A NOTE FROM FOLK

We want you to have fun with this! Creating your space should be a creative outlet where you can express your personality and improve your day-to-day

A couple of things to note to get you started:

- Please follow the modules in order, as we are sharing our design process with you and this is the order that will get you feeling confident in your design

- Get comfortable and set up a quiet zone.

- Please do not share this content with anyone This license is for personal use only, meaning it cannot be distributed or sold commercially You may not reproduce, modify or redistribute this content for any purpose other than approved in these Terms, or distribute it to a third party for any such purpose without our written permission. Although we ’ re all about sharing knowledge at Folk, we also need to ensure we protect all of our hard work

- We have created this course in the hope that it appeals to most, however, there will be things that don't relate to your renovation You may want to still read through this module and write notes. It may be useful for you in the future!

Have a question for us? Email us at hello@folkstudiodesign com

Chapter 1

Mood Boards And Concept Creation

Every great design has a great story behind it. You have to remember that your home is an extension of you, so the story behind the design should somewhat mimic the way you live or the way you wish to live - what does this look like? Your lifestyle and occupation play a huge role in telling this story, however, so does the environment and the area in which you live.

Often an analysis is completed first, outlining the essential needs of the project It is from here that you will establish the parameters – defining the limitations and opportunities of the project brief. Of course, this project is your own so you may think that outlining a brief is silly, however, you are your own client and you still need a written brief to refer back to throughout the renovation

Let's get started - get your pen & paper ready!

How would you describe your lifestyle?

What does your ideal sanctuary feel like (note, we said "feel" not "look")?

What sounds do you hear from your home? e.g birds chirping or the sounds of a bustling city

How do you see yourself (and your family - if any) now?

How do you see yourself (and your family - if any) in the future?

What is your project's name? eg Smith St Home

Is there anything that currently gets in the way of you enjoying your home every day?

What would be nice to have, would make things easier, make you happier?

Is there something about your current home that you'd like to never (ever!) see again?

Write down words that describe the overall design aesthetic, look, and mood you are drawn to (you can write words like, ‘Scandi’, ‘Coastal’, ‘Modern’, etc ), as well as any thoughts you have about your reno. Reference colours, textures, and materials (warm, timber, natural, raw organic, etc.).

As designers, we live by the saying, "form follows function" and this is the basis of all good design. We have only done half our job if the space looks great but doesn't function for the client. You need to ask yourself the following: what is the story here (room by room)? How will I use the space now and in the future? Will each item in the space serve me well each day and make my life easier in some way? What brings me joy when I walk into a room that I love?

TASK: Research or go to a space that brings you joy Maybe this is your local coffee shop, an interior of a home you saw online, or your friend's home? Write down three things in these spaces that spark joy (don't be afraid to say "the comfortable seating or the warm lighting"). Remember, you simply don't love it just because it's pretty, there is a reason that this space evokes a certain feeling within you

Grab a pen & paper and write three things I love about this interior:

More?

Now write your brief:

Example:

"To create a family-friendly home that feels tranquil A home that provides a creative and sunlit sanctuary for our family to grow, play, wonder, create and expand. Through the use of durable and timeless materials, we want this home to withstand the test of time for future generations to enjoy "

Pasting images on a page may seem like a pointless exercise, but as designers, even when we have completed hundreds of projects we still start with a mood board This is the anchor for all projects You may think you have a particular look and feel in mind but nearly all the time, once you start mood boarding the look and feel evolves as you put all the imagery and materials together.

- Start by signing up for Canva - you only require the FREE version

- In the Canva search bar, type in "Moodboard" and choose a free template that suits your style, or start fresh with a blank page

Open Pinterest - if you don't have an account, sign up now.

- You can simply copy images from Pinterest and paste them into Canva

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that your mood board should display literal pieces you are including in your design A mood board should be a collection of pieces, some that you are including but mostly images that exude a mood, the mood you are wanting in your space. Think of the mood board like a recipe, you ' re not putting an image of the end result, but the ingredients to get to that end result. We like to add the following to our mood boards:

- A mix of materials i.e. timbers, tiles, colours

- 1-2 images of a reference interior (an interior that really captures your look)

- 1-2 images of actual pieces you are putting into your design

- 1-2 conceptual images that evoke a feeling i e water or a texture https://www youtube com/watch?v=QVWDeIfYOK4 HOW https://www youtube com/watch?v=VMXe5qhF-U0

You can make multiple mood boards for your project It's great to start with an 'overall' mood board, which is the overall feel of your whole home, and then create moodboards per room

Chapter 2

Part 1

WET AREAS / PART 1. KITCHENS

PART 2. BATHROOMS

PS. THIS IS A BIG CHAPTER BE PREPARED