The Impact of Intentional Design

Have you ever wanted to update a space, but didn’t even know where to begin? Interior designer, Cynthia Vallance, encounters many clients in this predicament. With her guidance and expertise, she helps them transform a disjointed or bland space into one that radiates the desired ambiance. Read on for transformation tales.

Guest Author: Cynthia Vallance, Founder, Cynthia Vallance Design

Our clients didn’t have an exact vision of what they wanted or how to get there, so we started the process by asking for a few words to describe what they wanted to experience when they returned home after a long day at the office. The response was “cozy, and relaxing with a jewel toned color palette.” With that, it was time to get to work.

The project goal was two-fold. We knew that the space was only temporary (two year job relocation), but it needed to address the “feel at home” mentality. In order to achieve a cohesive, timeless and thoughtful space, we follow three simple principles:

Splurge and invest in things you love - whether that means a piece of fabric, furniture or artwork it will be things you see everyday. So make the investment on them and do it right the first time!
In this space, the splurges were the drapery and leather sofa. This is where the cozy and relaxing would take place, so by investing in designer fabric and quality furniture, we knew it would “last” and be appreciated over time. It could also be repurposed in a new space too! In the end, it was a confident decision with no regrets.
Incorporate additional layers of interest such as: color, pattern, texture, scale.
To satisfy this principle, we applied a different paint color on one wall to showcase the curated pieces of artwork. Texture stems from the area rug ,which resembles small pebbles in a subtle way. Scale to offset the small pebble rug was through the graphical lines in the drapery.
Work with what you have.
While this space didn’t have existing furniture, a good way to tackle a space is to take inventory of what pieces are worth saving and how to work that into the new interior design. Pieces that have good bones can often be given new life through re-upholstery and refinished with either fabric, new hardware, paint - or all of the above! Typically these existing pieces offer a fantastic jumping off point in creating a new interior for the space.

Another way to add interest and color on a less commitment level are soft furnishings. Whether that’s accent pillows, throw blankets, or even a custom lamp shade in a pattern that pulls the room together - it’s another approach to make a space feel finished and welcoming.

Designing a space, for some, is a daunting task. There are so may outlets such as Pinterest, Instagram to either inspire or deter you from moving forward. There are so many decisions, so many ideas and so many details to pay attention to. However, if you limit yourself to a few inspirational photos and use these principles as a guide, you’ll have the confidence you need to make smart design decisions that transcend time.

About the author:

Cynthia Vallance is the founder of Cynthia Vallance Design, a full-service interior design studio with projects focusing on new builds, renovations and decorating whole spaces. They work with architects and builders to develop spaces that are flexible, functional while incorporating custom solutions and curating pieces for a timeless results.

To learn more and to see their past projects, please visit: www.clvdesign.com