Today I am doing my second to last client room presentation before going on my vacation…and have a few moments to post…
Now the words “Things that inspire” come to mind when I go to all of your blogs but today want to say it is not a thing that inspires me today.
Today it was Joni Webb from the blog “Cote de Texas”
Today as always…Joni’s blog inspired me…to carry on no matter how much discount a client wants after all my work…
Imagine after getting a free designer (with purchase of your room)after you love the new floor plan, love all the fabrics for all the new soft seating with an area rug to pull it all together…I used her tables (I do not do that often), love the one new table, love the new lamps that contrast her tables properly, a fabulous piece of art over the fireplace (I do not like mirrors up there they only reflect the ceiling)…now after all that she wants a 25% discount on the lot…
I was questioning what I do last night until this morning when I visited Joni’s website and saw all the beautiful rooms…that is what I do this for, I thought…Thank you Joni Webb ! Thank you for reminding my job is worth while and that I do love my job…Ready to carry on now with my next client…this new room is amazing…I am good to go…
Love you Joni Webb !
Oh my! You are way too sweet!!!!! I don't deserve this! thank you so much. I am stunned.
ReplyDeletebtw - if you hang a mirror on the mantel - hang it so that it falls forward a little - don't hang it flat against the wall and then it will reflect the room and not the ceiling! just a little trick.
once I had a client that I had a custom leather ottoman made for - it was gorgeous - round, huge and tufted. And i made all these pillows for her new sofa. It was a lot of work, no fabrics appealed to her, she complained about everything - the tufting wasn't perfect, etc. when it came time to pay me - I don't charge hourly, just cost plus 20 percent. She looked at my bill and said, well I don't think this is fair - it was just one piece of furniture and some pillows.
she didn't care that I had gone to the dec center multiple times looking for her perfect fabric!
she looked at the bill and said, I would think that 10 percent would be fair. and proceeded to write the check for 10 percent. I was so stunned I just thought - never again lady. and left. what a you know what. "I don't think you deserve 20 percent." you're right - I deserved 30 percent!!!!! I am way too cheap.
Dear Joni,
ReplyDeleteI might be sweet but I so mean everything I say...you are a wonderful blogger barnone...
I wish you could go to one of Kimberley Seldons seminars on "Business of Design" in Toronto, Ontario Canada...it is a 3 day course that explains the business side that they do not teach us in design school...
Now I am not on my own, but I took it anyway...she saids to take a 5000.00 to 10,000.00 retainer before starting a design project and keeping it until all the bills are paid... this stops clients from ... not paying someone or ... not paying for something
This gives the designer control...and the retainer goes back to the client after all the bills are paid including the designers...
I asked about the total charge for the room I was talking about in the blog above yesterday that she wanted 25% discount on and was told it was 6000.00 for the whole room to be redone...that was a sofa, loveseat, 2 swival recliners, an 8x10 wool area rug, art piece, 2 tb lamps, 1 fl. lamp and a extra set of 2 pillows...
All that for 6000.00 with free design fees
I am going to upset myself again so I will shut up now...
Anyway, the presentation today the room came to 10,000.00 and they loved everything and paid with out asking for any discount, so there are clients that get it...I always let them know that if I was not free they would have paid me atleast 2000.00 for my work (thats a area rug)
This helps talking to other designers I love design blogs...
Check out www.kimberleyseldon.com
Wonderful designer out of Toronto,ON