KNOW THE PROBLEMS TO CREATE SOLUTIONS: MY APPROACH TO FURNISHING A SPACE
Some things I learnt from the books, but most of the tricks and tips I know today come from experience, mistakes, adjustments, and then there’s a lil something that’s just natural to me but that it took me years to translate into what I can call today ‘my creative process’.
I don’t know about you, but when I enter a room the first feel I get is the perception of the space.
Then my brain starts its own thing looking for problems to create the solutions: Is it too empty, too overwhelmed with colours and objects, unbalanced, weirdly shaped, too dark? etc.
I think this phase doesn’t take me more than 5 minutes, even if it’s a large room. My brain just does its thing, like it makes me breathing pretty much.
Then I sit down and go through what should be changed, often with the help of images and sometimes even moving things around.
This is me though, I need to move, feel and touch the things in the space because that helps me getting out what’s inside my head and also trying things and adjust my thoughts as I go.
I am talking about cosmetic renovations here, so no walls are going down or getting moved, we are just working with the space we have and make it look and feel great and one of a kind.
I gather all things loved from fashion to homewares and places visited also, and I love how - in the space of a few minutes - a short story comes to life.
That’s what I care to tell through the space.
On a more technical note, I also go through some key factor like room configuration, wall heights, lighting, item sizes, volumes and proportion.
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Then I start looking for things like where are the power points located, where are the windows, the doors and the passages.
I also like to look at the ceilings and check the perimeter they define as it helps finding the central point of the room and understanding where to place the big items.
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Ceiling heights in Perth are 2.6m average, but there are visual tricks that I’ve experimented over the years and that I love to put in place to make a lower room feel taller using verticality.
Full height cabinetry is a game changer, and so is using vertical patterns for wallpaper, tiles, cladding and other wall treatments.
You know I have a thing for lights - and side tables, but that’s another story -.
One blog post it’s just not going to do it, but it’s a start.
I always look at natural light first, window positions, skylights – absolute life givers and savers of many dark and tiny spaces – and then the minute after, I start thinking about where to place artificial lights whether it’s wall lights, floor or table lamps.
Keeping in mind the areas that have a purpose – reading, watching tv, activities – and which don’t, as this affects the type of lights to select.
Via &Tradition
Too many times clients come to me desperate because the piece they’ve ordered it’s not the right size and scale for the space, and returning these things can be stressful other than time consuming.
I typically measure 3 times: one is to know, the second is to confirm, and the third one is to sleep well and tight.
I always carry with me my very best friend laser tape. We share great adventures and it gives me much comfort.
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Living room design Giulia Nozzoli Design
A little while ago I’ve recorded a short video on Insta talking about heights and volumes and how they affect the feel of a space.
Our eyes need to travel, and it’s important that volumes are balanced and that larger, smaller, taller and lower items are well mixed.
I still remember how years ago, during Uni, we had an assignment of Photography where we studied all the principles, building our own camera with wood, lenses and everything – yes, you know the old machines? The ones with the black sheet that the photographer would use to hide under and take the shot? It was one of them exactly.
Then we would go develop the shots in the dark room with our own acids and everything, which was a lot of fun.
Sorry I got a bit carried away with that story, but the point is that just like the principle of a good photo where volumes have to be balanced within the frame to achieve a professional outcome, same goes for a space.
I always imagine it like a big photo, if you happen to take a picture even during the messiest moment of the day, it needs to feel balanced in volumes and heights.
A tall floor lamp and a lower side table next to it, squares and rounds, curves and straight lines in a consistent mix.
Finally, if I am working on a client’s home, I don’t like creating displays but spaces that are going to be well lived and where to feel comfortable, not scared every time you have a glass and a bite!
This involves a bit of material and product knowledge, and it’s definitely something that I learnt from the books. If you can’t hire a professional do a bit of research and ask suppliers. I work with trusted people who I know have heaps of knowledge and experience they love to share, but most importantly they work in the best interest of my clients.
Takes quite some time to develop those relationships but I will be forever grateful to them, and so will you.
G.