When Design is Not Enough

Good interior designers face a huge question every day. How do I tell a client that the existing furniture in their space is counter productive to their goals? How do I tell them Great Aunt Jean's Dining Table is just not going to work? How do I tell them that updating does not mean new throw pillows, but actual replacement of some expensive pieces?

We have all faced it. Not insulting our client, but telling them the truth. Not hurting their feelings, but not spending money to fix something that is not really fixable.

I believe that the "smoke and mirrors" that some designers play with all comes apart when honesty and integrity are part of your practice. No one deserves to be lied too. No one deserves to think that something will happen, that you know will not and cannot. YOU are the keeper of your code. YOU are the end of the line for design decisions, and you must tell the truth.

I have faced this more than once with clients getting ready to spend serious money to make an antique work. I have faced it continually when a client is attached to an out of scale, or out of sync wood piece, or upholstered piece. We have to be the gate keepers of our own integrity. Telling the truth and reacting with truth early on is easier than later.

Later is expensive. Later is a lie.

I approach every discussion with a client as a potential moment of truth. I approach every discussion as a potential learning experience for everyone, and would not want a client to miss the chance to grow. So lets embrace it, lets get to it, and lets do the right thing. Even if it means that the job is not ours. Telling the truth will always win in the end.

Connie Lane Christy Recieves Award for Chapter of ASID

Monday in Chicago, during Neocon, a Chapter Community Service Award was announced to the National Board of ASID. Columbus has never won a National Award before. This is big stuff.

Our faithful team of volunteers gave endless hours and dollars to do a transitional Housing Unit for New Horizons (of Southeast Inc.) on Mound Street in Columbus.

For ASID, excellence is expected and routinely what we do. For Columbus, we felt it was about time to bring one home for the city.

If you want to see the project, let us know. We are so very proud. This kind of design work changes lives. If we cannot do that, we have no business being in this industry.

Thanks for the recognition National Board of ASID. Chicago is a great place to give awards for work in a city that is ripe for the blessing.

Victorian Village Home Tour 2010

We are being honored once again with the selection of one of our interiors for a featured home on the Victorian Village Home Tour in September. We were informed that Columbus Monthly will be writing an article about this particular special home, and publishing it in July or August of 2010. We are humbled by the recognition.

The project is actually a new build by Richard Bruggeman as the developer.
Richard brought over 40 years of expertise, gregarious creation, and his own brand of Urban Chic to play in the three cluster condos on Brickel.

We were lucky as a design firm to get involved early enough to impact design details in the spaces, and extremely fortunate to be involved to the final details in one of them.

Our Art Deco meets Arts & Crafts condo that is being featured is lovingly owned by two gentlemen that absolutely get it. Design is a way of life for them. I had the distinct pleasure to work with them on all aspects of the environment. They are an ideal client. Educated, empowered to experience interior spaces with humor and play.

Hopefully you will all read the article as it comes out. Please visit us on the tour. I am trying to be in the house to answer questions.

Pick up, Sort Out and Clear Cobwebs from Spaces

Ever wonder why people have yard sales? I have never understood it. I am a big donater, and prefer to use unwanted articles to help those that might benefit from them. But recently I started to understand this "yard sale" mentality as a process of letting go.

By putting a price tag on our old things, our memories and our discards, we reinforce to ourselves and to others that they are worthy of considering, and of value to purchase. When I donate the same articles that others might sell, I never see the joy of someone getting them. I never see the face of discovery as they "come onto them". Maybe that helps the giver to let go of it, and think that it is part of someone elses life. That might just be easier for them to do.

I have never been a pack rat. When I am in the early stages of design and my programming phase is in full speed ahead momentum, there usually comes a time when the discussion of purging and cleaning out is brought up. This might be when I bring in a professional organizer, or a Closet Designer to help with the letting go. Image/Wardrobe consultants are also very helpful in this concern. Alot of clients have a difficult time letting their possessions go. Pretty soon the closets are well designed, and bursting at the seams again. There must be a process that we always adhere too where we just let go, over and over again. When you donate items that still have tags on them, it is a sure sign that something is out of kilter. When pack rat sees that they instantly put it back in the closet and treasure more.

So professional organizers, Closet Consultants, and Image Consultants thank you for stepping in and making this process less painful. I do not know what I would have done without you during my tenure as an interior designer. We tend to like to keep collections, clutter and prize possessions displayed tastefully and not in an overwhelming sort of way. You make us look good.

Columus Ohio Interior Design that Works for YOU

As summer goes full tilt, I keep reminding my clients how design is a balancing act.

Design to enjoy these beautiful summer days. Design to enjoy your family outside, and inside. We know that this weather is precious. We know that doing outdoor rooms, and outdoor spaces to dovetail with our interiors makes the inside and outside speak the same language. That is not only fun (yes that matters with design!) but also easy to do.

The outdoor room, with outdoor art, plantings and COLOR can change your outlook, give you a breather, and recharge those winter batteries. Take the time to enjoy the outdoor space that we create together. Plan outdoor entertaining. Plan outdoor down time (put it on your schedule) and take a moment every morning to eat your oatmeal outside, drink your coffee outside,
or read the paper. (the Kindle has pretty good resolution in direct sunlight, but I hear that Sony's equivalent also has good bright direct sun reading quality!)

I believe that one reason that mid westerners have such great attitudes is our seasonal weather changes. We see beginnings and endings and accept them, and make the most of them! That is not only an attitude, but a way of life! Seasons ebbing and flowing. Life moving on.

Design is an important aspect of how you live. Design is a part of all of it, and a HUGE part of living well!