Tag: Intel Partnership

Creating an Interior Design Plan + Mood Board

Written by Jenna on December 14, 2015. Posted in Decorating.

A few weeks ago, I shared a few favorite tools that I use to run my design business + blog.

All are must-haves to run my office efficiently (as possible, it’s never perfectly smooth), but my main go-to day in and day out is my Intel 2 in 1 laptop + computer!

From morning till night, this is my #1 for creating design plans to writing blog posts to browsing the web for inspiration.

I’m often asked what programs I use for the floor plans + mood boards I create for my blog and for client presentations. And today, you lucky dogs are going to get the inside scoop…

Whether designing a space for myself or for a client, the process typically starts by gathering inspiration + making notes about the proposed space.

Before an initial meeting with a client, I ask them to look through magazines + search online for spaces & elements that they are drawn to. There’s no need for a common thread or a specific style. That doesn’t matter. Basically, if you love it – for whatever reason – tag it. Later, we can dig through the why do you love it…

The next part of the initial design process is to write down wants, needs, and use of the space + what the objective of the room will be. How do you want the room to feel? If the room could talk, how would the room describe itself?

These first steps gets the ball rolling for me to pull together how the room(s) will look, feel, and function!

FURNITURE PLAN

Next up, I create a furniture plan for the space(s).

For this, I use AutoCAD. Unlike inexpensive drag & drop architectural programs, AutoCAD is 100% manual to create the plan with exact measurements needed. This program is most used by professionals in the Architectural field and has been around for many years. I use an older version of Architectural Desktop 3.3. Here’s a look…

For those of you who want to create your own furniture plan, there are many drag + drop programs to give a try. Or you can try SketchUp, which is a 3D modeling program.

GATHER IDEAS

Simultaneously to creating the furniture plan (I make changes as I find items and can input the exact measurements), I am also scouring the web + my design resource library for furniture and decor elements to create the room that fits the look + feel + function I am designing.

I pull images from the web by saving them to my desktop or taking a screenshot.

Ever take a screenshot – a snapshot of your computer screen – on the web? If not, it’s easy! On your computer keyboard there is a button, PRNTSCR, typically on the top right. Click it and you’ll take a shot of your computer screen at that moment.

This is a screenshot of a rug that was perfect for a loft space I am designing…

MOOD BOARD

Once I have a good handle on about 90% of the items that I want for the space, I start the creation of the mood board. For this part of the design process, I use Picasa, a free picture program to organize + edit. It has a collage-making section and is very user-friendly.

Here is a snippet when I was creating the mood board for the loft…

Once the Furniture Plan + Mood Board was complete, I was ready to print.

Here is the result…

This is the bedroom space mood board…

And lastly, the overall floor plan for the loft…

From the initial thoughts + ideas all the way through to creating a real living space, this is the process of developing the design + making the mood board!

ALL with my Intel computer. I told you it’s my main go-to for running my business.

Along with working on local client projects, I also offer E-Design services to those living anywhere in the US. For those projects, all communication is online. Along with my business + my blog, as I said before, my computer is like my 4th child… a little sad to say, but true.

Interested in learning more about my E-Design program? I offer a slew of services.

Here’s an example of what I can do for you…

There you have it… a peek into how I create a design plan + mood board for clients.

I’m off to meet with a possible new client about another project…

More questions about running a design business? Ask me! I’d also love to hear about your ideas + experiences.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH INTEL TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS + HOW I USE THE INTEL 2 IN 1 LAPTOP FOR MY DESIGN BUSINESS. #spon

The Right Tools for the Girl on the Go

Written by Jenna on November 23, 2015. Posted in Decorating. 12 Comments on The Right Tools for the Girl on the Go

Without a doubt, I can say I am a girl on the go.

Owning + Running + Managing a small business takes a lot of time + effort and everyday brings on new challenges. At the same time though, I know I’m on the path that was set out for me and most moments of the day don’t even feel like ‘work’. While trying to manage my business + my family’s needs & obligations, everyday is different. I somewhat have a routine, but ‘my job’ is certainly not 9 to 5.

When I carve out the time to work, it’s often on the go. From my desk to the library to the local coffee shop, I sit + design where I feel most inspired at that moment. Some days are strictly at-my-desk, buckle-down days to pump out as many design plans as possible, while others days I hit the pavement at 9am and am out & about all day from job to job. On those days when I’m meeting with a client, I often throw all my stuff – Intel 2 in 1 laptop / tablet, camera, notebook, sketchpad, calendar, pens – in my work bag and hit the road running…

No matter what time of day (or night more often than not), my laptop is like my 4th child. It’s by my side, pulling at my leg to give it attention until it rests for a moment, then rises again in a few hours… Seriously though, my laptop is my everything pertaining to work. From creating design plans, to searching for client inspiration + printing vision boards, to blogging about my latest DIY creation, my laptop is open + on A LOT!

And how can it not be when it can easily switch from laptop to tablet in seconds?!

When I’m at my desk creating a floor layout + design plan for a client, I am often at a flat surface with a mouse in hand (yes I still use a mouse) working away…

But after hours of sitting straight – often by the afternoon – I like to enjoy an afternoon tea and put my feet up to scour the internet for inspiration. This is where the tablet comes in perfect…

Along with cutting out images from magazines (it may be old school, but it’ll never go out of style), I also hunt through favorite design sites & resources, and create collaborative pinterest boards with clients to gather my ideas.

For me, a laptop + tablet is most important for my job because it allows the flexibility to work anywhere at any time. I’ve had a desktop and I’ve had other tablets in the past, but I can’t lug a huge desktop with my to a job site and I don’t want to be weighed down with multiple devices.

The Intel 2 in 1 laptop and tablet make my life easy and as a girl on the go, I couldn’t be happier.

Along with my laptop, here are a few other essential tools that help me run my business…

Live Work Create Bag / Planner / Pen / Notebook / Clipboard / Intel 2 in 1

ON THE BOARDS

I have a slew of projects on the boards at the moment.

Along with my kitchen renovation (did you see the sneak peek picture I shared on Instagram?), I am working on an entire 3000 s.f. home remodel which will include a new kitchen, master bathroom, and all new interior furnishings.

I’m also in the midst of creating a design plan for a row house with a west elm style aesthetic. From the floors to the walls and everything in between, I will be selecting + styling it all.

For this project, I am meeting with the client tomorrow to present the design direction. I have a few more details to finish up, so I’m off to the coffee shop to jump on my laptop to get a few more hours of work in before the kiddos come home…

Running a small business isn’t easy. It takes time, energy, and money. But what is most important is passion and drive. If you love what you’re doing, like me, then most moments don’t feel like ‘work’.

As a girl on the go, I try to surround myself with others to handle the nitty-gritty and to power myself with equipment + the right tools to make my life easier and to allow my focus to be on letting my creative juices flow.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH INTEL TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS + HOW I USE THE INTEL 2 IN 1 LAPTOP FOR MY DESIGN BUSINESS. #spon