designer

Maximalist Vs. Minimalist: A Conversation with Designer Kathy Anderson

Posted on by Jana Humpherys

There is no place like a home that functions for you on every level.  Does your current interior design reflect you and the way you want to live? Do you prefer simple lines and a monochromatic color scheme, following the minimalism trend? Or do you prefer something more bold, bright and colorful, leaning toward a maximalist approach?  Kathy Anderson, founder and principal designer of Eklektik Interiors, takes a very personal and customized approach to her designs.  She believes there is room for both minimalist and maximalist persuasions in a home, and she is a master at blending the lines between styles.

Minimalism:

“Great design can be lost with all of the ‘stuff’ we surround ourselves with,” Anderson explains.  Minimalism is focused on what is absolute in terms of need and function.  It simplifies your life and your home by eliminating the unnecessary visual noise and highlighting a few great pieces. “When a space is beautifully designed and curated,” Anderson says, “less can definitely be more.”

Her favorite part of incorporating minimalism:  Helping clients go thru their belongings and simplifying their lives by keeping only those items that really mean something. Thoughtful curation tells a meaningful story.

Her favorite space for minimalist design:  I prefer a minimalist approach in personal and intimate spaces. I think that is important because everyone needs a place to retreat to find solace and comfort from the hectic world that we live in.

Maximalism:

“Modern Maximalism is more about personalization than perfection,” says Anderson. Maximalism is comfortable and livable without being messy or random.  There is an art to it.  It is dramatic, colorful, and outside the box, but is not cluttered, garish, or overly done.  A lot of books, art, accessories, fabrics, and textures can be displayed with purpose and thought in a personalized style that is dramatic and fun. “That’s the great thing about design,” says Anderson. “Rules are made to be broken but with careful consideration. There can be a fine line between fabulous and frightful.”

Her favorite part of incorporating maximalism:  Solidifying the space with rich color for a dramatic background to pop the bright colors, textures, and collectibles.

Her favorite space for maximalist design:  Living spaces, a study, or a home bar are fun places to add color and showcase curated collections.  These spaces can function for gathering and spending time with family and friends, while also telling a client’s unique story.

The most important part of Anderson’s job is highlighting the function of a space and aligning it with the lifestyle of each client. “That is what I love about what I do,” says Anderson,  “every engagement is different because every client is different. They are each unique in how they live, what makes them tick, and what brings them joy.” Whether a client prefers a minimalist or maximalist approach or a combination of both, Anderson strives to satisfy each client’s needs so their homes enrich their lives.

Combining Livability and Luxury

Posted on by Emily Stinemetz

When you think about your home, its purpose goes beyond providing shelter for you and your loved ones. It is not just a place to eat and sleep. Your home should be your refuge, your safe place—a place to be completely you. At Eklektik Interiors we love to help you make your home livable AND luxurious, a true reflection of you. My favorite part of the design process is getting to know my clients personally in order to provide them with a space that is not only beautiful, but also functional for their lifestyle.

Functional Spaces

When designing a client’s home, I start the process by going into each room and asking the client how they would like to use the space. I’ll ask, “Do you entertain here? Do you and your kids hang out here? Do you watch TV and lounge here? Is this space for conversation and drinks?” Once I know how the space will be used, I can make it functional. If the room is for entertaining, we need a lot of seating. If it’s a space for young children to play, we use easy-to-clean fabrics and wipeable surfaces. When each room is designed with purpose, usability and ease of living increases.

Adding in Luxury

My motto is to live luxuriously, not based on a budget, but based on things that put a smile on your face. It’s all about how a space makes you feel that adds the luxury. When you walk into your living room, does your sofa make you want to stay there for hours? That’s luxury. On any budget you can find unique accessories, sculptures, and art that make a statement and add a luxurious feel to a room. Other elements that add luxury are added conveniences like heated floors, LED-lit closets, shoes carousels, and built in jewelry displays.

Space Planning

To make your home the ultimate combination of livable and luxurious, the floor plan is key. I love space planning, which is when I design the flow of the home based on how the client will use each room. For example, if a client comes to us with a blank slate, we get to design where all the rooms are located and how to transition from one room to another. Starting the design process from conception allows us to maximize each room’s function with the right amount of luxurious details that will bring a smile to your face for years to come.

Therapist or Designer?

Posted on by Stephanie Vaughan

On an average work day, I often act as a mediator, a marriage counselor, and a therapist.  What am I?  Your first guess is probably not “Interior Designer.” If you’ve never partnered with an interior designer on a project, then you might not know that these valuable skills are included with your design package. 

Maya Angelou said, “People will tell you who they are if you will just listen.”  I’ve definitely seen this in my work as a designer.  When meeting with a new client, a lot of intuition comes into play. I want to understand you and what your recent experiences are.  I listen very intently so I can know why you are hiring a designer.  I read your body language and emotion to really get to know you.  As I see how you respond to different things we talk about, I get to know your style and who you are.

Home construction and renovations are well known for the amount of stress and conflict they can cause.  With the availability and accessibility of so many home design elements on the internet, home owners are inundated with options, and they can drive themselves crazy trying to keep up with the best new thing. 

As a designer, I use my trained vision and expertise to help you focus and find the best products to meet your needs and make you happy.  Losing that focus by changing one simple element is like a tumbling house of cards.  The minute you make one change, the entire project can come crashing down because every selection is tied into another selection.  As your designer, I want to get to know you and help you define your style so that it is reflected in your surroundings.  It is my specialty to hone the style throughout the project so the design direction does not stray, which is usually where most people get frustrated. There are an endless supply of options out there to entice you and throw you off track.  I provide you with a specific amount of selections so that you can discover the best products that truly represent you and stay within the design plan we have created.

Once selections have been made, I am the mediator of the project.  I will be your voice and your advocate as I work closely and professionally with everyone involved.  I act as the go between, helping you understand the building process, which will reduce any possible conflict with the contractors.  As your designer and home renovation “therapist,” I want you to have the best experience possible.  So come put your feet up, relax, and let’s talk!

Going to Build or Remodel? Step #1: Hire a Designer

Posted on by Kathy Anderson

Have you ever hired a tour guide while on vacation to help you navigate and enjoy new terrain? A designer is like your tour guide for building or renovating your home. Hiring a good designer as your guide before you even begin construction will save you time, money, and stress. We can make a seemingly overwhelming journey smooth and enjoyable!

Save You Time

As a designer, my greatest desire is to guide you through the entire building or remodeling process so that your home is designed and customized to your lifestyle. You may think of an interior designer as the person that would help you decorate and furnish your home after construction is complete, but in order to start the building process, you need a design. An architect and builder focus on the structure itself, where a designer looks at the floor plan from a functional standpoint, helping each room live up to its maximum potential. We will help you achieve a truly cohesive design as we collaborate with you and your contractor. With your customized design plan in place, the construction process will be so much more efficient and effective.

Save You Money

A good designer will save you more money than what they will cost you. Before you go to a builder, everything from tile to cabinets to lighting should be selected. A lot of time and money can be wasted if you meet with a builder and don’t have selections made and a budget set. By having open and honest conversations about your budget with your designer beforehand, they can guide you to selections that stay within your budget, while also staying true to the things that are most important to you. Because you may not know how much it costs for every plumbing fixture and cabinet, a designer’s expertise can help you know which products to cut back on so that you can put your money into the extras that you’ve been dreaming about. The last thing you want to happen is to be in the middle of construction and realize that your loan amount isn’t enough. So many times clients realize too late that to get what they want they will have to go way over budget. Designers prevent this. If you’re working on a budget, you can’t afford not to hire a designer.

Save You Stress

Meeting with your designer and coming up with the perfect design for your home can be a very enjoyable process. In the initial meeting, we have you come with an idea book for your home. We want to learn about you and your lifestyle and what you want each room to achieve. We want you to be included in every part of the creative process. It makes so much sense to meet with a designer, make all of your selections, and come up with a cohesive design and a realistic budget before you find a builder. At this point in the process, we can provide you with a design package, or we can continue guiding you through finding the perfect builder and working with them to ensure they stay true to the design. We will educate you through the entire process, helping you make decisions along the way to achieve your desired outcome. We believe honesty is key. If we think that your budget isn’t enough to complete your entire project, we may suggest doing your home in stages or even postponing a project a few months until you have the needed amount. You can save yourself so much stress by doing things the right way instead of half way through the process realizing you’re in over your head.

We are here to help you turn your home into the perfect fit for you. We let you drive the creative process of adding in every design element so that your home is true to you. You are driving, and we are your tour guide, helping you discover your dream home while saving you time, money, and stress.