Georgia Interior Design

Notes from High Point Market-Fall 2009

One of my favorite sayings is that history doesn’t necessarily repeat itself but it certainly does rhyme.  I used that line a couple of years ago in an editorial, well really an editorialita, I wrote for a magazine a couple of years ago lamenting the return of the seventies in home fashion.  Even though I was only in my teens during the Carter administration, I was painfully aware of the dreadful nature of the avocado appliances, hard rock hair styles, and nasty shag carpeting.  I couldn’t wait for that era to end knowing it would never return.  Fast forward a few decades and there I was in the home furnishing/interior design industry when, like a bad shrimp, the seventies style returned.  Fortunately, we have grown smarter as a society and our flirtation with that genre quickly passed as our preferences continued to march back in time.  Retro has always been fringe cool, like James Dean and the young Elvis, and was clearly the attention grabber along with the clean lines of the transitional look this month at the fall market.  But wait!  Retro may not be retro enough as I saw pieces like this channel back sofa that reflect the glamour days of the 30’s and 40’s!  Going back in time at this rate, we will be showing the Little House on the Prairie collection next spring and medieval by fall.

By the way, some of the shag rugs out there right now are really cool, and there are countless choices in color and texture.  Adapt and improvise, they say.

The manufacturers put the same amount of effort in both the spring and fall markets, displaying new product to impress their accounts.  The difference is that the warm weather gracing a North Carolina May makes that market feel like an invitation only outdoor party while October is the time the buyers get serious about placing orders in anticipation for the following spring decorating frenzy.

I arrived in High Point with the temperature reading 57 degrees with light rain and a stiff breeze.  It was chilly.  I had to chuckle as I strolled past an outdoor furniture showroom that was set up for a warm weather soiree on the patio.  The one man band was doing his best Jimmy Buffet as a few hearty patrons sat bundled up in their comfy outdoor chairs, trying to have fun.

The decline in the housing market over the past couple of years has certainly been felt in the furnishing and décor business and it has been interesting to watch the evolution of an industry as manufacturers try to make adjustments to maintain market share.  Because of the downward price pressure from Chinese imports, the US companies either had to become more custom or more efficient in an attempt to buck the trend or keep pace, respectively.  Last market the green movement was in full force as every showroom, it seemed, touted the real or perceived earth friendliness of its product in hopes of opening wallets. 

This past week I noticed a couple of things in particular as I spoke to reps and executives.  One, there was a little teensy skip in the step of the merchants.  A ray of hope.  The bartender at the Embassy Suites told me, and you can always count on getting the real scoop from the bartender, this was the first time in a long time they had sold out their rooms for market.  Orders across the board were up slightly over last fall, but as one rep told me “that might be more indicative of how bad last fall was”.  Party killer.  What I did see was that rather than a collective movement towards a similar style and color direction, this year many manufacturers started doing their own thing again.  Some who presented color like a Barnum and Bailey circus in spring went all neutral for fall.  Others who were trying to cut corners to keep up with negatively trending prices decided to get back to doing what they did best and returned to crafting top quality products.  However, as I mentioned before, the transitional look with its clean lines was consistently a winner wherever it was presented, and classic retro was a show stopper. 

Check out these chairs.  Don’t they look like they came from the set of The Jetsons?  Fun, huh?  There was a whole room full of these chairs and a lot of them spin around! 

How about these office chairs?  These are from a classically traditional manufacturer that decided to try something for shock value. 

Swivel chairs were everywhere.    Wives don’t like recliners, but they must be ok with swivels.  This one was my favorite.

When people ask me what color trends I saw, the answer was it really depended on the showroom I was visiting.  I would say that in the mainstream upholstery lines, the word “spice” comes to mind.  Paprika’s and cinnamons accented the neutral and natural settings, but before you go change all your pillows, I saw a lot of apple green fabric and leather, too.  Classic bright yellows, tomato soup reds, and rich sky blues were prevalent.  The one color consistently shown, but due to it’s very nature didnt catch the eye right away, was gray.  Gray fabric or leather in the right application is sophisticated and elegant.  A common accent color to gray was yellow. 

Vignettes were not necessarily organized by product lines, but rather by color.  What this said to me was, “we are not going to try to predict a trend, putting all our eggs in one basket this year, nor steer you towards one.  So, what’s your favorite color?  Great!  Mine, too!”

DOTI is becoming Luxe Home Interiors!

On October 8th a new sign will be going up on the front of our store.  Luxe Home Interiors!   The ownership and great service will still be the same, and we will be showing a much greater range of product and price points than ever before.  If you live in our area, watch for our TV commercials!

So, why are we re-branding?  Great question.

The non-nutshell answer requires a little time to explain.  Over the past four years we have done a lot of exciting things in our client’s homes, but I noticed four recurring themes that we’ve had to overcome in order to do business with someone walking through the front door for the first time.  People cannot easily figure out what we do, they do not believe we have as much choice as we actually have, the assumption is that we are expensive, and many people want to sit on something before they buy it. 

The last one is a biggie.  Of course, a designer knows that when dealing with quality product, there’s almost never an issue with comfort.  Besides, a good designer will know your cush preference and body type and make selections accordingly, and it will be perfect.  It’s like me walking into the Nordstrom’s men’s department and the guy says “46 long?”  Experts are experts for a reason.  They know what they are doing.  That being said, it required too much trust from a walk-in customer which we had not yet earned, and too much explaining on our part.  The new showroom will have many more sofas and chairs that will have been selected specifically to show the difference between good, better, and best, as well as all the various cushion, arm, and leg options.  Now, just like Goldilocks, people can use their own judgment to find a sofa that’s just right.  It would take a blimp hangar to show every option we have access to, but our goal is to have enough choice on the floor for our clients to feel good about their decisions.  It will be very obvious that we have product in any style and fitting most budgets.

I have heard a bazillion compliments on our beautiful store, but when it came right down to it, people didn’t understand all we could do.  I saw people look up at the sign and then have a bewildered look on their face.  I am sure we had plenty of potential business roll down the street and into the mall.  I just couldn’t figure out why someone would want to chase around a high school kid to see the nine choices of fabric on a sofa of questionable quality when they could pay similar money and get much more selection, better quality, and expert service with us.  But, honestly, we looked like an overpriced boutique that happened to have a few pieces of furniture tucked here and there, and the name of our store was confusing. 

Some people knew we did interior design but didn’t know we’d be just as happy to sell a rug or a chair.  Others were afraid or intimidated by the thought of using a designer.  Some people love our “look” but don’t want to work with a designer.  Our new showroom will be bigger, brighter, and much less cluttered.  The store will operate in a more user friendly fashion where someone can come in and pick a fabric and get a price quickly and be done with it, or they can take advantage of our expert design service at no additional charge.

We have introduced a lower priced line of upholstery that is made in the USA and is of good quality.  The customization options are not as broad, but we are seeing a really positive reaction from our clients who want a solid sofa or chair without spending a ton.  The same company offers dining and bedroom furniture, too, at very attractive prices.

So, thanks for listening and now you know we have been listening too.  Come visit and take advantage of our grand opening sale!

Window Treatment Trends Fall 2009

My blog has been kind of quiet the past few weeks, but we’ve been busy!  We are officially in window treatment season and our 20% off promotion has been attracting a lot of attention.

Over the past four years we have been trying to educate the neighborhood that to have new custom window treatments in time for the holidays requires some advance planning.  Most workrooms see a significant increase in business during the fall and eventually overload, forcing an early cutoff date for new projects.  Telling a prospective client that they are past the holiday deadline is not a pleasant thing.  As a matter of fact, it prompts a startlingly visceral reaction in some people.  I try to warn the husbands, “remember how upset she got when you forgot about Valentines Day or your anniversary?  Well, hell hath no fury like a woman who doesn’t get her window treatments in time for holiday guests.”

Fortunately there’s still time.  Fully custom treatments typically have a Thanksgiving cutoff date in mid October, but over the years we have found a few loopholes that can accommodate the procrastinators.  Some panels and toppers can be turned around in 2-3 weeks and we even have one source that has promised a 48 hour turnaround on drapery panels, including choice of pleat, length, and lining, as long as we use one of their top five selling fabrics.  Wow!

So, what’s hot right now you ask?  If you have been reading my blog this past year you will have noticed a trend towards simplicity.  Whether it’s the economy, not wanting to be ostentatious, the green movement, or just that contemporary casual is cool, we have clearly noticed our clients less frequently asking for voluminous bejeweled kitty tempting treatments that puddle all over the floor.

Since simple is chic, the challenge is to keep the look sophisticated or elegant rather than, um, cheap.   Unlined panels are like an unlined suit jacket in that they will not hold their shape, therefore looking and feeling flimsy.  Make sure drapery width is proportional to the space.  Single width panels can look like giant pencils if used in the wrong setting, and may not achieve the goal of softening the room. 

Fabrics and colors are trending towards the naturals.  Linens, cottons, and solids are becoming more common.  Having said that, most of our clients call themselves ‘transitional’ and the traditional side of transitional calls for a little pattern in the fabric but it will be more muted and subtle.   

Drapery hardware is to a set of panels as earrings are to a beautiful outfit, my designers would say.  We are installing a lot more metal finishes (wrought iron, brushed bronze, dark pewter) these days, which in many cases nicely coordinate with nearby light fixtures.  Metal finials allow for a little more flair or whimsy than wood, and there are some cool things being done with cast resin and glass.

Wooden drapery hardware is still popular, however, and the good news is that there have been some downward pricing trends.  Finally!  The good stuff has always been so expensive!  Given the height of the average suburban Atlanta great room ceiling, consider using 3” wooden rods for your tall panels.  The standard pole size has been 2” which can get lost way up there.  Manufacturers have been slow to recognize this, and only in the last year or so has the more substantial sized wooden hardware been readily available.

Years ago I invested in some software which allows us to take a photo of your window and use the computer to design your treatment.  This accomplishes a few things that you will appreciate.  First, it’s great to have a strong visual to help decision making.  Importantly, the computer program will not allow us to defy physics in our design, which can happen with a hand rendering.  Darn gravity.  Lastly, men seem to respect and value computer drawings and are less inclined to try to veto the project.

Speaking of men, please resist the temptation to have your husband install a nice window treatment just to save a few bucks.  A professional knows all the tricks, especially when working around extensive moulding, and will properly dress the treatment.  Besides, whatever you save will most likely be spent on therapy, hospital bills, or with your attorney by the time he’s done.  Just sayin’.

Outdoor furniture can be amazing!

Think back to when you sat by the ocean in one of those painful little aluminum beach chairs and then compare that memory to your first time poolside at a first class resort.  You can have that resort feeling every time you use your back yard.

Most people I know buy their outdoor furniture sets during one of two times, either right after the weather gets warm or the weekend before a party.  Impulse shopping for the patio limits your choice to the grocery store starter set or jumping in the pickup truck for a trip to the big orange hardware giant to purchase the same stuff as tens of thousands of other people.  While I would pass at the umbrella table and chairs you see next to the deli department, the furniture sold at the big lumber box works just fine.  The metal is a little thin, the glass is a little thin, and the choice?  Well, you get to choose what they chose for you.

Call me crazy, but I like a nicely designed back yard more than a thoughtfully furnished home interior.  My dream would be to have a New Orleans style courtyard complete with vine covered brick walls and a babbling fountain to drown out the neighborhood noises.  I love yards that are constantly in bloom and if you show me a patio with the full outdoor kitchen and fireplace, as my NY friends would say, fuggeddiboudit.  My sister married into a family that has a place in Mexico with a courtyard that I would never leave if given the choice.

Who needs a vacation if you have the perfect back yard?  That’s called a ’staycation’.

You probably have no idea how much choice there is in outdoor furniture and how well made it can be.  Some lines come with a fifteen year warranty!  See if you get that from the produce or power tool manager.  I’ve seen sofas that I honestly couldn’t believe were intended for the out of doors.  Stunning.  Nicer than most living room furniture. 

The good stuff doesn’t have to break the bank, either…well, some of it can.  Yes, it costs more than the generics, but it is substantially better made and you get exactly what you want.  It’s your own.  Nobody else may have it.  Choose your finish or metal color, choose your fabrics, choose contrasting pillows.  Complete the look with one of the sharp new outdoor rugs and a couple of outdoor accessories.

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way from their rough and ugly ancestors.  Now the fade resistant pattern choices are amazing and they feel almost like indoor fabrics.  Cleaning is easy, and the well made outdoor cushions dry quickly.  Just remove them from the frame and stand them on their sides in the sun to drain.

There are a lot of little details to know about things like powder coating metal, blah blah blah.  I wont bore you with the details even though the details are the things that prevent rust spots on your pool deck.  Just know that you can talk to one of our designers who will put as much effort in your outdoor space as they would in your living room…and you wont care if you see your living room until winter.

Sunroom decorating ideas-before and after

Here’s a fun before and after.  I want to show you how fun and easy it is to take a blah space and make it a vibrant part of the home.

One of our favorite clients had this mostly empty sunroom that was adjacent to the breakfast area and kitchen.  She wanted to furnish it in a way that allowed the room to be used on its own but also be able to accommodate an overflow crowd when entertaining.  She found a magazine photo that she liked which we used as a reference.  The photo had antique style occasional pieces surrounded by fresh and bright upholstery that kept the room from looking dated.  The client likes greens and golds with pops of red and these colors flow throughout the house.  Given the open nature of the floor plan, we had to select fabrics that would blend nicely with the nearby living spaces.

Suzanne, our design consultant on the project, suggested the bench seat in order to accomplish the goal of seating in the room that also allowed seating facing the kitchen during parties.  The paprika bench with barley twist legs is fun, functional, and does not block the view of the open room.  You can’t see the doors on either side, but the bench can be moved against the wall on the right, between the drapery and the door, if the client wants to open up the room.  Click here for a full size photo.

The rug is a banded grass cloth, which keeps the room casual and is consistent with a sunroom theme.  The lamps on the rich walnut console table are shabby chic, with distressed bases and contemporary brown shades.  The side tables are available for drinks or books and complete the desired eclectic look.  The client didn’t want the room to look “matchy matchy” (a designer term!).  The nonfunctional drapery panels are intended to add color and frame the windows without heaviness or blocking the view of the outdoors.  They are hung on wrought iron poles that bring in a touch of black but do not draw the eye up or conflict with the molding.  The chairs are covered with a large scale apple green contemporary botanical which also reinforces the sunroom theme.  Notice the little leaves?

The client is thrilled with the fun and casual yet elegant results, and come to think of it, the room really reflects her personality.

To learn more about Suzanne, click here.

Wool vs. synthetic area rugs

We were working on a living room for a client recently and as I have mentioned before, many designers start the process with the selection of an area rug.  Our clients showed some concern because in their own shopping they discovered that most of the nice rugs they saw started around $3,000.  Veronique found a nylon rug with the look they wanted for $800 which made them feel a lot better about the overall budget.  This allowed the husband to have an Irish antique reproduction coffee table we showed him, but he insisted that it be delivered with a bottle of Bushmills in the drawer.  Good man.

So, what’s the difference between a wool rug and a synthetic rug and why do the prices vary so much?  

A nylon rug is obviously made with man made materials and put together by a computer and a machine.  Zip zip, done.  The advantages of nylon rugs are they are cheaper, shouldn’t shed, are good for people with certain allergies, are recyclable, provide a greater range of colors, and allow a lot of creativity in pattern and texture which is why most contemporary rugs are made this way.  They can be considered disposable, as they are less expensive and don’t last as long, so your rugs can easily be changed with your taste.  You can get a lot of look for the money with a synthetic rug.

If green design is your mission, the fact that synthetic rugs are recyclable is cool, but the process of making them is not.  Chemicals, and toxins, and petroleum, oh my!

Traditional wool rugs can be broken down in three categories:  power-loomed, hand tufted, and hand knotted.  Power-loomed rugs are made by machine, just like the nylon rugs.  Hand tufted rugs have the little pieces of wool yarn shot with a hand held device through a fabric template, kind of like paint by numbers…with a gun, and then have a canvas backing glued on.  Hand knotted rugs are just like you would imagine; some guy with gnarled fingers, in a village on the other side of the world, knotting each piece of yarn one at a time.  Some of those rugs take up to six months to complete and each will have its own unique characteristics.  You can tell a hand knotted rug by flipping it over where you should see the individual knots.  Also, the fringe will be an extension of the rug and not sewn on as an addition. These rugs hold their value, last forever because of the springiness of the natural fibers (your grandkids will be thrilled), provide a certain prestige, can be professionally repaired, and tend to feel luxurious underfoot.

A ‘very fine’ wool rug will have over 167 knots per square inch.  Think about that for a second!

Why are some wool rugs much more expensive than others?  Lots of reasons, but certainly the complexity of the pattern, the number of colors, and the quality of the wool will have a lot to do with price.  Some dye processes are crazy.  Weeks in a series of vats out in the sun, etc.  New Zealand wool is generally accepted to be preferred.  The wool is the purest white, which accepts dye and represents colors best, and is shaved from the chests of live sheep which is where the soft wool comes from.  Wool from live sheep also has more oils which provide a natural stain resistance to your rug.  The super cheap wool rugs you see sold from the back of a pickup on the street corner, well, if you consider the good rugs are made from the chest wool of live sheep, then just think the opposite.

2009 High Point Market notes

Thursday afternoon Judy and I jumped in the car and made the five hour trek up interstate 85 to the craziness that is the High Point Market.  For those of you not familiar with High Point, it is a town in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, near Greensboro and Winston Salem.  Just twice a year millions of square feet of showroom space come alive with everything you could possibly imagine in home furnishings presented in creative and tempting ways for the registered buyers.  Each showroom has its own personality.  Some feel like traditional furniture stores complete with crusty salesmen in their ill fitting dandruff dusted navy blue suits, while others dazzle with creative displays, lights, and thumping music.   There are showrooms that have the exclusivity of a private club worthy of the Donald Trump set which makes you feel like something of a celebrity just to be allowed in the door.  Veterans of the market know which showroom pours the stiffest drinks, which ones are serving lunch or dinner, and where the parties are being held.

The drive from Atlanta is pleasant, taking you across three states in the old South.  The landscape doesn’t change much other than the gradual evolution of fast food signs.  Waffle House gives a little room to Mr. Waffle and Biscuitville.  Chick fil A is replaced with Mrs. Winners.  There’s the giant peach on the side of the road in South Carolina and a hundred billboards for Abbot Hill Farms fresh produce and fireworks, cross promotion at its finest.  There’s something for everybody there at Abbot Hill Farms.  Jams, jellies, strawberries, peaches…and explosives.

For some reason Judy and I had a craving for Mexican food and when traffic slowed us down on the far side of Charlotte we took advantage of a convenient exit that was bursting with major food chains.  It was the exit for Lowes Motor Speedway which illustrates the hilarity of the situation.  We are on our way to see some of the finest furniture made in the world and are completely surrounded by NASCAR and tobacco.  Judy spotted a little place tucked behind a gas station.  It had the obligatory happy hour banner and if that weren’t tempting enough, they had a sign with a painting worthy of the cover of a Harlequin romance novel; a busty Latin woman enthusiastically offering cerveza.  What more could you want?  I expected a cloud of smoke to pour out when I opened the door but we were relieved to smell grease and a hint of ammonia.  Perfect.  I love it when my expectations are low and subsequently blown away.  These folks could cook.  Judy had stuffed poblanos en mole, and I had the tacos carnitas, complete with a grilled jalapeno. 

Where were we?  Oh yes, furniture. 

I had a few things on my agenda, one of which was to check the mood of the manufacturers and see if the downturn in the economy had any impact on their offerings.  I was expecting to see more natural and muted colors as a continuation of last year and further progression of the clean lines and contemporary casual styling that dominated the previous market.  I also anticipated a continuation on the buildup of eco friendly products.

Given the crash of the housing market and its effects on the home furnishing industry, the overall market was in a bit of a somber mood, evidenced by the long stares of some of the reps, the relative dearth of promotional giveaways, and the unusual difficulty in getting a cocktail.  Drinks are normally thrust into your hand upon entering a showroom, whether you want one or not.  This year you had to feign being a player and then mention your thirst after a long day of buying.  Cough cough.  How much is that if I order a full container?  Thirsty.

I was right about the projected environmentalism.  Upholstery fabrics were made with thick weaves that screamed bohemian earth lover, whether they were eco friendly or not.  The craziest thing I saw was a sofa covered in a fabric made entirely from recycled tee shirts.  My friend Paul wants one.  Go figure.

The area rug manufacturers are having a field day with the green movement because they get to make trendy fun rugs out of recycled plastics and offer them at a lower price.  This is a double win as production costs are down and the likelihood that today’s fun rug will be replaced with a new fun rug tomorrow.

I was wrong about the colors.  Color was everywhere!  Maybe the manufacturers were trying to pep the market up with a spectral infusion.  Last years neutrals were accented by intense jewel tones.  This year the ruby’s and sapphire’s were gone but replaced by colors that were less intense and, well, a lot more fun!  Orange creamsicle, daffodil yellow, deep Gulf of Mexico blue, reds that were the tone of brick but with a hint of orange.  Paprika, maybe? 

Pressure from a tight economy extrudes innovation from the better companies.  I was happy to see that some top lines were offering lower cost alternatives in addition to their traditional excellent product.  The downward price pressure has been in place for a number of years due to the competition from overseas, primarily China, so efficiency has already been a focus.  What I saw this year were manufacturers of quality furnishings, typically boasting lots of custom options, introducing lines that focused on simplicity and fewer options which reduces cost without sacrificing craftsmanship.

Pressure from a tight economy extrudes innovation from the better market shoppers, too.  Texting was at a fevered pitch this year as my friends scattered throughout the market and reported on their findings.  Hooker is serving lasagna!  The bar at Uttermost is open!  Oysters at Stanley!  Blood Sweat and Tears is about to start playing in front of the IHFC!

Our store is in the beginning stages of a transformation and we will be unveiling some of the new product in the next couple of months.  I am really excited about it.  More choice, more fabric, more price points.  Stay tuned!

Mothers Day and Custom Bedding

“There isn’t a woman on the planet who doesn’t want custom bedding.”  That was a quote from Veronique, one of our designers on staff.  She repeated it, and yet again, putting more emphasis on the key words.  It was a good thing, too, because we were kicking around ideas for our upcoming May e-newsletter and up until somebody smart remembered Mothers Day we were planning to focus on masculine things like “man caves” and the new model ships that just arrived (which are going to be perfect for Fathers Day, by the way).

In dealing with a married couple, we like to assume that the man sleeps in the bed too (sometimes?  Hopefully?), and try to create a balance between what a woman wants and keeping it handsome.  Women usually love lots of decorative pillows, men do not.  They are neither practical nor functional, yet essential and fulfilling, therefore making a perfect talking point when reading the Mars Venus book.

A master bedroom should envelop you as you enter it.  It should be special.  It’s your sanctuary. 

So let’s talk about a few things to help you with your project.  First, the fabrics should feel really good.  Texture is important.  Silk bedding is beautiful, but not practical in the typical suburban home that has kids and pets.  There are faux silks that can be spot cleaned, however, if you really want that look.  Repeating or marrying fabrics throughout the bedset is key for a completed image.  A reversible duvet can have a dominant pattern on one side and a neutral on the other.  A little fold-over in the duvet allows the neutral to peek which will give you the look of a five star hotel.  Take that same neutral and use it for the skirt fabric and use the primary fabric on the Euro sham.  For fun, try an animal print on the bolster!

Not sure about the difference between a bedspread, duvet, and a coverlet?  Bedspreads are not made as often as they are large and potentially heavy, demanding more effort to make the bed.  A duvet, which is basically a large flat pillow, can literally be tossed onto the bed, as can a coverlet.  The difference between the last two is that a duvet is soft, fluffy and a little heavier than a coverlet.  A coverlet has the filling stitched in and the stitching pattern is part of the overall appearance.  It is thinner, lighter, and a little more tailored.  The weight of a coverlet makes it a great choice for petites and seniors.

Having your duvet custom made will allow it to be perfectly matched to your mattress and bedframe.  Using ‘bedding in a bag’ from a department store might present the same issues as buying a suit off the rack without tailoring.  When measuring for a duvet, we like to have it hang a couple of inches below the point where the mattress meets the boxsprings.

Back to pillows.  Many designers can overdo the pillows.  (Why not?  They look great!)  On a King bed, five or six decorative pillows will give you a complete and luxurious look that even most men can appreciate.  Two King shams, one Eurosham (square pillow), two smaller accents, and one bolster will give you the proper layers and depth. 

The pricing for quality custom bedding usually starts around $1500.  Most of our clients tend to work in the $2,500-3,500 range, but it is important for you to tell your designer what you want to spend and they will select fabrics and design to your budget.

Happy Mothers Day!

Are liquidation sales and buying clubs a good deal?

I’ve started to write this blog post twice before and scrapped it both times because I sounded pissy (pardon my French, but I can’t think of a better word.  Please let me know if you have a good alternative).  So, let me try again.

The silver lining to the recent economic meltdown, assuming there’s still some change jingling in your pocket, is that you are in position to take advantage of the situation.  There are tremendous deals in the marketplace should you want to buy anything from a new house/car/furniture to a new set of garden gnomes.   My wife could write books on bargain hunting and you can see the excitement in her eyes these days.  They’re dancing.  It’s that euphoric look she gets when she throws open the doors at Talbot’s during a sale with a gift certificate tucked in her purse, knowing she’s about to triple dip by scooping up a two-for-one sale courtesy of a birthday present.  Heaven.

The dark side of all this frenzied liquidation madness is that the unwary public is in danger of being hooked, gutted, and filleted faster than the half starved fish that jump on your toddlers hooks at the local trout farm.  With the potential thrill of possibly saving 50% or more surging through their veins, many formerly discerning individuals unconsciously turn off that same common sense switch in their head they willingly flipped at the Florida state line on their first college spring break.

A friend of mine is close to the folks who own a highly regarded design store on the other side of town.  They, sadly, have decided to shut their doors and hired a liquidation company to take care of that process. (Here’s where I start to sound pissy)  This store that just a few weeks ago was so quiet the owners periodically checked for police tape around the building is now posting daily sales numbers I would be proud to take to the bank in a week!   The reality is, for example, an oil painting that was listed for $800 was instantly repriced at $1199 and then marked down to $850 less an additional 10%.  Sounds like a whopping 4% off sale to me, but its working.  Furthermore, that liquidation company is boosting inventory by bringing in inferior product which shoppers are assuming to be of quality because of the fine reputation built over the years by the owners of that store.   By the way, who do you go to when you need some customer service on an item purchased at a wacky blowout sale?

I am imagining those poor trout flopping on the grass, gills heaving.

So why does this trick work so well?  It works because you, the intended “mark”, don’t know what the original price should have been in the first place.   That “retail” price can be pulled out of thin air.  It’s bluffing, just like in a poker game.  And just as you don’t play poker with someone wearing sunglasses, you don’t buy jewelry from someone who whispers “psssst” and opens their coat, you don’t bet on golf against a kid with a deep tan and a two iron in his bag, you shouldn’t buy furniture from someone you don’t know or trust just because of the perceived discount.

When Publix has a two for one sale on pasta sauce, it’s a great deal.  I trust Publix and I know how much the sauce cost the last time I bought it.  I could write a whole post on pasta sauce as it relates to business…maybe I will.

What about the buying clubs?  I have to be careful here because if you thought I sounded pissy before, that was nothing.  Without going into too much detail, the warning sirens in your mind should be blaring like you got too close to the Mona Lisa.  You are told you have to make your decision to join and pay up to five grand for the privilege to do so, on the first visit.  You are not allowed to think about it for a couple of days?  That’s worse than the old days of buying a car from the guy with white shoes and a gold tooth!  These tactics sound like they came from the sticky pages of a Cancun time share sales manual.  A rule of thumb to remember, especially when that common sense switch is getting shorted out by the grease oozing from a deal that’s too good to be true, is that your level of skepticism should equal the amount of pressure placed on you to buy.

I would happily take five grand from every person who graces my front door in exchange for not providing much service and allow them to order at “discounted” prices.   Guess what, I’d let them think about it for a couple of days, too.

Stunning table

When I first started writing this blog, I asked Alan Wyatt, the owner of DOTI at John’s Creek, to show me one of his favorite pieces on the showroom floor.  He directed me to a gorgeous round glass topped table with a beautiful carved wood pedestal base. The base is really a work of art. The table is manufactured by Lorts Furniture, a three generation family-owned company in Arizona.  You can find out more about them and their furniture by visiting here: http://www.lorts.com/ .

Alan loves the distressed casual elegance of Lorts casegoods and said that this particular table is a good example of the quality of their work. “We could place this table in several different homes and it would look completely different and be totally unique because of the incredible customization offered by this manufacturer. If you wanted a cracked paint finish, silver or gold leafing, extra distressing, or a two-toned look, this is one of the manufacturers to consider. These guys take a lot of pride in what they do and make heirloom quality pieces. One of the things I really like about them is the fact that their distressing is so well done. It doesn’t look intentional, like someone is just trying to make marks.”

Alan said that Lorts makes a storage coffee table that has both grace and functionality. “We had one in the store once that had a gorgeous two-toned jeweled finish. It was absolutely stunning.”

A Lorts table is a great choice for those who desire unique timeless furnishings. DOTI also has some other great tables I’ll talk about in future blogs.  Designer Veronique mentioned another table as one of her favorite pieces on the store floor and described how she would use it in a dining room redesign. I’ll share that story with you later as well.

Until then.

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth