Page 55 - Lighting Magazine October 2019

Jason Clifton added. “If we’re able to get down to the details, we can make sure the design is more everlasting. We want to be sure we are analyzing the space correctly.”
For Lester, having good flow between the out- doors and indoors is important. “We’re on the California coast [with warm weather year-round],” she explained. “We want to know how you are go- ing to use the barbecue area. Is the door in the right spot for easy access? Are you planning on carrying food from the patio up to a second-floor deck?”
Ramso, who is known for designing children’s spaces, remarked, “I don’t just create for children, but for the whole family to enjoy that space.”
notHInG Is off LImIts
Budget is always a concern, and often compro- mises need to be made. “Sustainable products were very hot a few years ago, until people real- ized how much more expensive they are,” Lester said. “To make it more affordable, we pick and choose [elements] instead of doing a whole house [in sustainable].”
Ramso concurred, stating, “With sustainable design, I feel it’s like organic food. It’s more expen- sive, but [using] a little can go a long way if you can’t do it all.”
“As interior designers, it’s our duty to practice in a more sustainable fashion,” remarked Bauer, who pointed out that the Sustainable Furnishings Council has a handy list of manufacturers that can make sourcing sustainable goods easier.
In order to afford those more expensive items for a project, Bauer and Clifton have stayed within budget by utilizing a lot of what is in the home already. “In Alaska, we have a lot of remote cabins and second/vacation homes. Maybe those [properties] don’t need new appliances; you can repurpose some things [and then be able to add in the sustainable items],” they said.
Having nice furnishings does not have to wait until the children are adults either. “It’s about us- ing fabrics that are family-friendly, like Sunbrella® outdoor performance fabrics, which are scrub- bable,” Lester commented. Designing for families could also mean using ottomans that could double as a coffee table or that provide hidden storage.
“You can have nice things and have children,” Lester said. “You can have a white sofa — you just have to educate your clients.”
fLexIbILIty Is Key
Designing interiors for a family should allow for change. “It’s different than when you’re just de- signing for a couple,” Clifton noted. With growing children, a dining room might become a bedroom and a playroom for kids could transform into a craft room for teens.
“We’ve noticed a trend of multi-generational families,” Clifton said. “There’s been an evolution of the traditional mother-in-law suite or, in some cases, the residents are aging and need space for a caretaker.”
“One piece of furniture might have more than one function as kids grow,” Ramso stated. “We define ‘kids’ as being under 12 years old. We treat them as grownups, even though their parents are paying for the design. I bring the kids into the discussion as part of the process. Design- ing for children is all about space planning and organization.”
“It’s about finding out what the organizational needs of the family are, regardless of whether
“I don’t just create for children, but for the whole family to enjoy that space.”
– Jannicke Ramso
retail spotlight
Jannicke Ramso of Tiny Little Pads
october 2019 | enLIGHTenment Magazine 53