I'M SORRY, I LEFT MY TEA LEAVES AT HOME

I was at a client’s home for the first time. She called wanting advice on window treatments. She had just purchased a beautiful new home and some new rugs as well as a few pieces of new furniture.

As I walked through the house, I started asking questions. Did she want the window treatments bring out the blue in the new rug? Did she prefer to accent the gold or highlight the cream? Was she the type of person who was easily bored and liked to change things out? I was trying to get to know her so I could help her make her home, her home.

Her answer to my questions was, “I have some ideas of what I want but I don’t want to influence you. You tell me what you think.”

I asked, “When do I move in?”

She was puzzled. She didn’t understand that although I can work magic with the elements of design, color, pattern, scale etc. But I don’t possess a crystal ball.

it's not me, it's you

The only way I can do my job, is with your help. I could design your whole house without a single comment from you, but then I would have to live there, because it would a reflection of who I am, not who you are!

I understand designing a space can be daunting. If everyone could do it, I would have to become an accountant or engineer (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

I do bring a special set of skills to the table. But predicting that yellow reminds you of the time you got sent to the principal’s office for tripping Becky on the playground and seeing that color painted on your kitchen walls every morning would make you want to curl up in a ball and disappear isn’t one of them.

When you work with me, I will ask questions. They are questions designed to influence me. They are questions designed to help me help you get the space that makes your heart sing.

every picture tells a story

Sometimes, the questions aren’t really questions at all. I may ask to see your Pintrest boards or your Ideabooks from Houzz. Even if you aren’t able to articulate what it is about the images that inspire you, I am able to take those inspirations and break them down into the components of great design.

So before you hire me, or any designer, do a little homework. Be thinking about what you want, what you like and how you want your space to function. What colors do you love? What colors make you cringe? Maybe you secretly long to live in Monica's apartment from Friends. Or maybe your dream room is filled with memories from your travels. Give me a jumping off point and I can do the rest! Or we can leap together!

click here to turn in your homework

Live Colorfully,

Leigh

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Artwork inspires a relaxing Airbnb In Woodinville WA

In my world, inspiration comes from everywhere; a piece of fabric, or a beautiful patterned rug. It comes from nature, the way the sun peaks out from the trees, creating lights and darks, the shadows contrast with the bright rays of sunlight that illuminate the trail ahead. Inspiration is the jumping off point for most of what I do. It’s a place to start, it points me in a direction that I can translate into a color palette, a textural story, even a space plan.