In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, we are going to share 3 Easy Ways to Decorate with Green.
1. Accent Sofa
An accent sofa is the simplest way to incorporate green into your living room. We love using our green velvet sofa in stagings to give a rom that instant ‘oomph’.
When selecting your shade of green, make sure the undertones don’t clash with your existing furniture, paint colours, and flooring. Typically, lighter greens give off a more fresh and youthful vibe, whereas darker greens represent ambition, safety, and lushness.
2. Indoor Plants
Studies have shown that indoor plants boost mood, productivity, and creativity. Plants clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen, helping us feel good both mentally and physically.
Don’t have a green thumb? Start with an easy plant like a succulent or cactus. Just make sure they get plenty of sunlight, rotate them frequently, and water sparingly. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill your succulent, so make sure you let the soil dry between waterings!
3. Artwork
This one’s pretty self explanatory. Since everyone’s style is different, and artwork is so personal, it’s hard for us to recommend specific pieces.
However, if you live in Greater Vancouver and want to pick up some quality artwork at reasonable prices, we recommend checking out the Flow Furniture Lounge. Open on Thursdays and Fridays from 12pm-5pm, and we are constantly bringing in new furniture, accessories, and artwork. We hope to see you soon!
Still unsure about how to decorate with green, or need help with selecting the perfect shade of green for your home?
We offer interior design and shopping & styling services! Give us a call at 604-674-8884, or email hello@flowsmartliving.com to get started.
Interior Designer, Interior Decorator, Home Staging Specialist — this terminology can be quite confusing for somebody who’s not in the industry. These services sound very similar, but yet, are so different. Don’t worry — we’ll explain why!
Interior Decorator
An Interior Decorator uses fabrics, furnishings, and accessories to change the aesthetics and impressions of a space, while working within its functionality. After taking measurements, photos, and obtaining the floor plan, an interior decorator will create a design concept that can include fabrics, flooring, furnishing, lighting, fixtures, accessories, paint, and art.
Interior Designer
An Interior Designer is someone who understands people’s behaviours and creates optimal functionality of interior spaces. Their job is to lay out walls and floor plans, while keeping the following in mind: local building codes, fire safety, accessibility, efficiency, functionality, and acoustics.
Interior Designers provide clients with concept drawings using AutoCAD and/or SketchUp, so the client can understand and review the concept. Interior Designers may also take on the role of a Interior Decorator after their floor plans have been reviewed by building representatives and implemented.
Working with contractors to create the best designs, Interior Designers can help design dream kitchens or bathrooms!
Home Staging Specialist
A Home Staging Specialist’s job is very similar to an Interior Decorator’s — they also use furnishings and accessories to change the aesthetics and impressions of a space, while working within its functionality. The major difference between a Home Staging Specialist and an Interior Decorator is the reason why they’re hired.
An Interior Decorator typically has full artistic control of their installations (with the approval of their client, of course) because they are hired by the client to help bring their vision to life.
On the other hand, Home Staging Specialists are hired by homeowners that are looking to sell their property. They are trained to design spaces that appeal to the homeowner’s target buyer, as well as the building and neighbourhood style. At the end of the day, homeowners are looking to sell their property quickly and for highest amount of money possible, so a Home Staging Specialist’s designs need appeal to a wide audience, and can’t be too specific.
Did you know we offer all three services?
Whether you’re looking for an Interior Designer, Interior Decorator, or Home Staging Specialist, give us a call at 604-674-8884, or email hello@flowsmartliving.com!
The holiday season is officially upon us. This year, we’ve decided to share the holiday spirit by including our team’s favourite holiday recipes. We hope you love them!
From Isabelle, owner of Flow
From Lisa, Home Staging Manager
From Yvonne, Marketing + Admin Coordinator
From Sarah, Home Staging Specialist
From Spencer, Office Administrator
From Lana, Home Staging Specialist
Feel free to download or print these recipes out! Which one was your favourite? Let us know if you try any of our favourite holiday recipes — we’d love to know what you think.
As the weather gets colder, Vancouver gets rainier, and the days become darker, it can be a struggle keeping your home cozy. We’ve compiled our favourite colours from Pantone’s Fall/ Winter trends, and created the ultimate 2019/2020 Winter Colour Trend Guide! Read on to see our top 5 colours for the season, as well as ideas on how to incorporate those colours into your home decor.
1. Biking Red
When we think winter colours, we typically think bold jewel tones, so Crème de Pêche may come as a surprise to some people. Winter isn’t all about dark colours and neutrals. We still need a little brightness and softness in our homes to balance those deeper hues, and this creamy, peachy beige does exactly that.
When we think winter colours, we typically think bold jewel tones, so Crème de Pêche may come as a surprise to some people. Winter isn’t all about dark colours and neutrals. We still need a little brightness and softness in our homes to balance those deeper hues, and this creamy, peachy beige does exactly that.
We know not everyone’s into brown, but hear us out. We’re not telling you to paint your walls this colour (though if you did, it would probably look great). Rocky Road is an earthy dark brown that pairs perfectly with one of our favourite furniture styles — mid-century. When looking for furniture and accessories, search for items with small touches of brown, like dark wooden legs.
Every winter, we get some variation of a jewel toned blue. This season is no exception. Galaxy Blue is a elegant, cool blue that we almost want to call a neutral, because it literally goes with everything. The colour really speaks for itself. Feeling bold? Invest in a sofa or a large area rug. Otherwise, small accents like throw cushions and artwork will do the trick.
Last but certainly not least, Dark Cheddar is a mustardy orange blend that instantly brings warmth and happiness into a room. You would think a colour like this would be hard to implement, but it works surprisingly well with both darker and lighter colours.
Prepare your home for the season by layering in textured bedding, throws, and pillows (layering adds more visual interest). Anything with a chunky knit, tassels, and/or faux fur will do the trick. Incorporating pops of colour will also help fend away the winter blues. If you’re not into bright colours, muted, pastel tones will also do the trick (we love a good muted pink)!
Here are some of our favourite local stores for your next shopping spree:
Our interior designers use Sketchup to create interior models, so our clients can quickly visualize their project in 3D. These interior models showcase the floor plan, alls, window and door openings, materials, and even special effects, such as styles and shadows.
Instead of throwing more terminology and trying to explain how it works, we’ll just show you! Here’s a Sketchup layout drawing we created for a client in the past:
After seeing this 3D layout drawings, our clients were able to visualize our interior designer’s vision, allowing them to provide proper feedback on the design. Pretty neat, huh?
Are you thinking about renovating, but unsure what design styles and features to go with? Give us a call at 604-674-8884, or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com to schedule a consultation.
Summer’s here, and entertaining and summer parties are on everyone’s minds. We all want to ‘wow’ our guests at the next get-together, but before you move forward with the kitchen upgrades, you’ll want to hear from our interior designer, Elisa Fox!
Elisa is sharing her top 5 most interesting kitchen design features (some that you may have never heard [or thought] of)!
1. Porcelain Countertops
“Instead of quartz or natural stone, opt for porcelain countertops instead! Porcelain is very dense and almost indestructible.”
2. Cabinets x Glass Walls
“Upper cabinets backing onto glass walls will open up the space, allows for a great view to the outside, and lets a lot of natural light in.”
3. Mirror Backsplash
“A mirror backsplash goes perfectly with small kitchens, as it creates the illusion of a larger space.”
4. Customized Cabinetry
“Work with your cabinet company and customize your interior drawers and cabinets. Anything — kitchen pots, utensils, even cutlery or spices — can be customized and made to fit.”
5. Drawers Drawers Drawers
“Always incorporate more drawers into the kitchen design. You can fit way more into a drawer, and your kitchen will stay more organized.”
Have we convinced you to move forward with the upgrades, or are you still on the fence? We’re here to help! Give us a call at 604-674-8884 or email hello@flowsmartliving.com to get started.
On Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 5-7pm, we’ll be hosting a FREE information session right here at the Flow office (873 E Hastings St). If you’re planning a renovation but have no idea where to start, we encourage you to drop by.
Don’t worry – this will be a casual get-together (aka no boring PowerPoints). Elisa Fox, Flow’s interior designer, and Phil Van Drunen from Van Drunen Construction will be here to answer any questions you may have.
If you’re reading this, you (or someone you know) are probably thinking about refreshing your space. Congratulations, you are one step closer to your dream home! That being said, selecting the perfect interior designer to bring your vision to life can be daunting… especially if you’ve never worked with an interior designer before. No worries — we’re here to help! Here are the 10 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer.
1. What is your signature style?
It’s important to do your own research ahead of time, and figure out what you want and don’t want. Browse though different designers’ portfolios and decide on which design styles you like before you even begin to “interview” designers. Your space will be a reflection of your unique style, so make sure you and your designer feel right together.
2. What do you specialize in?
When meeting designers, describe briefly what your needs are and see how the designer can help. Some designers specialize in the construction part of design, such as permit drawings, selection of finishes, etc., while others are excellent at styling.
3. Do you have professional certifications?
Whether you choose to go with an up-and-coming interior designer, or one with extensive experience, it doesn’t hurt to ask about their professional certifications. Do they have a college degree with a major in Interior Design? Are they skilled in computer-aided-design (CAD) programs? These answers can help give you peace of mind.
4. What should I expect for the design process?
After initial contact (whether it’s over the phone, by email, etc.), most interior designers start the design process with a consultation. During the consultation, the interior designer will gather information, gather your wish list, and provide feedback and ideas on what you’re looking for. Design consultations are 1-2 hours long, and cost from $250-500 depending on the firm.
5. Can you work within my budget?
This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s important to understand and be comfortable with your designer’s fees from the start. That way, you won’t run into any surprises down the road. As a general rule of thumb, design work is typically 10% of your overall cost for larger projects. Also, keep in mind that some designers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour.
6. Do you have a contract?
A contract is there to show you the proper steps and expectations, showcasing exactly what the designers can do for you. It’s all about being honest and transparent. Your interior designer (and other contractors) are working for you, so you should know exactly what’s going on with your project.
7. What does the timeline look like?
Consider a timeframe and time of year you’d like for project completion. Typically, your designer will present you with a scope of work after the initial consultation to highlight how they can help achieve your design goals. Make sure you both agree on the timeline so you’re not rushing your designer, and they know exactly what you expect from them. Design is a process — it takes time!
8. How involved should/will I be during the design process?
Some people prefer to have their interior designer take care of everything, while others like to be very involved. Discussing this with your designer upfront will help eliminate potential hurdles along the way.
9. Are there multiple ways to contact you?
This may sound silly, but how often they respond to phone calls or emails immediately, if they follow up on missed calls in a timely manner, etc., allows you to see your designer’s professionalism ahead of time. That being said, setting boundaries on when to be reached is also important for both parties.
10. Do I have to find my own contractors, or are there contractors you prefer working with?
A part of your designer’s job is to help you understand how to interview and select a contractor. Most designers already have go-to contractors that they have established relationships with, but professional interior designers should be able to work with any certified contractors.
These 10 questions should provide you with a good understanding of what to ask and expect from a potential interior designer. It’s important to know what your designers can do for you, and that he/she meets your needs. We recommend making your decisions based on the overall value, rather than just looking at their hourly rate. At the end of the day, good customer service is key to a positive, long-lasting relationship.
Still have questions, concerns, or want to learn more about Flow’s interior design services?
Choosing to hire an interior designer to take your ideas and paint a cohesive picture for you is, ultimately, an investment with long-term returns. During the interior design process, our team works with you to determine the direction of your project and create a plan that is individualized to your specific needs.
One of the most important tools during the interior design process are mood boards. These are compositions that the designer creates to present concepts to the client. A mood board helps them to visualize an specific concept, but also understand the overall design process.
Our designers create different layouts on these mood boards, using their ideas and recommendations. In this way, the client can see how different elements will look together. This will help to make the interior design process smoother and more enjoyable for the client.
These are a few samples of the mood boards that our team put together for one of our most recent interior design projects.
Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 1
Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 2
Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 3
Benefits of using mood boards
Establish the basics – Mood boards help to establish all of the baselines that will eventually compose the final result: color palettes, layouts, finishes… They are a great tool to make these clear and help the interior design process run smoothly.
Conversations are easier – Mood boards make communication with clients easier and reduce wasted design time. If designer and client are on the same page and have a clear idea of the direction, the process will be much easier and enjoyable for both.
Do you have an idea in mind to re-design your home? We can help! Contact us today to discuss your upcoming renovation or design project. We would be delighted to work together to make your space a place you call home! Give us a call today at (604) 674-8884 or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com
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