Risky Business

There are two very different types of people, those who are risk averse and those who are risk seekers. Lately I have noticed that people also have very different ways of assessing the role that timing plays in making risky decisions. My best analogy is that risk averse people believe that timing is everything, a natural human coping mechanism, excusing us from the lack of forward movement towards a goal unobtained. Risk seekers accept that timing may never be just right, the risk and reward ratio may not be statistically in their favor, but the consequences, such as guilt and regret, that come from not taking the risk are less desirable states of being than risking what they have and failing to obtain the goal or landing in a worse situation. I also think their is an underlying level of confidence that is required to be a risk seeker. Confidence assures the risk seeker that even failure can present new challenges that could possibly result in a far better outcome than the original goal.

The first half of my life I was 100% risk averse, always the "people pleaser", doing what was expected of me, and never wanting to push any boundaries or ruffle any feathers. All of that started to change when I discovered design. Not only did my talent for interior design give me the self-confidence that was lacking during my teenage and college years, it gave me an outlet to be a risk seeking person. I still do not put my life or my health at risk, but the most gratifying part of my life is that my career allows me to take risks, push boundaries, test limitations, break rules, and create the unexpected.

Taking risks in the design of a space is not only rewarding for the interior design and architectural team responsible for the overall design, but the owner is equally responsible for taking a risk by adding the elements that reflect the wonders of individuality and make the house 100% their own, a self-portrait of its inhabitants.

Yes, timing is everything. And the time is now people! If you try something and it doesn't turn out as expected, step back, and live with it awhile, you may discover that the final result is actually more beautiful and unexpected than your original intent. Once a few months have past, if you still can't stand the result of your design risk, you can always paint over it, recover it, sell it on eBay, gift it, donate it to charity, whatever you prefer, but always try again.

Here are some great examples of how unexpected elements and design risks make these rooms interesting and unique. 

 Small unexpected details go a long way...

Paint the blades of a ceiling fan

Use your grandmother's china as art over your bed

Create unusual shapes that mimic architecture or other pieces of furniture

Float the bed in the middle of the room instead of up against a wall

Paint the window casings a different color than white

Use a functional element like a fireplace as a conversation piece

Hang art in an asymmetrical way

[room by Steven Gambrel]

re-think the staples of a house, like the front door. 

[room by Miles Redd]

Who says you can only have 1 dining room table, why not have 3?

[room by Kelly Wearstler]

Create art of marble

[room by Kelly Wearstler]

Play with scale

[room by Thom Filicia]