Artful Living: Talking Design Platforms

Jan. 5—I cannot believe that 2024 is at its end. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to one and all! I hope everyone lived well, loved and enjoyed time with friends and family. The end of each year seems to bring about a sense of optimism, renewal and resolutions. Oftentimes this can involve a desire to take stock and take a general look around at our surroundings. Recently, my friend, colleague and fellow interior designer, Steffany Hollingsworth of Pare Collective, and I met up for an adult libation and some discussion over professional musings. Among the topics discussed was the very common and culturally time-relevant desire we all have to see what’s out there, what’s available! We, collectively as consumers and lovers of the promise of beautiful and artful living spaces, absolutely relish in, specifically, Pinterest, Instagram and HGTV platforms.

As Steffany so succinctly puts it, “We can all be found spending hours on end spiraling down the indulgent rabbit hole of images and interiors’ ‘porn,’ wistfully seeking transportation, inspiration and motivation to elevate our work or our own surroundings beyond what we know and what we have immediate access to. It costs nothing, is so accessible and there are no calories!” I love it! And it is so true. I often find new resources that I did not know existed when I’m down this rabbit hole. So, how do we as a culture and consumers get the most out of these platforms?

Best Uses and Applications:

As we sipped and discussed how we use these platforms, Steffany and I both agreed that EXPOSURE seems to be the driving—and mesmerizing—force that keeps us all so enchanted. The vastness of information, possibility and wonder that these platforms put out expands our knowledge and awareness of the endless array of options the design world offers far and wide. We learn about new sources, latest trends, new applications, innovative materials and out-of-the-box solutions. Steffany suggests that it allows for finding new approaches to design situations that aren’t often seen, especially in our very specific region and typical vernacular; opening our world to the myriad options for furniture, lighting, coverings, etc. We both feel that these platforms, and others, are an excellent resource for finding one’s interior design INSPIRATION. For me, 2 a.m. is usually when I, sleepless and very far down this rabbit hole, often find tidbits that spark ideas and a flurry of scribbled bedside notes. I love it! Still, though it’s often super-inspirational, there is the inevitable “reality check.”

Checking Yourself:

So, hours of scrolling and the excitement of the possibilities can turn into the sobering moment of “OK, now what?” It is momentarily so blissful when we find THE perfect living spaces on these platforms. We design professionals love it when our clients can articulate their design style, wishes and wants/needs. We love pictures, color swatches, inspirational background. We love it even more when you can show us the “feeling” you want your interior spaces to emote and breathe. So, save those posts, share them with us. This is also, however, the time we start to ask the Reality Check questions. And, if you are DIY, this is the time to ask yourself these questions—before you go down the other rabbit hole of feverishly buying everything you see in a given post. Ask yourself things like: Does the aspirational look and feel of the space actually coincide with and support the reality of my lifestyle? Does the space you’re applying this new look to allow for the overall application of the inspirational room/space? Is the budget realistic and does it allow for the desired outcome? These are just some of the basic questions that should be pondered before executing the desired end goal of a space.

Execution:

So, execution. Where does one begin? We all, including seasoned design professionals, drool over spaces we see on these platforms. As design professionals, Steffany and I are very aware that the beautifully executed spaces we covet on these platforms are most often done by professional interior designers. (They are also—keep in mind—often additionally styled, “framed” and photographed by professionals.) Steffany points out that these images are almost always shown sans products on the bathroom counter, sans cooking appliances on the kitchen counter or sans children’s and/or pet’s accoutrements lying about. Likely, these spaces are a reflection of curation and collection over months, even years. Even more likely, these spaces have been edited to meet lifestyle reality or changing utilization of spaces. DIY is very possible and is very often successful. However, we both advise that there is introspection, fortitude and a level of commitment that comes with achieving these spaces. They are, and should be, ever changing and evolving. Trying to cookie-cutter or copy interior spaces in social platform images might lead to a missed opportunity of achieving your own personal pizazz and self-love we all should feel in our interior spaces. Relying on the assistance of design professionals for achievement of such results can often make this journey more successful. (And just a reminder that now is a great time to meet with your interior designer about meeting those late spring and summer results.)

I hope our champagne discussion gives you all some new ways of thinking about how to use these platforms. Steffany and I toast you all and wish upon you a very happy and fulfilled New Year.

Buffy Kline can be found at WGD Interiors in Santa Fe. She is an ASID Professional Member, an NCIDQ Certificate Holder. She is also a licensed interior designer in the state of New Mexico with over 25 years of experience. She has worked across the design and real estate development sectors, with high-end residential homes being her main focus. Client-centric design is at the heart and soul of what Buffy and her much-appreciated collaborating artisans, vendors and partners bring to the Santa Fe community. Contact her at: [email protected].