Alena Chikurnikova, Author at AlenaCDesign

About Alena Chikurnikova

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Alena Chikurnikova has created 40 blog entries.

Your Perfect Christmas Interiors

Christmas season is approaching fast and many people has started to take decorations out and dress their homes in all bright colours. But let me ask you a question, “Have you ever experienced after Christmas, when you put decorations away that suddenly your home looks empty? Unfortunately, it’s a simptom of “design hangover” and a sign that you went a little bit too much with Christmas Interior transformation.

Every year local shops offer an incredible amount of sparkling things and it’s hard to resist not to buy something new. But have you ever wondered if you do your Christmas Interior right? How to know when it’s enough to decorate?

Christmas is not just a season full of joy and cheer but also known as a very stressful time. You might feel an additional pressure when your kids ask to buy another sparkling decoration in the shop and you feel guilty to say “no’ and later at home your husband says “oh, not another raindeer!” So, where is that balance of fun and a home with good style.

Before we look at practical recommendations and examples, let me remind you what Interior design is actually about.

Interior design is a very complex subject. In general, It’s your home which tells a story of who you are, who your husband is, who your children are. It’s a home which works well for your lifestyle, your husbands habits, habits of every child you have, and of course, your dog’s habits (if you have a pet). Home is a place where you feel safe, secure, recover after busy and stressful day, here you feel comfortable not only physically but emotionally. Interior design helps to keep balance of all these things.

Christmas Interior is not about redecorating your home for this special time of the year but Styling. It means, we keep our Interior as it is but add decorative details to COMPLEMENT things which make our home a Home.

If you have sideboard with a collection of your family photos or your favourite scented candles on top of a mantel shelf, they should not disappear in one moment and be replaced by a great selection of santas, raindeers, Christmas tree candles etc. Please don’t style you home just as you see shelves in most of stores during Christmas season. Don’t be that perfect customer to buy everything you like.

There are some practical recommendations which will help you to style your home, keep the balance and you even might save some money:

#1 Your Colour Formula

See existing colours in your home and try to complement them with Christmas decor. If you like monchrome colour scheme, then choose decor in neutral tones from dark to light, mix textures and finishes.

If you like pop of colours, then bring decorations with pleasant contrast.

If you are not sure what colour strategy to use then go for universal colour scheme formula:

Use green (it can be your pine branch) + metalic finish (gold or silver) of your choice+ One colour of your choice

I know, it can be very tempting to use many colours but that’s where it’s easy to overdo with decorating. Probably, it’s fair to remind yourself that Less is More!

#2 Christmas Tree

I don’t want you to have blend and boring home this season! Moreover, we don’t forget that Christmas is all about having fun and bringing cheer into our homes. That’s why your Christmas tree becomes a centerpiece. Make it fun, even funky, multi-coloured if you wish or with a random collection of decorative objects, possibly including your kid’s DIYs. Though, the rest of the décor should not compete with it and stay simple.

#3 Your Glowing Lights

Warm glowing lights always add a feeling of festive coziness. Fairy lights can be used throughout the year in most other occasions, so purchasing a few every now and then, will help you to brighten up your home with a soft glow over the Christmas period. Even a simple thing as green garland with soft light sting add a special mood in the evening. It’s a fantastic way to style your doorways, mirror, mantelshelf, staircase etc.

Snowflakes with Micro Lights by grandinroad.com

#4 Natural Decor is Timeless

True feel of Christmas is in greenery. Add pine branches or leaves to your table display, for example in simple glass vase. Add green garlands on top of mantelshelf or staircase. You also can use various netural objects for decor: birds, pine cones, golden leaf. As creatures of nature our minds always show positive response to such details and they also add freshness to our homes.

#5 Cosy Time!

Winter season is a cold time of the year, where woolly cushions and soft throws can be a great addition to your sitting room. Still try to keep it in the same tone as your current home décor, but lift the existing colour palette with pops of complementing neutral tones with various soft textures.

Via Pinterest

As a conclusion, remember “less is more”. Choose minimalist approach, style to complement home and add more natural decor and greenery. Your Interior has an enormous impact on your well-being. When you don’t cover your Interior with Christmas decor, your home continues to help you feeling good, it reduces stress and brings calmness and serenity. That’s what I wish you this season!

Happy decorating & Merry Christmas, Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00December 11th, 2018|Design Tips|

A Shop guide: Affordable Designer’s Light

There is one more day left before December and before we get into Christmas and New year topics, I wanted to share with you a quick Blog on Decorative lighting for your home. It’s not a secret that lighting fixtures make an incredible visual statement in various areas. And I’m glad to see that people more and more often want to use interesting “designer’s type” of lights in their homes.

Working on design projects for different people, I undestand that even having budget to afford exclusive lighting, some of my clients might have psyhological barrier on how much they are ready to spend on a single ceiling light. There is nothing wrong with this. As a designer, I always try to find beautiful and affordable things, when it is possible.

Today I have for you my TOP 5 LIST of Contemporary Lights UNDER 150 euro!

#1 Calm 6-Light Cluster Ceiling Pendant

Price: 109.99 euro

Shop: littlewoodsireland.ie

Area: Sitting room, playroom, dining area

ID: M6P771A

#2 UMAGE Silvia pendant light brass

Price: 93.90 euro

Shop: Lights.ie

Area: dining area, hallway, above accent table

ID: 9521024

#3 Bellini Oval Diner Pendant

Price: 134.99 euro

Shop: littlewoodsireland.ie

Area: Sitting room, dining area

ID: M6P741E

#4 Home Collection – Glass ‘Juliana’ ceiling light

Price: on SALE 67.50 euro (WAS 135.00 euro)

Shop: Debenhams.ie

Area: above kitchen island

ID: 3030011102

#5 Abigail Ahern/EDITION – AA Pax’ tassel pendant ceiling light

Price: on SALE 140.00 euro (was 180.00 euro)

Shop: Debenhams.ie

Area: Sitting room, landing / staircase

ID: 3030011122

All these lights is the affordable option of the designer’s examples. Any of them will make a beautiful and elegant statement in various parts of your home and just in time for Christmas!

Happy Shopping, Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00November 30th, 2018|AShop|

Dress Window and Optimise Lighting

Did you find yourself in a situation when you walk into a room in the early afternoon and catch yourself on a thought of turning the lights on? Then you realise, it’s still a good daylight outside, you rather don’t get the lights on yet and leave shadowy room.

Unfortunately, buildings of previous century and most of bungalows can’t feature bright rooms. So, if you don’t want to be involved into construstion and replace windows on bigger size, you certainly can learn how you can get maximum light through existing windows with minimum investment.

We all have window treatments of various types and for various reasons, so let’s look at curtains and blinds, as the most popular choice, how to place them on a window in the most efficient way.

One of the main reasons why you have less lighting coming in is because you block part of your window with your blind or curtain. I know, it might sounds funny, because that’s what blinds and curtains are for. But I want you to look at the window dressing from a different perspective!

Having double and even triple glased windows in most of the homes these days, there is no draft coming through the windows. As you can see, there is no practical reason for placing your curtains and blinds in the way they would cover window itself during a day. You get much more lighting when you install your blind outside of the window frame. At the same time, you hang your curtains to dress wall next to your window but not the window itself!

Check some visual examples for a better idea.

Example #1

Curtains placed on a window frame

Example #2

Curtains placed next to window frame

At the same time, when you place blind on a wall above your window, you make your window look taller. When you place curtains next to your window, you make window look wider. I hope you see the difference!

There are still curtain makers who still operate in old traditions, when windows were drafty and cold. You even had to use interlining, which is sort of a blanket for the window. Unfortunately, placing curtains/blinds on a window, you cover 1/3 and sometimes half of your window! It’s unbelivable how much light never reaches the interior.

But time has changed and it’s time to change the way we see our window dressing. Blinds and curtains are for styling and privacy only! It’s up to you to get more lighting in.

As you imagine, stretching curtain drapes along a wall away from the window, you can admire fabic in full as it’s not folded! Roman blinds also look pretty outside of window frame. Though, both dressing options can be for moderate or high budget.

When it comes to affordable solutions, people choose Roller blinds. You all might agree that roller doesn’t look that attractive, especially if you place it outside of the window frame. Luckily, there is a beautiful product by Acme Blinds – ULTRA CASSETTE!

It’s not an extodinary new product on a market. Though, I was surprised to find out that really few people know about it!

Technically, we are talking about Roller blind being installed into a cassette. In fact, it looks like a pelmet on a window. It’s a metal white box (also available in antracite) with blind fabric decorated on a front. There is a small (H 40mm) and a big (H 70mm) cassette for your choice. See picture below for a closer look.

Tropicanna roller blind in 70mm Ultra Cassette by AcmeBlinds

And the best part is a price, which depends on your window width. As an example, if your window’s width is about 1000 mm, it costs about 30-35 euro additionally to your roller blind quote; where for smaller window, it can be about 20 euro. It’ is a beautiful affordable product and makes blind to look AMAZING!

Happy decorating!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00November 12th, 2018|Design Tips|

Your Classic Contemporary Home

To find own interior style is one of the hardest things for many homeowners.There is no surprise here, when design magazines and social media show us beautiful and contrasting interiors. They do look rather stunning with a WOW factor and that’s the goal of publishers to catch your attention.

Design inspiration via House and Home magazine

We live in a very artistic design period and interior solutions can be quiet creative. But would you be brave to use some of the ideas in your home? My professional advice, If you are not sure if modern design influence is for you, go for Classic Contemporary style! If you’ve never had a love for creative or “different” look, don’t make yourself to start liking it because trends are like this. Stay true to yourself and I will show you how to make your home timeless! Classic contemporary style is not a traditional “old” style and it doesn’t mean you have to bring antiques and heavy picture frames. This style is not aging elegance! Trends don’t have influence on it. Some people call it “Hotel look”.

Here are key principles of your Classic Contemporary Interior to apply for your home:

#1 Furniture

As we talk about timeless interior, furniture is considered as an investment. Good quality is a key, firm foam, straight design lines. Fabric is cotton, linen, velvet or a mix. Try to avoid large patterns like flowers or multi-coloured stripes. Fabric should have a neutral tone, be plain or with a nice visible fabric texture. Sofa should look neat in design.

Madison sofa by Finline Furniture

If you plan to have occasional chair or an accent chair, you dont have to match its fabric with sofa. Although, you have two options: keep it neutral but with different fabric pattern or add colour and keep it simple (plain). The idea of interior look is to be versatile. Than more simple colour scheme will be than easier will be to add and change styling details around it.

Other furniture like sideboard, console table or side tables can have more of a designer’s touch with various decorative details. That’s where interior becomes more ornamental and less plain! Furniture might contain unusual knobs, carved detail, glass / brass /nickel or other finishes.

#2 Colour scheme and other finishes

As it was mentioned above, colour scheme is a very neautral and mostly light. Choose shades or grey, taupe or beige. If your room has a lack of natural light, choose rich tone of your neutral colour. Making it visible, you will make room feel more cozy. Some of you might think that all walls painted in one colour can be a boring sight. If you feel that way then add texture! You can choose textured wallpaper, wall moulding, paneling, plaster etc. Your eyes will catch added details, even small ones and that’s how visual interest will be born.

#3 Window dressing

There are two ways of styling your window, better to say wall next to your window! Don’t cover your window, instead allow maximum of natural light. If you have no furniture under your window, use full length curtains, (No shorties!). If you have sofa or large sideboard, then go for Roman blinds. Alternative option can be a roller blind in a cassette.

Contemporary sitting room design by AlenaCDesign

#4 Lighting

Statement lighting is a main room feature what makes it look luxurious and expensive. Don’t use lampshades but go for ceiling light or chrystal/ glass pendants. Reflective surface brings more lighting into the room.

Classic Contemporary sitting room design by AlenaCDesign

# 5 Styling

* Classic Interiors don’t like clutter or too many display objects. Group your display pieces by 1 or 3 or max 5 objects together but they should be displayed as a group with variety of textures, colour tones and heights. You can find more recommendations in previous posted topic How to style accessories on display.

* Use plants, artficial or real branches with leaves, floor plants – they add freshness to any room!

* Display paintings or photo prints in frames. That’s a good way to add a bit of colour into interior and over time easily can be changed.

* To make room look finished and cozy, please don’t forget to place right size rug (size of your seating area), and of course, cushions.

Classic Contemporary is one of the styles which can look more expensive than actually spent budget! It’s a good example when less is more!

Enjoy decorating! X

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00November 5th, 2018|Design Style, Design Tips|

From dark to cozy in Co. Leitrim

It’s very typical for Irish old builds to be dark inside. Only now modern Irish buildings get planned with large windows and vaulted ceilings. But no worries! If room is dark, it doesn’t mean it cannot be cozy. This year I’ve been working with young family in co. Leitrim and our main design brief was “To make room Cozy and Inviting”. You can see for yourself that room looked a bit dull and mostly because of a lack of natural lighting.

Sitting room – BEFORE

There is a very popular false belief among homeowners – ‘if room is dark you need to choose very light paint colour’. Unfortunately, all light and medium tone paints don’t show much colour in the dark at all. You need to work from the opposite – If you want to see colour, you need to put colour on walls!

I don’t mean colour as blue, green, red or yellow; I mean rich colour tone of your choice. It can be neutral but with deep base, it won’t make room dark but will add volume.

See picture below, wall colour creates strong contrast next to white ceiling and at the same time it doesn’t make room much darker. Though, we see and feel nice warm tone.

Sitting room – AFTER

In addition, we have changed furniture layout to make sure all seats facing centre of the room creating conversational area. It’s very important condition to fulfil making room more inviting.

Sitting room – AFTER

This sitting room is a very long room, which was a big struggle for a family to style it in a past. There is a good design tip: Create unique display centering it to each area.

In our case, it is corner sofa and cuddler sofa as two unique areas withing one large room. We keep the flow of textures and colours not to loose integrity.

Sitting room display – AFTER

I hope you like transformation and here is one final design tip: To make room to look luxury, Invest into good ceiling light/chandelier and add greenery in glass jars! They are small details but very effective!

Have a lovely day!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00October 22nd, 2018|Design Project|

Your Building Plan Check-List

To build own house is one of the life milestones. We imagine it to become cozy hub for every family member.

Architectural plan by AlenaCDesign

Architect is one of the first professionals who helps to plan a house of your dreams. He is good to prepare structural form and plan optimal natural lighting, where interior planning requires more time and attention from homeowner himself. It can be quiet frustrating to review plans for the first time. But don’t worry, I will try to clarify that process for you. Here are you key notes!

#1 Adequate room size

It’s one of the main things to be sure is right! View each room separately and make sure that everything you want to bring into the room will fit perfectly. Try to see it in a long term.

For example, see how many seats do you need to have in your sitting room? Sketch your armchairs and sofa (ideally in scale) on your plan, creating conversational area i.e. seats facing each other or centre of the area. Make sure there is enough clearance between furniture to move around (at least 800mm between objects).

Think, how much storage do you require?
Where do you put your TV?
Do you mind if TV point is near a window?
Is windowsill too low near TV unit?
Do you need log storage or display units on each side of the fireplace?

When construction is over, you will see that difference of having well-planned room and no frustration of dealing with unexpected outcome.

Image via decoist.com

Check each room the same way, particularly kitchen! There are special requirements for kitchen layout and you can read more on this topic in Planning Kitchen Layout.

Bedroom is not an exception here if you want to fit your king size bed with two bedside lockers on each side. You need to be sure you allow enough wall space to fit it all!

#2 Light is good but Function is your Priority

We all want to have bright, light and airy house, especially kitchen and dining zone. Though, there is good balance. There are many types of style and layout, it should work well for you and your personal life style!

No matter what your taste is, kitchen layout should always comply with “working triangle” i.e. your path sink-cooker-fridge and back, doesn’t exceed 7.8m (max). If you feel it doesn’t work, change kitchen layout and even reconsider window position in order to improve it.

With every extra inch of window frame you loose functional wall!
Make sure it works for you!

Review your plans carefully

Do you have full height piece of wall for your fridge or eye-level oven?

Where do you place your cooker with extractor fan?

Note: gas cooker should be at least 30cm away from the window.

In addition, window position should be right in a bathroom too.

Does furniture /shower fit well next to the window?
Where do you place your vanity unit? What size?
Where is shower? Do you have enough space for wet room?

If you compromise on something, you should estimate what you get and what you loose.

#3 Watch out, odd corners!

Any room looks more pleasant when it has right shape. Try to minimize presence of various corners, bends, not to mention chimney.

I often find that issue in master bedroom with ensuit and walk-in wardrobe. If you see obstruction blocking your entrance or it creates dead corner wasting footage, I highly recommend to talk to your architect or designer to make a change, even if it means moving internal walls or windows on your plan.

#4 Aim for symmetry

Symmetry is one of the universal interior elements and creates feeling of stability, calmness and dignity.

Kelly Hoppen Interiors

It’s very effective visual feature when you enter a room but be sure you made planning for it.

In the sitting room: Do you have equal distance on each side of your chimney?
In the bedroom: Do you have enough wall space to center your headboard with beside lockers?

I know, it might sound so obvious but for some reason, it’s been missed in several cases.

#5 Imagine your living

That’s what kids and designers are good at, imagining something what’s not there yet. But don’t worry, let me show you how you can do it too!

Make a cup of tea, sit down in comfy chair and prepare plan in front of you.Start from the main entrance and see space as if you are living in it. Make analysis of current plan:

What do you see when you enter?
What do you want to see when you enter?
Is area big enough if you come home with shopping or return from vacations with all your bags and kids around?
Imagine how your kids race from room to room?
Are there any dangerous bends or corners?
Do you have space to place console table to keep your keys?
Where will you keep your coats and shoes?

Try to imagine as many details as you can! Continue moving around house on a plan and try to understand if place is comfortable for what you do daily? Don’t compromise trying to adapt yourself to new place. You build house to improve your living, make it perfect from scratch. It should be house for you and not the other way around. Think for youself because your habits are very personal just as house should be.

Make a list of what you think doesn’t feel right or needs to be reconsidered and discuss it with your architect or designer. I still meet families, who have built a house and later build extention in order to improve layout.

Give it a good thought because there is nothing what cannot be changed while it’s on a paper!

P.S. Let me know in a comment if you have questions in this topic.

Best wishes,

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:40+00:00October 9th, 2018|Design Tips|

How to design room for a Boy 7-14 y.o.

Our kids is our everything! Surely, every parent wants his child to grow happy and healthy. Talking in this post about Interior design of kids’ room we have to think of design as a tool to improve child’s mental health and create positive environment for continuous development.

I personally find it is easier to design for girls of any age than for boys; only because girls are better of expressing themselves and before they reach teen age (16+), they are good to know what they want and don’t like. They are more independant without doubt. Today I want to focus on design for boys because usually they need more guidance and help on expressing themselves.

It’s quiet a life process of realising your personality, getting a better image of yourself and getting initial focus of life path. As a parent you can help your child with it by creating right room environment.

I want to share with you guidance with professional recommendations, rather than list of ideas which you easily can find yourself on Pinterest.

#1 Understand purpose!

Before you start choosing colour, try to imagine how your son will live in this room.When you over look your child’s room before searching for ideas, I want you to question:

What does he do in this room? What he used to do here and doesn’t anymore? What would you like him to do in his room? How do you want your boy to feel in the room? What he doesn’t like – (No list)?

#2 Plan furniture layout

It might be one room but several areas!
The most basic are:
* sleeping area including bed + beside table;
* small study/play area includes table/desk/reading nook
* display/ storage unit/wardrobe

We create unique ‘small concept’ for each zone or area and then all of them together like jig-saw become a complete picture. At final stage, center wall decor at each area.

via Pinterest: Colorful Pattern-Filled Shared Boys’ Bedroom by hgtv.com

#3 Choose colour for temper

Just now the fun begins!

Did you hear the saying “Colour heals”? – Kids are more sensitive to colour than adults. Moreover, they don’t have as busy life as grown-ups, so kids take their time to process everything around them. Colour should help them feel safe in their room, help to imagine and create, and of course, help to learn new things.

To have better ability to focus, concentrate, sometimes to stay calm, boys need to be surrounded by colours of nature. In general, men have more simple ability to think and process information comparing to women. If you will overload colour sheme in boy’s room, he will feel frustrated, chaotic and less organised in his routine.

Best colours are Grey, Blue, Green, Brown. You can use different shades as main wall colour or choose different colours for each area to highlight it individually.

If you need colour scheme idea, check my collection on Pinterest board.

#4 Give him space

Design for boys should be as simple as possible! In fact, you need to give him “design” as a background to add “something own”. They don’t like many little details like girls do. They need to grow for certain things (hobbies, passion) and only then to add own things by themselves on walls or display. Those things will matter to him more than any picture you chose in the shop but it will be meaningful to remind him of something important and what matters for him now and may be in the future. Those personal little things like little ancors, keep him solid on a ground to keep moving forward.

via Pinterest, Image by: merigo.ca

5 Simplicity can be creative

I know design is very creative industry and you want to create imaginative world in your child’s room. Keeping it simple doesn’t mean not creative.

Riley’s Room by J and J Design Group

Style each area with unique design elements! Don’t use too many odd shapes. Boys like straight lines and basic geometrical shapes in patterns, shelves, wall decor and other display. That would be my main recommendations to decorate boy’s room. There is no strict rules in design world, don’t be affraid to experiment with colour and ideas but follow guidance to bring goodness into your child’s little den.

My best wishes!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:41+00:00June 14th, 2018|Design Tips|

Top 7 principles all Designers Know and Do!

Every designer has individual style and unique approach in designing space. Nevertheless, all design professionals use common sense principals to create practical, functional place with outstanding look.

Interior design is very similar with personal style, when not everything suits everybody. Every home is just the same unique and we should emphasize advantages and make disadvantages less noticeable.

Do you want to renovate and decorate like a Pro? Make room for Pro Design principals!

#1 Furniture layout First!

I know, once you feel ready to design room, it’s very tempting to start choosing colour straigh away as if it’s life saving solution – quick and effective. Not so fast!

Most of the times, you don’t feel right in the room because of incorrect furniture position, lack of storage or too much furniture!

All designers arrange furniture before anything else, so it would create symmetry or make conversational area or simply to be practical.

Working file, Floor plan attic conversion by AlenaCDesign

If you have little side table which is on your way but handy to leave a cup of tea on it from time to time – find for it permanent location! If you have several medium height book shelves but room looks cluttered – replace it on one tall unit. Make optimisation and don’t be afraid to say Good-Bye to old things – Life goes on!

#2 Function before aesthetics

Anything you get for your home should be functional, practical and work well for your habits and lifestyle! Personal comfort is a key and don’t compromise!

If you have dynamic life…hairy dog…kids walking with snacks..- don’t get dark polished floor where every light hair and little crumb is super visible. You don’t need another reason to be stressed in your life.

#3 Stick to chosen Colour concept

It’s very easy to get lost in colour scheme selection, especially if you browse on Pinterest or Houzz. Colour selection is huge! Focus on Colour concept First!

Basically there are only TWO to choose from! Yeah, only two!

One is based on Neutral colours and 2nd is based on Contrast of colours.

via Pinterest

In first case, you pick neutral colour and add all shades from dark to light. Don’t forget to add textures to increase visual interest.

In second case, you place one colour against another finding right combination to your mood and taste. Stay focused and work within chosen concept!

#4 Don’t use white in dark room!

It’s very common mistake to think that if room doesn’t have enough natural lighting, you have to paint room in light tone to brighten it up. Unfortunately, it never works!

Any light and pale colour tone turns out to be grey-ish and very dull… Instead, choose tone more rich to what you normally choose.

To see colour inside – bring colour! It doesn’ t have to be bright, it can be quiet neutral tone but NOT Pale! All designers know that light tone and white Interiors look fresh only with good lighting!

#5 Focus on one space at the time

I don’t think if you can find even a single designer who takes project and on a first day designs half bathroom and on second day half kitchen… No way!

It takes time to get inspired for certain client type, style and space. I believe you have to keep that focus to deliver something finished and outstanding.

Use this practice if you design home yourself. Focus on one room at a time. Finished rooms stay finished for years, not finished rooms is never ending refurbishment and decorating process.

#6 Keep mind creative & Open

It’s the biggest challenge for every designer!

In order to be great professional you have to keep your mind open to be good listener for your Clients, understand key requests to improve internal space and overall living environment.

But creative part is the hardest and it can be developed only with good practice and over time. It is an amazing ability to look at empty wall and to see something what’s not there and even possibly doesn’t exist but can be made.

Design, art and craft stand very close to each other!

#7 Predict the future!

Design is an investment into your well-being or business (if it’s commercial space) and it will pay off over years. Nevertheless, our focus in life/business change, your personality change, you grow and so your interior should be versatile and should be easy for adapting to something new.

Try to predict what changes might happen in your lifestyle, mood and think of interior to be flexible for that case.

Design like a Pro & Be happy!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:41+00:00May 12th, 2018|Design Reality, Design Tips|

Caring Project Management

Hello guys,

It’s going to be another honest Blog post from inside of Interior Design work. I hope practical recommendations will be helpful to homeowners and young designers.

As a designer, I find it’s important to work with every Client using individual approach and it makes every design project like a little story, where with many Clients you become friends. All my Clients know that they can call me 27/7, even on Sunday and late evening and I will find time to discuss whatever they find important. I know from business model it’s crazy and shouldn’t be so (somebody might say 😉 but for me it’s important for my clients to know that I Care. That’s exactly what I want to focus on in this blog.

When we finish design concept and all specifications for contractors are ready, at this stage we usually know who will do Project coordination. Very often Residential Clients prefer to finish it themselves at own pace but there are number of Clients with bigger projects and with Commercial properties ask me to step up and lead project to finish. AlenaCDesign work example

In any case, as soon we involve more contractors and professionals, our little story with Client becomes a whole Little Life with up and downs. There are two main conditions to call project successful: It was finished in Time and within Budget.

It can be tough if you are restricted in both. Although, to have project successful, it’s important to focus on finding contractors who Care!

Project planning, setting schedule for each stage, finding contractors and collect quotations for each specific work – all these should be done before any work commence! Don’t skip planning, it is a key to avoid mistakes, misunderstanding with contractors and more likely you finish project in time. It’s true that it’s very important to hire right people and if you missed this part, READ in previous Blog: Your Ideal Contractor.

Last time I avoided this topic but I think it’s important to share what kind of professionals I avoid to work with or reasons why I keep looking for opportunity to meet new ones. Each new contractor can be considered as a Business person as well as Individual. And I believe that even thinking business and expect to be charged fair fee, it’s more benifitial to work with people who Care.

I believe in any relationships (business or private) there are three fundamental elements: TRUST, RESPECT, UNDERSTANDING. If one is missing, relationships fall apart.

1. TRUST

Yes, I’m talking about Small & Big lies!

You know the saying “The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie”?

Working in a tight time frame, it’s important to understand when person will be on site. Sometimes circumstances change and you always allow several days for this (as an emmegency). Otherwise, it all can be negotiated and agreed in advance. Working with people you rely on them and expect to be sincere. Unfortnately, there are exceptions. I met several different contractors who prefer to “jump on work” somewhere else or “work for best friend” and then they leave you with lie….. Simple stories from “I was sick” or more santimental “my wife got me get away surprize, can’t cancel”. Please don’t think I’m being very suspicious, it’s just these people have been caught working somewhere else when their told story was different. Can you work with person, you can’t trust?…. – I don’t think so.

via atlantic-umbrella.com

Watch for ‘little lie’ signs from the beginning because Pro’s who does this regularly is like a chronical desease, it’s always there.

Another important thing to mention is Money – I always make sure that jobs fairly priced and contractors get paid in time. Talking about fairly, I mean in ‘both ways’ – Not underpriced for contractor and not Overpriced for Client. To solve this dilemma, it’s great when pricing is trasparent, particularly for big scoup of work. We never negotiate to get anything for free but to understand what client pays for is one of the ways to establish trustworthy relationships.

2. RESPECT

I’m sure you met one or two people, who are EXPERTS. I’m not talking about qualified, experienced and skilled people. It’s Pros who knows better than the others 🙂 They teach you, teach other contractors, teach your client. They don’t collaborate because they know better and they are quick to judge everyone else’s work. Althought, they are ok if you hire for straight forward work but they can be hard in collaboration with other contractors. One typical characteristic of this types – not easy-going and have poor sense of humour 🙂

Via Instagram @earlthegrump

3. UNDERSTANDING

I think it’s important ability to reach understanding, agreement and very often through work negotiation. Many contractors prefer to visit work site to provide a quote. But initial quote and scoup of work might be a subject to a change. Unfortnately, not all contractors like to come back to discussion and especially to participate in negotiation. Most of the times, we need to collect all quotes before we know where we are with final budget, especially if it’s a big scale project. Sometimes, we have to review design and plans in the matter to fit into Client’s financial expectation. Therefore, if contractor isn’t interested in a project as a process then it’s ok and it’s good to know at early stage.

Image credit: The Clinton Street Theater

I didn’t put CARE as essential characteristic for contractor but very desirable! I think it’s a shame when people work Business-for-business and money-for-wealth. When professional can offer a little bit, you get what you can’t buy – kindness and sympathy. This contractor is priceless and pleasure to work with! They are like diamonds and that’s why I keep looking for more to work with 🙂 If you think you could add something more into my list, please let me know about it or share your thoughts in a comment! I would like to know about your experience!

Best of Luck!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:41+00:00March 15th, 2018|Design Reality, Design Tips|

LED Lighting in the Bathroom

It’s great to see that more and more home owners would like to see own bathroom not only practical and functional but also with special atmosphere. It can be created using textured finishing materials and of course lighting.

One of the biggest trends is integrated seamless lighting. If you plan a self-build or DIY project, here is how you can achieve this look.

kellyhoppeninteriors.com

#1 Use waterproof lighting fixtures

All lights, even LED strips, should be waterproof! Here is an example to compare. Strip for bathroom is sealed with extra plastic.

Via abertoatedemadrugada.com

Any other lighting fixtures, particularly pendants and wall lights in water jet area should have IP no less than 65. Check info with manufacturer.

Photo by Fiorella Design – More bathroom ideas

#2 Hide LED strip

I personally believe even line of light inside of recessed shelf looks more attractive than a set of recessed lights. To achieve seemless effect don’t leave strip exposed.

There are two ways:

For shelves: Use aluminium profile and tile it flash with tiles. Place it at the top of the shelf, closer to the back wall. LED strip lights are very bright if not to make beam more focused. Profile will help to make light look softer and more pleasant.

Via eameslighting.com AlenaCDesign

Around mirror or other objects:

Sometimes it’s impossible to use metal profile but if to leave light fully exposed it will look very sharp. If you want to have calming and relaxing effect, we need to place LED strip deeper behind object. It should be no less than 3 widths of the strip you use. For example: if LED strip width is 8 mm, then we place it 24 mm away from the open edge.

Lighting is one of the most powerful design elements! It can transform any place.Use is wisely and enjoy decorating!

Alena C

Alena Chikurnikova2019-02-03T16:59:41+00:00January 30th, 2018|Design Tips|

Load More Posts