Redesigning a room is not just about pretty colors – dimensions, scale, space planning and much more all need to be taken into careful consideration when contemplating any remodeling or refurbishment project.

Whether it’s one room or the entire house, start by creating a furniture plan drawn to scale. This should be done for each and every room that you plan to redecorate.

In some cases, you may be able to obtain a copy of the original plans used to construct your home, which can be helpful. However, be forewarned that these may not be accurate, so it is wise to double check all the measurements on the original plans.

When creating a furniture plan, not only is it important to verify the dimensions of each room and every wall or other architectural elements (such as fireplaces, columns, niches, etc.), but it is also critical to accurately identify the size of each piece of furniture you intend to use. Also, note all electrical outlets and switches. Knowing precisely where your plugs and switches are allows you to plan the best possible place for lamps and other electrical fixtures.

A few inches here or there can make a huge difference in how a room appears and feels. If you don’t have enough room to navigate around the furniture, you may live with that mistake for years, so precise calculating should take high priority in the planning and design of a space.

Often times people furnish a room with pieces that are much too large in scale, so the furniture dominates the room in a less-than-desirable way. It took me several years to know what size furniture for a room is ideal, and to understand what we refer to in our industry as “scale.” In fact, I learned that “scale” in itself is a real art! It is something that needs to be identified prior to designing and even before procuring the first piece of furniture.

These are some basic dimensions that we work with and have proven to be helpful in our day-to-day work:

- The space between a sofa and coffee table: 16″ to 18″

- The space behind dining room chairs to allow enough ‘back-out’ space: 36″ minimum

- The space that you should allow around furniture, if the pieces are floating in the center of the room: 48″ minimum (54″ is better)

- The space between a sofa and fireplace: 60″ minimum

- Passage space: 54″ minimum

Hopefully, these will help guide you in planning the design of the rooms in your home. Whether you are doing it yourself or working with an interior designer, make sure that you continue to carefully update your furniture plan as various pieces are ordered and/or procured.

Remember, understanding and analyzing your space, and its advantages and disadvantages, is the very first step toward creating a room that is functional – and beautiful.

The  president of San Francisco-based Warren Sheets Design, Inc. (WSD), Warren Sheets is an artistic and visionary interior designer known for his hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail. He has overseen WSD for nearly 30 years, accruing a diverse portfolio of high-end residential and commercial projects located across the country. To read more design articles from Warren, click here to visit his blog.

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NBA superstars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony took their leading ladies out for a double date over the weekend in New York. Read on to see whose birthday they were celebrating and what LeBron thinks about the NBA lockout.

Celebrity news site, TMZ, obtained video of Miami Heat superstar LeBron James leaving a restaurant in New York with his girlfriend Savannah and fellow NBA player Carmelo Anthony and his wife. The couples were out celebrating Savannah’s 25^th birthday and were all smiles as they left the Waverly Inn.

While the couples said their goodbyes outside the restaurant, a cameraman asked what many are wondering, “Do you guys think you’re going to be playing basketball this season?” James’ response was a short and simple, “We hope.”

LeBron is currently in the middle of a 6-year $110 million contract and Anthony recently signed with the Knicks with a $65 million 3-year contract.

Source and photo: TMZ

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Zac Posen and Dr. Valerie Steele

Fashion Institute of Technology’s Couture Council recently held court at the Boathouse in New York’s Central Park for its Annual Summer Party. The cocktail served as a launch event for the association’s autumn luncheon, and amassed a colorful collection of guests, who experienced a delightful, floral ambiance at the airy Boathouse: The decadent spread of gourmet Italian delicacies, fine wines, prosecco, and specialty Grey Goose cocktails would have made any uptown fashion maven blush. Such splendid interiors and fare were surpassed only by the glorious summer weather. As the sun set, fabulous couture-clad attendees—either unfathomed or deeply entertained by the boisterous heckling of hospitality protesters outside—flooded the Boathouse in groves to toast the upcoming luncheon, which will honor Italian couturier, Valentino Garavani.

Once a year, the Couture Council award is bestowed on an outstanding créateur de mode, who has made legendary contributions to the world of high fashion; previous recipients include: Karl Lagerfeld, Dries van Noten, Isabel Toledo, Alber Elbaz, and Ralph Rucci.

This year’s Summer Party host committee included fashion figures Liz Peek, Michelle Violy Harper (missing in action at the soirée?), Yaz Hernandez, Michèle Gerber Klein, and esteemed FIT Museum director, Dr. Valerie Steele.

Valentin Hernandez, Yaz Hernandez, and Valentin Hernandez.

That night at the Boathouse, uptown social fixtures and downtown creative luminaries—abuzz with pre-fashion week bavardage— strutted about, enjoying the fabulous views of central park and each other.

“It’s just so nice to see lovely ladies in couture,” marveled Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief, Glenda Bailey, as she scurried off to the next affair. And indeed it was. Notables amongst the well dressed included: couturier Maggie Norris, Jennifer Creel, Cece Cord, jeweler Eric Javits, reality queen Alex McCord, Patricia Field, Alva Chinn, designers Thakoon Panichgul and Maria Cornejo, and Sharon Bush. Of course, cherished New York Times photog, Bill Cunningham, was on-hand to snap the many posing peacocks.

Clockwise from top left: Alex McCord and hubby Simon Van Kempen, Patricia Field, Michele Gerber Klein, Alva Chinn, Eric Javits, Maria Cornejo, Alexa Winner and Maggie Norris, and Charlotte Moss.

The arrival of designer Zac Posen (who recently opened his first namesake store for his Z Spoke diffusion line) certainly caused quite a stir. But his newish publicist was sure to ferociously keep the prying media and any “unwanted” dialogue at bay… Carson Kressley, on the other hand, was more accessible—greeting fans and kissing acquaintances with much ebullience.

Carson Kressley lays a wet one on Devon Scott.

In a mere week, on September 7th, at David H. Koch Theatre, the Couture Council will roll out the red carpet for its benefit luncheon and present the Artistry of Fashion award to signore Garavani. The luncheon seeks to not only recognize the world’s most celebrated designers, but to enable the FIT Museum to produce world-class exhibitions of fashion, host public programs, and acquire significant additions to its renowned permanent collection. (The museum is the only one of its kind in New York City dedicated entirely to the art of fashion.)

Steele and designer Thakoon Panichgul

While the Couture Council does generate funding from its exclusive membership, the Museum of FIT relies heavily on the annual luncheon for financial support. Last year’s engagement raised over $600,000, with more than 500 benefactors in attendance. The 2011 luncheon chairs are Anne H. Bass, Charlotte Moss, Diane von Furstenberg, and couture empress Daphne Guinness. Tables and seats for the luncheon are still available and range from $1,000-$25,000. Interested parties should contact Vicki Guranowski (212.594.9206).

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Creating a fashion-forward image was the objective for German bred Esprit’s latest ad campaign featuring supermodels Gisele Bundchen and Erin Wasson in an attempt to revamp and rejuvenate brand image to appeal to a high-end clientele.

In celebration of the supermodels partnership, for Fashion’s Night Out in Soho Esprit will debut a branded street truck outside its Broadway location, plastered with images of Gisele and Erin from their new campaign. Stop by for 40% off bounce back cards while DJ DL will be spinning tunes inside ESPRIT’s Soho store to keep the night’s celebration going.

ESPRIT

6:00pm-11:00pm

583 Broadway (between Houston & Prince Streets)

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