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Hurricane Relief Drive

Interiors by Steven G will be a drop-off location for donations of supplies to send to the Bahamas. The Bahamas really need our help as Hurricane Dorian has produced catastrophic destruction on the islands.

For more drop-off locations that may be local to your area, stop by:

BROWARD COUNTY
Salon 51 Oakland Park
51 NE 44th St, Oakland Park, FL 33334
(954) 776-5070

Interiors by Steven G will be a drop-off location for donations of supplies to send to the Bahamas. The Bahamas really need our help as Hurricane Dorian has produced catastrophic destruction on the islands. 

For more drop-off locations that may be local to your area, stop by:

BROWARD COUNTY
Salon 51 Oakland Park
51 NE 44th St, Oakland Park, FL 33334
(954) 776-5070

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Aventura Government Center
19200 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura, Fl 33180
(305) 932-5334

Wednesday Sept 4th – Saturday Sept 7th, 9am-6pm

Orangetheory Fitness Downtown Miami – Vizcayne
269 NE 2nd St, Miami, FL 33132

Wednesday Sept 5th-Saturday Sept 7th

Orangetheory Fitness Miami – Design District, FL
89 NE 38th St, Miami, FL 33137

Wednesday Sept 5th-Saturday Sept 7th

Merrick Manor Sales Gallery
4200 Laguna Street, Coral Gables, FL 33146
305-779-6870

The Astor Companies
21 Almeria Ave, Suite A, Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 858-6911

What is Hospitality Interior Design?

Interior design in hospitality centers primarily on service industries including hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, fitness clubs, lounges, spas, and country clubs, among others. The scope of work, budgets, and space planning can be quite complex, so maimi interior designers who work in hospitality take on quite a bit of responsibilities and must be very thoughtful with their design choices.

Hospitality is one of biggest industries in the world…and it’s also one of the most important branches of commercial design. In today’s post, I explore booming hospitality industry and reveal why interior design plays a central role in service-driven businesses.

Hospitality Interior Design

Commercial or hospitality designers have to elevate spaces with a specific style and mood in mind while also maximizing a space’s functionality for financial gain. When it comes to hospitality interiors, business comes first! Commercial interior designers in the hospitality field work in tandem with architects, contractors, and manufacturers to ensure all physical structures and architectural elements are aligned with the client’s vision and business requirements.

Hospitality Interior Designers

Fusing luxury with functionality

Hotels, spas, and other service ventures have some of the most beautiful and lavish interiors. A seasoned hospitality designer knows how to strike the balance between high-end luxury and top-notch functionality to create spaces that both business owners and customers will love. This is incredibly important for businesses looking to make a great first and lasting impression such as in hotel interior design where this balance plays a major role in customer experience.

Whether it’s an intimate lounge or a sophisticated Michelin Star restaurant, every hospitality enterprise needs a design to accommodate a specific amount of patrons if it wants to maximize earnings. However, service-driven businesses must also include certain features and amenities if they’re going to excite and inspire customers.

What Is Hospitality Interior Design

This is where a hospitality design firm comes in!

They are trained to conceptualize beautiful spaces that lend themselves to optimal customer service.

In restaurant interior design for example, a hospitality design consultant must: blueprint an industrial kitchen, prevent a restaurant from overcrowding, and select durable materials, all within a specific motif or style.

Defining Hospitality Interior Design

A hospitality designer is also responsible for helping business owners with:

  • Lighting
  • Window Placement
  • Floor and Ceiling Design
  • Smart Technology
  • All Other Architectural Details.

They then must develop an aesthetic that meets the needs of the business through fabrics, artwork, color schemes, furniture, wall and window treatments, high-end finishes, and accessories, and must also make sure each space is safe and up to code.

Can Property Listings Benefit from Interior Design?

Selling your home can be a long and complicated endeavor…but hiring an interior designer can actually make the process a whole lot easier. In truth, without the right interior design, a property could sit on the market for months with little to no showings. Today I reveal why interior design is essential when listing your home and how you could be incorporating it to increase property value while attracting potential buyers.

Space planning can make or break a home sale.

If you want to sell your home for top dollar, space planning makes all the difference. Would you want to purchase a home with a bizarre floor plan? Would you want to put down roots in a space that feels confined, dark, and outdated? Of course not! Smart interior design will make small houses appear larger, dark spaces become brighter, and old-fashioned features feel fresh and current.

Great interior design start with a great floorplan and proper space planning. To help those of you ‘sellers’ about to put your home on the market but might not know where to start your interior design plans here is a great example of what a floor plan with the right spacing could look like.

Whether it’s getting more creative with furniture placement and paint color or conceptualizing a complete remodel, having an interior designer on your side will help you and homebuyers realize the full potential and value of the home you are trying to sell.

Sometimes all it takes is one piece of furniture placed in the right location to tie a home room together and turn a house sitting on the market to a profitable investment.

Interior designers know how to add value to your home.

Seasoned interior designers know which styles, colors, furnishings, furniture pieces, finishes, appliances, amenities, and architectural details appeal most to homebuyers. They know how to elevate the beauty and aesthetics of a home and  increase the space’s functionality…and this usually leads to higher listing prices.

Interior designers also understand how to capture the original charm of an older home for buyers who are looking for history and character. Or they can also transform older interiors into modern ones for those who are solely interested in contemporary spaces. Interior designers have the expertise and experience to reimagine any space to suit the preferences and unique style of the potential buyers you are trying to attract with your listing.

Interior Design Property Listings

They also know which renovations will add more value to your home. Perhaps a full kitchen or bathroom remodel is needed to sell your home at a higher price tag, or maybe you just need a few simple cosmetic changes. Either way, an interior designer will help you make informed and affordable decisions to increase listing prices and more importantly your bottom line.

Knowing how to make smart interior design decisions can make all the difference in seeing a higher price tag on your listing. To learn more about how to figure out which design decisions would add the most value and gain some insight into the process an interior designer uses to make them; here are some helpful guidelines straight from a professional designer for you to enjoy.

Trendy Design vs. Timeless Design

When you’re ready to put your home on the market, you’ll want to strike a balance between timeless styles and what’s in vogue. People want homes with longevity, but they are also looking for something that is unique and special. Going too trendy can intimidate homebuyers, and boring design can be equally disheartening.

Here’s where the interior designer comes in! They have unparalleled insight into emerging – and fading – trends in home design. An expert interior designer can fuse the best elements from multiple styles into one, cohesive point of view. This will make your home look more expensive and appeal to a wider range of homebuyers.

Home Listings and Interior Design

Interior designers have the best connections.

Interior designers cultivate countless relationships throughout their careers. They have access to the best manufacturers, contractors, furniture designers, architects, and showrooms. Interior designers can obtain high-end furnishings and materials for you at lower costs.

Interior Design Benefits for Property Listings

Keep in mind before deciding on listing your home or putting a property on the market that an interior designer can leverage those relationships and his experience to help you create a high end space that attracts buyers but is still within your budget.

Here’s a great example of how they do it:

Big Commercial Interior Design Trends in 2017

Commercial design is one of the most important fields in the industry. In today’s post, I wanted to share some of the biggest trends in commercial interior design and give you some tips on how you can start integrating them into your office or business.

Creating A Sense of Community in the Workplace

The workplace has changed! People no longer work alone in their offices or at their desks. Today’s work culture is all about community…and so is commercial interior design! Commercial designers aim to create comfortable and inspiring spaces where people can congregate. How are they doing it?

  • Communal Office Tables – Commercial designers are bidding adieu to the traditional desk and chair, and are instead opting for longer, communal tables around the office. This design choice encourages collaboration and community building by creating an open and inclusive space. There are myriad of beautiful and affordable options out there suited for any business. Try incorporating some pieces with pops of color and patterns to add even more fun and whimsy to the office.

Commercial Design Trends

  • High-End Recreation – Community driven design isn’t only reserved for office spaces and corporations. Hotels, restaurants, bars, lounges, and everything in between are starting to conceptualize recreation spaces where customers, guests, and employees can unwind and recharge. This can be anything from small libraries and game rooms to break areas and sleeping quarters.
Mid-Century Modern Is On The Rise

Mid-century modern is one of the most celebrated and sought after styles…so it’s no surprise that this motif is a rising star in the commercial property interior design industry in miami. Here’s how to start fusing mid-century modern elements into your business:

  • Go Geometric – This style is famous for its simplicity, clean lines, asymmetrical angles, and geometric shapes and patterns. You can incorporate these elements in a multitude of ways, including area rugs, wall and window treatments, light fixtures, artwork, and of course, furniture. Speaking of furniture for commercial design…

Commercial Interior Design Trends

  • Use Mid-Century Modern Furniture Pieces – Mid-century modern furniture looks sophisticated and feels timeless; making it the perfect addition to the design of a commercial space. These pieces also work seamlessly with other styles if you want to mix things up! Mid-century modern furniture has minimal ornamentations, and comes in a variety of natural materials including wood, leather, and polished metals. This time period also celebrated industry and manufacturing, so pieces in plywood and molded plastics are also popular (and durable) choices for furniture in today’s commercial design.
Go Natural!

Fusing a bit of nature into your commercial designs will look beautiful, feel tranquil, and give your customers, guests, or employees that needed spark of positive energy.

  • Start Small – You don’t need to plant an entire garden in your office or business to feel closer to nature. You can start small with easy-to-manage plants and flowers. Succulents are a popular choice for commercial spaces because they are low-maintenance plants that grow in a variety of colors and shapes.
  • Go Big – If your budget allows for bolder commercial design choices, consider incorporating a show stopping wall feature in stacked stone or a cool water feature into your business design plans. Designing a commercial space with large windows, lots of natural light, and hardwood or bamboo flooring is another way to let the outside in.
  • Use Earth Tones – Painting and decorating in earth tones is one of the hottest trends in commercial design, and it’s another clever way to make an office or work space feel more natural and organic.

Commercial Design from Interiors by Steven G

Eco-Friendly Design

Conserving the planet is important to everyone…and commercial interior designers are doing their part! There has been an explosion of eco-friendly options in commercial real estate design in recent years. A lot of designers are starting to integrate recycled materials and furniture pieces into their concepts. Reclaimed or repurposed elements are also a prominent design trend for businesses because each piece possesses its own unique features.

What is Commercial Interior Design?

Commercial interior design plays a pivotal role in the success of any business…but what is it exactly? In today’s post, I reveal the ins and outs and the importance of commercial property interior design for businesses.

What is the difference between residential and commercial interior design?

While residential interior designers focus on homes, commercial interior designers conceptualize spaces for businesses. This would include hotels and lounges, restaurants and retail spaces, offices, banks, theaters, hospitals and examination rooms, libraries, schools, country clubs, spas, shopping malls, and everything in between.  

Is the distinction really that important? Yes! Homes and businesses have different design needs. Residential interior design is all about creating welcoming and livable spaces for homeowners, whereas commercial design seeks to increase functionality and elevate style for financial gain. Whether it’s a luxury hotel developer or a small business owner, it is up to the commercial interior designer to translate the client’s vision in ways that are practical, profitable, and of course, chic. Because the scope of work is much larger than residential projects, commercial interior designers in Miami usually take on more responsibilities.

Defining Commercial Interior_Design

What does a commercial interior designer actually do?

Commercial interior designers are trained to prioritize functionality and safety without sacrificing style or aesthetics. For example, a luxury hotel needs to accommodate a certain amount of guests if it wants to maximize profits. But in order to do so, the hotel has to impress guests with spacious rooms, lavish bathrooms, and breathtaking views. It should wow guests with its lobby, and make room for high-end amenities including spas, saunas, gyms, outdoor spaces, pools, and a restaurant and bar.

It falls on the commercial interior designer to make all of these requirements come together into one usable and beautiful space…and they are more than qualified to do so!

Commercial interior designers know how to space plan without surrendering design. They are also trained to ensure that everything within the physical structure is safe and up to code. They are heavily involved in the renovation and construction process, and work closely with contractors and manufacturers to make important structural decisions including architectural details, lighting, floor and ceiling design, window placement, and technological upgrades. Commercial interior designers also define the project’s scope of work, draw schematics and blueprints, select the right materials, and oversee budgeting and scheduling, along with other important duties.

Commercial Interior Design for Businesses

Once the construction phase is complete, the designer then transforms the physical structure into a living and breathing space in the decorating process. Commercial interior designers choose motifs and styles that suit the needs of the business, and then bring it to life with the right color schemes, furniture, fabrics, wall and window treatments, artwork, accessories, and finishes.

A talented and experienced commercial interior designer has the power to transform a failing business into a booming one. They thrive on fast-paced projects, can communicate the needs and visions of various businesses, and have the innate ability to conceptualize large spaces that everyone from clients to guests to customers will love.

 

Investor Interior Design Tips for Flipping Your First House

 
Whether you’re rehabbing an older home or simply making a few cosmetic changes, you’ll need to make smart (and cost-effective) decisions if you want to add the most value to your investment. In today’s post, I reveal some of the best interior design tips for flipping your first house as an investor.

Flip the House Not Your Style

The first thing you should do is check out the surrounding homes in the neighborhood. What kind of houses do you see? Are they contemporary or modern design? Mediterranean? Victorian? Having a comprehensive understanding of your neighborhood comps will help you gain insight into what homebuyers are looking for in that area. This will also help you manage your budget, plan for landscaping, and choose appropriate (and affordable) materials that will help add to the value of your investment.

That being said, your motif should celebrate the original style of the home you’re flipping. If you’re remodeling a traditional space, consider using more ornate elements such as crown molding, dark woods, built-in cabinetry, wood paneling, coffered ceilings, and jewel-toned accents. Larger furniture pieces in European silhouettes with paisley, floral, and striped upholsteries are also popular elements in traditional spaces.

Investor Interior Design Tips

Contemporary homes are famous for their open concepts, minimalism, and geometric forms. Eliminating walls, incorporating fewer (and smaller) furniture pieces, and adding simpler finishes are wise investments when renovating contemporary spaces and a great way to impress potential buyers.

Keep Buyers Happy With A Neutral Color Palette

You want your house flip to have personality, but you don’t want to turn off homebuyers with bold and distasteful design. Designing a space in neutral color palettes will make it feel warm and inviting. It will also give you myriad of decorating options to incorporate into your investment.  

You can infuse pops of color through artwork, photography, accessories, window treatments, and even plants. Incorporating a feature wall in wallpaper, accent colors, reclaimed wood, stack stone, or other materials is a fun way to add visual appeal and value to your first house flip.

Investing in New Flooring

Investors tend to underestimate the important role flooring plays in home design. Would you want to purchase a home with old, dirty carpeting or stained hardwoods? Of course not! Most flippers need to be prepared to spend time and money on new flooring. You’ll need to rid your home of old carpeting, linoleum, chipped and fading tiles, and other dilapidated flooring.

Expensive neighborhoods should have lavish flooring such as marble, high-end porcelain, or hardwoods, but there are a lot of affordable flooring options out there if you do the right research. For example, refurbishing hardwood floors is a much more affordable property investment option than purchasing new ones.

Having the same flooring throughout the home will make it seem larger, especially if the home is only one level. Some buyers prefer carpeting in the bedrooms, and some favor a more seamlessness transition from room to room. Again your neighborhood comps will help you choose the right style, color, and materials for your home.

Investing in Interior Design

Bathroom and Kitchen Remodels

Kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a house flip! Homebuyers will expect large kitchens and luxurious bathrooms with high-end upgrades. Check out this previous post for some great investor renovation ideas to learn how to create dream kitchens and bathrooms at affordable costs.

Avoid Cookie Cutter Renovation Options

Homebuyers want special houses. They want architectural details and furniture pieces that look and feel one-of-a-kind…even if they aren’t. If you can avoid buying mass-produced pieces that can be found in hundreds of homes, then do so. Nobody wants bland, common, and inexpensive elements in their homes! Instead try to find more unique pieces that will appeal to a broad range of homebuyers’ design preferences.

Hire an Interior Designer Before Selling

If you’re new to the house flipping game, then you should hire an interior designer to help your flip come to life. We make better renovation decisions than investors, and have exclusive resources that can help you see a higher return on your investment. Homebuyers are looking for perfection, and interior designers plan for everything from major renovation projects to the tiniest finishes. We can transform even the most neglected of spaces into dream homes that are easier to flip and buyers will love.

Interior Designers Vs. Interior Decorators: What’s the Difference?

Interior designers and interior decorators…is there a difference? Contrary to popular belief, these descriptions are not interchangeable. In today’s post I break down the real differences between interior designers and interior decorators.  

Training and certifications.

While there are several distinctions between interior designers and interior decorators, the most important one is training. Interior design requires formal training, as well as licensing and certification in most states. Interior decorators do not need to complete training because their work centers on aesthetics. Decorators are not involved in the design or renovation process because their role takes place after all architectural work has been finished.

Interior designers have more expertise.

Because designers complete more comprehensive training, they have far more expertise than decorators.

Interior designers study everything involved in both the design and decorating process. This includes space planning, architecture, drawing and blueprinting, lines, light, scale, color schemes, styles and motifs, building codes, furniture, fabrics, and everything in between. This encyclopedic knowledge and experience is what sets interior designers apart from everyone else in the industry. Designers also work hand in hand with architects, developers, and contractors. They can lead the charge in any structural work that needs to take place in the home.

Interior decorators are all about visuals. They can reinvent a room by helping homeowners with color palettes, wall and window treatments, furniture, lighting, fabrics, artwork, and accessories. Interior decorators are not proficient in actual design and architecture, and are not qualified to make any structural decisions.

Interior designers also have access to exclusive resources. Because their work is so extensive, home designers build important relationships with vendors, contractors, manufacturers, and showrooms. Interior decorators also cultivate relationships, but not to the extent of designers.

Why does the distinction matter?

While there are many talented interior decorators out there, you’ll need to hire an actual interior designer if you plan on making more than just cosmetic changes to your home. Interior designers possess the necessary skillsets to renovate a space from top to bottom. If you’re simply looking to give your home more of a quick touch-up, then an interior decorator may work for you. Interior designers are more expensive, but they have unparalleled expertise when it comes to creating functional and stunning spaces for homeowners.

Why Investors Need Interior Designers

Investors and house flippers need to hire professional interior designers in Miami if they want to see the biggest return on their investments. Having an interior designer in your corner will save you time and money, and will lead investors to bigger rewards. Today I reveal why!

Interior designers have the best resources.

Interior designers have exclusive access and connections to resources that investors simply don’t have. By cultivating longstanding relationships with showrooms, drapery and upholstery manufacturers, furniture designers, and contractors to name a few, interior designers have access to high-end furnishings at lower costs.

Designers make better renovation decisions.

Adding a bedroom and knocking down walls doesn’t necessarily mean your investment will sell at a higher price tag. Certified interior designers have unparalleled insight into what increases – and decreases – the value of a home. They know how to transform neglected and distressed properties into covetable spaces.   

Interior designers use their expertise to improve a home’s functionality and create beautiful spaces. They will tell you when it’s appropriate to take on major renovation projects such as demolishing walls, remodeling kitchens, and building additions. They can identify which architectural details and features will get you the biggest bang for your buck, and seasoned interior designers also know which styles, colors, appliances, and finishes appeal most to homebuyers.

They also take care of the nitty-gritty. Interior designers are meticulous with dimensions, specifications, timelines, and budgets. They know when and where to allocate funds, and they will save you time, money, and effort by taking care of these finer details. They also have a deep understanding of popular and outdated interior design trends that investors usually lack. (Nothing is more unattractive than an old-fashioned home!) 

Interior Designers and Real Estate Investments

Investors also tend to renovate properties with mass-produced furniture and decorations to cut costs. In truth, these “cookie cutter” options drive prices down. Interior designers have the knowhow to create spaces that feel both special and accessible at affordable costs.

Investors think for themselves. Interior designers think for the homebuyer.

Investors tend to decorate homes that match their personal tastes. They are also so focused on keeping costs down, that they fail to think about the big picture – the homeowner! All roads lead to the homeowner! A temporary property for an investor can be a “forever” home for a buyer, so they need to make design decisions that look and feel personal, timeless, and of course, expensive.

Enter the interior designer! They always design spaces with the homebuyer in mind. Interior designers know which styles, ornamentation, furniture pieces, and amenities homebuyers are looking for. Designers are more thoughtful with room flow and furniture placement, artwork, accessories, and other design elements than investors. They know how to make your property stand out from your competition while also appealing to a diverse group of homebuyers.

It all comes down to this: having an interior designer as part of the renovation process will lead to beautiful homes with excellent functionality…and this means bigger payoffs for investors.

What is Transitional Design?

Transitional interior design is a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles. It borrows from the best of both worlds to create a balanced and sophisticated space attuned to your needs, tastes and lifestyle.

If you swoon over the classic shapes and silhouettes of traditional design, but just can’t get enough of the minimalism and open concepts of contemporary, then transitional style is for you! Today I’m sharing the characteristics that define transitional design so you can start incorporating them into your home décor.

Neutral Colors
Similar to contemporary design, transitional spaces tend to have neutral color palettes. Designing a home in shades of tan, beige, taupe, ivory and grey will make the space feel peaceful and comfortable. Neutral wall colors also serve as the perfect backdrop for your furniture, accent and statement pieces, and artwork.

Refined Furnishings
Furnishings are a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Transitional furniture pieces tend to have more classic shapes and silhouettes, but are smaller in size with less ornamentation. (You might even find a few antiques!) You can play around with patterns and accent colors in your upholstery, wall treatments, and accessories. Have fun!

1stflr-livingvertical-a-1_new

Simple Lines
Similar to its contemporary counterparts, transitional style home design celebrates clean lines and simple architecture. This style has a wonderful mix of straight and rounded profiles to achieve a balance of feminine and masculine design elements.

Natural Elements
Touches of natural elements will make any space feel warmer and more welcoming…and this style is all about serenity!

Accents of rich woods are a prominent defining characteristic in transitional design to complement the neutral color schemes and add more visual interest. Borrowing from traditional design, transitional spaces often have built-in cabinetry. Wood paneling can also be found in this style as a wall or ceiling feature. Again, hints of wood add even more warmth to the room. This style also incorporates stone, granite and marble, as these materials work beautifully with both contemporary and traditional features.

Neutral Floors
Neutral colors aren’t just limited to the walls! Light hardwood floors and tiles are popular choices in transitional décor. Just like in traditional rooms, rugs are used in this style to make the home that much cozier. This gives you the opportunity to have fun with shapes, patterns and textures!

Minimalism
Transitional spaces take a more minimalist approach when it comes to decorating. You’ll find simpler ornamentation, fewer accessories, and elegant finishes.

Understated Sophistication
With its simple lines, refined furnishings, and neutral color palettes, transitional design could be defined as the epitome of understated sophistication. It’s no wonder this style has become a Miami favorite – it takes the best elements from both contemporary and traditional design to create a warm, elegant, and timeless space.

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