Last Thursday I sat down with my good friend Larina Kase, one of the most sought-after designers on the Main Line. We’ve featured her here on the blog before, and it’s always a treat to catch up and get her thoughts on design trends, finding your personal style and where to splurge (and save!).
Before launching her namesake design firm, she earned a doctorate in psychology, which serves her well when helping clients pinpoint their vision and redesign their homes to better suit their lifestyles.
You can watch our entire conversation here. In the meantime, here are eight takeaways from our chat:
1. When making design decisions, go with your gut. Overanalyzing often leads to buyer’s remorse.
2. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when designing your home. (With her own clients, Larina prefers about 20 percent of the finished design to be outside of their comfort zone.) And remember, a design risk doesn’t have to be overly dramatic or expensive; it can be as simple as a different pillow, pattern or window treatment.
3. It’s better to have one room done right than a bunch of half-decorated spaces.
4. As for design trends, Larina says people are moving away from all-white kitchens to incorporate more color. Vintage is huge, as well as repurposing existing furniture and decor. People are taking more risks via pattern and color with a goal of making their living spaces FUN!
5. If you splurge on one thing, make it your family room sectional. You will likely spend hours lounging on it so find something that not only looks good, but also supports your body well. And don’t forget to try before you buy to avoid an expensive (and uncomfortable) mistake.
6. Since Covid more people are addressing rooms they never finished, like their primary suite. Clients are also requesting “multipurpose” spaces, such as living rooms that include desks for working from home and bar areas for entertaining.
7. Having trouble defining your style? Think about your favorite (relatively recent) home design purchase and use that item as a starting point. (You can also visit Larina’s Web site and sign up for her free Discover Your Design Style quiz.)
8. Before you commit to a home addition, think about whether you’re truly using every inch of your current space. If not, it might be a matter of simply reconfiguring your existing square footage and layout.
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat, Larina! Be sure to check out Larina’s Instagram feed for a more design tips and inspo.
Leave a Reply