I’m in the breakfast room this morning looking out at the morning sky, and once again it’s just fabulous, makes me wish that I could paint. I may someday, when my little “Fashionista” is in college, and blogging becomes passe. Which may be never…
A few months ago, Meredith Heron of Sashay, (an uber talented designer out of the Great White North known as Canada) did a blog post about a nightmare situation with a client, and I was so grateful that she did (and I told her so). Because we all have them, and as hard as most designers work to please a client, times arise when you just can’t and you are forced to cut the “apron strings”. There is one thing that you can’t sacrifice and that is self-respect, it’s simply not worth it (I’d rather have my clothing allowance taken away for six months). I had this very same conversation with a friend last week at lunch. She is another “off the charts with talent” designer, (published many times over), and she “fired” 2 clients in January. I sat there in pure admiration. I’m working with a nightmare client right now, her own husband calls her “The Franken-Client,” (yes, it’s that bad). I would like to state for the record that I absolutely love my clients, and some are dear friends who have become extended family. I’ll admit I have also been in the position where I have had to “fire” a client (or two). So if you are someone’s client or hiring a designer, these are the pet peeves of some designers I polled (who have asked to remain anonymous):
1) Respect-We deserve respect, and so does anyone else who was able to pull rabbits out of their “Design Hats” to get all those beautiful things in your home before the “Big Party.”
2) Changing Your Mind Too Many Times-After all didn’t you hire us to come up with a Design Plan? Your friends don’t live in your house, you do. So please don’t ask everyone you know what they think about the fabrics, furniture selections, or draperies, in the end you’ll get a home that reflects the taste of everyone but you.
3) Respect our time. I know you’re excited, but calling us during the evening hours or better yet on weekends, to tell us that you found another fabric for a chair that is already at the upholsterer and ready to be delivered, ruins our weekend. Or calling us at 11:00 PM (yes this really happens) at night to ask us if we should re-think the custom couches that are already on order will guarantee nightsweats, and we might as well kiss another well earned night of sleep goodbye. Yes, most of us deserve a few hours of uninterrupted personal time, because we already operate under high levels of stress. “We are not “on-call” 24/7, doctors are”. P.S. That was a direct quote from a designer out of NYC.
4) Unrealistic expectations. Don’t watch design shows during the design process. That cute little bathroom that gets renovated in record time over a weekend isn’t going to happen (I have been on HGTV’s “Designed To Sell,” so I really do know how the shows work). They have a crew of people working for the network, and you don’t. So please be realistic about the budget/and or timeframe, when we give you a number for all those things on your “want list” it’s pretty much what it’s going to cost outside the fantasy land of “Design TV.”
5) Things go array that are beyond our control. Who likes to be the bearer of bad news? So before you turn into Linda Blair from “The Exorcist”, remember the one thing that we absolutely hate more than going on a diet- is letting you know that a piece of furniture is on back-order for 3 months.
Although we may disagree at times, we really are on your side. Most of us remain in the design business because we eat, sleep and breath design, and it virtually runs through our veins. In other words think of us as obsessed artists looking for creative outlets which become the spaces we design. Please note: This was written from a “tongue in cheek” perspective, and is meant to make light of something that happens too often. On that note…I thought I’d share a few images from the stables where my daughter rides. It’s an amazing building designed by the owner of Belfair Knoll, who also designed stables for Martha Stewart. The interior paneling is imported African Mahogany, and I just drool everytime I walk in. I’ll be doing a future post about the design, but I’ll leave you with just a little sneak peek of life at the “Knoll”
Photo/Vicki Bolick/theaceofspaceblog.com
Jazz, a Hunter/Jumper at Belfair Knoll. The perfect colour combination of black and white.
Photo/Vicki Bolick-theaceofspaceblog.com
A perfect siloutte of power and grace highlighted by the morning glow. The overhead beams and lighting are exquisite in the stables at Belfair Knoll.
Photo/Vicki Bolick-theaceofspaceblog.com
The “Tack Room” is so Ralph Lauren-ish. The warm woods against the leather mingled with the smell of horses…just divine.
Cheerio!
