Daily Fashionistas: Ask the Expert: Maggie Kopf of Square One Interior Design

Originally, when I decided to focus on an Interior Designer for our next Ask the Expert column, I knew I would be inspired to “redecorate” with my Spring cleaning. Little did I know that I would fall in love with our Interior Designer’s portfolio! I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pa, so naturally when a friend of mine referred me to a fellow Pittsburgher as our featured expert I had to dig a little deeper! I checked out http://www.squareone-id.com/ and instantly gravitated towards Maggie’s gorgeous work! She not only has a knack for finding just the right ingredients to fill a space, but Maggie has the ability to create a customized room full of personality that just begs to be the host to a fabulous evening!

Here are your toughest questions about Interior Design answered by our Expert Maggie Kopf of Square One Interior Design. Enjoy!

Q. How do I choose an Interior Decorator?

A. Working with an interior decorator is a personal experience, so not only is it important to consider his or her portfolio, but you also need to hire someone you feel comfortable with. You are letting this person into your bedroom, bathroom, etc., so you need to like your decorator.

It is always good to get a referral. If you know someone who recently completed a renovation or redecoration, ask whom they used. If you interview designers, ask them for references. Find out from their past clients if the process went smoothly and if they are happy with the end result. Word of mouth is an excellent resource!

Any designer should work with you to achieve your desired look, but many designers become known for a specific style. If you are a minimalist, you probably shouldn't hire "The Prince of Chintz."

There are other considerations: does your budget work with this particular design firm? Is the designer available to give you the attention you require?

Lastly, If you want someone with a formal design education, you can look for designers through ASID (www.asid.org).

Q. How can I hide all of the cords to my electronics?

A. There are a few different products to hide unsightly cords. If it is just a matter of keeping five cords and a power strip organized and untangled, there are cord organizers you can get at a hardware store. I have used trash bag ties to hold cords together after I coil them neatly. In this case, they may be able to tuck between the desk and wall and stay out of sight.

If you are trying to hide cords that run across the floor, there are products that are more substantial. There are cord protectors in a variety of lengths and range from light to heavy duty. These can be rather industrial looking which may or may not work with the decor.

I have cut small holes in rugs so a cord can run underneath it. (Technically I slice it with a razor.) It is not ideal, but if you do this and place a piece of furniture over it, it’s an okay solution.

This question brings up a good point: it is best to have a sense of the furniture plan when working on the electrical plan. This is not always realistic; but if possible, it is worth the extra planning initially so that floor outlets, wall outlets, and junction boxes can go in accordingly.

Q. What is the best color to paint a bedroom?

A. There is not necessarily a good or bad color for a bedroom. Color evokes a certain feeling. Do you want a serene bedroom? A bold statement? Cozy? I worked on a project where we used silver metallic wallpaper in the bedroom. People wondered if it was too “cold” for a bedroom. It wasn’t; it was beautiful and sophisticated (and published in Architectural Digest). If you decide you want a cheery, fresh-looking room, you can’t go wrong with blue walls, white trim, and white linens.

Q. I’m trying to decorate my apartment with an international theme. Do you have any suggestions of decor?

A. A lot of commonly used design styles comes from overseas: French country, Scandinavian. You are probably looking for something that stands out a little more, in which case you could look further East. While Japanese design is often neutral and subdued with clean lines, much of the furniture from Asia has ornate detailing and is paired with bold colors. There are wonderful styles from Morocco which incorporate bright colors. Add Mexican tile, lay down a Pakistani rug. There are endless choices, so editing is important. A lot of Asian seating is low which lets your eye go to the architectural detailing. Allow the craftsmanship to stand out, but don’t worry too much about matching styles. Certainly there are times when pieces don’t work together, but an eclectic mix is one of my favorite styles.

Q. A friend of mine recommended trying a traditional style for my living room. What is the meaning of a “Traditional” décor?

A. Traditional decor is a broad term, but it generally refers to styles that influenced American and British design over the past few centuries. There were many different periods, each a reaction to the one before. Georgian architecture was a reaction to Baroque, the Arts and Crafts movement followed Victorian style. Furniture styles mimic the architecture, so if you want to incorporate some traditional furniture, there are also many sub-categories. That said, some choices are more obviously traditional than others. I would look for scrolled arms on upholstery, cabriole legs on tables or occasional chairs. Use fabric. Have a table skirt made or add a valence to window treatments. The lines get blurred, so it’s really how you put everything together. Shaker furniture, which is very simple, can work well in a modern home. The Art Nouveau style, with its curves and color, could go either way depending on the rest of the decor.

Q. Is it ok to use both brown and black furniture in the same room?

A. Yes. I like a mixture of stains and paint. I would put black chairs around a stained wood table, and I would put a painted black armoire in a room with a brown stained coffee table. It will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. If everything is more or less monochromatic and you add one black piece, you are drawing attention to that piece. That might be your intention, but if it’s a nondescript end table, for example, you probably don’t want it to stand out.

Q. My hardwood floors and kitchen cabinets are a lighter shade of wood. Do I have to get a lighter wood for my kitchen table?

A. No, you do not have to match your kitchen table with the floors and cabinetry. Particularly since the table is a freestanding piece, it makes sense that it would be different. It might be a good idea to make it significantly darker than the rest of the wood. I’d prefer to see an intended contrast rather than a near miss, and it may be difficult to match the existing wood perfectly.

Q. My living room and dining room do not have a wall separating them. How can I add more separation between the two?

A. You could do a few different things depending on how much separation you would like. For a significant change, you could add a partition, perhaps with rice paper to allow some light to come through. This would be an installed, fixed solution. You could also get a freestanding screen which can range in style from a highly decorative chinoiserie design to a natural, partially open look with wicker, rattan, or bamboo. Another idea is to add a track along the ceiling and create a fabric curtain. This could be dramatic with a heavy velvet or soft with a semi-opaque linen. For a subtle separation, you can create distinct zones with the furniture layout and area rugs.

Q. What is the best way to make a small space appear larger?

A. Light colors tend to make a room feel more open, and it can help to keep the decor monochromatic. Paint the floor a high-gloss white. Play with scale. You do not have to use small furniture. In fact, fewer items that are a comfortable size is preferable than trying to squeeze in more pieces. If you have a small bedroom, you could have a bed, one nightstand with a substantial lamp, one upholstered chair, and a big mirror on one wall. If you can, try not to push the furniture right up against the wall; a little breathing room will help things feel more spacious too.

Q. In my apartment, there is a spiral black staircase that leads up to my bedroom loft. Is there a way to decorate this staircase, so it will match my classic motif?

A. You could have it painted, but you need to choose the proper paint and make sure the staircase is primed correctly. I imagine the staircase is metal, so it needs to have the oil and dirt removed before it’s painted, and then be sure to get a quality, direct-to-metal paint which will not flake or peel. If you paint the staircase white or whatever your trim color is, it will blend in much more. There are some talented faux finishers out there, so another idea is to have it look like a wood railing through faux finishing. I would, however, consider the shape of the railing before I did this. How thick is the railing? It might not look right in “wood” if the rail is too thin.

More about Maggie Kopf:
In May 2009, Maggie Kopf founded Square One, a design firm that specializes in high-end residential interiors and commercial spaces. After earning her B.A. from Vanderbilt, Maggie earned her Interior Design (or Applied Science) Degree from Parsons School of Design. Previously, Maggie has worked with prestigious design firms in New York City like J.D. Bell, Inc.

Contact Information:
Square One Interior Design, LLC
http://www.squareone-id.com/
2501 Liberty Avenue, Suite 3E
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412.586.7171
Fax: 412.399.1310