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The choices within the marketplace are endless and can be overwhelming. Trends come and go, rules are made to be broken, and as we mature our tastes evolve. So, how does one go about beginning a design project? Knowing your clients is the best beginning. Where they live has a direct influence on what they live with and it is vital to concentrate on the function of the space. Keep in mind how the space will be used, identify likes, dislikes and color preferences to determine the ambiance they hope to achieve. There will be certain limitations based on the architecture and budget, but remember there is no "right" way to design, beyond safety, except to consider what is right for your client. A designer is there to interpret client wishes, highlight the attributes and minimize the shortcomings of spaces under consideration, supply excellent services and products and oversee a project from conception to completion. The services of a designer, in today's marketplace, have become more important than ever. The cost to produce well-made, beautiful, long-lasting furniture has skyrocketed. Hardwoods are at a premium, elaborate finishing techniques are in demand and the raw materials and labor to produce these goods have risen. The investment a client makes to create an outstanding interior is very expensive. Let's face it, our grandparents would never understand that it can cost as much to furnish a room today as it used to cost to purchase a whole house. And many consumers, especially those who have not purchased goods in some time, may be astounded at current prices. Coupled with the fact that there are more and more products available, varying greatly in their quality, the role of a designer as an interpreter has become essential. It is important to rely on interior designers who know the reputation and quality of the products they recommend. Stocking dealers afford consumers the luxury of seeing items first-hand, but this may be an instance where a picture does not always tell the whole story. Studies show that most of us purchase furniture only two or three times during our lifetime, but there are many methods available, other than traditional retail. Some products are even available directly to the end-user, in an attempt to circumvent the retailer or designer and pass savings on to the consumer. Lower price often equates to a lower level of service. Often, when consumers concentrates only on price, they may not have considered all the ramifications. Why is there such a difference in price? Is this discount based on the buying power of a firm or is it of inferior quality? Will consumers get the service they have come to expect? Are they really getting the best quality for their money? Have they sacrificed warranties? If problems arise in shipping, such as damage by a freight line, who will handle this and replace the damaged goods? How long can they expect their furniture to last? And, most importantly does the piece achieve the desired results in terms of scale, performance, durability? If you have a client who seems only interested in the bottom line, it is your responsibility to determine if they are, in fact, sacrificing quality. Inform them of what they may be giving up and how your services are worth the difference in price. Analyzing clients' needs, preparing a plan that functions well, providing quality product lines from reputable manufacturers, stocking inventory, handling storage and delivery services, supervising installation, enforcing warranties and resolving shipping of damaged goods that may arise, all come at a price. A consumer who settles for less now may be settling less the next ten or twenty years to come. As a Ziggy cartoon once illustrated so well, by showing an antique dealer talking to a prospective buyer, "You better love what you buy when it's new, because it won't be 'new' for very long." When your client purchases well-made items they adore, they will end up loving them for many years to come, and every time they look at the the results they will be reminded of how you helped make their dream a reality. - Dezignaré |