A Good Value
When it comes to a good value in the design world today, I believe it is an important mixture of style,quality, and service. All three elements matter to me as a designer.
I try to diligently pay attention to my clients in expressing and elevating their STYLE. While I, personally, always develop a definite viewpoint and concept of how their space will function best and look beautiful, it becomes a wonderful success when the process reveals their personal style. The nicest comment I have heard recently came when a client’s daughter said,” Mom, it’s cool; it looks just like you!” Ah..music to a designer’s (and mother’s) ears!
“Style”, Richard Eberhardt says, "is the perfection of a point of view.”
In considering the QUALITY of fabrics,furniture and indeed, the framework of a client’s space, I tend to “think up”. I get much teasing on that thought!
But the truth is…fine quality speaks volumes. Do you remember the jingle,”The touch, the feel of cotton..the fabric of our lives”? Natural fibers are pure luxury..the saturated color of an Osborne & Little emerald green linen, a nubby textured Donghia wool or a distinctively patterned silk Ikat weave by Jim Thompson. Seek the best of what you can afford,and great personal style will fulfill the rest! I guarantee you will feel thrilled each time you enter your room.
The final element which I speak to is SERVICE. At first, I think about the qualities of timeliness, being thorough, and good courteous communication. But I believe there is more meaning to the word. Anya Hindmarch, the reknowned British handbag and shoe designer, recently opened Bespoke, a service and shop division of her company.
“What we’ve done with this new service is included all the things I am passionate about”, she says. “That means having the customer’s own name on the piece rather than the designer’s name; owning things that are old-fashioned and are about the passing of time; and making things that people want to keep for ever.” (from the British edition of HARPER’S BAZAAR,October 2009)
Perhaps this designer’s words reflects a nostalgic return to another time.."an era in which service and personalization were everything ". ( Same article,British HARPER’S BAZAAR).
But I pose the questions..could this type of service bring a new value to the designs of today? And could a thoughtful designer enhance the quality of client’s lives by this very type of stylish and original service?
I think so.
Submitted by Mary Hickey
