How designers save you money and avoid costly mistakes with this new service
For years, designers have assisted high-end luxury clients to achieve a level of beauty in their homes that many could not afford. The cost of hiring a designer or decorator used to be a luxury service and one that was not within reach to many people. But designers now are shifting their services to help the average homeowners who simply want to have a lovely home but don’t mind doing some of the legwork themselves, and are very savvy internet shoppers. However, there are many pitfalls that come with an internet purchase.
Here’s the thing. I know everyone wants to save money right now. Who doesn’t appreciate a bargain and love getting all those packages delivered to their doorstep? But here’s where I get stuck. I hate to see people spend money unwisely. A bargain is no bargain if a purchase doesn’t turn out to be all that you had hoped it could be.
Well, large furniture purchases made on the internet can deliver disappointment more often than joy. A t-shirt is an easy purchase that can add a quick change to your wardrobe, or an easy to return if it doesn’t work out. A piece of furniture is different altogether. Ordering a sofa online isn’t quite as simple. For one thing, you have no way of knowing what the piece is constructed from on the inside. Believe me, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors behind creating a beautiful product image to sell a large ticket piece of furniture.
But we get it! Stores are closed, or not close-by…and not to mention, who wants to go out in a pandemic to browse for furniture? Isn’t shopping with kids stressful enough?
Well, I’ve got good news for you. If you haven’t heard of e-design, or don’t know what it is, you are in for some great news. So here’s where an e-designer can help you have your cake and eat it too. If you are willing to do some of the administrative work, with the advice of a pro you can have the assurance your money will be well invested and the pieces will work for you and suit your lifestyle. It’s a win/win! Designers are educated in furniture construction, fabric grading and wear-testing (will it resist stains and stand up to day-to-day use?) design styles, and space planning. Now, all of this can be available to you at a fraction of the investment for full-service project management, all done digitally. Don’t live near your favourite designer – no problem!
Interior Design IS for everyone
… and that means YOU!
Many designers now offer what is called a “ladder of services”. What that means is that they offer different levels of service so that there is a way to help people with their design dilemmas no matter what their budget. Lower priced service packages provide design help for people even if they don’t want or need to purchase high-end luxury goods, and prefer to shop the internet for good pricing or wait for a sale.
How does it work?
You contact an e-designer with your pressing questions, and he/she will guide the process from there. Although each designer’s process may vary, the basic steps are the same. Depending on the level of service you choose, it may include some or all of the following.
- Fill out a questionnaire to determine your likes and your goals
- Send photos of you room (or we may ask you to show us around in a virtual tour)
- Send photos of rooms and styles you love
- We “meet” virtually either by zoom or telephone to dig in deep to understand your dilemmas
- We take the problem off your hands and design a solution just for you
- We send you your final design presentation including room layout, a style board, and a shopping list for everything we have recommended
- You order the pieces you want and sit back and enjoy your new room!
Here are three different ways you can work with an e-designer right now to get help for your project – large or small.
Book a “Consultation”
We do these consultations often, and I have to say, many many times we steer homeowners away from making costly purchases that would never work for them. The cost of one saved mistake more than pays for the appointment.
A “Consultation”, or working design session is just that. One appointment where you get our “ask us anything” service. You get access to a designer’s education, experience, and expertise to get specific answers to your design questions all in one information packed session. Rather than reading blog post after blog post with general information that doesn’t quite solve your problems, this is your chance to get a specific answer to your specific questions. Solutions for YOUR home!
You might want to explore questions about room layout, area rug size, colour schemes, sourcing ideas, artwork placement, budget planning, or literally anything that has to do with your room.
You can read more about how to get the most from your consultation.
Purchase a “Redesign” or “Room Refresh” session
This is great way to “spruce up” your room without necessarily buying all new furniture. If you are not loving how your room greets you, it might be time to get a pro’s attention and a fresh eye to help you see a new look for your space. Just by improving layout, editing, and grouping things differently, and adding some new styling you can make a big difference.
Like adding a new scarf to a simple classic dress, adding a few well-planned accents can pull your room together.
Book a Discovery Call to get more info about our “E-Design” services
