Natalie Meyer is on a mission to create properties that households not solely love, however work effectively for no matter way of life they’ve.
Whether or not it’s a dwelling with younger children working round or a spot for empty nesters whose children are off to varsity, she and her staff make areas which are enjoyable and practical, with an accent on designing one of the best structure the primary time, each time.
As CEO and Principal Designer of CNC Dwelling and Design in Cleveland, Meyer understands the wants of her shoppers. As a mother or father herself, she is aware of the journey to crafting a home that works for everybody and nonetheless feels comfy and welcoming.
We caught up with the native designer for perception and tips about creating higher areas.
On creating family-friendly properties:
“I work with many busy, working dad and mom and professionals which have children. So a lot of them really feel like they will’t have that dwelling that they’re proud to entertain or exhibit as a result of they’re afraid of stains and spills with their children on the furnishings. Being a mother or father myself, there are such a lot of methods that you would be able to have that dwelling that does really feel lovely and practical, however that’s nonetheless life like for your loved ones’s way of life. Particularly when you’ve got children, on the finish of the day, we are able to’t really feel like we’re dwelling in a museum or that we have now off-limits rooms. There are methods you possibly can have that stability between having a house that makes you are feeling good, but additionally, you’re not afraid to let your baby have a snack on the couch.”
(Picture by Amanda Hemstreet Images)
On material choice:
“[We’re] actually intentional in regards to the kinds of materials we select for items like a settee or chairs. If you happen to select, let’s say, efficiency material, they’re much extra sturdy, they’re constructed to resist on a regular basis put on and tear they usually’re normally a bit bit simpler to wash.”
On furnishings repairs:
“There’s a furnishings care and cleansing service that I counsel to my shoppers to present them extra peace of thoughts. That means, if one thing does occur and somebody spills one thing on the couch, you’ve got methods to really get it out.”
On accent rugs in an area:
“There are such a lot of lovely space rugs which are constituted of a fiber known as viscose. Viscose will be actually delicate and will be actually tough to wash, so it makes it not a lot of a family-friendly possibility, whereas if we select space rugs which are constituted of supplies like wool or polypropylene, they’re simply a lot simpler to wash and way more life like for households with which have younger children.”
On buying the precise furnishings:
“In relation to selecting furnishings items like, let’s say, a espresso desk, eating desk, selecting items constituted of actual wooden are actually nice for households as a result of they’re sturdy, timeless [and] they’re constructed to final. In the event that they get just a few nicks or scratches, it simply builds character over time.”
( Picture by Caitlin Antje)
On her aesthetic:
“Quite a lot of my designs are usually creating properties which are mild, open and that really feel enjoyable and calming. And, [they] normally have some components of coastal and conventional type. I’ll do this by way of layering totally different materials of shades like blues, greens, grays and even whites and ivories and mixing in lighter wooden tones. And, at all times including in little touches of greenery like potted crops or flowers as a result of not solely does that assist make your private home really feel extra enjoyable, but it surely additionally makes it really feel pulled collectively and full.”
On design within the digital area:
“We’re in a position to work with shoppers nearly, whether or not it’s sharing images, measurements, doing FaceTime or Zoom. We use a web-based platform for all our initiatives known as Design Studio and it’s a one cease store for our shoppers’ initiatives as a result of all the pieces associated to your undertaking is there, whether or not its inspiration, images, design paperwork, product info and all of our communication is in there. It makes it a lot extra organized and seamless for our shoppers as a result of all of us get inundated with emails or textual content messages lately.”
On her favourite locations and areas within the dwelling:
“Understanding that I’m designing areas the place households are going to be making their reminiscences is what’s so particular to me. After I’m engaged on, say, a lounge or a eating room, having that in thoughts and understanding I’m placing collectively this area the place these households are going to be spending a lot time and making these particular reminiscences actually means a lot to me.”
(Picture by Caitlin Antje)
On what makes her stand out:
“My signature is my background in undertaking administration. It permits me to deal with all the particulars and coordinate all of the transferring items and elements that may be concerned with a design undertaking whether or not it’s scheduling furnishings deliveries or coordinating appointments together with your handyman or electrician or contractor.”
On deciding whether or not to rent a designer:
“In case you are transferring into a brand new dwelling, spend a while together with your area earlier than you think about transferring ahead with a design or adorning undertaking. As soon as you progress in, you’ll be capable to see how you utilize the totally different rooms and the texture that you simply get out of your area. [That] will actually assist you make one of the best choice when it comes to the way you need every room to operate primarily based on the way you and your loved ones stay in it.”
(Picture by Amanda Hemstreet Images)
On “fashionable” vs. “timeless”:
“Generally I get requested with shoppers, ought to they go for a pattern or what’s the present paint shade and I at all times say that in relation to design, go for timeless over tendencies. Developments are going to come back and go, however should you’re selecting one thing that you simply completely love – it’s one thing you’re not going to get drained of some years down the street – that’s at all times price it.”
