I was going to post about something else today, however I am pleased that I have decided to use this picture instead. It is freezing here and the fires are roaring. I have been cooking and working, working and cooking all morning. I would love to be in this deep and dark, moody yet beautiful room. It is navy done so right, without a hint of chill.
pinterest
This soulful image may have saved me. Saved me from ranting and raving like a lunatic. Saved me from telling you what is really on my mind.......saved me from telling how how frustrating it can be when everyone now is an expert in interior design. Saved me from telling you about my customers going direct to wholesalesers to undercut me, saved me from expressing my opinion about the wonderful www and how now EVERYONE is apparently is doing interiors just cos they can access images and suppliers..........breathe, calm......back to the blue room.
(or maybe to a padded one - dont worry I will feel better tomorrow and all these bad thoughts will have come to nothing .......)
I could write a book on this. Really I could.....there was always them and us.....customers and suppliers. now the line is blurred. We all love the web, but it can prove to be menacing. Pinterest too. I love to hate you.
I like to buy clothes, but I dont want to be a fashion designer. I will leave it to the experts to do the hard work for me. Ah sometimes I long for the good ol' days when I knew that my time and experience in this industry counted for alot. I love having savvy clients but somedays, I do -
I really do, know best!
Would you like me to help you with your home? Contact Me for all the details!
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17 comments:
Sorry you have not had such a good day, hope your little rant makes you feel better. If not, pop over to our blog and enter our giveaway from Adairs, it's gorgeous and may cheer you up. xT
http://somethinggorgeous.blogspot.com.au/
Design is not valued, unfortunately. Architects, Interior Designers and Decorators are not rated as hugely important by the majority. But I think fashion suffers as well. Look at all the celebrity "Fashion Designers" that put out ranges. How galling for the students who can't get a break after they've been to Design School. I'm an Architect, and those saving money DIYing rather than a professional I watch waste their weekends running everywhere for a couple of years in circles as they can't just cut to the light fitting/ tapware etc due to a complete lack of product knowledge, and often make poor decisions that they regret and have to live with.
I'd suggest that you complain, very strongly, to the wholesaler that is selling to your client. I'm surprised this has happened - they usually can suss out the home decorator. If the client has gone overseas via the internet for their source, then still complain to the local agent. The selling environment is set up entirely differently in the UK and the USA, and they should not be selling into the Australian market for this reason. Thirdly, and something I've not seen anyone doing in Australia, but was common in England when I worked in decorating there, was that the client never had any idea where we were sourcing fabrics from. There were never any identifying brands/ codes etc on the samples we presented to them. That way, we could never have a scheme copied and undercut.
Hi Kelly! Long time reader, first time commenter, but your comments today really resonate with me. Everyone's an expert! I think that's what I find hardest about my job, working with clients and helping them to understand that whilst it is their home and their ideas are a big part of the design process, they have engaged me for a reason...
I hope you feel better tomorrow.
M
x
I hear you sista'! I have lurked around your blog almost everyday for a year or two, and am always delighted by the things you share. As an interior designer with my own business, and over 14 years experience, I am always amazed at your generosity: sharing inspiration and style with all and sundry. I feel your pain. You are selling your taste level - that's what clients come to us for. So when we find something fabulous that just hits the right note, to have them jump on the web and tell us that they 'found a website in China that can do it for one third the price' - we die a little inside! Do what I do, and tell them good luck with that, and if it's such a bargain could they order an extra one for me. There are a lot of 'faux designers' out there, but the clients that matter are the ones who value what you bring to the table - not the ones looking for value on the internet. There, that feels much better!
Petal Cactus
Sigh! I can only imagine how annoying that must be for you. Totally different topic, but my husband and I are expecting our first baby in July and we love how everyone is an expert on having babies. I didn't realize there were so many OBs and midwives there are in the world....
What a gorgeous room. It suits the winter mood.
I understand what you mean...
Some things are best left to the pros. I wouldn't trust myself to cut hair, for example. Or to do many other things!
Oh, Kelly Green - can I assure you that you DO know best..? You've either got it, or you don't... and you got it.
Hope your day improved. Clients - have to love them. x
Thank you every one for all your lovely words either by email or through the comments section! i feel better today and can take on the world again. Its great knowing i am not the only one who feels like this........thats for the suppport and for those of you fabulous readers who came out of lurking mode to comment! KG xxx
ugh! I feel the exact same all the time and when I express it, I seem to lose followers! No one wants to hear that we are frustrated, too! Creative industries are extremely difficult as everyone now makes it their second job to research stuff online and try to find it cheaper themselves. It makes me want to stop designing sometimes. Hang in there!
xoxo -e (modern24seven.blogspot.com)
I missed this when you posted it. Having a crazy week.
But oh boy, does this strike a chord. Clients substituting "I got a bargain on this item, just like the one you picked except it is made in China and costs half the price." Yep, and half the quality too. At best.
Why is the wholesaler dealing with the clients direct? Whoever they are, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole if they play dirty. If they don't look after us, why should we look after them?
And lastly, because I am on a soap box now too, I know what you mean about everybody now being a designer. Partly all the tv shows, partly pinterest type stuff.
But in the end, clients come to us because they know that we can provide them with the look they crave, but do not know how to create. And that is an art.
Totally hearing you! This is one of the most frustrating things in our business. I have spent hours with clients taking them to some of our wholesalers to choose fabrics and furnishings only for them to go and source them online for a little cheaper. We have restructured our business now to try and avoid these clients. Glad you are feeling better. Cheers, Tracey xx
I completely understand how you feel. It is getting harder and harder and harder.
xx
Anna
Thank you again - as I said, its soo nice to know I am not Robinson Crusoe.....the support is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for commenting and making me feel as though I havent gone completely mad! xxxx
oh i love a moody blue interiors.
im sorry to hear about your frustration in the industry. as someone starting out, riding the coat tails of my much-more experienced mom, I can see how us newbies must frustrate you. i can only identify in that so much of the web is so ubiquitous that nothing is unique any more. i hope to have your experience one day.. you have a real eye and your clients must value the ways that you design for them. be confident that you are doing it well. i think the web will only get worse, not only is everyone an expert in interiors now, everyone is an expert in everything. curses webMD.
Thanks Bethany - definatetly not directed as newbies in the industry, more so at people who think they can do our job without any experience!
Hi Kelly, I am a graphic designer and trust me - even over on my side of the creative world we have an increasing number of clients/prospective clients that can do just as we do.
Whether it's buying a logo online for $300, or getting our quote for production of an item and then using our specs to hunt for a cheaper price, it's all so FRUSTRATING! (even worse when it's inlaws who do it!). Plus, everyone has a son/nephew/wife who knows how to use Publisher.. grrr..(( I obviously wasted my years of study to learn the principles of design, not to mention learning the rights and wrongs by working alongside experienced professionals.))
I have a philosophy where I now say - through clenched teeth - okay, good luck with that, and make sure you call us if/when things don't work out...doesn't make it any better though! Anyway, that's my little related industry rant..
From now on, I hope your job book is full of people who:
1. appreciate your TALENT;
2. appreciate the VALUE of your work; and
3. RESPECT you for both point 1 and 2!
Hi anon, I know this is across the board so feel your frustration! i too, take it on the chin and try to offer more by value adding with cusomter service etc. Thanks for the feedback and advise! KG x
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