Janus Design Group Celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
It’s time to celebrate! Janus Design Group is now 10 years old! As we commemorate 10 years as a design firm this October, we are so incredibly thankful for our wonderful clientele. We count our blessings daily, for the amazing design opportunities we’ve enjoyed over this last decade in partnership with each of you. What started as a personal passion to help others transform their spaces into environments they would find inspiring has become a business dream come true. Thank you for your continued support and trust.
In this 10th anniversary spirit, I have created a list of my top 10 design tips.
1. Be yourself: Good design reflects who you are. Design should celebrate self-expression. If you are not inspired by your surroundings, allow yourself to consider new options. Could a new furniture arrangement, a purchase, new paint colors, or a re-design by someone else help you to fall in love with your current interior again? After all, YOU are the one who needs to live and work in your space. Shouldn’t it be a unique reflection of who you are?
2. Plan: Start with your wish list. Reality check what your investment should be (budget), as well as the limits of the space (room, house, building, yacht, yard, etc.) Make a detailed list. Include the floor plan, color palette, and a mood board to help pull together the look you want. Overwhelmed? CALL ME!
3. Be smart with your hard earned money: Save where you can, so you can spend where you want. Quality matters. Spend money on things that will last a lifetime when building or remodeling. This could be countertops, cabinetry, tile, and/or flooring. When investing in furniture, make sure the items are ones you love. They could last a lifetime and will move with you wherever you go.
4. Color has impact: What are the colors in your space telling you? Color is a design tool that has the power to dictate the mood of a room. With the right colors, you have the potential to create a space that is relaxing, bold or intimate. A small, dull space has the possibility to feel larger with the use of the correct color palette. For instance, yellow hues add brightness to a room while lighter shades offer a more subtle influence. Coral pairs well with blues. Gold adds warmth to any space, while also working well as a great accent. Finally, don’t forget that gray compliments any color–and it is this season’s “HOT” color!
5. Less is best: Get rid of clutter confusion. You can’t really think at an unorganized desk full of papers. Your home is the same way. Start small, going room by room, to de-clutter. Before you know it, you will have accomplished your goal. It feels great to get things organized, and if you purge unused items by gifting to a charity, that will feel even better.
6. It’s the real thing: No fake plants and no fake art. Support your local artists. In Houston we have so many wonderful galleries and art schools, there is no need to purchase “artwork” from a big box store. You can also tell your own story by creating original pieces or framing your children’s artwork. Similarly, fresh, green plants are easy to grow. If you don’t have a green thumb, they are also inexpensive to replace.
7. It’s all in the mix: Find interesting design ideas and pictures of cool rooms that inspire you on-line. You will see the magic is all in the mix. Adding a “mix” to your space could mean the use of scale, high-low, textures, patterns, or colors. Mixing it up makes your look more interesting and can bring life into a dull space.
8. Location, Location, Location: Study the location of where you are planning on building or remodeling. Will your home or office stand out as strange amongst the neighbors? Design is not just about the exterior style of a home, but also about how much money you put in with a build or remodel. Once you get an impression of the property and its surroundings, you will be able to choose the style and materials that not only fit but make for a smart investment.
9. Inspire: Does your space inspire you? Your environment should inspire you each day. Only incorporate styles and ideas you love. Today it is so easy to find inspiration all around us: on-line, outside, through design blogs, in fashion, from travel, and even with food! Take notes and bring the ideas home so you can be inspired and inspire others. If re-designing your space becomes a daunting process, don’t get overwhelmed. Just remember WWJD (What Would Janus Do?)!
10. My design philosophy has always been about “Respecting the Past and Embracing the Future”: We incorporate family heirlooms, old treasures and keepsakes while designing your space because your past is important. At Janus Design Group, we believe in the preservation of special treasures even as we look to the future in terms of what your needs will be, and how you want your space to feel and function. Our mission is to create a space that embraces each client’s wishes and reflects who they are, while looking forward. We have had a wonderful 10 years as a design firm. Thank you for joining us in celebrating our success as we embrace the future.
Enjoy!
Janus
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