“Great lighting. From the early stages, we tell clients how we are going to handle the lighting. Bad lighting can bring the whole room and its wonderful design down! Lighting should be from different sources at different levels. Ceiling lights, floor lamps, wall sconces, candles, etc… All cohesive to bring decorative and task lighting into a space. This is a new project we are working on and the rendering to the client.”—Kerry Delrose, interior designer
“Dimmers, dimmers, dimmers. I cannot emphasize enough how lighting effects a space—for better and, all too often, for worse. Having a variety of overhead fixtures, sconces and table or floor lamps dimmed to an appropriate low level will transform a room. The eye-candy dimmers at Forbes and Lomax are my go-to for my clients.”—Robert Passal, interior designer
“I think it is important to have a small pull-up stool or two—such as my Napolean stools for Chaddock—to make your seating groups and easily accommodate another person or two into a conversation. I have the original vintage pieces in my own collection.”—Mary McDonald, interior designer
“A lively guest.”—Darryl Carter, interior designer
“There is no substitute for a great collection of art! It is the most personal part of any room, and we are always pleased when clients have things that we can use as dramatic counterpoints to our interior furnishings. In this project, this Jeff Nares artwork was the piece around which we designed everything in the hallway and staircase area, including a custom carpet and Venetian plaster walls.”—Brittany Bromley, interior designer
“I think every room should have at least one piece of furniture that’s made by hand. I’m a big cheerleader of handcrafted furnishings, not just for the beauty and artistry but the soul it brings to the space.”—Brad Ford, interior designer and owner and principal of Fair Design and Field + Supply
