Scottsdale AZ Real Estate & Lifestyle

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Your Scottsdale Home: How To Care for Your Floors

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– Your Scottsdale AZ Home: Floor Care –

Scottsdale luxury travertine tileNowadays you can find many ways to cover your floors, from ceramic tile, natural stone, wood, to simple carpeting. One of the typical deciding factors is the issue of maintenance. Because each surface has unique requirements, this is definitely an area where consumers can benefit by being armed with information prior to making a selection.

Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Flagstone & Slate-

You will find natural stone floors in many Scottsdale area homes. They are a natural fit for the desert lifestyle and the variety of tones, patterns and finished are endless.

Most natural stone is porous, so staining can happen easily. Alcohol and citrus spills should be wiped up immediately to reduce possible etching. There are products available that impregnate the surface for reduced staining. For instance, silicone impregnators and sealers used on your floor provide excellent resistance to oil and water based spills. However, if spills are left on the surface for an extended amount of time, some discoloration may occur.

Basic cleaning for all natural stone should involve dust mopping or vacuuming regularly. Having all areas powder polished once a year is recommended. Flood mop as needed.

Curious as how to flood mop? Simply flood one section of the floor at a time and allow water to sit for several minutes. Then pick the water up with a mop, but be sure not to use a sponge mop. You will want to use a good stone cleaner in your mop water. Some good products to consider are Floor Clean and Conditioner from Natural Stone Care Products.


Ceramic and Porcelain Tile-

Tile floors are another popular choice in Scottsdale area homes for their easy maintenance and the broad number of designs available.

These man-made products require less concern over staining and therefore are a more desirable product for flooring needs. The cleaning process is about the same, however with ceramic it is recommended to Tac mop regularly, which is wet mopping where all possible moisture is wrung out of the mop.


Wood-

Although stone and tile floors are quite popular in Scottsdale homes, we have been seeing a lot more homeowners elect to have wood installed instead.

First, dust the floor with a mop that has been treated with a dusting agent to pick up dust, dirt, and pet hair that might scratch the floor surface. Next, vacuum with a floor-brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner or an electric broom. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment, as the beater bar can scratch the wood.

For occasional deep cleaning, use a wood-cleaning product diluted according to the label instructions. You will want to saturate a sponge or rag mop in the water, then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch. Damp-mop the floor, being careful to prevent standing water on the floor. Rinse with a clean mop dampened in clear water, but only if the cleaning product requires it. Never leave standing water as it can damage wood surfaces.


Carpeting-

Typically in Scottsdale homes, you will only see carpeting in the bedrooms and secondary rooms, like media rooms.

Simple vacuuming on a regular basis is the key to keeping your carpeting looking great for years. Dirt and grime will settle into the fibers if this maintenance does not happen on a very frequent basis. Make sure to have your beater bar set at the right level for the pile height of your carpeting.

For man-made carpet fibers, (most carpeting is nylon,) steam cleaning with a mild solution typically takes care of most wear and tear, however, spot cleaning with a mild solvent helps in between. I always recommend a natural product that uses enzymes to dissolve the stain. For natural fibers, (typically wool, sometimes silk is added in,) you will want to reference the carpet manufacturer’s recommendation or get advice from a professional cleaner. The professional cleaner must be especially careful that overly hot cleaning solution is not used. Also note that bleach will actually dissolve wool and should never be used.

 

These guidelines provide the basics for floor care, but with each material there are various situations that call for more in-depth information. The product’s manufacturer is always your best reference for additional needs but, as with many things, the internet is also a great resource.

 

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Twitter: @RobynASID

Your Scottsdale Home: Remodeling Realities

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 – Your Scottsdale AZ Home: The Realities of Remodeling –

CC Image Remodel Me by Shannon KringenRemodeling offers numerous benefits to Scottsdale area homeowners who want to change their lifestyle without uprooting and moving out of their current home.

Remodeling can also be a more economical choice, especially if only certain areas of your home require a facelift. Plus, many people opt to remodel as opposed to buying a  new home because it is allows a refresh of the home they already know and like, and are familiar with.

So while the end product will be one you will enjoy for many years to come, remodels can be very disruptive. You need to go into the remodel process with your eyes open and expect minor catastrophes.

Here are some constructive solutions to some of the challenges that come with remodeling.

  • Construction Mayhem: No matter how you slice it, tearing down walls and replacing flooring can create quite a mess. And in ways that may not be apparent when you first begin the process. Be prepared for chaos.
  •  Scheduling inconveniences and conflicts: Every day will be a challenge and it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. Allow for flexibility in your schedules and timelines.
  • Partners need to clearly communicate their ideas to each other to avoid problems down the road:   Never assume that your spouse is thinking the same as you. Work through all scenarios thoroughly before you begin the project, and you can avoid future conflict. 
  • Make informed design decisions together: A marriage can fail from the stress, (I’ve seen it, unfortunately,) if you and your spouse do not have a plan based on mutual goals. This is a partnership adventure. 
  • Pad your budget estimates and your timeline: Know for certain that the likelihood is that things will cost more than you had planned and that the project will take longer than you think. There are always unexpected challenges that set things back both financially and with scheduling.
  • Compromise: One of the biggest challenges comes when things don’t go as planned. It may be your idea that went south or our partner’s. The key is to always keep an open mind to potentially unexpected outcomes.

Refresh. Revitalize. Remodel. 

Lastly, and most importantly! Remember that the time you spend enjoying your remodeled space will far outlast the time, challenges and money it took to get it accomplished.

 

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

Photo courtesy of Shannon Kringen via Creative Commons

Your Scottsdale Home: Fabric Choices for Outdoor Living

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– Your Scottsdale Home AZ: Fabrics for Outdoor Living – 

Scottsdale Outdoor LivingWe are very fortunate here in Arizona…for many reasons, but today, I am referring specifically to our climate. The idea of outdoor living is appealing to many and our homes are reflecting that concept with full glass walls that retract into pockets and allow the inside space to mesh seamlessly with the outdoor space.

There has been a nice selection of outdoor materials over the years, but lately it’s becoming hard to distinguish between what is intended for outdoors and indoors. Both hard surface materials and fabrics have become interchangeable with the out of doors and should be chosen for their unique characteristics.

As it relates to textiles, Sunbrella® fabrics are the mainstay for outdoor furniture, cabanas and umbrella canopies. The quality that makes these fabrics so durable is built in by virtue of the dyeing process. Many regular fabrics, (intended for indoor use), are printed or dyed via any number of processes that apply the color to the fabric that’s already woven. For example, take silk screening. These prints will not hold up in direct sunlight over long periods of time because the dye is applied to the surface of the woven fiber as opposed to being an integral part of the fabric itself.

Fabrics intended for outdoor use, more commonly known as Sunbrella fabrics, are solution dyed acrylics, hence their sun resistance. What this means is that when the acrylic fiber is in liquid form, the dye is added and then the liquid is extruded into the fiber, then woven into fabric. This makes the color integral with the fiber, and subsequently the woven fabric becomes resistant to fading from direct sun and lasts far longer.

UV stabilizers are also added to these fabrics. A UV stabilizer is a product which is designed to prevent or slow color loss caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

However, over time,  the elements will eventually wear on anything,  so maintenance of your outdoor fabrics is critical to longevity. One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay degradation is to regularly clean them. Simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur should keep your fabrics vibrant for many years.

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

Your Scottsdale Home: The Importance of Lighting

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– Your Scottsdale AZ Home: How Lighting Choices in Your Home Can Make a Big Impact – 

Lighting CC SpigooIt’s not all about making things look pretty. I find myself saying this phrase to potential clients on a regular basis. Of course, I’m speaking about the work involved in being an interior designer.

Most people equate a beautiful interior with the objects placed within a space. However, the design process is more science than most people realize.

Years ago, when I first looked at all the classes in the curriculum for interior design at my chosen school, I was surprised at the number of classes with topics that were far more involved than simply putting fabrics together. And today’s curricula are even more technical with the awareness and need for sustainability as well as universal design or aging in place.

One particular class was not at all what I expected and it had to do with lighting. A whole semester! 

One particular class was not at all what I expected and it had to do with lighting. A whole semester! I was loathe to understand how it could possibly take a whole semester to learn how to light a room. Yet, from that class, a whole world of creativity was brought to my attention and it began with understanding the anatomy of the human eye and how we “see” color.

Simply put…without light there is no color. So it stands to reason that introducing light into a space makes all the difference in what we see and the quality of that light can make or break the atmosphere or function of that space.

In general, we are familiar with fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Most people know that fluorescent lighting is “cool” and incandescent is “warm.” Incandescent lighting is much more favorable to skin tones but science has gotten even better at “renditions” of color in lighting and currently we are seeing the same kind of results with LED lighting. This is a great step, since LED is a more energy-efficient light source. Plus,  LED and decorative lighting are now synonymous and all manner of LED lights are available to the consumer.

Here is  test: The next time you go into a dressing room at your favorite retail store, take note of how you look and feel in that dressing room. It has everything to do with the lighting source and how it is set up can make or break a decision of whether we buy or not. This illustrates that there is a tremendous amount of psychology in our perceptions that tie into lighting sources in all of our environment.

One of the most fascinating experiences I had while studying was a trip my class took to Nela Park in Ohio. Nela Park is General Electrics’ Lighting Institute.During one session, simply by changing the lighting, they created a nightclub out of the cafeteria.

I won’t profess to be a lighting expert, despite my schooling, but would highly suggest that if you are planning a new home to enlist the services of a lighting designer. There are many specialties that tie into interior design and many designers focus their expertise in one such area as lighting. If you are interested in finding out more about lighting and it’s effect click here.

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

Creative Commons Photo Courtesy of Andre Mouraux

Your Scottsdale Home: Low Effort, High Impact Changes for Your Home

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Guest post by Robyn Randall, ASID

In my last post I discussed a few things to think about as you consider new ideas for your Scottsdale area home for the new year. In this post, I am going to suggest a few ideas that will allow you to refresh your home quickly, without committing to a major project.

As for applying these to your project, it’s not easy to give an in-depth example for all my suggestions below. The suggestions are made simply as guidelines to make changes and improvements to a space to give it new life. It’s up to you to determine how much you think you need to change to make an effect.

Wicker Paradise Image CC

Walls
I’ll start with Walls. As simple as it sounds, changing wall colors for most people is very scary. Truth be known…it’s the least expensive mistake you can make, but I always recommend painting 3 foot square sections of your paint color options on different walls of the space before you jump into doing the whole room. Leave the options on the walls and look at them over a day or two and see how they change during different times of day or night.

While changing color can be tricky if you have items in your space that have “dated” colors, there are many, many paint colors from a vast variety of paint manufacturers to choose. If you fail in getting the exact match,  you can have the paint company do a color match from a specific item, such as a fabric.

Artwork
Most homes have some type of Artwork. Maybe it’s collectible art, maybe it’s poster art…whatever your “flavor” is,  there are several ways for change.

One is to remove all your artwork and take a fresh look at the space without it. Maybe you engage a friend who is less subjective to join you in this exercise. Go back and place the art differently or in different rooms. Make a grouping and add a few new pieces. One of the things I have done successfully is to add additional framing to an existing piece. See if you have some art that has simple or uninteresting framing and add to it or replace it altogether.

Accessories
You can have  a house full of furniture but without Accessories that’s all you have: a house full of furniture. Accessories are what makes it a home. Do the same exercise with them as you did with your art. Remove everything and place it back into the room in different ways. Re-cover some throw pillows with a new fabric and pull a few new accessories in to accent colors from the new fabric.

Area Rugs
Area Rugs are a great place to get your inspiration. By either changing out what you have, or placing one for a new element, pulling color inspiration from the rug for walls, accessories or new fabrics for throw pillows can dramatically change your interior without starting all over.

The trick goes back to the principles and elements of design. Pay attention to these pointers and you should be successful in giving your Scottsdale area home a refreshed and “new” look.

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

Image Courtesy of Wicker Paradise

Your Scottsdale AZ Home: New Year, New Design

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Guest post by Robyn Randall, ASID

A new year is upon us and as it relates to your Scottsdale area home, you may want to throw out all the old and start over at the beginning. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to afford a total makeover, but there are certain things you can do to give new life to your environment without breaking the bank.

In this first of two posts, I am will talk about the “what” and the “how” and in the next post, I will provide some ideas for changes that will refresh your home’s look without undertaking a major project.

Paint sample wall cc Sarah_ackermanIf there is something you want to tackle right away, the first thing I always suggest when you’re spending money on your home: establish a budget. Although I usually get that ‘deer in the headlights’ expression when I approach this topic, it is an important one. There are no hard and fast rules as to how to establish what your budget is. My guess is that you’ll know what is realistic for you.

Next, decide what rooms or areas you want to update. Maybe the budget will only cover one area initially, but as you begin with the first area and work your way through, the next area you tackle will be easier because you will have begun to think creatively and know some good tricks to cost effectively make those changes.

An important thing to keep in mind, especially if you are only doing one room or area at a time, is that your home should “flow”. 

An important thing to keep in mind, especially if you are only doing one room or area at a time, is that your home should “flow”. In our schooling, designers are taught the Principles and Elements of Design.

These are our guiding and fundamental tools used throughout the design process and are briefly described below in an attempt to help the reader understand that there is some “science” to what we do and will hopefully help you in the process. There are many articles related to these two critical design components online,  so feel free to research, dig in and get a more in-depth understanding.

DESIGN ELEMENTS are the “what” component.

  • Line: Simply put…either the horizontal, vertical, etc., direction of a given plane.
  • Shape: Two dimensional objects enclosed by lines. An area that is contained within an implied line, or is seen and identified because of color or value changes.
  • Form: Three dimensional objects enclosed by a surface.
  • Color: Tint, tone and shade of reflected light (Note: Without light, color is not visible).
  • Texture: The tactile feel or visual appearance of an object.
  • Space: The area around, within or between objects or images.

 

DESIGN PRINCIPLES are the “how to” component.

  • Balance: The visual weight and distribution of an element.
  • Proportion: The relative size and scale of things.
  • Rhythm: The use of recurring elements to keep the eye moving.
  • Emphasis: An item or area that is used to catch the viewers attention or be the focus of the room (i.e.; fireplace).
  • Unity/Harmony: The relationship between all elements.
  • Repetition: Repeating of design elements.

I hope you found this information helpful. In the next post, I will provide specific ideas on areas you may want to tackle as you update your home.

 

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

Creative Commons image Courtesy of Sarah_Ackerman

Scottsdale Interior Design: How Do Interior Designers Charge?

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– Scottsdale Interior Design: How Do Interior Designers Charge for a Project?- 

Paint Phil Roeder CCIn my last post, I talked about how interior designers work and how sharing information about what you like and how you live are crucial to getting the perfect final result. In this post, I will talk about the how interior designers get paid depending on the type of project.

The reality is that there are many ways in which a designer charges and they are dependent upon the many factors related to your goals. Formal education, years of experience, as well as variables like geographic location, professional reputation and client demand all play a part in how a designer charges. Exactly what we do and how we charge is directly related to what your project requires and can vary from a simple consultation to full-blown project management.

How Designers Charge

Every project is different and brings unique challenges to an interior designer. Some clients may simply want consultation, whereas others may need project management from beginning to end. The fees outlined in this article are relatively typical, but should not be construed as universal to the design industry. In the interview process it is critical to have a complete understanding of how the designer is compensated and how that fits into your budget.

A designer will apply the following fee structures based on your project scope or a combination to suit your particular needs:

• Fixed fee (or Flat fee) — The designer identifies a specific sum to cover costs, exclusive of reimbursement for expenses and costs for merchandise. One total fee applies to the complete scope of services proposed, from conceptual development through layouts, specifications and final installation. A flat fee sometimes is established for smaller projects that require an undetermined amount of time, but the fee is gauged on a time estimate. It’s very difficult to put flat fees on projects, because each one is so unique and different so many designers steer clear of this compensation method. Point to remember : The fee is only covering the designer’s talent and time, not product and many consumers get confused about this.

• Percentage of project fee — Compensation is computed as a percentage markup on the total project cost, including furnishings and services purchased or specified on behalf of a client. In most cases, this compensation incorporates everything the designer is doing for the client and no other form of compensation is factored in. Typically all arrangements are finalized in the form of a contract or design agreement and the thoroughness of the agreement should be such that neither party has any questions about just what the designer is charging for.

• Retainer — The client pays a sum up front to the designer for design services and usually involves a set amount of hours. After the time has been used, a designer will then bill for hourly services if the time is agreed upon by both parties. The retainer is customarily paid upon signing the contractual agreement. In my experience, this fee is strictly applied to the consultation aspect of the project and any purchases made on behalf of the client are handled under a separate entry in the design agreement and factored at cost plus.

• Cost plus — A designer specifies materials, furnishings and services (e.g., carpentry, drapery workrooms, picture framing, etc.) at wholesale and sells to the client at the designer’s cost plus a set percentage increase. The percentage a designer adds to the wholesale price will vary, again dependent on location. In Scottsdale, I find it to range between 25% and 35%.

The profit from the product is where there seems to be a bit of confusion. This is where a design agreement will typically outline two fees, one for the services that are required up to the point of deciding to purchase product and another for what I call the administration of all the orders and follow through that is required of the designer from the point of sale until it is safely delivered into your home.

• Per square foot — The designer charges fees based on the square footage of the project. The designer will oversee the entire project and act as the client’s agent, providing all material selections, designs, and applications. Typically the designer is strictly supplying specifications and the various trades, and/or builder do all the purchasing of materials. The per square foot cost will vary due to the scope, once again. Extra services such as reflected ceiling plans, lighting design, etc. will dictate a higher per square foot charge. Some designers will use this compensation method for other types of design services.

• Hourly Fee — Compensation is based on actual time that the designer consults on a project or specific service in or outside of the client’s home. This typically involves anywhere from simple color selections to actually putting together a complete design concept. Everything the designer does from the point of a signed design agreement spelling  out the scope of the project, to the day of presenting the design concept is billed. It is typical to expect a deposit in advance for this fee type. No purchases are made through the designer at this point, but most designers will make the purchasing available through their firm.
When it comes down to the final decision of working with a designer, I recommend that you do your due diligence. While interviewing, ask lots of questions, make sure you understand how they work and what their fees are for any and all aspects. Expect to sign a form of design agreement – which will allow both parties to have a clear understanding of what the project exactly involves.

If your partnership with the designer is a good one, you should enjoy the process as you go through all of the phases. Not to say there won’t be bumps along the way, but a true professional will traverse those bumps with expertise and you’ll come out at the end with a lifelong friend.

 

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

 

Image courtesy of Phil Roeder via Creative Commons

Your Scottsdale Home: How Do Interior Designers Work?

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-Your Scottsdale Home: How Does the Interior Design Process Work?-

Paint samples cc bdamon

In a previous post, I discussed the difference between an interior designer and a decorator. As with the confusion that comes with those two terms, so does understanding how designers work and the bigger issue of how we charge for our services. In this first post of two, I am going to go over how designers work and the interior design process,  as well as the benefits of working with a designer. In my next post, I will cover how designers charge for their services.

Exactly what we do and how we charge is directly related to what your project requires and can vary from a simple consultation to full- blown project management. For instance, you know you want a look or an effect in your Scottsdale area home, but haven’t a clue as to how to approach the task. An interior designer’s training, along with innate talent, gives him or her the tools to understand your vision and work their magic. Simply stated, we can turn your vision into a beautiful, comfortable interior. We are your eyes, your ears and pocketbook into the design world. We have the sources, opportunities and experience to turn concept into reality

How Designers Work

In many ways, designers function as guidance counselors, so in-depth insight into your world is critical. For a designer to truly understand your vision, it is key to unearth everything you have to share about your lifestyle, likes, dislikes and special needs. Our job is to take all of that information and complete the space to reflect your taste accordingly. If we are doing our job correctly…we HEAR what you like, FEEL how you live and UNDERSTAND how you function in your home and  from there use our expertise to create the end result.

If we are doing our job correctly…we HEAR what you like, FEEL how you live and UNDERSTAND how you function in your home and from there use our expertise to create the end result.

When you look at an empty room, it’s most likely what you see; an empty room. When a designer looks at an empty room, he or she sees the space finished down to the last detail. Seeing the big picture is what we are all about, but that picture needs to be communicated by you. To truly create YOUR environment, we need much more information about you before we can make realistic suggestions, versus just throwing out ad hoc ideas.


Steps in the Interior Design Process

  • The part or process during which we gather the information about your project is called Programming and is the starting point for beginning a project. Here is where we find out all about you, how you live, and so on.
  • Once we have all the details needed to proceed, we come up with a Schematic Design where we share preliminary ideas and sketches, all based on your input from the programming phase.
  • From there we get into Design Development. This is where we flesh out the preliminary ideas and final details are added.
  • Documentation happens after designer and client have determined that everything is in place and ready for “action”. The details of this phase are critical and the client should have the opportunity to comb through the documents and approve all aspects.
  • Last but not least is Administration, where the designer makes sure that the specifications are followed and that work is completed according to codes, budgets and time constraints.

So,as you may have guessed, as designers we wear many hats. It takes more than creativity and a good eye for color to work through the endless details and nuances of a project. That can mean many hours of “discovery” and learning about you (programming), but in the end, when you have and are enjoying the space you envisioned, it will have been time well spent.


BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER 

•     Discover, define and execute your vision.

•     Expand your own creativity with great style and design ideas.

•     Listen and translate your needs into a beautiful living space.

•     Optimize timing and budget to keep your project on track.

•     Gain style and interior design ideas.

•     Work with a team with access to great resources.

•     Professional project management & design skills.

•     Provide outstanding service that builds trust and a long lasting relationship.

 

More Information: 
Robyn Randall, ASID
Designs by Robyn LLC
Email
Website: www.DesignsByRobyn.com
Twitter: @RobynASID

 

Creative Commons image provided by bdamon

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