We are so in agreement with these design trends expected for 2020 as featured in the Wall Street Journal:

throwaway furniture is out and classic pieces are in, grey is out and color returns!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-top-6-interior-design-trends-for-2020-11577460357

New residents often move to Oak Park/River Forest because they appreciate the true architectural design and sound construction of the homes in the area. Once we settle into these homes, we are faced with the wonderful opportunity to decide to what extent we want to honor the architectural integrity of our home when designing our interior spaces, says Leeann Heininger, owner of Fringe Home Design.

As we approach design work for our clients, we believe the client’s intention or desire to reflect the home’s architectural style is an important first consideration. We’ve found that people tend to align into four different approaches on this subject:

Purists – These are the folks who want period antiques or seek out top-of-the line reproduction furniture that matches the architectural style of their home. They choose reproduction wall paper and rugs then accessorize with authentic pieces or collectibles. The purist will purchase a Prairie School or Victorian style home and dream of furnishing it in an authentic manner.

Respectfuls – People who want to respect the design, but have to meet the needs and costs of a modern lifestyle, usually filled with kids and active social lives. They prefer readily available furniture styles that complement the architectural style and are more likely to select contemporary color schemes and fabrics. They’ll keep a favorite piece of furniture that doesn’t quite fit the rest of the design approach, but they like it.

Value Focus – These folks follow the look but are not interested in the cost of pure design. They are happy enough with rugs, lighting and furniture from lower cost alternatives.

My Style – These creative souls have no desire to mirror the home’s design. They may choose a contemporary or eclectic interior design style for an older home, and are quite happy with it.

A first step in discerning your approach to the interior design of your home, is evaluating which of these avenues you prefer to take, adds Heininger. When it comes to honoring the home’s architectural style, there are several practical design tips everyone can use:

Play off of the architectural details found in your home when selecting furniture, fabrics and accessoriesDoorway arches an be reflected in various furniture pieces and also in the shape of artwork and mirrorsMolding detail and ironwork shapes can be repeated in fabrics and wall papersColors and ornamentation used in fireplaces design can be matched in fabrics and paint color. Many fireplaces in older homes are large and the focal point of the living room layout. Remember to choose artwork and accessories in the same size scale of your fireplace mantel.Detail in windows, especially the shapes and colors found in art glass windows, can be carried through in upholstery fabrics, paint colors and rugs.It’s especially important to make a great statement in the foyer of the home. A terrific console table or bench is essential along with dramatic accessories and artwork. Your entryway sets the tone for the entire house and defines your style for all guests.Dramatic stairways provide unique opportunities for special treatment of art, photo groups, small tables and benches on landings.

Many of these homes were not built with family rooms, and if they were, the rooms don’t easily accommodate today’s furniture size and entertainment requirements. Entertainment centers and even custom built bookcases and shelves are often necessary to place (and then hide) TVs and stereos.

Older homes have beautiful, traditional style windows which create a challenge when designing drapery treatments. Odd shapes and sizes, as well as, colorful art glass need creative solutions to accentuate them to their fullest potential. Pre-made drapery panels simply don’t do justice to these unique windows, which means the best solution is to have custom made treatments. Such treatments can represent a major percentage of your overall interior design investment as they require meticulous detail and expert craftsmanship.

Room sizes don’t easily accommodate today’s larger scale furniture. You’ll find yourself having to design around smaller spaces, radiators and unique window designs.Older homes most often have wood floors which require area rugs for rooms and hallways. Spend money for good quality wool rugs in main living areas, and buy changeable rugs for hallways and children’sbedrooms.Bedrooms in old homes are typically small and therefore don’t offer enough closet space to accommodate today’s wardrobes. Armoires and dresser storage pieces, along with clever storage ideas, help solve this problem.Original tile kitchens and bathrooms reflect the color tastes of the 20s, 30s and 40s, like lime green, yellow, peach and lavender. Heininger suggests showcasing and complementing the color (versus trying to avoid it) through paint colors, faux finishes, window treatment fabrics and art.Lighting plays an important role in highlighting your furnishings and artwork. Few rooms have ceiling light fixtures, which require more lamps or the installation of recessed lighting in the ceiling.

Whatever you do, don’t throw away those original light fixtures as the next homeowner may be a purist!!

In our first post on Accessorizing Your Home Part 1, we offered Fringe Home Design tips on different styles and locations of accessories in your home. Now let’s look at their placement.

Accessories, whether they include art, table top collectibles or candles, should be grouped together to achieve maximum impact. Groupings carry far greater impact than small items sprinkled throughout a room.

Those items with more detail look better when grouped together.Vary heights of the items for maximum impact.Group together different items in similar colors. Similarity in color brings uniformity to unrelated things.Arrange Items so that can be changed occasionally, rotated to different parts of the house over time, or be updated with seasonal/holiday items.Make accents eloquent. They should convey a sense of what and whom you love; where you’ve been and where you are going. Tell a story with your accessories and your home will always serve as a welcome refuge to guests and family. Place a terrific family picture in the midst of other memorable items to say this is my home, and I love it.

And finally, recognize when enough is enough. Learn to sit back and enjoy your creation!

A definition of accessorizing: the art of placing and arranging objects to enrich the style of a room, add personality, humor and most importantly, create visual interest.

Think of accessorizing as the final touches on a great interior design project, the icing on the cake, the jewelry that completes a great outfit. It’s the sparkle that finally gives a room WOW. Accessorizing is what turns ordinary into extraordinary and bland to beautiful.

At Fringe Home Design, we believe every life is uniquely designed and that is probably most relevant when it comes to accessorizing your home. Accessorizing includes the following design elements: color, lighting, artwork and wall hangings, occasional pieces, collectibles, accent pillows, rugs, artifacts, photos, candles, florals and even plants.

Everyone has preferences when it comes to accessorizing, but there are generally four different approaches which really define your attitude and style:

Formal – creates a sense of order, symmetrical, using classic forms and shapes, includes collectibles and mementos which covey a sense of heritage.

Casual – balance and proportion are important, gatherings are not usually symmetrical and often include nostalgia or whimsical items.

Contemporary – fewer items that convey sophistication. Items are chosen for form and not function; it’s all about the art they convey versus anything important personally. Not active use of symmetry.

Eclectic – anything goes. It’s what you love, but disparate objects play off of each other, in contrasting shapes, sizes, origins and textures.

So once you’ve decided on your approach, there are several key factors to consider.

First, there are three different levels of accessories:

Eye level - usually art, mirrors, wall decor

Mid Level - accent pillows, vases, collectibles and items that use color, texture and build on a theme and add interest

Floor level – occasional pieces, rugs that define the space, accessories which sit on the floor

Next, you want to play up focal points. These include:

– Mantels – make sure your accessories fit the scale of your fireplace and accent design style and colors found in the fireplace materials – Key table tops, such as dining room table, buffet, cocktail tables which should never be left empty – Play off of architectural fixtures or elements in your home. Repeat colors found in art glass and shapes of arches in furniture and artwork.

In our next post, we’ll provide some thoughts on how to group accessories. Stay tuned.

You’ve met with your Fringe interior designer, selected all the design elements for your new room and placed the order. What happens next?

Typically design projects take 8 to 10 weeks from order to installation. Why so long you ask?

Many elements of our design proposals are custom-ordered pieces that aren’t stocked and waiting in a warehouse for delivery. It could be that beautiful custom fabric we’re placing on a sofa, or a certain wood finish on the dining table. Often different elements are being shipped from different sources to the factory to be custom produced. Typically furniture companies run production lines for stock items and then schedule out certain weeks to produce custom orders like yours. We factor in this queuing process in our timeline.

Many items like lighting and rugs are usually stocked in factories and able to ship promptly. But even that has changed in the last couple years. We’re finding that since the last recession that décor companies are running much leaner than ever and producing inventory for “just in time” delivery. What should be a simple order sometimes requires more time to be filled by the factory.

Custom window treatments follow a similar extended design schedule. First, we arrange for a professional measure by the workman who will also be installing the actual treatment. Then all the different fabrics, hardware, lining and trim elements are ordered usually from different vendors and shipped to our drapery workroom. Once they have all arrived the treatment is queued for production by the talented seamstresses who sew all our custom treatments. Once we know the draperies are completed we’ll contact you to schedule installation by our work crew. Even the blinds we rep for Hunter Douglass are custom manufactured to the exact measurements of each of your windows.

Because of all these timing factors, we often sequence the ordering of pieces so that they arrive in our warehouse within the same week so that they can be delivered and installed at the same time, resulting in a total transformation of your room.

So design projects sometimes take longer than we desire, but walking into that newly transformed room that uniquely expresses your personal style – that’s worth the wait!

What does an interior designer do and how do we work with clients? This blog post will probably help newcomers to the design process understand what to expect.

An interior designer is professionally trained to create a functional and quality interior environment in your home. As designers we’ve been qualified through education in the field, licensed with the state and accredited by our industry association, and sharpened our skills with years (and years!) of experience. What services do we provide as designers?

consulting services to help determine project goals and objectivesgenerating ideas for the functional and aesthetic possibilities of the spacecreating illustrations and space plans to understand the proposed designdeveloping documents and specifications relative to interior spaces in compliance with applicable building and safety codesallocating, organizing and arranging a space to suit its functionselecting and specifying fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colorspurchasing products and fixturesdesigning and managing fabrication of custom furnishings and interior detailsdesigning lighting and specifyingmonitoring and managing construction and installation of design

Through experience and examination, a professional designer can identify, research and creatively resolve issues that result in a healthy, safe and comfortable physical environment that reflects your personal style.

Some designers spend years developing a specific style or look that they become known for. We’re well versed in all the styles and believe that your home needs to reflect you, not your designer. I want each of our clients to love their home, to have it be a rewarding and refreshing place you return to eagerly each day. It want it to reflect you: your style, your preferences, your personality.

Fringe is happy to provide all interested new design clients with a complimentary in-home consultation to discuss your needs and offer initial design considerations. Before contacting us we encourage you to think through the following questions to make that consultation as productive as possible. It is always helpful for couples to compare their desires and try to come to a consensus on the design direction before meeting with the designer.

For whom is the space being designed?

What activities will take place there?

What time of days will you most frequently use the space?

What is your time frame for completion? Any special family events coming up we should know about?

What is your budget? We often group the quality of furnishings into categories of good, better and best, reflecting both the quality of their production and the cost.

How do you want to spend your available budget; on items that are of good, better of the best in quality?

What image or style do you want to project?

I always ask clients to look through several “home” magazines and tear out photos of room designs they like. Or better yet, find them on line and email or post them for our reference.. Real-life situations are perhaps the easiest way for us to get our arms around the style you desire. Keep in mind the more information you provide upfront, the more successful your designer will be in meeting your needs and expectations.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. We’re here to lead you through the design process. In fact, our intent is to make the process enjoyable too!

We're delighted to have owner Leeann Heininger's interior design approach featured in Voyage Chicago magazine. Click here to read the entire story.

Leeann, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. I graduated from Purdue University’s design program. I originally spent 17 years in corporate design working for Northern Trust Company, designing high-end executive offices, new retail branches in Florida and California, and managing the bank’s art collection. After starting a family, I achieved a lifelong dream of opening my own home furnishings store and interior design studio in Oak Park. Our clients have included great families in Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale, Oak Brook and downtown Chicago. We’ve also designed several summer homes in Wisconsin and Michigan. Since 2008 Fringe Home Design has focused more on design services including design, draperies and décor.

I have had the great opportunity to work in many of the area’s architecturally significant homes, including those designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, George Maher and E.E. Roberts. I use a refreshing approachable style when working with my clients, so they can have a fun and enjoyable experience. I have the unique ability to interpret client‘s personalities and desires. The knowledge I gather from them is translated into tailored design that reflects their individual lifestyles.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you? Our is a referral business. Delighting clients so that they proudly how off their homes to friends and family who might have design needs of their own. We’re always encouraging clients, who have busy lives of their own, to share their endorsement of our work.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fringe Home Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others. Today, Fringe Home Design provides interior design, custom draperies and décor for clients in the Western Suburbs, downtown Chicago and summer homes in Wisconsin and Michigan. I’ve had the wonderful experience of working in many of the area’s architecturally significant homes, including those designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, George Maher and E.E. Roberts.

Wonderful interiors are about matching the many different choices in design and furnishings with a client’s dream of what they want their home to look and feel like. Rather than specializing in one design style I interpret what my clients desire and envision to create that beautiful home.

I use a refreshing approachable style when working with my clients, so they can have a fun and enjoyable experience. I have the unique ability to interpret client‘s personalities and desires. The knowledge I gather from them is translated into tailored design that reflects their individual lifestyles. What sets me apart – the ability to listen and work collaboratively with clients to help achieve their dreams. The design is not about me, it’s about pleasing and delighting the client.

y have bought a new home or a summer home which needs all new design.

While filled with many important decisions, the interior design process should be a fun and enjoyable experience for you. We’ll guide you through the many steps and commit to providing regular communications on our progress. A typical design process includes the following steps:

Initial In-Home Consultation – This complimentary visit to your home allows us to explain our services and how we work with clients, take an initial assessment of your design needs and offer some practical advice based upon our years of experience. We’ll prioritize your design needs, talk timeline and identify a budget for the project. At this point, you’ll sign on for Fringe design services.

Creative Design Stage – Based upon your needs and budget, we’ll assemble initial options and review them with you in your home or in our Oak Park studio to narrow the choices. We’ll work together to confirm the design direction in terms of styles and pieces and review an initial room layout space plan to confirm the appropriate scale of all recommendations. We’ll pull together fabric options, custom furniture options, wood finishes and drawings for you to review.

Design Sign Off – After one to two in-person presentations you should be in good shape to make final decisions on all elements of your design project. Pieces are selected and prices for each individual piece outlined against your approved budget. Once finalized, we’ll collect 50% deposit on the order.

wait time to keep your excitement high on your beautiful new room design.

Installation – Once items have arrived in our warehouse we’ll schedule a delivery/installation time and your interior designer will be on hand to put items in place, double checked for perfection, install draperies if ordered and complete any finishing touches. Balance due on the contract is collected at this time. Occasionally not all pieces have arrived at the warehouse in time and we’ll need to schedule a second delivery of any remaining pieces.

Lovin’ It Stage – Now it is time to love the home you’ve created and share it with your family and friends!

There are many advantages to working with an interior designer, Leeann Heininger, owner of Fringe Home Design interior design studio in Oak Park-River Forest, says these 10 easily come to mind:

If this sounds like what you need, give us a call today at 708.848.4046.