Designer Insight   

From our fall 2008 issue of Design Today: designers Thomas Jayne, Amelia Handegan, Darryl Carter, Timothy Corrigan, Dan Andersen and Lorena Gaxiola discuss second homes:

DESIGNER: Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jayne Studio, New York

Jayne has completed numerous fellowships and internships at America’s most prestigious museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Historic Deerfield, and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Smithsonian Institution. Jayne frequently lectures and has published several pieces on practical and historical decoration. He has been named to House Beautiful’s Top 125 Designers list and New York Magazine’s “The City’s 100 Best Architects and Decorators.”

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- Smaller projects have real impact. Simple makeovers of a hallway or entry of a home can be stylish and affordable. Unique entry to a home sets the tone for the entire home. 
- Existing artwork, prints or photographs can be re-matted/framed and re-hung as a full wall installation in a bedroom or other living space. 
- Painting a single wall is an affordable way to make old seem new and fresh. 
- Adding a new lamp, throw pillows, even new bedding can take lazy to luxe in these tight economic times

--Paul Thompson

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My optimism grows each day as I discover new opportunities, and I'm actually doing more presentations compared to last year at this time. I attribute it to the extra work I was able to produce when things slowed down for me. I've also taken this opportunity to contact potential new clients and have picked up a few. Doing community volunteer work has kept my name out there and given me a platform from which to network.  I welcomed the slowdown as a chance to focus on new designs and be more creative with all areas of my business; remaining optimistic can be one of the most positive steps one can take given the current climate. --Bense Garza

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I see it as "survival of the fittest".  Those who have always delivered excellence in design will survive with a few adjustments; those who were never very successful will struggle or close their doors. Work is available out there; knowing your client and their needs is one of the best ways to stay alive.

I have found our best pool of new business to be all of our old and existing clients. They continue to work with us and give us repeat business because they know our performance and track record. They are the ones who recommend us to their friends and who talk about us at cocktail parties.

The only way to improve business even in good times is to continually stay on top and do great work. Work done well speaks for itself and is the best marketing an interior designer can do. --Sandy Espinet

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Posted by Susan Dickenson, about Greg O’Neal - on his new position as Revco's VP of product development and marketing. (Revco is the L.A.-based case goods vendor that also manufactures Candice Olson’s line). In addition to spending the past six years as Revco’s design director, Greg is also a noted industry speaker and panelist, having shared his thoughts here as a member of Home Accents Today’s Designer Insight panel. With his permission, I hijacked Greg's blog space so I could share a few of his comments on his new position:

G.O.:  Hmmmm... any comments. Well let’s see, you know me, I have a few words to share with you (or several days of chat if you wish).

I know that as a product designer and interior designer you usually have a couple...Read More

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Given the current economic climate, what is the one most important thing designers can do right now to improve business or keep your name out there? "You go back to the grass roots of how you started. It's about reconnecting with old clients and having much more of a presence with your company. I also think it's really important to stay out there -- participating in events, more creative marketing, maybe more networking. For instance, I spent the weekend in my Park City, Utah, showroom networking with realtors. We're both dealing with similar issues, and it's imperative to connect because we both can help each other through the referral process. I believe work ethic trickles down from the top, and as good leaders, we need to regularly share with our team ideas like this on how to weather the storm, and also, very important, how to keep a positive attitude." -- Barclay Butera, President & CEO, Barclay Butera Inc.

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For me, the most important thing I've done in this economy has been to identify and align my business with other businesses that seem to be weathering the storm. After almost 20 years in this industry, I've been blessed to have worked with a broad range of businesses that continue to provide me with advice, experience and examples of what to do, but better yet, what not to do and whom not to do it with. This is one of those times where losing any amount of money could be the catalyst that brings your business to its knees. Honest and open communication (even though sometimes depressing) with peers has given me confidence to continue building a healthier business and a better brand. The key is identifying the safest and most cost effective solution. It is sad to see your peers and friends struggle, but he good thing about any bottom is that it can only get better. --Greg O'Neal

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(posted by Home Accents Today staff) At the Las Vegas Market last month, NBC Today show contributor Susanna Salk spent some time walking the halls and showrooms of World Market Center with interior and collections designers Barclay Butera, Amy Lau and Joe Nye. Afterwards, they sat down for a conversation with Salk about their “shopping” trip, which was caught on videotape, shared with a live audience at market, and is now viewable online at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=55266.

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For me, and my clients, it goes back to the basics of smarter living and necessities. So many great things can be done on a budget, without a budgeted look. Here's where I'd spend my money in order to create an (affordable) renewed look and cohesive design:

1) I would save immediate cash by re-upholstering and revamping the sofa. Great neutral durable fabrics can be purchased from any neighborhood vendor, but when re-upholstering focus on the details: contrasting welts, covered/tufted buttons, nailhead trim. These details give new life to “old, tired and dated.” Then, purchase a pair of new occasional chairs to complement your new sofa -- they cost less than a new sofa, plus they can be moved when you are ready for a change.
2) Purchase new occasional tables for beside the sofa and between conversational chairs. Small accent tables cost less t...Read More

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Consider bartering if you're working with a small budget. Places like craigslist.org have a barter section under the For Sale category. This is a great way to cover several product categories as well as services. Paint some trim or a wall to create a new feel for a room or two. Some paint stores mix wrong colors and offer this paint at a huge discount. Consider painting knobs on drawers or replacing the existing ones for  that different look. --Bense Garza

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You can freshen up a home and add pops of color with simple, inexpensive things like trading out a new lampshade or buying new pillows or a throw. It's a fun time right now to go flea market shopping and antiquing. I always find neat stuff -- oil paintings with great character, and other things that make a home more of a home. Another easy way to change a room's feel is to apply a fresh coat of paint.You can experiment a little by creating contrast within the room: paint the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls, for example. Remnant shopping is also an inexpensive way to find wallpaper, or even fabric to create fresh window coverings. --Barclay Butera, President & CEO, Barclay Butera Inc.

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To my friends who are on a budget and say they can't afford a full service design firm yet they want their home to look great, my advice is always this: don't buy cheap junk that will fall apart or be thrown out in two or three years just for the sake of furnishing a room. It's better to live in a clean sparse space and slowly fill it with fun, great pieces that you love looking at. There are great deals to be had at resale stores and small antique shops. And for those willing to do a little work, flea markets are filled with great finds that just need a little love and care to bring them back to life. Also, look into buying showroom samples, and ask sales people in stores to show you the best deals. --Sandra Espinet

 

 

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