Liz Wilson

MY ADVICE:

• It’s better to create great storage for your surplus personal items in a garage rather than in an attic. Garages will usually be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Attics can reach temperatures of up to 160 degrees in summer months and is usually about the same temperature as the outside temperature in the winter.

• Most homes have 96” high ceilings while doors are usually 80” high. A great display space or additional storage can be created by mounting a 12” deep shelf, just above those door openings. Extend it wall-to-wall on one, two, three or all four walls.

• If you haven’t used or worn a garment in the last 18 months, donate it to your favorite charity or put it in a consignment shop to help defer the cost of your new custom closet. After all, it may not fit and it’s probably a little outdated anyway.

MY FAQ’s:

 “How do you first approach a space? In other words, what’s the first thing you think about when you first see a client’s closet space/storage problem?”

 “What is the biggest design obstacle you’ve overcome? i.e. awkwardly angled walls, electrical sockets in bizarre places, big collections in small spaces.”

It’s difficult to be objective about your own space. After all, you’ve been making do and working around your challenges – for years, perhaps! The biggest obstacle designers overcome is earning the client’s trust – helping the client to move forward and experience, first-hand, the amazing relief that comes once well-designed, custom storage is installed in their own homes & offices.

 “Since collaboration is such an integral part of the design process, how do you like to engage or connect with clients in order to help them realize their vision for a space?”

A picture is worth MORE than a thousand words. The very best way to collaborate with a client and get that perfect outcome is for the client to share photos of custom storage they like and some of the storage accessories they expect to incorporate into their design with their designer. Those hand-picked photos speak volumes.

 “How are you inspired by a home’s existing décor? Is there anything specific that you look for during an in-home consultation?”

 “What are some ways a custom designed home office can improve productivity? In other words, how does the right type of home office help people do business?”

Clients who work from a home office must work efficiently to be successful in their careers. Wasting time and energy is not on the daily agenda. A designer works closely with the client to discover and articulate every specific, work-related task which must be accomplished each day. Completing this process is fundamental to arriving at a final design which includes proper storage, adequate desk-top space and which identifies/includes all special components or features needed.

 “What are some modern organizational trends, or what’s a trend you’re looking for?”

Clutter is not cool. Clean lines and organization is the modus operandi. In short, design strategy today is trending towards minimalistic design approaches whereby “less is more” – a precept for Minimalistic design and architecture adopted around 1947 by architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Some might say it this way… “It’s the KISS principle.”