Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

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• Interview: Ascend Of An Interior Designer with Celebrity Taniya Nayak
• Villa Mecklin, Surprising Architecture Within A Rocky Landscape
• Saving Time and Money Looking for an Apartment
• Freshome Reader Help: Bathroom Decor Ideas

Interview: Ascend Of An Interior Designer with Celebrity Taniya Nayak Posted: 10 Aug 2010 06:53 AM PDT Taniya Nayak is the famous star of "Destination Design" on HGTV, partner of HomeGoods and one of the American “design idols”.  We think that her positivism, creativity and charisma are great attributes for an interior designer which is why we decided to find out how Taniya gained them along the way. In the interview below you can find out what determined her passion for this industry, how a typical day in her life goes and many many more inspiring details. We know you guys are looking forward to her answers, so here they are: Freshome: What determined your passion for design? Tell us about the moment when you decided this is the way to go. Taniya Nayak: The moment came when I was lying in bed with insomnia one night reflecting on my life and my meaningless jobs and thinking “I’m too young to NOT be doing something I LOVE”. I made the decision to go back to school to get a masters degree in Interior Design. Everything just fell into place from there. When it’s right, it’s RIGHT! Freshome: Can you remember your first design project? Describe it a bit, whether it is a gizmo you worked at as a little kid or something that was sold at a large scale. Taniya Nayak: My first design job was my first college dorm room! I was obsessed with sunflowers so I handpainted a table and had my mom make a duvet and valance that had the sunflower theme. SO glad my taste and style have developed since then!! Freshome: What field of design are you most interested in? Do your works have anything to do with it ? (We are asking this because not many designers do what they actually want) Taniya Nayak: I am lucky. I have had the opportunity to do all types of design. Commercial, residential, and designing for television. It’s hard to pick a favorite because all the designs become like your children. I love the fast pace and good healthy stress of doing the television makeovers, plus the homeowners that participate never have to pay, so it makes it that much more fun! Freshome: Chronologically describe what you are going through (feeling and thoughts) on your way to work. Taniya Nayak: Can’t function without coffee. Where’s my to-do list? Singing “Bad Romance” at the top of my lungs in the car on way to site. Need to order the modern industrial version of my topiaries for the restaurant design. I think they’re cool. I hope people get it. Don’t forget to order thank you gift and get present for sisters bday. Oooh, Vietnamese for lunch. That makes me happy. Freshome: What is your favourite book/magazine on design? How about your favourite site? Taniya Nayak: I collect books on design. Can’t get enough of ‘em. I love restaurant design books- the ideas are always so innovative. I love when I see things that make me say..WOW I never would have thought of that!! Fave magazine was Domino. Sad about its passing.   My favorite sites… well, this one is pretty kickass. I also love apartmenttherapy.com cococozy.com and  theinsidestoop.com Freshome: What inspires you? Taniya Nayak: Nature does a lot. People. Places. Everything really. Freshome: What is the most frustrating aspect of your job as a designer? And the most rewarding one? Taniya Nayak:Frustration comes to me in waiting. When designing for television, things happen super fast. Not the case in the “real” world. I also get frustrated when someone tells me, “No- it can’t be done”. I just don’t believe that. I know that anything can be done- we just have to figure it out. Most rewarding is when I exceed someones expectations. I love designing so luckily, work NEVER feels like work. Freshome: From your point of view, is design an art or a science? Taniya Nayak: When it comes to interior design, it’s both! Decorating is more focused on the art (which it truly is an art) than the science. Designing entails a lot of math, building codes, space planning as well as the decorative finishes. It is very tedious. I’ve had a lot of design students ask me about the differences and I say that if you don’t like math, then you might not like doing interior design. What I do on the shows are primarily decorating but in my business life it’s more about design. Freshome: Tell us something unusual that happened in your carrier. Taniya Nayak: I landed my first gig with HGTV from a Craigslist posting. before/after photos Freshome:Let’s say you entered a contest. You have to come up with a design for the first house on the Moon built for extra-terrestrial living. How would your project look like? Taniya Nayak:A lot of bolts to hold everything down! Not even sure if that would work. And walls made out of m&m’s. Freshome: If design were a product, what would it be and how would you design it? Taniya Nayak:A perfectly round white ball. You never know if you’re looking at the same side or holding it the same way. It can roll, spin, sit still, or even bounce. It’s one idea/item that can be interpreted in many ways. Freshome:If you had no limits (money, resources), what would you create? Taniya Nayak:I would have a 100 hunky guys all literally holding a roof over my head! haha That’s terrible, I know. Ok, I would love to have a home like the Jetsons. Freshome: Share something you would like the world to know about you. Taniya Nayak: If I could choose any other job in the world, I would still choose being a designer. Freshome: What do you think of our site? Taniya Nayak: So much fun! So easy to navigate, and I love that the ideas are sooo do-able. Freshome: What advice do you have for young designers or architects reading this interview? Taniya Nayak: Like any job- make sure you love what you’re doing. It truly is the most important factor in success. I define success not by the amount of money you make, but in the pride you feel in what you do. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Villa Mecklin, Surprising Architecture Within A Rocky Landscape Posted: 10 Aug 2010 04:55 AM PDT Villa Mecklin was designed by  Huttunen–Lipasti–Pakkanen Architects and is located in Naantali, Finland. Its highly original architecture got our attention and we are looking forward to your impressions as well. The rocky construction site is both beautiful and tricky but apparently the building process was not at all negatively influenced by the terrain. In fact, after a good research, everything worked according to plan. We particularly like the wooden platform which can be used in many creative and practical ways. Here is some information from the architects: “The main building sits in a small depression in the rock, its sheltered terrace extending over the summit of the rock. One arrives from the harbour to the entrance of the main building sheltered by the trees. After a descent of a couple of steps, the expansive landscape of the western shore, with its long vistas, unfolds. A fireplace has been sunk into the centre of the large terrace, accessed via a hatch in the decking. When the fire is not lit and the hatch is in place, it is possible to use the whole terrace as, for example, a dance floor. In connection with the shoreline sauna, there is also a stove-heated cabin for guests.” Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Saving Time and Money Looking for an Apartment Posted: 10 Aug 2010 03:16 AM PDT Having to look for an apartment can be time consuming and stressful.  Between searching out new neighborhoods, researching amenity information, and then going to look at the apartments, apartment hunting is not enjoyable. There are some ways that you can save time and energy looking for a new place to live.  Consider these tips when looking for your next apartment, and see if they save your sanity too! APARTMENT HUNTER: Professional apartment hunters are paid by apartment communities to show their apartments.  This works in your favor because there is no money out of your pocket.  They will help you find apartments that may not be published in a newspaper/online classifieds, etc… Apartment hunters will also save you time, similar to a Realtor they can weed out your list of 'wants' and provide you with listings in your price range, and neighborhood that you are interested in. They also have information for move-in specials and deals that you may not find looking for an apartment on your own. SEARCH ONLINE: Just like searching for a house, searching for an apartment requires you to make some decisions before you get started.  Figure out which area of town you want to live.  Even if you don't know the neighborhood, do your own research on how far you want to be from work, amenities, and resources. Determine how much your budget is for monthly payments.  In some apartments utilities are covered, and in others they are not. Set your budget based on you having to pay for utilities separately from your rent. Determine what amenities you need and which are wants.  Often times you will pass over great online apartments because they lack a few amenities. You may be able to save money by having fewer amenities, but being closer to resources that are just as important. Searching online with these factors chosen will help you narrow down the competition. BRING YOUR ROOMMATE: If you are going to live with a roommate(s), bring them along when looking at apartments.  Landlords don't like showing units to the same tenants over and over, especially if you don't seem interested in renting it.  You and your roommates will save time by looking at the apartment together, and then you can discuss the pros and cons of the apartment once you leave.  This also helps recall specifics about the apartment without having to return for multiple visits. TAKE PICTURES: If you can't visit apartments with your roommates(s), the next best thing is to take pictures.  Taking pictures will also help you choose which apartment you liked, and which you didn't.  After looking through many apartments, they may start to look the same!  Remember, online apartment websites usually have pictures as well, although they most likely won't represent the unit you would be living in. ASK ABOUT FEES: Most apartment buildings will have additional fees. Make sure and get all the information when you view the apartment. Here's a list of fees to inquire about: 1.) Rental Deposit – This is typically first and last month's rent. A penalty fee may be assessed if you break your lease. 2.) Security deposit – money put down if your apartment has any damage.  Check to see how much will be returned at the end of the lease if you keep it in good shape. 3.) Processing or application fee – fee for administrative personnel reviewing your application/credit checks/background checks, etc… 4.) Parking/garage fee – depending on your building, a parking lot or garage may have an extra cost associated with your apartment stay. 5.) Pet Fee – If your apartment allows pets, a fee will usually be assessed. Have a thorough walk through of the apartment with the landlord before moving in. Make sure all conditions are documented.  At the end of your lease, you will want to ensure you return the apartment to this same condition.  Keep a copy of the initial walk through, all fees, and contract for your personal records.  Get all contractual information in writing. Freshome reader’s how did you find your current apartment? Have any tricks or suggestions for making apartment hunting easier? Let us know! Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

Freshome Reader Help: Bathroom Decor Ideas Posted: 10 Aug 2010 02:05 AM PDT SELMA: Please, help me with ideas about decorating my bathroom. I would love to have it in black and white combination, what do you suggest for me? EDITOR: Freshome Reader’s, Selma could use some suggestions for her bathroom.  Leave her suggestions below. If you would like to enter Help My Space Freshome! Click here for all the details. Freshome reader’s will comment on your space and help you solve your design dilemma. Click here to connect with Freshome on or on

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