Putting Lipstick On A Pig!

After 50 years in the business, I’m still amazed at the false perceptions of interior designers. I’m what is known as an architectural interior designer. That means two things. First, other than structural work I’m knowledgeable in much of the same areas as an architect. Secondly, I can positively affect the operational functions and success of a business's interior and exterior rather than just make it “pretty.” My years of training and experience enable me to see the physical issues affecting the suitability (layout and furnishings) within a space as well as the impact of a facade. This includes hotels, retail stores, workspaces (offices) and even homes. 

A professional interior designer accomplishes this with a comprehensive survey of each space (room) and each person who occupies or uses the spaces. Typically, this reveals issues of convenience, poor or wrong type and placement of furniture and or fixtures; too little or too much lighting; uncomfortable temperature, too hot or too cold; missing elements like storage or security; and inappropriate or poor staff or customer communication. 

From the survey, a new layout and specification for furniture, fixtures, lighting, etc. as needed is created. What people often misunderstand is that as a professional interior designer, my resources are almost unlimited. This gives me exceptional buying power over a wide range of products. As an example, instead of paying $1800 for a proper executive desk chair, I can usually buy it and resell it to my client at a price of $900 or even less with quantities. 

A typical result of collaborating with an interior designer is not only cost savings for proper furniture and fixtures but also enhanced operations and profitability. The real return on the investment is the potential for increased income and profitability. And to reiterate, this includes hotels, retail stores, workspaces (offices) and even homes. 

It is also important to understand why you pay for the service. Something for free is of course not worth accepting because it is usually barely, if at all, worthwhile. A person with suitable training and experience is worth their weight in gold. My fees are hourly for a consultation and fixed for a project. I also am open about what I paid for a product and will only mark it up 10%