Ask the Experts: Creating an Oasis in Your Home
Ashley Lynn Evans, Interior Designer Consultant
March marks the first month of SPRING! This month, we are all about spring cleaning and getting your home fresh and clean. We asked the Quiet Moose Design Consultant, Ashley Lynn Evans our questions about how to create a beautiful space in your home. The Quiet Moose is both a furniture store and an interior design studio located in downtown Petoskey. They are passionate about working with their clients to translate their ideas into a reality. Check out their new location at 300 East Mitchell Street, in downtown Petoskey.
1) What types of colors/textures/scents can create a calming effect?
Here are a few of our tips for keeping a peaceful and calm environment in your house:
Choose colors, texture and aromas that give you that ‘oasis’ feel.
I find that blues, greens, greys and violets calm my senses and erase the harsh, bright lights of the day.
Wrapping up in chenille’s and velvets eases the mind and the look and feel of natural wood brings an earthy element that is grounding.
2) Where should someone's focus be at when they are looking to redesign a room?
Focus on the layout of the room, purpose of the room, and work on the foundation first. Find anchoring pieces first like furniture and accessories after.
What are some ways to update your space on a budget?
Sometimes budget creates a road block to your oasis… here are some easy ways to update your space with minimal pain in the wallet:
· swap out hardware
· change rugs/throw pillows
· refresh wall gallery
· add new accent pieces such as tables
· larger accessories, lamps
What are your top 3 design tips?
1. Make sure you properly measure your space.
Knowing measurements can help avoid throwing off the scale of the room, furniture that is too big will make it feel too cluttered. Furniture that is too small will make it feel empty.
2. Go for the style and trends that you love
It matters what you love, not necessarily what is in style at the time. Your home should be a reflection of who lives there, not what you see on TV and in magazines.
3. Figure out what you don't like.
Sometimes it is easier to know exactly what you don't like and avoid those options than vocalizing what it is that you do like. From there you can use the process of elimination to narrow down choices
How do I incorporate functional storage into my home?
A true oasis is free of clutter and maintains a real open feel. With that said, storage ottomans/coffee tables, storage beds, storage chests and more offer a way to use the larger elements in the room to be multi-functional and keep your feet – and mind – free of … stuff.
When is the right time to seek help from an interior designer regarding a project in your home?
Any stage in the remodel or build process is an adequate time for help. But, for the best advice with minimal “redo’s”, it’s best to involve an interior designer or specialist early in the process. An professional can save you so much time, effort and, in the long run, money.
What are some benefits of hiring an interiror designer?
Hiring an interior designer can help you tackle designing your home, because they have skills in budgeting and planning, they have access to a large availability of resources, and they have a trained eye.
The Quiet Moose says it best on their website:
“The Quiet Moose is a full-service Northern Michigan interior design firm and furniture store based in Petoskey, Michigan with projects ranging all over Northern Lower Pennisula and beyond. Our interior designers work closely with our clients on their design process; helping to develop their ideas, translating individual requirements and aspirations into beautiful interiors tailored to suit our client’s unique lifestyles. From conception to completion, The Quiet Moose is recognized for elegance, individuality and remarkable attention to detail throughout — from architectural space planning and materials, custom cabinetry, kitchen and bath design, lighting and furnishings to the last work of art and accessories.”
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.quietmoose.com/
Address: 300 E. Mitchell St. Petoskey, MI 49770
Email: info@quietmoose.com
Phone: (231) 348-5353