How do you learn how to Design?

[Kate Barry]

My sisters and I are inheriting my grandmother's home. She's been here for almost 50 years, its beautiful and has great bones and is in a great location.  We will be doing a lot of work to the land as well - clearing trees for a view, landscaping and rebuilding the gardens and stone walls, etc.  The interior needs to be completely updated, and the layout needs to be changed too.  The basement is a walkout and would be great to finish as possible second unit.  We want the property to have a lot of options.

I really want to learn how to design rooms, in terms of structurally and functionality as well as aesthetic.  What is a good course to start this journey?  I don't have any background in building or art but I'm kind of looking at a winter holed up on top of a mountain and would like to try something totally new and outside my comfort zone just to see if I can do it!

[Katherine Robbins]

As a designer, I would suggest scrolling through Pinterest and saving things you like to a board for the house. You need to figure out what the aesthetic is that you're going for - traditional, modern, farmhouse etc.. Pick a color theme and try to maintain in throughout the house. You need to figure out how much you want to spend on the renovation as what you choose for materials and design elements will depend on the budget you have. If you want to change the layout, you should definitely have an actual designer do that. There are building codes to follow and if it's major wall moving, you will need an architect or engineer. The contractor you choose should be able to walk the property with you and tell you what you can and can't do. 

Feel free to message me if you have any design questions! Good luck.