Top Installation Tips

For an interior designer, a “design installation” is the day that it all goes down.  One thing that I learned quickly in this career is that your installation day can only go as smoothly as you prepare it to go.  Yes, there will be unforeseeable circumstances that will always have to be dealt with (delivery guy drops vase, neighbor’s dog sneaks in and tracks dirt on a custom area rug, electrician shorts the house) .  But for the most part, solid preparation and planned trouble shooting will ensure a successful day.

Here are my top installation tips that have been helpful to me:

1. Measure Up. Never deliver furniture unless they have been measured for entry.  Make sure that sectional sofa and extra wide dining table will fit through your entrance, that narrow hallway, or service elevator.  If you’re unsure, ask your movers to scope out the space beforehand.

2. Have Backup. Bring backup accessory options because sometimes you just don’t know what’s going to work (or accidentally break) until you see it in the space. Take a photo of the space before you leave to log what was left and I find it helpful to leave a price list with your client so they can easier decide what they’d like to keep.

3. Go-to Bag. Here’s a list of lifesavers that our entire design staff brings in an installation bag on every project: velvet pads, screw driver, feather duster, lint remover, touch up finish, stain remover, plastic wrap, booties, white gloves, scissors, protein bars, camera, light bulbs, art installation kit, phone charger, cash for tips, Endust, soft rags, tape, trash bags, measuring tape, extension cords, water spritzer, steamer.

4. Do not Disturb. Don’t let your clients watch the process – do the installation when they are out of town or send them to a spa for the day.  It’s always best anyway to let your client see the final and completed job.  Give them their  Tada moment they deserve.

5. White Glove. Hire a top notch delivery crew.  Sometimes saving money on delivery can really cause you more headaches down the line.  An experienced white glove crew that knows the drill is invaluable.

6. Plan It. Schedule your day out strategically so the electrician doesn’t arrive before the lighting does.  Carefully plan out the appointments of your day and allow yourself extra time at the end before your clients get home….you’ll need it.

7. Separate It. Separate your accessory bags by vendors to make any return memos easier for yourself the next day.

8. Must Eat. Figure out the lunch situation for you and your staff before everyone’s blood sugar drops to unhealthy levels.

9. This should be #1. Leave your heels at home.
January 28, 2010 | Tags: |

You’re so vain, I bet you think this desk is about you…

Office spaces, and more specifically desks, can be a challenge because there aren't a whole lot of designer options that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I typically custom design these type of items for my projects so I can hide items such as the printer and unsightly cords. The Modena Vanity Desk which was shipped to a high profile entertainment office in the Tribeca building in NYC is the newest addition to my custom furniture line.

As a general rule I prefer not to enter a room and walk right into the front view of a desk. The first thing a vistor sees should not be legs, trash cans, handbags, and other random items stashed under your desk.  I also don't like to have my back to the door (It's just creepy and I am Italian, after all).
But in certain cases, such as my Tribeca Installation where there were no other options other then a door facing desk, here are my top three tips to accommodate this positioning:
1. Make sure there is a sufficient modesty panel to hide what needs to be hidden.  So using a standard dining table as a desk may sound like a fun and convenient idea...but NO….MESSY!  Look for visually appealing designs to keep your focal point interesting.  A simple slab style panel can work but isn’t the most exciting look. 

 2. Consider other options other then a plain wood desk.  For the Modena design, I used a high lacquer body combined with faux-python upholstered details for the drawer fronts. Varying textures and finishes are great techniques to create interest. 

 3. Make sure it is serves it purpose. There are many technical things to keep in mind when putting a desk in the center of a room. All electronics and gadgets should be hidden. Outlets should be installed in the floor below so that all cords can run through a grommet hole in the desk top. There’s nothing less fun and less cost effective then having your floors done before installing the outlets.
January 23, 2010 |

Year of the Tiger

If you were born on any of these years (1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and  1998), this is your year!

The Chinese use the lunar calendar for celebratory events which includes the New Year. This falls somewhere between late January and early February. The cycle of twelve animal signs originates from Chinese tradition as a way of naming the years. The animals follow one another in an established order and are replicated every twelve years. The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig are the twelve animal signs. Every animal has particular characteristics and people born in a specific year are believed to take on these characteristics.

According to the Chinese Zodiac,  the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010  and ends on February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, and it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts.

Tigers are physically powerful, gracious, independent and brave, they are extremely bold animals. They are friendly and loving but can also selfish and short tempered. Tigers seek attention and power; frequently they are envious in a relation. Tigers live dangerously which often leads to trouble. They are intolerant, take risks and are always searching for excitement. Tigers are also instilled with a good dose of courage.



The Tiger has an overpowering attraction and is very kind and always takes on the character as protector. The Tiger flourishes by power and attention and takes advantage of all circumstances it gets itself into. The Tiger is a natural leader and loves to be the centre of attention. As a rebel it goes up against authority and speaks out about wrongs in society, and willingly puts up objections. Even if you don’t agree with the beliefs of the tiger you admire his way to protest.
Just as how their counterparts in the jungle are impulsive, so too are individuals born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger. When people think of tigers, it is their vigor and power that comes to mind first. But it has also been noted that tigers are known to share and are unselfish animals. The reason people admire the tiger is due to the fact that they are ferocious and domineering on the outside, but they are just as noble and distinguished on the inside. These are the same personality attributes that persons will have who are born in the Year of the Tiger.
People that are born in the Year of the Tiger are generally well liked because of their charismatic personalities. Often, failing at a given duty or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a deep sense of depression.A Tiger is always at their happiest when they endeavor to climb the ladder of success. Attaining the top spot is his foremost purpose; being in a position of power is her ultimate goal. They are quick learners, need to be challenged and often prefer to work alone. Some Tigers tend to change careers more frequently because they get bored quite easily. They are natural born leaders and perform at their best if working towards positions of power and influence. So once there is no further room for progression, they will often move on to something else.
Anyone that is born in the Year of the Tiger is usually straightforward and outgoing by nature. They will never give up no matter how aggravated they may become. But, they are also full of suspicion and at times will take hasty action. Never lose sight of the fact that Tigers are smart and instinctive.
People born in the Year of the Tiger always take pride in being different from others, and normally demonstrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are typically filled with exotic possessions. It is no surprise that one of the Tiger’s favorite gemstones is the cat’s eye, but tigers also love the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be very impulsive spenders because they know they can at all times make more.
The Year of the Tiger is the third year in the cycle of “Heavenly Branches”. Customarily, it is called “Yin”. Those born in the Year of the Tiger are compatible with the horse, dog, and dragons. The year 2010 is another Year of the Tiger. It is the ji-chou year. Jji is the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and yin is the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches and marks the Year of the Tiger.



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January 4, 2010 | Tags: , |