Space Planning is one of those tricky areas to design that some people struggle with.

Many people aren’t sure there are rules to follow in regards to placing furniture in a space and also so that it makes sense.

FIRST YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH A CENTER OF INTEREST...OR WHAT YOU HEAR A LOT AS THE FOCAL POINT.

First, you need to establish a center of interest... or what you hear a lot as the focal point. This can be the fireplace, a view out your window, a large piece of art. Whatever is the star of the show is in your room.

Your next thing to do is to figure out the flow of traffic into and through the room. Sketch up your room and make note which paths people typical take in your room. Do they cross through the room to go outside or to a bedroom? These obvious paths of travel will make it easier for you to figure out where to place furniture.

When you have figured out where you can fit your furniture in without placing an obstacle in the traffic path, your next goal will be to use scale and balance. You will balance the pieces of furniture in your room so not all the heavy pieces are on one side or grouped together. You want to balance heavy pieces with lighter pieces. You also don’t want to have a very large couch paired with a dinky side table or coffee table. Consider the sizes of the pieces and how they look next to each other.

IF YOU HAVE A LARGER ROOM WHERE IT CAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE, YOU SHOULD ARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE IN WAYS THAT THE AREAS OF THE ROOM ARE DEFINED.

You can have a conversation, a game, dining and reading area in separate and undisturbed areas.

Cutting out paper pieces to represent furniture and placing it on top of graph paper can be really helpful and a lot easier than lugging the actual furniture around the room till you find the best solution. Sketch the outlines of your room on the graph paper, including where the doors, windows, fireplaces, electrical outlets, etc. are. (TIP: When using graph paper, each square (1/4” square) is one foot/12 inches.) Then you make paper patterns of the furniture. Write the sizes of your furniture pieces on each piece of paper so you know what piece you are moving around.

Remember, there is a solution for every room that may not be evident right away, but if you continue to work for the solution, you’ll get it! Good Luck!

If you’re having a hard time with your space and you’re ready to take strategic action to create a one of a kind room, let’s talk! Drop me a line at michelle@ramakerinteriors.com

~Michelle

Home interior design shows are very popular today. With a whole channel devoted to the subject, you would like to think that the TV Interior Design Gods can do no wrong.

I’m really sorry to break the news to you. They aren’t always Gods to Interior Design and half the time they aren’t real designers. Shocker!

Drapery. Make sure you buy at least two times the width of the window. Two panels on a window is not going to cut it unless your window is very narrow. You want your drapery to look full, not like some sad teenage prom dress.

Walls. They have a knack for applying weird things to the walls or bad faux finishing. Oh, and be careful when you faux finish a wall. You really don’t want your family and friends making fun of you a year from now for sponge painting your wall in mauve and saying “The 80s called and want their walls back!”

Lighting. Don’t under light your space and make sure you layer the light. What I mean by that is, use different types of lighting, overhead, table lamps, floor lamps, task lighting and the so on. The rule of thumb is 100 watts per 50 square feet.

Flooring. Make sure you pick the right flooring for your space. You have to remember what the purpose of your room is first. Don’t have polished concrete floors in a kid’s room and don’t put some porous stone in your wet areas like a kitchen or bathroom.

Furniture. Building useless furniture is a common problem the TV Designers have. With their self imposed budget, they instantly think that they should make something out of MDF or plywood. You know, just like all that quality furniture you wish you could buy, but had enough sense to pass on.

Space. Oh, this is one of their sins they can’t stop. The just will not repent or give up on trying to stick too many pieces of furniture into one space. “Here is our living room and now you have two sofas, two chairs, three tables, 4 floor lamps and a partridge in a pear tree.” Yikes, people we need space. If you feel like you are in a movie theater and you’re crawling over people to move around, you got too much stuff. Edit it!

Slip covers. They love to slip cover junk. If it is a piece of junk, get rid of it. If your couch is old, not well built and you don’t really like it now, what makes the TV Designer think you will fall in love with it all over again because it looks like a elephant covered in a sheet?

The moral of my story is if you want to watch these design shows, remember these two things. TV Designers aren’t always good and do you think they would really put that decoupaged sofa in their house? 

Cheers!

~Michelle

THE KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF THE HOME AND A SPACE WHERE WE COOK AND ENJOY SNACKING WHILE CHATTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

The Kitchen is the most valuable room in the home. It is the space I spend the most of my time with clients discussing and designing. Ideally, your Kitchen renovation should earn a 70% return on investment when you sell your home. But, this depends on the features you choose.

HERE'S HOW I CAN HELP. LET'S CHAT ABOUT THE TOP 5 KITCHEN TRENDS FOR 2017 THAT YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY EMBRACE. 

1. MORE TECHNOLOGY

Technology is rapidly developing in the modern home and is taking center stage in your kitchen. 2017 will focus on appliances with integrated speakers with bluetooth functionality, color changing lights and pop up sockets for phone charging giving kitchens a modern twist. 

2. MONOCHROME TONES

I'm anticipating a rise in popularity of grey, black and white tones in the kitchen. Last year brought us a huge uptick in the use of grey. But, these three colors can work in varying degrees; whether its entire cabinets, surfaces, appliances or kitchen accessories - hello onyx black Kitchen Aid blender for a mere $699. 

3. QUALITY STORAGE SOLUTIONS

This is an ongoing struggle for my clients across the board. I prefer to hide all small appliances (toaster oven, coffee pots) in tall pantry cabinets with roll-out drawers. My favorite additional is deep drawers with smart dividers to keep everything organized and create that wow factor.

4. CLUTTER FREE COUNTERTOPS

My go to design trick to open up a small Kitchen and allow the cook to calmly prepare their food is adding a large, clear open surface.

5. MODERN PAINTED CABINETS

When it comes to a painted kitchen, the trend is moving away from chunky crown profiles and heavy door moldings. I'm designing a slimmer, thinner look with Shaker style doors and slab drawers. This helps the kitchen maintain classic proportions with a modern look & feel. 

Keep up to date with my inspiring ideas, latest looks and expert advice by signing up for your free workbook here.

Cheers!

Michelle

Welcome to "Behind the Scenes" where I pull back the curtain on my career, life and love of design. I've spent my entire life being impacted by interiors, from hotels, to restaurants, to traveling. I've always been inspired by the beauty around me, especially in nature. 

From a young age, I was always creative.I took an interest in residential design spending weekends at open houses with my parents. We would go from house to house taking in the interesting interiors and daydreaming about what it would be like to live there.  From then on, I believed that the power of an interior is a reflection of your soul and the souls who lived in those houses. 

THE NEXT STEPS

I decided I had to go to school for Interior Design and enjoyed it so much I graduated with honors. I loved learning and problem solving but was eager to start out on my own. Throughout the years I have had the chance to work in and with the best of the best Interior Architectural firms and builders throughout Chicago. 

WHEN YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO, THE SUCCESS COMES

I quickly began to realize that designing came easy to me because I decided to always design homes on my own terms. I began to reach clients outside of the firms and quickly realized others were obsessed with my design style as much as I was. It was then I decided to create something very unique to who I am, and Michelle Ramaker Interiors was born. 

To this day, I attribute that individuality to my success as an interior designer. Through my design work I have cultivated a unique process that changes lives and allows people to love their homes wholeheartedly. 

Let me help you design the home you have always dreamed of. 

Reach out to me and we will begin with a clear vision. 

I'd Love to hear from you

Cheers!

~Michelle

When your home is filled with clutter it can feel like an overwhelming mess. Stacks of paper and Tupperware on the Kitchen counter to kids toys about the Living Room. I get it. Tackling the mess is an ongoing struggle in my home.

Let’s discuss the struggle.

First things first, can we start with just 10 minutes? Baby steps are important here. Can you dedicate 10 minutes of your day to this task? I know you can, let’s do this together!

Take another 10 minutes tomorrow, and the next day, by the end of the week you might have a whole room organized. You’ll be well on your way to a zen lifestyle before you know it!

Let’s start in the Kitchen.

Clear off your counter. Your goal is to have as many clear flat spaces in your home as possible. Let’s remove all the paperwork, kids’ artwork, shopping bags, and laptops from the counter. Sure, you can keep your favorite appliance. Do you need the blender for your favorite after workout smoothie? Put it in the cabinet or pantry, somewhere close and easy to get. All other paperwork goes!

Honestly, I’m passionate about de-cluttering and would love to live a minimalist lifestyle.

I can’t help it! If you share my need to have an uncluttered home and don’t know where to start, reach out to me at michelle@ramakerinteriors.com and we can get this de-clutter party started. 

Hey guys! I get a lot of questions from clients about my favorite things...

So, I want to answer those questions right here and give you my GO-TO list of fabulous furniture, accessories, lighting and paint colors I cannot live without! Seriously.

1. Flickering Flameless Wax Candles - these are essential. I use them on fireplaces, in bookcases, & throughout bedrooms. In hard to reach places, I use a remote - super convenient! More importantly, I automatically set these babies to begin illumination at 5pm and turn off by 11pm, genius. 

2. Indoor/Outdoor Flat weave Area Rugs - not only are these easy to clean (you guys, throw them in your washing machine easy) but will also add a pop of color to your space without breaking the bank (on a rug!)

3. Paint Color: AC-31: Benjamin Moore's Hot Springs Stone - my FAVORITE soft neutral. It is a warm grey, that does not go purple, thank goodness. This paint is a perfect backdrop for your accessories and art.

Now, you too can find these online or at your local retailers, cheers!

Materials Marketing re-opened their gorgeous new showroom this week in Chicago's Fulton Market.  Of course, I'm always excited to see what they are working on, so I was thrilled to get a sneak peek tour of their new space!

And...Guess what? We are huge fans of their new glazed brick!

Brick has a long and storied history as both a decorative and durable surface. They have really captured functional durability and a rugged look with this bronze glaze. The modern, soothing color lifts the ever humble brick to a whole new level.

I'm looking forward to utilizing it in a sleek urban interior or on a warm inviting fireplace!

Ciao!

Michelle

A well lit room with the perfect mix of ambiance and task lighting can be gorgeous and overwhelming at the same time. But, we are here to make decorative lighting your new best friend! Oh, chandeliers. You and I must sit down and talk. Most people have a hard time sizing a fixture to fit a room perfectly. Makes complete sense!

Here are some general guidelines that should make the process of adding new and beautiful lighting to your space!

General Guidelines:

• Approximate Room Size: 10'x10' : use a 17"-20"W Chandelier

• Approximate Room Size: 12'x12' : use a 22"-27"W Chandelier

• Approximate Room Size: 14'x14': use a 24"-32"W Chandelier

There are so many great options to choose from, the task can be daunting. Well, listen here.  Follow these guidelines (not rules) and you will be "A" okay! when it comes to purchasing your new precious Dining Room chandelier. Oh, and make sure to select a fixture that is between 1/2 to 2/3 width of your table, it is always safer to go larger than smaller.

Ciao!

Michelle

September is a month of new beginnings. As fall begins to approach, there is a crispness in the air. Summer is wrapping up and it is a natural time for transition. Time to slow down and restore the body, mind and soul.  The Fall season brings with it the promise of cooler temperatures. Its rhythm reminds us that's its time to turn inside, ruminate and nourish ourselves. One way to accomplish this is to get some good old fashioned rest. Sleep is an essential component of good health and peace of mind. The quiet state gives us a chance to renew, refresh and restore ourselves.

As an Interior Designer, I love to make the bedroom a peaceful oasis for sleep and relaxation. The paint color should be soothing and envelop you. Window treatments should add softness and block light from the outside world. My favorite way to cover a window is with the Roman Shade. In a Master Bedroom, I always include a black out lining for extra coverage.

You can begin with a flat roman shade with its clean lines and modern look. Or, a relaxed roman shade offers softness to a rigid square window. The gentle curve on the bottom creates a casual, yet classy look.

If you are looking for a bit more pizazz, a hobbled roman shade is great. It has soft, horizontal folds of fabric that stay in place when your shade is in the down position, unlike the Flat Roman shade which present a flat surface when in the down position.

Get yourself back into the "Fresh Start" state of mind this Fall. Check out the types of Roman Shade window treatment coverings and add softness to your bedroom.

Ciao, everybody!

Michelle