| Time is the major element that gets overlooked | | | | phone and email for payments and scheduling |
| in most residential interior design projects shown | | | | installations. |
| on television. The actual implementation of the job | | | | 2. My husband and I just downsized to a condo. |
| is shown at fast forward speed. By the time 22 | | | | We hate the ugly carpeting throughout our living |
| minutes are up, the jobs is tied up nicely. You | | | | room and dining room. We'd prefer a mixture of |
| rarely see the designer sourcing fabrics or | | | | hardwood and area rugs. Where can we find a |
| furnishings. The trades are always available. | | | | reliable hardwood specialist at an affordable price? |
| Budget is never discussed. There should be a | | | | How do we go about choosing area rugs? |
| warning: Don't try this at home! | | | | 3. For such an expensive real estate price I |
| Pandering to the whims of socialites possessed of | | | | expected much better than these cheap-looking |
| too much money for their own good may have | | | | countertops, hardware and blinds installed by the |
| typified yesterday's interior designer. Their clients' | | | | developer. I want to change the look with marble |
| most noticeable characteristic was idle time. Times | | | | and black-out lined drapes and also find someone |
| change. Today's residential interior designer's | | | | to create custom closets. |
| typical clients have a complete shortage of time | | | | 4 I desperately need a fabric I can wash and dry. |
| and too many demands on what little time they | | | | I have two dogs that shed and drool. What kind |
| do have. These people chunk life down to a size | | | | of fabric will work? What colors are available? |
| they can handle. In design, this translates not into | | | | 5. I always bought my fine linens at specialty |
| a mansion makeover, but a room at a time or a | | | | stores but now they seem to be everywhere |
| condo makeover to suit a certain lifestyle. | | | | and they all say they have a high thread count. |
| Designer's client lists distinctively include physicians | | | | Are they made of the same quality cotton? I |
| and dentists, attorneys and accountants, | | | | can't find the colors I like at the big box stores. |
| entrepreneurs and business executives. Their | | | | I've been searching for a slate colored duvet |
| good fortune is the ability to control their destiny | | | | cover and shams. |
| by working hard at their chosen profession. What | | | | After the daily corporate battles these busy |
| they all have in common is a shortage of time. | | | | professionals want to retreat to rooms that look |
| And busy-ness is their most noticeable | | | | like the photo shoots of home decor magazines |
| characteristic. | | | | and re-charge their batteries for tomorrow. They |
| Here is a selection of true-to-life design direction | | | | can afford high-end furnishings and finishes but |
| scenarios I have encountered in the last year. | | | | don't know where to find them. Even it they did, |
| 1. We are moving offices to Vancouver in 6 | | | | they wouldn't know where to find the time to pull |
| weeks. I purchased a condo downtown. I don't | | | | it all together. They mostly want a designer for |
| know my new city that well, but I have been all | | | | sourcing the furnishings, making sure all the colors |
| over looking for furnishings and can't find anything | | | | work together, and coordinating trades. |
| that meets my criteria of comfortable, affordable, | | | | Time is the driver of interior design these days. If |
| and of good quality. I need someone | | | | a designer can show the importance of this ability |
| knowledgeable to source and arrange furnishings | | | | to take the job off the shoulders of busy |
| and linens and curtains for my two bedroom | | | | professionals, and save them time, they'll be |
| condo and to deal with my executive assistant by | | | | rewarded with referrals and repeat business. |
