Coming from a corporate
background and starting a business of your own is nothing short of a roller
coaster ride. Where the journey from getting a new client to waiting for the
next one is filled with all the excitement, it also comes with an innate fear
of what if there is no new client. Giving up a career for 7 years where you
were never short of work (if not overloaded with it) and adopting a career
where you spend most of your time looking for new projects, I initially lost
track of time and days. After days of no or little work, I got invited to a
very prestigious conference in the design world and I was so excited about it.
I knew exactly what I am going to wear, had my business cards ready along with
my list of questions while hunting for a mentor or even a co-struggler to get
some solace. Reality of how locked up I have been in my most comfortable “home
office” hit me when I showed up for the conference a whole day in advance. I
kicked myself all the way back home for being so silly… how could I be so
stupid?! It has never happened to me ever before!!! But, it did bring me to a
blatant reality and I knew I had to fix things. I could not just sit around and
wait for new projects to arrive. I set my daily schedule, including a workout
to channel the energy somewhat constructively. Just in time, I started working on my two projects
which came through referrals. I got busier and my days and the decision made sense again. On the days when I was not completely soaked up
in my projects, I would spend hours researching on how to market my business to my target population and met a lot of wonderful people from different fields who I thought could
help.
A key component of success for any
new business is marketing, but I quickly learned that people believe in more
myths about my field than the facts. Every time I had a conversation about hiring
an interior design professional, it would always be the same monologue. By now,
I can guess the next sentence in this type of a conversation even before it is
spoken… no kidding! Now, I understand the challenge which lies ahead of me. There
needs to be a reverse-orientation and re-education of myths vs facts about interior
design. This blog is a small step in that direction. Let us begin with the most
popular belief, shall we?!
“Hiring an Interior Decorator is so expensive… I don’t think my budget
can afford it”
This is a big one! And I have a
feeling that you said this too at some point K
Hiring someone to help set up your home is still considered such a luxury that
most of the times, we don’t even think about exploring the option and finding
out more about the associated costs. Just like any other field, decorators
provide a series of packages or services varying from end-to-end project
management to just an hourly consultation. Hiring an interior decorator may
actually save you some money or bring you valuable advise at no major incremental
costs. You can easily find decorators who will work with your budget. On top of
it, they might be able to offer you some trade discounts not available to
general public. Also, hiring a professional gives you access to the trade-only
world which makes your design exclusive with a lot of customization. Most
importantly, a decorator’s advice may prevent you from making an expensive mistake
which may become an eye sore. So anytime you are thinking of a change in
interiors, pick up the phone and make that call… Just ask! Most decorators
offer a no commitment free 1st consultation… Now it sounds like a
no-brainer right!!! Absolutely!!!
“I don’t have a huge space… not sure if I need a professional to help
design my small rooms”
On the contrary, I have always
believed that it’s the smaller rooms which need more professional attention. These
are spaces which need to be configured to multifunction and yet need to look
roomy, not to mention beautiful. The professionals in this field are usually
formally trained in techniques of space planning, color theory, etc which
provide much needed ingredients for a perfect room recipe. So, it doesn't have to be just the media room,
but can become a guest room, when needed.
“If it is all about having a good taste while buying things, I can do it
myself”
This one is tricky! While the
process does involve buying beautiful things, there is much more to that. A
recommendation to buy a piece of furniture or accents is made to you keeping in
mind the functionality, quality, budget, the overall scheme and also,
aesthetics. Many a times you would find a room full of beautiful and expensive pieces
but still there seems to be something missing! Just remember, only liking it is not a good
enough criteria to buy it… Trust me on this one!
“I want it to reflect my style,
not my decorator’s”
You know those shows on HGTV and
some other channels, where a designer shows up, has a short conversation and
then there is a surprise reveal at the end! Yeah… well I hate to break this to
you but that is not how it happens off-screen, unless, someone really wants to
be surprised! The process is more of a supporting role in helping you make the
right choices. The decorator works with you to understand your requirements,
use of space, you style and liking… basically, any bit of information to pick
just the right options for you. So, instead of browsing a ton of choices and
getting lost and drained in the process, they help you narrow it down to just a
few for simplicity. And, most importantly, you are hiring the decorator for
their expertise to ensure that it all does go well together at the end!
So, if you have read through the
piece and are still not convinced, like I said before, pick up the phone and
make that call. Nothing puts your mind at ease at the end of a hectic day than coming
home to a beautiful place, designed just for you! After all, there is no place
like home. So, let us help you make your place nothing short of a Home Sweet Home!! :)
