choices Archives | Platemark Design

29 Jun 2018

The Best Designers in the World have the best Clients in the World

By platemark On June 29, 2018 With No Comments

People love lists and superlatives, dating way back to high school yearbooks. But the publications are missing the juice: The best designers in the world have the best clients in the world.

Posted in Design Process, Fun, Philosophy

07 Jun 2018

What is Luxury (in 30 Seconds or Less)?

By platemark On June 7, 2018 With No Comments

Pretty things and expensive things get all the credit, but they're further down on my list.

13 May 2018

Fear is the Latest Trend

By platemark On May 13, 2018 With No Comments

Fear is the power that fuels inertia. I read somewhere that the all-white room is a byproduct of fear.

02 Apr 2018

Downsizing, Yes, but Don’t Forget Upsizing Too

By platemark On April 2, 2018 With No Comments

Many of our clients struggle with the challenges of downsizing. But what about upsizing? Typically out of college, we land our first job, maybe we shack up in a trendy urban neighborhood, then get married, celebrate a first born. But the inevitable arrives, planning for that second (or third) child?

Posted in Fun, Philosophy

25 Mar 2018

Shortcuts are Becoming Extinct

By platemark On March 25, 2018 With No Comments

The driver's seat upheld a particular status in our family — probably in most families I expect. The driver is in charge. The pilot navigates the dark, scary world where strangers live in big, dark houses and high beams are a weapon.

Posted in Philosophy

28 Jan 2018

Does your Home Match (where you are in) your Life?

By platemark On January 28, 2018 With No Comments

I bet your wardrobe does. Or your car, your wrist watch or even your boat. What about your home? Do you hesitate to invite people over?

21 Jan 2018

The Best: My Favorites from Art Display to Outdoor Grills

By platemark On January 21, 2018 With No Comments

Back by popular demand, here's our roundup of eight superlatives. Call them our favorite things or our go-to brands. When you seek the best, you get what you pay for and you won't be disappointed.

03 Jan 2018

Are You Embarrassed to Have People Over?

By platemark On January 3, 2018 With No Comments

Aren't we all, at some level a bit afraid of being judged? Our homes might be the ultimate reveal into our personal attics of shame.

21 Dec 2017

Isn’t Paint Just Paint?

By platemark On December 21, 2017 With No Comments

The one thing that will completely transform a room is an exceptional paint job. It's the type of application that people can understand and relate to, though rarely give much consideration to the varying levels of quality.

Posted in Design Process

10 Dec 2017

I’ll Know It When I See It

By platemark On December 10, 2017 With No Comments

We've all said it, but this doesn't work all the time, especially when a kaleidoscope of decisions must be made.

Posted in Design Process, Philosophy

03 Dec 2017

The Nickel and the Dime

By platemark On December 3, 2017 With No Comments

The journey of interior design transformation is often more valuable and memorable than the results. This means (to me) gently and thoughtfully leading the client through a series of carefully intended doors.

26 Nov 2017

What Do You Do?

By platemark On November 26, 2017 With No Comments

When asked what I did, I would usually get the same blank stare. Not to put down that career choice, it just doesn't incite the type of excitement and enthusiasm that saying “I'm an interior designer” does.

Posted in Design Process, Employment

29 Oct 2017

A Thoughtful Job Posting

By platemark On October 29, 2017 With 1 Comment

Platemark has a job opening for a studio assistant. Here are the qualities and qualifications that best align with the position. Does it sound like you or someone you know?

Posted in Design Process, Philosophy

21 Oct 2017

On Speaking Up (When It’s Much Easier Not To)

By platemark On October 21, 2017 With No Comments

Often times we see flaws, oversights and potential improvements that no one else sees. Should we speak up and point them out?

Posted in Design Process, Philosophy

15 Oct 2017

Everyone Always Wants What (They Regret) Their Parents Threw Away

By platemark On October 15, 2017 With No Comments

You name it, someone will always chime in saying “Oh, my parents had a pair of those and I regret if they'd only kept them!”

09 Oct 2017

20 Questions I Don’t Know the Answer To

By platemark On October 9, 2017 With No Comments

There's a lot I know – and a ton I don't. Here's some questions to ponder with me.

Posted in Design Process, Philosophy

02 Oct 2017

I Make Decisions for a Living

By platemark On October 2, 2017 With 1 Comment

A decorated home that consists of, say, 350 elements is actually 3,500 decisions. Or more. Probably more.

Posted in Philosophy

15 Aug 2017

Ignore Sunk Costs When Making New Decisions

By platemark On August 15, 2017 With No Comments

We hold on to decisions from the past. Usually, I imagine, because there's a complicated series of (emotional) connections we have to the value of…

Posted in Design Process, Philosophy

26 Jun 2017

Video Killed the Radio Star

By platemark On June 26, 2017 With No Comments

And customization is killing the luxury mass production stars. Is an $8K purse really luxury? Really? Is it even made out of leather? Are they…

28 May 2017

The Ultimate Luxury: Lack of Choice

By platemark On May 28, 2017 With No Comments

We now spend most of our time ... clicking the "compare" button so we can ruminate over decisions within our decisions. Until we're paralyzed by them.