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.
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