Pumpkin Fabulous!

Since Halloween is rapidly approaching, I thought I should include a post with ideas for those who like to dress their home for the season and for those who are also interested in a quick DIY project. These super chic pumpkins will definitely add a touch of flair to your home!

Photo via @modshop1 on Instagram

Photo via @cuckoo4design on Instagram

Photo via @lorrieeveritt on Instagram

Photo via @timewiththea on Instagram

Scheduling and Design: How Time Saves

Photo Credit:  Photo Steve

Aside from budget and space planning, scheduling is one of the most important factors to consider when undertaking any interior design project.  Having a good grasp of your project’s time constraints will help keep a tight leash on your budget.  The longer a project drags on beyond the expected date of completion, the more time there is for budget overruns and costly mistakes. 

I often run into homeowners undertaking first time DIY (do-it-yourself) home renovation projects.  In these encounters, I hear many horror stories about being without a kitchen or bathroom for way longer than what is typical.  Most are so excited at the prospect of doing it themselves and creating a wonderful new space, they fail to create a proper plan of attack, i.e. a schedule.  A schedule creates focus, as well as a step-by-step outline of what to expect and when.  It keeps the homeowner or DIYer in the loop and generally more prepared for any unforeseen mishaps. 

A schedule should be created once you have determined your budget and developed a well thought out space plan.  Start by considering the lead times for all materials and services to be rendered and work backwards from the item with the longest lead time.  This might be a bit easier for someone with experience working with trades as they will know how long each task should generally take but if you are undertaking a large project that requires skilled laborers, the laborers should be able to give an accurate estimate of about how long each portion of the project will take.  

For my own clients, I typically like to provide an actual calendar that outlines the project timeline from start date to completion date.  I do, however, include a caveat that allows for any unforeseen circumstances.  The main goal is to have as firm a grasp as possible over all the details.  When you are fully aware of all the minutiae of your design project, big and small, there is less room for major missteps. 

Doing It Myself

When it comes to my design projects, I very rarely actually "do" anything myself.  Understand, I do design the spaces.  I develop the ideas and concepts but as far as the labor, I usually leave that to the professionals.  On a couple of occasions, I've been asked to paint or re-upholster.  I usually decline as I'm not as skilled as a professional painter or upholsterer but on the rare instance that a close friend or family member asks, I have been known to say, "yes". The most recent instance of this resulted in me hauling out the Bernina and sewing.

Before you get any ideas, I am far from a professional seamstress.  Growing up my mom would show me a few things here and there, and in my later years, I've taken a few lessons but that's as far as my ability and knowledge extends.  The fact that I even have a sewing machine results from a random stroke of luck when I expressed to a former coworker that I wanted to take lessons and she volunteered to not only give me lessons but also give me her mom's old Bernina Sport 801.  Since those lessons, the Bernina has been sitting in my closet inactive until Tuesday of last week.

Tea and the Bernina Sport 801.
Photo my own.

I'm sure you're wondering how 4 years passed between obtaining a machine and actually pulling it out the closet last Tuesday, and if you're not wondering, then just amuse me and continue reading.  Back around the first of the year, I designed a small condo project.  The client (also my dear friend) bought some fabric for throw pillows and I committed to making the throw pillows myself, saying that I needed to throw my proverbial hat back in the sewing ring.  Fast forward 10 months later, the fabric was still sitting at the end of my bed staring at me and daring my unprofessional sewing hand to make throw pillows for the very professional interior I designed.  Now do you understand my reluctance?  I finally decided to bite the bullet and get on with my impending sewing failure.

Fabric
Photo my own.

Giving you my best "I know what I'm doing" pose.
Photo my own.

My sewing adventure took 2 days (about 4 hours of intermittent work) from start to completion, I've posted pics of the final product below. I've also posted a few pics of me doing other labor intensive stuff, you know, just for your amusement.

Finished products!
Photo my own.

A happy and coordinating client!
Photo my own.

Upholstering dining chairs.  Seen here cutting
new fabric using existing fabric as pattern.
Photo my own.

The fun part...using a staple gun!
Photo my own.

More fun...using the drill to anchor the seat
cushion to the chair frame.
Photo my own.

Finished product!
Photo my own.

Painting.  Ugh. Definitely not my favorite
DIY thing.
Photo my own.

Finished product!
Photo my own.