Interview with Frances Herrera

Interior designer Francesca Herrera emphasizes “affordable luxury” whether she’s working on a contemporary or traditional design. Though most of her work involves more extensive design projects, she’s seen a growing interest in her one-day Spacelift makeovers.

How did the idea of a Spacelift come to be?

Early on in my career, I realized that not only did I have a good sense of fabric and design, but also I was very organized.  And since we’re so space-challenged here in New York City, I saw that I could help my clients organize and rearrange their possessions in a way that would make the most of their living space.  That’s really what a Spacelift is—a one day makeover with a relatively small budget (under $6,000) that makes the most of what you currently own.

How do you help your clients edit their surroundings?

I talk to them about letting go of pieces that have seen better days, but I do so with respect. What I might see as trash could be someone else’s treasure and so I try to be open to why my clients are attached to their possessions.  Then if they really want to keep an item we’ll try moving it to a less conspicuous place or repurposing it in some way.

What are some of your favorite resources for customizing and updating a Spacelift project?

I like to go through my clients’ photos to create customized artwork.  I’ll create a big family photo collage or enlarge individual photos of their children in black and white.  Oftentimes they have lots of little photos around which starts to look like clutter. By hanging just a few photos it gives the space a more sophisticated look. However, even if I pare the photos back to a few large images, I tell them that photos should be rotated. The same images shouldn’t stay up forever.

Also, floor space should be considered an extra wall.  Most of my clients need to go bigger with the size of rugs on their floors.  It’s a great opportunity to add more color and pattern to a space.  And they can use fairly inexpensive rugs—cotton dhurries or kilims have a big impact with minimal outlay.  And, if it’s a young family, they can flip the rugs when they start to look dirty or replace them in a few years without having invested too much.

What’s the end goal with any design?

Whether it’s a big budget project or a Spacelift, I don’t want to end up with something that’s mediocre. I want to create rooms that are sophisticated and inviting. A room is successful if it captures my client’s personality.  When a client tells me that the room “really feels like me,” then I know I’ve done a good job.

For more information on Frances Herrera, visit her website.