IT'S OK TO FEEL SHY

Even if you've never had custom work done, it's way less intimidating than you might think.

"I'm passionate about color and it is the starting point for all my work," says Toronto-based designer Debra Gould.

"Clients generally pick from swatches of my custom-blended acrylics or I mix paint to complement their wall colours, fabrics, tiles or furniture. We develop a color palette and the design flows from there."

IN HOME CONSULTATIONS

For clients in Toronto, Debra will bring several samples to your home so you can see them in the appropriate environment.

OUTSIDE TORONTO AREA

Clients outside Toronto send fabric or colour samples and room photos. Ideas are e-mailed back and forth and an agreement is reached before production begins.

During in-home consultations, Debra helps you determine what colors appeal to you by looking at your home and going through color books, paint samples and the color swatches she has created.

Next, different design possibilities are discussed. Often something in the room is used as a jumping off point for the new design. This may be a detail in one of your fabrics or tiles or even a combination of elements from the samples that are brought to your home. Possible sizes and/or shapes are also discussed. One of the principal advantages of custom work is that you can have exactly what you want!

The process is meant to be fun and stress free. Debra skillfully leads you through it helping you make decisions along the way. Don't feel that you need to have a mental picture of what you're looking for in advance. Her job as a designer is to introduce you to new possibilities and help you discover what appeals most to you.

After the meeting (or e-mail discussions) Debra provides a written detailed cost quotation (describing her understanding of what's needed) including a commitment to a delivery date for your approval. You are under no further obligation until a deposit is paid to start the project. The balance is due upon delivery. For clients outside Toronto, full payment is received prior to shipping. A digital photo of your finished project will be e-mailed to you so you know what's coming.

There are several samples on this site to provide design ideas. Hundreds of others can be seen at www.debragould.com.

After reviewing several floorcloth samples from her newly renovated kitchen, this Toronto Client chose an adaptation of an existing design. A new color palette was chosen to compliment the wood and pick up colours from the granite counter and tile backsplash (not yet installed). Finished size of this floorcloth is 36" x 78" to cover the high-traffic area between the sink, stove and fridge.

You can read what Clients have to say about the products they received.

If you would like additional information, please call the studio at 416-691-6615 or e-mail: debra@sixelements.com