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Home > Interior Designer Tanvier Lee
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March 25th, 2009
Q&A With Interior Designer Tanvier Lee
DM
Some of the staff her at DomesticModern.com had the chance to sit down with Tanvier Lee President of New York based interior design firm Casa Diseno. In addition to residential interior design Casa Diseno does extensive work for clients in the areas of; art consultation, color selection and theory, as well as kitchen and bath design. In talking with Tanvier we were able to get some great insight into everything from tips on color selection to upcoming design trends;
What do you feel are the most common mistakes that people make when trying to decorate a room on their own? "They don’t consult a Decorator lol! I would say that the number one mistake I see if that people do not realize the big picture. Yes magazines like House Beautiful and Domino (may they rest in peace) provide DIY rooms with paint swatches and fabrics. However, the copy and paste method will not work perfectly in your space."
What process do you go through when trying to redecorate a room? Furthermore how do you go about selecting pieces of furniture and accessories?
"When redecorating a space I love to do an initial walk through with the client. It allows for a better understand about what they like and don’t like in the space. For me, color really pulls a room together and needs to reflect the lifestyle of the client. I typically have my color wheel on hand and pay attention to how the client reacts to certain colors. From there, I always chose paint colors first because I feel that it establishes the foundation for the rest of the pieces to follow suit."
What advice do you have for people when trying to put together the color scheme within a room? "Stay focused on colors that reflect your character and lifestyle. Trends are great springboards but should be tailored to your space and not vice versa."
When selecting an area rug should the rug serve as the foundation color for the room or should it compliment other pieces of furniture within the room? "It really depends. Focal points can be some many things from a piece of art, accent pillow, rug or window treatment. Once you have discovered your focal point, you can coordinate colors from its source. If you find a rug that you can’t part with, try making it the foundation color and compliment the color throughout the rest of the space."
Selecting a piece of wall art that someone not only enjoys but fits within the overall design scheme of a room can be difficult. What advice can you give on selecting wall-art that not only works well within the design scheme but from a color standpoint as well? "Allow yourself to step outside your comfort zone and be open to possibility. Wall art will either establish the main color scheme of the room, or will compliment it."
People define modern and or contemporary design in many ways. In your eyes, what design elements are important in creating a modern / contemporary look? "I agree with the philosophy that for interior design, modern is a lifestyle and attitude about present day innovations and technology, and its interaction with society. Contemporary is the trend we see in our current time period or era. A contemporary look can be achieved in so many ways. When I think of contemporary I think of incorporating natural elements into the everyday interior. I also think of the simplistic and sublime. This can translate into colorful canvases in an all white room to using recycled products as a lighting or seating source. Products that are larger than life that evoke the fantastic."
To expand on that question what colors help create a more modern look? "The best thing about contemporary design is its ability to be versatile. There is no wrong or right color when creating a contemporary space. I have seen cool colors evoke a more sterile and calm interior. I have also seen warm colors bring out emotion and depth. I think that the use of color in a crisp neutral room brings forth a contemporary space."
What effect has the emphasis on an environmentally conscious approach to living had on the world of interior design? "It has had a major effect on the world of interior design. More people are purchasing recycled products and are using more eco friendly materials in their space. There is a huge increase in eco consciousness in children’s rooms and spaces. More parents are using less products that have been chemically treated and are spending a little more for organic."
What do you see as being the major design trends throughout 2009 and into 2010? "In my article, “Turbulent Economy Forecasts Brighter Palette: The Worst of Times Bring Out The Brightest Colors” I discuss the growing trend of incorporating more vibrant colors into our personal space. More people are flocking to brighter colors such as peacock blues, purples and magentas because they uplift their spirits in these tough times. This represents color psychology is its truest form. Colors in your interior space have an impact on your mood and even daily function. What better way to combat this dreadful economic situation by uplifting your space. I think this symbolizes optimism inside many people. Another trend that we will see continue into 2010 is the use of natural and fantastic materials. Coffee and end tables are created from bark, chairs from recycled plastics, tiles from recycled glass, and countertops from concrete. More people are paying attention to our environment and are becoming more eco conscious. Another way to combat our current state is to escape into a whimsical wonderland. We will see more oversized pieces in our space that challenge our daily reality. Another great fantastic space is Lucite or ghost furniture."
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