A few weeks have passed since my very first article, and some things haven't changed. It's raining again today, and I'm once again writing from my sofa. The table lamp is on, I'm wrapped in a blanket with a cup of hot tea, and my music is playing in the background.

Okay, let's continue revealing the next steps of my design method for creating beautiful homes with a strong sense of style and purpose.

** If you missed the first two steps, you can go back to PART 1 here.

STYLISTIC AND EMOTIONAL CHOICES

I find many designers often feel the need to justify their work by emphasising the scientific or technical aspects of our profession, and while that’s true, it goes hand in hand with stylistic choices that vary from project to project.

The style is shaped by factors such as the natural characteristics of the space – often, we must consider the context in which we work, preserving and embracing the historical, stylistic, and aesthetic connotations of the space we're transforming. It's always an intentional choice to create contrast with more classic elements or to embrace the existing style, but always with personality.

With style, we express ourselves. Just as we do with clothes, it's no different for our homes. Style evokes emotions, and these emotions need to be identified correctly. Once we know the type of environment in which a person feels good and what they experience, design helps us bring all the elements together harmoniously to create the desired environment. We talk about colours, finishes, and materials. It’s important to discuss these aspects thoroughly.

_TIP: If you haven't done so yet, take some time to visualise yourself in your new space and try to feel what you experience while imagining it. Now, identify the colors and materials. It doesn’t have to be precise and detailed, but more like a daydream.

To assist you with this, I’ve created a small design quiz that will reveal your personality when it comes to emotional design. Use the results as a reflection to help understand what you want DISCOVER YOUR DESIGN PERSONALITY.

* LIGHTING

Light is a powerful tool, and how it interacts with objects and surfaces around it has always fascinated and amazed me. When the stylistic choice is clear, some considerations here are simpler, like the temperature of the lights, warmer or cooler, depending on the type of environment we want to create.

* I will say I approach this phase as a standalone problem, a subset of the initial issue (furnishing a room).

As nailing lighting is crucial to the success of a project, this approach allows me to arrive at the best solution by considering all aspects thoroughly.

Most recent foyer light installation for one of our projects.
Almendra pendant by Flos designed by Patricia Urquiola. Supplier: Living Edge

RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION

When the stylistic work is researched and personal, not a copy-paste of pre-packaged styles, it requires deeper research to see what our options are.

We need to understand better: Are there inspirations or images that can help me? Is what I'm looking for available where I am? Will I achieve the functionality and practicality I desire? Can I ask for opinions and recommendations from someone on the choices I'm considering?

CREATIVITY

This is the most beautiful moment when we take all the insights and information collected so far and put them together in the right way, bringing the vision together.

MATERIALS

Not everything is suitable for everything. You know how you live in your spaces, who use them, and how they behave. Some materials will be better than others and will satisfy both aesthetics and functionality. For example, if objects are highly exposed to the sun, we need to consider how to avoid this issue or choose materials that last over time despite prolonged exposure.

I’ve lost count of the number of chairs, sofas, and rugs I've seen here in Australia with one or more sides faded due to the sun. A good choice of materials for curtains, for instance, could have made a difference, as well as the choice of fabric for pieces.

We talk about fabrics, finishes for furniture, floors, worktops, and surfaces.

Fabric considered for a set of armchairs @Kvadrat

VISUALISATION

At this point, the problem begins to take a specific shape, colors, materials, and a personal style.

We start putting the pieces of the puzzle together and try, including 3D models to visualise all the elements together as realistically as possible. Material samples are ordered and combined.

Yes, this is when the mood board is created, not at the beginning as you often see! - You need to have clarity on the vision before you can take your Instagram worthy shots!

3D visual of a bar nook area for a recent soft reno + furnishing project.

MODEL AND DRAWINGS

After various tests, we naturally arrive at the final form that our room will take. Everything comes together in the right way, creating the functional and stylistically refined space we wanted.

FINAL SOLUTION: PRESENTATION AND DETAILED ITEMS SCHEDULE

This is when I share with my clients the concept for their room, which includes not only the technical drawings and 3Ds but also a detailed schedule of all the components explaining the choices ( for a living room, it will be all the furniture, textiles, and lighting ) that create the environment. This also includes suppliers, quotes for products, and lead times to receive the specified products.

By applying this method and following its steps, you will be able to design with purpose and clarity. You will be able to narrow down your options and select with confidence.

OF COURSE, this method is certainly not the only one nor is it universal, but it is the result of what I have learned over the years. It makes me feel calm and confident in tackling every project and leaves room for me to have fun and enjoy the process, always enriched by the people I design for, my clients.

Because I love creating for them and with them.

The next article is already finished, and it’s about how to nail lighting choices in your home.

Getting juicy! :)

Giulia

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PART 2 - UNVEILING MY METHOD TO DESIGN: ALL THE STEPS TO CREATE DREAM HOMES