There is a new contributor here on OH DEER, so allow me to introduce you to Bethany Van Hecke, Director/Designer. You will see her here on the blog monthly, she will focus on talking to us about the business behind design, I know I am excited to hear all about her projects, see photos and learn about her business! -Marika
Before this life I was a single light-footed whirlwind of a young woman working at an art gallery in a small town in the Rockies. During my time there I had much opportunity to reflect on the successes of creative individuals. Signature style is a common trait of renowned artists – and how they developed this signature style was what got me really interested.
As an artistic professional I have come to feel strongly that success can be more readily attained when one exercises self-control in carefully limiting the creative “pallet”. For a painter, this may mean that they limit their prolific work to certain themes, colours, and textures… and as a result the task of painting within a commercial gallery setting becomes more sustainable.
When I first opened my office for business I took on an intern from Vancouver Island University’s Interior Design program. During the first weeks of setting up, we carefully selected materials to have on hand as samples. As the samples rolled in my studio it was armed with a limited pallet products that I knew I wanted to use and that I could imagine specifying for an array of client styles.
CHOOSING A LIMITED PALLET:
- Take time to notice what is up-and-coming, and reflect on what is currently trending. Focus on bringing in materials that meet somewhere in the middle.
- Get involved with local home expos and meet local trades people, representatives, and artisans.
- Attend larger industry events such as Build-Ex (Vancouver) or Interior Design Show West.
- Review the products. Ask builders, architects, designers and engineers about their experience specifying or using the products.
- Understand whether or not the product can be used in your specific area.
- Do your absolute best to create a vision for your client using tried and true materials and colours. Is there a neutral paint tone that seems to work best with your signature tastes? Request extra samples!
As I write this I am seated in the middle of chaos. We are moving to Calgary from Vancouver Island in a few months and I am heavily involved in the task of purging my studio/office. I am looking over my various piles of samples and am so pleased with the reality that the products I first researched and ordered samples of were actually used on built projects.
-Bethany Van Hecke (Capstone Dwellings)
(all images by OH DEER)
