OUR BLOG
Linoleum is not Vinyl and Other Misconceptions
There's one finish that I adore, but when I suggest it, I see winces and looks of doubt. Linoleum. Linoleum is so often confused with vinyl sheet flooring, that no wonder people panic! But, did you know that linoleum is a natural product made of clay with a natural jute backing? Did you know that it is a healthy product, good for the environment, durable, and withstands spills and splashes? Did you know that because the color goes all the way through, when this product is scuffed and scratched, it is hard to notice.
Our Passion. Your Paradise.
Our tagline absolutely encompasses all of these things! OUR PASSION. So, I included the details of our passions on a newly updated "about" page on the site, and I thought I'd share a bit more with you about these passions and what makes me keep going even through the lows (and yes, there are plenty of lows in design).
SUSTAINABILITY. RELATIONSHIPS. QUALITY. LONGEVITY. ETHICS. PERSONALITY
Why White, Gray, and Bright is a Must in the PNW
Waldron Designs has been simply exploding! We have so much going on, particularly at the start of a new month, that we've decided to shift our monthly newsletter to go out mid-month instead of the start of each month, so that you can be prepared for all the excitement in advance.
First Friday
We hosted a fabulous First Friday for July with a great turnout and amazing artists. This is a wonderful event to attend if you are looking for that perfect piece for your home. I have to admit, I've found a few myself for my home! It's not too late to pop in and see the art currently in our space by Ken C. Judd and Michael Denslow. Ken's amazing sculptures and wall art are edgy, funky, and even a bit creepy sometimes, in the most wonderful way! Michael offers a unique approach to pottery and painting that I envision working in many types of spaces, but boy would I love to see his raw take in a super modern space!
Next month, we are thrilled to have Brian Fisher and Ilse Reimnitz featured in the space along with The Parlour Snakes as our musical entertainment! You won't want to miss this!!
PUBLISHED Design Firm!
That's right. Waldron Designs is soon to be featured in a coffee table book. Early ordering will be available soon, so if you'd like a copy, let us know and we can get one ordered for you. We have a 10-page spread in the book, featuring many of the projects seen on our website. Additional projects will be added to a digital version of the book which will be able to be embedded on our site. We will probably have a little book release soiree at our studio, and you will most definitely receive an invitation!
Street of Dreams
Would you ever want to live in a Street of Dreams home? Do you read design magazines? Ever notice that the homes in design magazines are not nearly as showy as the Street of Dreams homes? There is a reason for that. Street of Dreams homes are not designed for people, they are designed for product sales. I pride myself on designing homes for real people.
Terms to Understand Before Hiring a Home Designer
One of the first questions we ask is, "how involved would you like to be in your project?" Sometimes a direction is all that is needed to run with. Sometimes, measurements and plans are needed, then sourcing is done independently. Then, there's the "turnkey" project, meaning that we handle the design work from start to finish...
Why buy Designer Furnishings through the Trade?
Have you wondered why people would spend so much on designer furniture? Why not just buy retail?
<p>You should. No... I mean that. If you think that retail will serve your needs, by all means, shop retail! If you'd like design services for those retail products, I highly recommend using the in-house designers. They often offer services at no additional charge and they know their product. I can provide retail shopping suggestions, but this is not my specialty, and I think your money can be best spent elsewhere.
<p>Blown away by my response? I try to be as honest and transparent in how I work as I can be.
<p>So, now I'll tell you why you should shop "to-the-trade" merchandise....
To-may-to, To-mah-to
While many share the title, "Interior Designer", the profession varies extremely depending on who you talk to. Much like a podiatrist will help you with your feet, and an obstetrician will help you with.... not your feet, designers have many different areas of expertise. Be sure to do research and determine first, what you are looking for in a designer, then whether your local designer provides/specializes in the service you are seeking.
Don't Let Trends Define You
So, your neighbor just got a white kitchen, and there are white kitchens on Houzz. There are white kitchens in all the magazines. Therefore, you MUST have a white kitchen, right? Wrong. Now, don't get me wrong. I love a good white kitchen and am not here to bash them. However, it honestly breaks my heart to do one after another of the same design because people see it everywhere. Why do you hire a designer? To be unique. So that you can have a one of a kind, 100% YOU space. So, throw away the magazines. Stop looking at Pinterest (oh, how I love/hate Pinterest). And start looking at yourself, your experiences, what makes you happy.
Get the Spa Feeling at Home
Almost anyone who has ever visited a spa does not want the feeling to end. It's a place where we leave all our to-do's, our responsibilities, and burdens behind and focus entirely on the here and now.
We feel healthy, pampered, and able to leave the world behind for a time. Isn't this how our homes should be? We should arrive home and not let work even cross our minds. We are in our safe place, our oasis. This is our haven, our place of ultimate freedom and even more than a spa- personal expression!
Honesty & Integrity
One of the most important things to me; personally, as an entrepreneur, and interior designer, is honesty and integrity. I will never say that I don't have my slip ups and imperfections. In fact, the ability to take the blame for a poor decision or slip up is an important part of these qualities.
In design, honesty and integrity may be found in materiality, acknowledgment of the original design intent, construction/the way things are built, and regionalism.