Why Hire a Designer?

{ September 16, 2009 @ 4:46 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I was at a benefit fair this evening and while showing some of the patrons my work, one gentleman asked me why I would show such beautiful work to people who probably don’t have the money to spend on a designer?  I paused for a moment – I wanted to give a thoughtful answer that didn’t come off as a sales pitch – it’s important to ME that I am sincere.  Here is what I said.

For people with smaller budgets, working with a good designer should be more valuable to them  than having no designer.  I work with all sorts of budgets – some are big, and some are not so big – it doesn’t matter.  A good designer will be worth their weight in gold because working with one will help you get more for your money AND will ensure that you avoid making mistakes (and subsequently wasting your money).  A good designer should also help you prioritize so you get what’s most important out of your budget.

So – let me take my response further – designers use their experience in changing the look (or creating the look) of a home – most people don’t have that experience and if they do, it’s limited.   Experience, well applied, is VALUABLE.  Why spend a dime on a new kitchen if you cannot function efficiently in it?  You’ve just wasted your money.  Why spend a nickel on  painting your home if after you have finished the job you HATE the colors?  You’ve just wasted your money.    Why spend anything at all for a new bathroom only to feel like it isn’t anything special when you’ve finished?  All that time, expense and inconvenience in your life should at least make your jaw drop with excitement when you’re finished, don’t you think?

A good designer is a prudent investment when they:

1.  respect your budget

2.  deliver a functional and beautiful result using the right materials

3.  lend you their imagination and experience

4.  point you to reliable, ethical and skilled tradespeople who can complete the work as defined

5.  work with you to understand your needs

6.  are flexible and tailor their services to your needs

Think about the projects around you – can a designer, in just a brief consultation, help you take your ideas to a new level?

Inspiration

{ September 4, 2009 @ 7:50 am } · { Uncategorized }
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So, this is my very first blog posting and I must say, I really struggled with what I could talk about.  Blogging seems like it should be easy but like anything else, knowing where or even how to start is the toughest part!  So, I thought I’d start with the beginning from a design standpoint and talk about INSPIRATION.

When my clients are undertaking a home interiors project it’s always difficult for them to know where to start so I ask – what do you find inspiring?  What feeling do you wish to inspire when you are in your home? Inspiration can come from anywhere.  Let me give you an example.  I once had a client hand me an ad from a design catalog that featured a faucet.  But it wasn’t the faucet that she loved, it was the way in which it was portrayed – the colors, textures and even the gown the model was wearing in the ad evoked a feeling of luxury and richness that my client really loved.   When she handed me the ad, she said that this was how she wanted her powder room to FEEL… I know that most of you who are reading this have probably seen something and you’ve immediately identified with it in a feeling way.

So ask yourself, do you want your space to feel quiet or warm?  Is there a cherished childhood memory you’d like to recreate?  How do you want your space to feel?  After all, you’re the one who will be living there so do your best to answer that basic question.  Now, what ‘imagery’ inspires that feeling for you?  Is it a beautiful piece of costume jewelry, a painting or photograph, a garment, or  a wildflower bouquet arranged by a child?  Then, work to pinpoint the textures, colors and shapes or what I like to call ‘movement’ that will provide you with that feeling.

Some people find this hard to do for themselves, that’s ok, I can help  you through the process.   Because when I design, I don’t do it alone, I do it WITH you…. it starts and ends with YOU!

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