. All visible stems, branches and trunks should appear realistic.

2. There should be a combination of new growth and old growth.

3. Plants and flowers should have the same variations in color, texture and density that   live plants do.

4. Make sure the plant is full and pliable so it can be shaped to look more realistic.

5. Don’t cheap out on your vase. Make sure the size of the vase is large enough to support   the tree if it were real.

Keeping artificial plants looking their best usually requires no more than dusting or wiping with a damp cloth. Many can be rinsed off in the shower or with a hose on gentle setting. However, if the plant starts to fade,  it is time to throw it out.

The more popular styles in faux are the tall bamboo plants and palms seen in bedrooms and living rooms, as well as the tiny succulents for the formal table, shelves, or kitchen island.

You will know you have achieved success in your faux search when you walk in on your mom watering the preserved areca palm in the corner of your living room.

Where can you find these high quality “Fauxs” you might ask?  Some of my favorite places that sell to the public include:

www.fancyplantsinsilk.com  and  www.wayfair.com

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Shiny, New Year

With a new year comes new trends & this year it’s BRASS! You can forget your grandma’s cheap brass door knob placed on every production home in the 1990’s that you’re probably picturing.

Today we’re talking about an updated, cool kind of brass that we’re starting to see in everyone’s home and work place!

[more after the picture]

Brass has been back on the scene for a couple years, but now consumers are really getting on board with this metal that was last popular in the 70’s.

The warmth of brass is replacing the usual chrome and stainless finishes that have been commonplace for so long. Because, unlike chrome and stainless, brass has a warmth that can make your living room or kitchen feel truly lived in and not as sterile and clinical as other metals can.

Unless brass is finished with a lacquer it will tarnish over time--which many people find appealing.  Brass that patinas becomes a living finish that will continue to morph and add character to any interior, yet maintain a timeless quality.

Where is this brass being used you may ask? EVERYWHERE! Furniture and fixtures of all styles are given new life in this reemerging finish.  Timeless designs—like chevrons and greek key—are elegant in brass without being ostentatious like other yellow metals, namely gold

[Where to Buy] pictured items:

1. Arteriors  2. Dwell Studio  3. Arteriors  4. Remodelista  5. Crate & Barrel  6. Jonathan Adler

7. Z Gallerie  8. West Elm  9. Z Gallerie  10. Hands  11. Jonathan Adler  12. Z Gallerie & West Elm

What better way to start new this year than to add some glam and shine to your home with this striking metal?

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Luxe Magazine Winter 2015

PAI is excited to be included in the Winter 2015 issue of Luxe Magazine--featuring a 10 page spread on her Lake Austin project.  Look for it in a store near you!

Want to go paperless?  Luxe Magazine also offers the full copy on your iPad or Tablet: https://luxe.sandow.com/subnew1r.aspx?PC=LX&PK=

Click here to see more Details on this Project

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5 Interior Design Resolutions for 2015

Looking for ways to make your living or work space more stylish in 2015? We have 5 simple solutions that can make the world of a difference! 1. De-Clutter your Closets

Getting rid of old clothes & accesories that you have not worn in the last 1-2 years is an easy way to start fresh this year!

Don’t keep your “fat clothes” or your “skinny clothes”.  Whatever it is that does not fit you now, will be out of style when you lose that extra 10 lbs. from your Get into shape resolution.

Hire a professional organization company like California Closets to help you define your spacial needs once you have downsized a few things. Even a small room can look fabulous while being functional, when you involve a professional to help rethink your space. http://www.californiaclosets.com

2. Add a POP of Color to each Room

Whether this is an accent wall painted Blue or a new striped pillow for your living room sofa, make the commitment now to do one thing a month to freshen up your home.

Art, rugs, pillows, paint…your possibilities are endless when it comes to sprucing up your home.

Items we are using to bring the “Wow” back into our clients rooms are:  touches of brass, bold rugs and vivacious art.

3. Donate/Sell Old Furniture

Nowadays, there are so many avenues to sell off the old and make way for the new! Between Facebook Shop-N-Swap sites and Craigslist, it is so easy to make a little extra cash without taking days to host a full fledge Garage Sale of your own.

There is no reason to keep your mom’s hand-me-down 1980’s painting of a horse from the neighbor’s garage sale.

If you have an underlying fear that “old” item might show up on Antique Roadshow as the most valuable item they have ever uncovered, contact a local appraiser to find out. http://art-collecting.com/appraisals.htm and http://www.valuemystuff.com/en/categories/antique-furniture

4. Properly Accessorizing your Bookshelves

The big question with accessories… do you have too many items on your shelves?  Too few?  What do you display?

Bookshelves are a great place to display a collection.  Whether it is leather bound books, family photos or your dad’s old stuffed squirrel collection there is a balance to how things should be placed.

Designers think in terms of the “Golden Ratio”. What is the golden ratio you might ask?  1:1.61

Before you say MATH??!!  NO THANK YOU!!  Let me explain.

This is a formula that is found repeatedly in nature (a flower, the human body, a seashell…) and provides a natural pleasing aesthetic to any space. http://www.kostelijk.nl/thegoldenratiocalculator/

Still more thinking than you want to do?  I will give you the reader’s digest version: When in doubt use an odd number of items on a shelf.

5. Buy one Piece of Original Art

This is a scary thought for most of our clients.  It seems like such a big commitment!  It doesn’t have to be.

My favorite thing to do is find an art site online that carries work from a local artist.

You can start off small by purchasing a fun piece for your powder room and work your way up to the large piece you have always wanted in your stairway.

Some wonderful Texas artist/sites to checkout include:

• http://austinartgarage.com
• http://www.whistlepik.com
• http://www.mariamartinart.com
• http://williamkstidham.com/

Investing a little time into your home improvement needs can greatly improve your overall happiness and well-being.

If you are ready to get your Interior Design Resolutions in motion, but would like to have someone hold your hand through the process or better yet, just come in and do it, we are more than happy to help!

By hiring a Professional Interior Designer, you can get all of the results above without the stress and headache of doing it yourself.

Give us a call and we will get you moving towards a happier and more stylish 2015!

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Holiday Wish List

What are you wishing for this Holiday Season? As an Interior designer, clients always ask if the things I am recommending for them, is something I would want in my own home. So, this December, the Paula Ables Interiors team pondered the clients' question and put together a list of items we would all want in our own homes!

Below is a preview of some of the pieces we are hoping to find under the tree this year. Also, if you are giving to any interior designers or even new home owners, this might provide a little gifting inspiration!

Where to find these fun items? Click the links below, listed in order from left to right (starting at the top)

1. A vibrant rug to brighten any room (All Modern)

2. The decor possibilities of a sheepskin are endless (Pottery Barn)

3. You can never have too many throw pillows (Anthropologie)  4. Wedge heels in a pop color are cute, comfortable & professional (Nisolo)

5. A sleek, modern handbag big enough for all your meeting notes (Jonathan Adler) 6. Modern terrariums for easy-to-maintain-succulents (West Elm)

7. Finally put all those dusty records to good use (UO) 8. Because what kid wouldn't want a teepee? (Etsy)

9. An elegant & cozy throw to help get through the rest of winter (Anthropologie)

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Happy Thanksgiving Table Decor

What are you setting your Thanksgiving table with? We're loving bright Texas sunflowers mixed with metallics to make for a fun and inviting table! 

 We love the holidays.

They are a fun time with family and friends.  They are also a fun time to make a few temporary updates and changes to  your home.  Below are some ideas for making this Thanksgiving an extra special one. See some of our fun ideas featuring companies like West Elm, Anthropology, Target and many more.

[more information below the photo]

If you are interested in creating some new family traditions and adding fun decor to your family holidays and everyday, give us a shout.  We would love to help you achieve your new fun goals.

Paula Ables Interiors would like to wish everyone a relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday! 

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An Evening with Eames Demetrios

 

Paula attended a talk with Eames Demetrios, the grandson of Charles and Ray Eames, over the weekend and came away with a new love and appreciation for the design as well as the designers.

The Eames legacy lives on through their children and grandchildren who strive to keep the designs pure and the quality to the level we have grown to expect.

Paula took her husband Bill with her to the meeting with Eames Demetrios, the Grandson of Charles and Ray Eames.

Bill learned from Eames that you must respect the furniture or he will not let you sit in it...or it is a staged photo...no one will ever know for sure.

Solar Do-Nothing Machine Video

This video features one of their many fun inventions, the "Solar Do Nothing Machine"--proving that  "not all toys are as innocent as they seem." [as quoted by Eames Demetrios]

You can learn more about the Eames family and check out their unique designs here.

Enjoy!

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Congratulations to Hailey! Our newest Professional Interior Designer

PAI is proud to announce the addition of a newTexas Board Certified Professional Interior Designer to our team. Congratulations to Hailey Roberts for passing the NCIDQ and becoming an Official Interior Designer!! Hailey has been a member of the PAI team for 3.5 years. We are excited she chose to take the next step in furthering her career as a designer (I haven’t scared her off yet!)

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Kitchen Trends Magazine June 2014

Paula Ables Interiors is excited to be included in the latest Trends Magazine-Kitchen edition on shelves now in your local grocery and hardware stores.

Double click on the photo to read the text.

Want to go paperless?  Trends Magazine also offers the full copy via Ebook at:  http://issuu.com/trendsideas/docs/us3006

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Texas Home and Living May-June 2014

PAI is excited to be included in the outdoor issue of Texas Home and Living this month for their May-June 2014 issue.  Look for it in a store near you!

Double click on photo to enlarge.

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Urban Homes Magazine 2014

We are excited to be included in the Urban Home Magazine April/May 2014 edition with our Hill Country Contemporary home in Moody, Texas.  If you like the idea of being "Off the Grid", this is a great article to read.

(Double click the photo to enlarge)

or check it out at http://www.urbanhomemagazine.com/

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Bathroom Trends Magazine 2014

PAI is excited to have an article in the latest Bathroom Trends Magazine on news stands now.

(Double click the photo to enlarge)

Here is a link to the magazine online:  http://ebooks.trendsideas.com/Book895

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PAI on Austin's He Said, She Said talk radio

Paula was the Living By Design guest on Austin's most talked-about radio show, "He Said, She Said". Last Saturday night she and Bistro guest Leilani Galvan joined host Karen Matuszewski and Co-host Daniel Siegel and talked about what's going on in the design world, plus revealed her obsession with... well, you're going to have to listen to it!  

Listen to the He Said, She Said podcast now!

(Double click the photo to enlarge)

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