Photo © Larry Malvin / Stocklib.com An exposed-beam, wood paneled ceiling combine with high-end raised-panel cabinetry, granite surfaces, and restaurantquality stainless steel appliances to give this kitchen a theme that can be best described as “opulent country,” both upscale and invitingly warm.
I keep a Design Journal for all my projects. I used to use ginormous binders to organize all the information. Nowadays, though, I’m an electronic gal. I scan reference photos, swatches, magazine pages, and other sources of inspiration. I download photos from my digital camera, including shots I’ve taken in stores of displays, accents, fixtures, furniture, or anything else that seems like it might work in the space I’m designing. I even take photos at friends’ houses when I see something I like. I keep all the visuals in a computer file folder along with a document containing all my notes. It’s a great way to organize information, thoughts, and ideas about a decorating project. You might prefer a low-tech approach, and that’s totally fine. If you’re more comfortable with a physical journal, use an accordion file or a thick notebook with lots of pockets. Pick something that’s fairly easy to take with you when shopping. No matter what you use, the point is to have one single place where you organize all your thoughts and inspirations. Take it from me, one of the worst feelings in the world when you’re trying to create a dynamite room design is knowing that you’ve come across the perfect window treatments or light fixture in a magazine, but having no idea where you might have put the picture.
It’s always better to make a design decision before your wallet chooses for you. There’s one last thing you absolutely have to add to your journal: a budget. Though nobody likes budgeting, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a home design project go off the rails