Staying Custom In A World That Wants Instant Gratification.

You went into Interior Design to bring forth your vision , creativity , artistry , point of view , and all those lofty yet achievable goals. What happens then when a few years down the road that you feel more like an Order Taker than Style Maker? How did you go from designing a custom sofa to shopping for one at the local furniture showroom? Can you turn this ship around and set sail in an new/old direction?

Yes , you can and it takes some reeducation of both yourself and your clients. because Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is an office space , living room , or retail store. In an age of I-PADs , I-PODs , emails , and other Techno or instantaneous means of meeting your needs , everyone expects things to just magically appear in their spaces . Even though installations still require  selection , instruction , production , shipment , and delivery. It can be very frustrating for all involved to try to remember that this isn’t possible with custom Interior Design. And this is not really what one hires an Interior Designer for.

It is important from the initial interview stage that you do not sell yourself on fastness . It is as disastrous on down the road as if you sold yourself to a client by your cheapness. Having not enough money to complete a project is equal to having not enough of a time frame. When talking in person with your client and within the contract structure  ,  it is important to point out that you seek the most ideal solutions to their design questions . Detail out that this often involves a creative process where you seek the best fabrics , products , and other materials that often are not  readily available  at aisle B in Frank’s Furniture Bonanza. Remind them that they seek something special and uniquely memorable , and they do not wish to have their place of business have the same trending color scheme as the guy up the road. Impress upon your clientele that Branding involves projecting what is different and individually signature about their Company. Come up with a realistic time frame and give yourself a couple weeks leeway. Remember that in today’s Economy , things often are not in stock , that many businesses are on four day work weeks or short staffed , and that there are less Freight companies still on the road.

In order to have the Career you had hoped and dreamed of , you need to stay true to the Artisan within , who needs time , expertise , and the correct materials to create that perfect outcome to the design inquiry posed. Stay Custom , Stay True to Your Ideals.

It is Monday , will you rush through the day forgetting what is best and grabbing what is available? Or can you take a little more time and walk away at the end of the day feeling fulfillment ? The choice is yours , the ending remarkably different.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986