We would be hard pressed to find one of us who has not hung onto some element, accessory or fixture in home or business that had become obsolete – in a functional or aesthetic way!
The facts illustrate that emotional and habitual connections to familiar and traditional things are powerful! They often influence our contemporary choices and decisions more than you might think.
For Interior design, the phenomena can be a blessing or a curse – depending on the object! But with sensitivity and creativity, obsolete elements present good opportunities for accenting, and as anchor features to the planned Interior design scheme.
The unabating love and quest for antiques is active proof that old is desirable. But all olds are not antique, or even desirable. Experts will quickly advise that to qualify as antique, the subject item in consideration should at least be more than 20 years old, have multiple redeeming features and hopefully be intriguing in one or several ways!
Our contemporary ways are pretty much in the fast lane – regardless of category; we just move everything faster. Even ‘tho we may want to hedge the bet a bit faster – it still takes time to create antiques! So, let’s consider that while obsolete may not yet qualify as antique, there are many elements that are past their functional value, but still rich in visual, sentimental and Interior design value.
Considering and incorporating no longer functionally relevant elements into an Interior design plan simply increases the creative potential. And, for sure, we then have an enthusiastic client as well, enjoying an old friend staying in the picture.
Certain pieces of equipment, machinery, furniture, tools and even apparel may work into an Interior design concept with unexpected appeal. A hobbyist may wish elements of their hobby (possibly a secondary occupation) presented as a special part of their Interior environment – personal or commercial.
For example, a typical, often treasured item from years past is the Singer foot-pedal powered sewing machine cabinet. It could be found repurposed as a side table for any number of uses. It was beautiful and durable in both material and design.
In first meetings with your Interior design professional, no dream (or whim) is out-of-bounds for consideration and inclusion. That is the time to mention your desire – your vision – of retaining treasures, mementos antiques and such in the new Interior.
A typical dilemma with such wishes is a client knowing what they want included, but just not knowing how to do it while preserving a compatible Interior design flow.
When it is not our area of expertise, we tend to visualize things kind of in membership categories! This goes with that, and that goes here not there, etc. Not unlike imagining certain fabric patterns actually on a sofa, then being really surprised at the reality! It can either please or horrify!
That special ability to know what will work, and what won’t, is a gift your Interior design expert brings to the table! That skill also comes into play when it comes to incorporating favorite obsolete – or just odd – elements into your Interior design concept plan.
So, listen up! Don’t be afraid to drag out that gilded framed 24 X 24 portrait of great granddad on his horse…
Let your Interior designer know what you love, the importance a something has for you, and that you would like it included in some tasteful way.
You may be very surprised and pleased when it gets a whole new place in your new Interior space! And, help is on the way!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.
