CAREER SPECIALIZATION AND YOU.!

Are you a freshman in college? Are you a senior? If you are like me, you are in your last semester in school and now you are going through what I call "The Phase of Uncertainty." Are you trying to figure out where you want to go in Interior Design? From the Materials class to all the Design Studios, we have had our experiences of what we like and don't like. I have classmates/friends that say flat out NO to commercial design (LOL they'll see).

I am here to help you filter through the decision box and give you a few options of specializations in interior design. If you are a freshman, this list can get your mind flowing of what ID has to offer.

Residential Design: Residential deals with the private living spaces of others, single-family homes, also other types of private residences.

Commercial Design: Commercial deals with the design of public spaces, such as offices, hotels, hospital, restaurants, and so much more.
Commercial Design Specialties: 

• Facility Planning
• LEED Specialist 
• Professional Offices: Law, Advertising, Real Estate, Banks, Trading Centers
• Healthcare: Hospital, Nursing Homes, Veterinary Clinics, Dental Suites
• Hospitality and Recreation: Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Casinos, Amusement Park Facilities, Set Design(Movies/TV)
• Retail: Malls, Showrooms, Gift Shops in Hotels/Airports
• Education: College/Universities, Day Care Centers, Church and Other Religious Facilities 
• Transportation: Airports, Boats/Ships, Train Stations

Facility Planners are part of the facility management department, which is responsible for the physical plant, the building and systems. 

Lighting Designers continually learn about new products, science of lighting, and design application. 

Sustainable Designers focus on sustainable design, they help clients and developers of commercial buildings and home owners to focus on the environment through design. 

Journalism designers who love to write can find a position in journalism. They can write for a newspaper, magazine, or do a documentary. Why not serve as a design critic?

Professional Renderers clients and many designers continue to use renderings to relate the design concept. Are you skilled in perspectives, CAD, or even Roomstyler? You may be hired by a large firm or even become a freelance renderer.

Its so many roads that Interior Design offers. Research, experience, and you'll find what you love.

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS 2017: POWDERY PINK

If you seen my last blog post "MODERN BLUSH", you will see that this blush of pink is making a head way in 2017 as a trend color to follow. I attended the Americasmart market 2017 and saw many trends in interiors that we should look forward too. Of course, my favorite is this powdery pink 

According to The Lux Pad, "Earthy colours are set to become increasingly popular in 2017: powdery pink, terracotta, sand, ochre, cinnamon, rust, olive green."

Also, "They’re both warming and calming, and they look wonderful offset against neutrals. They’re incredibly versatile, too: you could start small by introducing a few earth-coloured ceramics, or go bolder and paint the walls."

This color is flirty, sweet, classy, and such a focal point when used in a room. Paired well with neutrals, this color can make a statement with any interior style. You have to agree, right? 

This sweet hue is moving through lines like: Bliss Studio, Moss Studio, and Handley Drive

Check out The Mart photos:

Olivia Chair

Lili Alessandra

Lili Alessandra

Handley Drive

 XoXo

Photo Credits: Dale Carithers 

#WOMANSMARCH

I Stand

I Support

I stand for my sisters of all races and culture

"A girl can do,what she wants to do."

MODERN BLUSH

Modern Blush: Target

OooOo that evil eye.... I believe that Target's logo is a hypnotizing eye that screams as you are walking in "Buy, Buy, Buy, and if you bought enough buy more" LOL. I have literally went to Target to buy two things and came out with SEVEN extra items; five home decor pieces and two from the discount section. I love Target.! They have the most awesome goodies, well thought out home decor collections, and great prices you can't beat. My favorite right now is their MODERN BLUSH DECOR COLLECTION BY THRESHOLD. Check it out:

1. TABLE LAMP
2. WALL ART
3. TALL CERAMIC VASE
4. SMALL CERAMIC VASE
5. FAUX FUR THROW PILLOW
6. GOLD LUMBAR PILLOW
7. ACCENT CHAIR

Here are my favorites:

Great minds think alike.! I LOVE Sherry Hart's blog, Design Indulgence and her post about "Black and White at Target"

XoXo

FINDING INSPIRATION

It's that time of the year again.! The holidays have passed and the new year is gearing up for school to start back. I went to school to buy my textbooks Tuesday ☹️(sad face) SIKE, I'm happy for school to start. Not only will I be graduating this semester but I actually love doing school projects and learning. I don't know about your school but at my college we have pretty major interior design projects. To help you out and to give you a head start, here are some tips on finding inspirations.

1. Check the latest fashion trends:
The latest fashion trends always make their way into our homes across the world. If it is the newest color trends, the hottest fur, or popular embellishments, we know that if it makes a hot outfit then it makes an even hotter room.

Vogue: Fashion Trends 2017

Style by D.Nicole

2. Stay updated on color trends and upcoming markets:
Major color institutions and paint companies announced their annual color of the year. Which can       help inspire you to design with the hottest color of the year. Check you calendar.! Interior Design       markets are coming up and it would be smart of you to take a look at the hottest trends and decor in     design. The icing on the cake would be if you can take part and go see the inspirations for yourself.

Pantone COTY

Sherwin-Williams COTY

Benjamin Moore COTY

PPG COTY

3. Go sight seeing in your city/town:
Have you ever walked around your city/town and seen the history in the buildings? What about the different faces you see? There is culture in every city and town. Atlanta has so many museums, tourist attractions, events, and parks that taking a weekend to go out is always inspiration for me. The High Museum has awesome exhibits that is kid friendly and you can go with friends, your significant other, or even your classmates. Take A LOT of photos and see how far your creativity goes.

Little Five Points in Atlanta, GA

4. Books/Art:
Inspiration sometimes can often run slow because you can not visualize a design. Pick up a photography book, magazine, or art book to get your juices flowing. Find an art piece that you love, let the color palette start you off and bounce off from there.

Art inspired mood board made by me

5. Nature:
I love the Fall Season.! The changing of the leaves, sunsets, and of course fall fashion. Get inspired by nature and all it has to offer. Go on a hike or during Spring Break go to a beach. Will the clear blue water inspire you to a coastal design? Will crisp white snow take you away to a hidden cabin in The Mountains?

5 THINGS (WE) INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS HEAR ALL THE TIME

Tell me if I am wrong but we interior design students don't get the credit we deserve and we are thrown under certain stereotypes about what we do and how we do it. Interior Design is a journey of designing a space through creativity and functionality. There is a difference between designing and decorating. Decorating is matching decor like rugs and pillows together. Designing is everything between from lighting, walls, electrical, and floor plans. With more communication and knowledge people will understand us ID Students better.

1. "OoOo you have a easy and creative career." 
Nope.! Think again, yes interior design is definitely a creative and fun career but it is not easy. I've gotten cut with blades and rulers(RULERS, who gets cut by rulers? Silly I know lol), all-nighters, pulling tons of fabric and to not use even one, and sitting at a computer for hours until it looks like your seeing double. Trying to perfect projects it's definitely time consuming.

2. "Do you watch HGTV? I love HGTV"
I love it too but HGTV give potential clients a false hope. No your space can not be decorated in a week. Most of the shows aren't about interior design, so sometimes people do not know the exact work that goes into designing a full space.

3. "Do you have to go to school for that?" 
Yes.! To work as an interior designer you need a degree from a accredited college/university. We don't just make things look colorful and pretty, We must know space planning, codes, science of lighting, textiles, just to name a few. We need to know all the ins and outs to design an entire new building.

4. "You have to come to my house.!" Or "Can you decorate my house/room for me?" 
This is the highest response I get when I tell people I major in ID. Hmmm I think to myself "Will you really hire me?" More than likely no. But I usually just go with the "of course, I got you."

5. "I don't need a designer, I can do DIY myself." 
Boy o boy.! I am all for a nice DIY project BUT some projects end up being a costly mistake that a designer could've done right the first time. Also, most people couldn't handle sitting at a drafting table sketching a floorplan or shopping for hours for a vision they can not even see. Yes, your house may be pretty, yes you may can go to Zgallerie and pick out nice decor but most people wouldn't want to put a design board together.

Interior design students often go unappreciated, but we work just as hard as any other majors and love to talk about our projects. So when the next time one of your friends, family member, or a stranger says one of these things, just simply reply with an education lesson...(a brief one of course lol)