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For Amy K. Cratin, president of Cratin Design and Staging, it’s the details that make the design. Throughout her 14-year career, Cratin’s attention to detail has served her well both in both her interior design and staging businesses.
My personal decorating style is … eclectic. Creating your own style is about surrounding yourself with things you enjoy so your space, no matter how big or small, reflects you and not a specific style.
My favorite room in my house is … my lower family room. I designed it for my husband to share with his friends and filled it with sports memorabilia. It has a rich, club-like feel. It’s just for him.
My most prized possession is … my grandfather clock. It was the piece of furniture my husband and I chose to mark the purchase of our first home. I hope to pass it down to one of my own children someday when they purchase their first home.
Designers who inspire me are … Floss Barber and Ron Dayan.
Design advice I love to give is … color does not necessarily make a room feel smaller or larger, it makes the space feel warmer or cooler. This creates a feeling in the space that defies definition by mere measurements.
Colors I couldn’t design without are … red and all of its many shades. A splash of red—whether it’s in paint, fabric, wall covering or accessories—can bring life and spirit to a room.
My definition of good taste is … the ability of a designer to identify the underlying needs of the individual client and express them in a way that will reflect the client and not the designer.
The biggest decorating faux pas I’ve seen is… lots of small accessories, too many neutrals and an adherence to a marketed style. Experiment and find your own style among the rest.
The three words that best sum up my design style are … stimulating, comfortable and challenging.
