Sarah St.Amand Interior Design

Lighting can make a huge difference to the look of a home. It is such an important part to the planning phase and not something that is left to the end. Whether you’re simply renovating a zone of your home, undertaking a new build, or even a larger project, a lighting plan (also called a reflected ceiling plan in the design biz) details what types of lights and how many you will have in each zone. In our first phase of our process which is our design and development phase, w...e work from our floor plan and furniture plan to specify what lighting would be placed where. We consider functional lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. We select and locate pendant lights, decorative wall lights, track lighting, up lights, wall washers, table and floor lamps along with all lighting surfaces like walls and the ceiling. A well planned home and lighting plan can have a profound effect on the look and feel of your home and a part of the process that needs to be determined during the construction phase. There’s more to lighting than just an over lit boring layout with just pot lights so if you want your home to have visual interest the way your home is lit is an integral part to interior design. . . #luxury #luxuryliving #interiordesign #oakvilledesigner #torontodesigner#ancasterdesigner#luxeliving#newconstructionhomes #renovations#remodel#lightingdesign #lightingiseverything

One of the most difficult questions that we get asked as Designers is what should I expect to spend? That can be a loaded question because there are so many variables. Without drawing floor plans to determine the furniture layout, elevations of millwork to determine storage solutions, it can be a very difficult question to answer. For example, if we were to design a living room, we would have to plan it out to determine the number of furniture pieces required to make the bes...t seating arrangement. Sometimes a sectional is best, while other times two sofas and two chairs is the best layout. A 10x14 area carpet may be needed or an 8x10. There’s also a variety of options available and at different price points. Some furnishings may be what we call stock items where there is no customization, while others are custom depending on the requirements. So when a client isn’t sure or is jaded by an unrealistic budget on a TV renovation show (where there often isn’t the involvement of a designer and their fees) we do a small exercise... As a benchmark, I encourage homeowners to choose a favourite medium to high end furniture store and start to add items to their cart, keeping in mind every single item needed to fully furnish a room from furniture, to drapery, lamps and casegoods, right down to the accessories. It doesn’t take long for those costs to add up. In order to achieve the look they’re wanting or they see in magazines and on designer websites, it’s important to understand the costs involved not only for the services of a professional, for their knowledge and expertise, but for the merchandise as well. If you’re thinking of updating your home I encourage you to try this exercise as it may help you to determine the budget that’s right for you. . . #luxury #luxuryliving #interiordesign #designinspiration #designer#decor#designstyle#loveyourhome See more

Sometimes the hardest part to taking the step toward your dream home is making the call. It’s the step that can help you turn your wish list into reality! I guarantee when you make the call, you’ll be delighted by the energy and excitement as you are greeted by Amy the SSID project manager. Amy will give you the info you need to learn how the SSID team can help make your dream home a reality as you sit back and watch as your dream unfolds. Don’t be a stranger give us a ring!! . . #phone#fullservicedesign#torontodesigner #oakvilledesigner#designanywhere #interiordesigner #designinspo#livableluxury #luxuryliving#luxeathome #designintervention #wecanhelp#dreamhome

Everyone loves a good BEFORE and AFTER and this one sure is a huge transformation. If you’ve been following my feed for awhile, I’ve been capturing the renovation of our #projecthenderson as it unfolded. It definitely took months of planning before the demolition began and it’s definitely worth it to have your ducks in a row before your contractor puts the bin in your driveway. Having the plans in place will save your contractor and you a whole lot of headaches. That’s whe...n hiring a design firm can be the best money you can spend so we can work with trades to make the best decisions on your behalf. There are questions along the way that often need immediate answers and unexpected discoveries that need a solution. There’s always going to be stress and obstacles that arise in any renovation, so if you think it’s going to be a walk in the park think again!! That’s why a team of professionals who are on a team to work together is so important. There’s nothing worse than making a hasty decision for something that can’t be easily changed. I often relate the process to a visit to the dentist. If you’re there for a procedure you are putting your trust in the dentist and assistants to do their job because they’re the professionals. The process of interior design and renovating is no different. You have to trust your team just like you trust an expert in any other profession. Anything worthwhile takes time and when it involves a large investment, being in a hurry will be a hindrance to the process. What I’ve learned over my many years in the Interior Design business and in life in general, is to choose my battles, take my time. I now recognize what may seem like forever at the time, in the grand scheme of life you’ll look back and be thankful that you took the extra time to be patient so the end result will be exactly the way you want it! Everyone seems to be in a hurry these days but what I have learned is to stop to breathe and put things into perspective because after all, life is too short to get your knickers in a twist especially when it comes to a renovation where the end result will bring you joy! . . #luxury #luxuryliving #customhomes #oakvilledesign

Humanity is spending more and more time indoors, which directly impacts our well-being and health. In times like these with the current pandemic, we gain a sense of how important interior spaces are for our well-being. Designing an indoor environment is a huge responsibility for a professional. An interior designer must plan, research, coordinate, and manage these projects to achieve a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment for the people who use the space. Not infre...quently, interior design is confused with decoration - a misconception that comes loaded with a number of misunderstandings. The choice of coverings, colours, and finishes is, in fact, one important aspect of interior design. But it is not its only characteristic. It is essential to understand user behaviors and desires to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Here’s a few of the many things Interior Designers do other than just the selection of aesthetically pleasing elements. . 1. Layout and detailed CAD drawings 2. Furniture Placement 3. Ergonomics 4. Materials and Coatings 5. Placement of lighting 6. Precise dimensions 7. Function and space planning 8. Construction details and drawings 9. Construction schedules for trades 10. Distribution of space The work of an interior designer is meant to improve quality of life. Our surroundings have an enormous impact on the way we behave and feel, and the role of the interior designer is more important than ever. . . #luxury #luxuryliving #customhomes #oakvilledesigner #interiordesign #interiordesigners#home#design#designerinfo #designeducation #torontodesigner#designforlife