In addition to creating presentation color boards, working drawings, and blueprints, I am often asked by clients to draw a sketch or color rendering of a completed room or space. This enables the client to better visualize the completed interior design concept, as it would appear. Although working drawings are necessary to facilitate remodeling and new construction through the universal language of drafting, renderings enable us to have more freedom in our artistic expression, while sparking the imagination of a client.  I recommend this part of our service often, and it has been well recieved by clients throughout the years.

I do not believe it is necessary to be able to create renderings to be a great designer, although it has its’ advantages. I have been drawing extensively since I was a small child, and with very supportive parents, who actively encouraged me through constant art instruction and practice, I was able to enter design school with that edge.  When presenting a design concept, a rendering can help the client imagine the space, and give them the confidence to move forward with implementing the project, to completion. It can also provide an opportunity to identify the need to change something to better suit a clients, personal tastes, and preferences.

I prefer black and white sketches to full color renderings, because I would rather let the beauty of the selected fabrics and color samples speak for themselves, with the clients own imagination filling in the colors and patterns. However, there is no substitute for a color rendering to convey a complete concept. 

The samples shown are drawn in two different styles. A black and white quick sketch of a mans den, presented as the concept sketch for the 2007 Orange County Philharmonic House of Design, and a full color rendering of our concept for the upcoming 2011 Philharmonic House of Design which opens this March.  Although drawn in different styles, the overall ambiance of each completed space can be visualized by the client, or in this case, the most discriminating committee of design professionals and philanthropists.

Besides a natural talent for Interior Design, the Sources that we Interior designers draw from are the single most important tool to bring to the creative project table.  Besides thousands of fabric sample books maintained in our fabric libraries, there are furniture, cabinetry, casegoods, accessories, plumbing, lighting, and hardware books at our fingertips. Most successful Interior design firms maintain an elaborate library of tried and true sources, and I maintain catalogues including glossy pictures and actual finish samples to afford the client the best visualization of the products I select for their home or office. Sources are constantly changing, and library management is an ongoing activity for most designers.

In addition to maintaining a current functioning library, there are additional new sources to add on an ongoing basis.   Every day, I receive literature and emails from many new sources, all wanting a space on the library shelf. Also,  I attend local and national furniture and gift shows several times per year, where we selectively accumulate new and exciting sources to add to our already vast library.   There are different shows throughout the United States where new sources are showcased for the designers approval including; floor coverings, carpets, tile, stone, draperies, building materials, floral, and specialty sources.   

In addition to a large resource library, I maintain a database of Architects, Contractors, Carpenters, Specialty installers, and qualified Artisans that specialize in everything from interior decorative paint and plasters, to clock repair.  Frank Pitman Designs has a vast library of sources accumulated over the past 25 years, and although the sources are constantly being updated, there are still tried and true companies that have stood the test of time, evolving when necessary, to  remain as valuable tools of quality and fine design.

Now is the time of year for Holiday cheer, and for Holiday Decorating.

Since we Design holiday themed decorations and Christmas trees for many clients, keeping the holidays fun at home is always a challenge.

My own Trees usually are the last to get my attention, and even though I may be on Holiday overload, I still manage to take the time to complete our own designs, and to sit back and enjoy the beauty of it all! With the Holidays approaching, many of us start to look around our environments, and get the itch to make home improvements.

It is the season for guests. Some relatives will be spending more than one day, and of course there’s the usual onslaught of party guests and loved ones for short visits that fill our homes with laughter and good will.

There are several theories as to why we seem to pay more attention to interior design during this season, but the biggest reason is of course, the Holidays!

Another reason is that in colder months, we all tend to spend more time indoors, and being a captive audience in your own home tends to make us look around, and start to see the areas that are in need of improvement.

We receive many calls for Interior Design Services throughout the season, most of which are for the proverbial “spruce up”. Areas that guests in your home frequent such as the Living Room, Dining Room, and Family Rooms are always areas of improvement.

Guest Bedrooms are also on the demand as well as Remodeling of Kitchens and Baths. In Orange County, there are more remodeling projects than new construction.

Remember to try to think ahead, and take mercy on your designer, as we all wish we had more time, and that our clients would call us just a little sooner for those important deadlines.

Not that we don’t thrive on a good challenge, we want to make sure that any project you take on, will be completed with your greatest expectations met!