Designing outside the box

While studies at the Academy of Design in Toronto gave Melissa Condotta the foundation for her design business, it was correspondence courses taken through England’s Rhodec International that provided its unique twist.

Studying online and sending in class projects via email gave Condotta the idea that she might be able to provide the same thing for her clients.

“If I could give them a comprehensive package, a blueprint, for how their home would look, it would allow them to follow through at their own pace,” she says. “And it would dramatically reduce costs because they wouldn’t have to pay me travel time to source at shops. They could do it themselves, or I could give them a list of online sourcing.”

Once everything has been pulled together into a storyboard, Condotta emails it in PDF format to the homeowners. She also provides Option A and Option B so the clients can choose which will work best in their specific circumstances. For example, if they like to hold dinner parties for eight or more people, but there’s no dining room, she might provide a storyboard with a coffee table that can adjust to table height along with folding chairs that can be kept in the storage locker. Or she might suggest purchasing a large coffee table — or ottoman with trays — that would work well for serving a tapas meal and drinks.

For someone who’s got a shoe or clothing fetish — and who doesn’t? — and has a tiny bedroom, Condotta suggests redesigning the closet with custom closet organizers. It’s something she often does for clients, and it doubles or triples the functional space.

One thing she recommends before buying is to try and walk yourself through the floor plan to see if it will work.

And keep an open mind when it comes to bargain shopping. When Condotta was a student, she often “shopped” in the garbage. “People would throw perfectly good stuff out. All the piece might need was a hinge, or to be repainted, or a few knobs added — and Anthropologie has incredible hardware that works great on old furniture. You can save so much money, and older pieces are usually built better. Some are even iconic.”

Another money-saving tip is to shop at the homes of from relatives — she has a large credenza that her grandfather got when he first came to Canada. She painted it white and keeps her collections in it.

The main thing in saving money is to be creative. Although Condotta mainly provides concept boards for furnishings — in other words, no renovating — she has occasionally forayed into home renovations. One project, a 1986 Scarborough custom-built home, had a good quality but very dated kitchen and a minimal budget of just $10,000. There was no choice but to reuse the existing cabinetry. But rather than paint them, she turned the doors inside out so that the simpler beveled interior detail was face out. Then she had them professionally spray painted and got new hardware. To create more light and open space, one row of uppers was eliminated, and the drop ceiling removed to install recessed lighting. The existing white porcelain floor tiles stayed but Caesarstone countertops and new appliances were added.

A storyboard pulls together all the elements of your design, whether it’s for just one room or a whole house. It should also incorporate the practical things, such as measurements, prices and where to find items.

Start by interviewing yourself: who lives here? Single, couple, downsizer, family of four, pets? How large is the home and do you have any space constraints or special considerations? How do you like to entertain, formal or casual, small intimate gatherings or large crowds? Do you like to cook? Figure out how each room in your home is used and whether any spaces can multifunction (dining room as library or homework station). And most important, what is your budget?

Next step is to read — shelter magazines or decor websites — and clip or download pictures of rooms, furniture or accessories that appeal to you. You will also need to include a scale drawing of the room’s floor plan including the room’s measurements and location of electrical switches and outlets, windows, doors, light fixtures, columns, fireplace, and built-in bookcases. Include a couple of furniture layouts, so that when you shop you will know what will fit.

These can be kept either tacked onto a corkboard or in the plastic sleeves of a three-ring binder. In a small envelope, attached to the back of the storyboard or tucked into the binder, keep notes on where things can be sourced, prices, measurements and any special considerations. Also keep a notebook with you for jotting down things you see that might work. And don’t forget to carry a tape measure with you at all times.