There are lots of reasons, but the real reason is that there was some sort of plan or vision to carry a theme through. Things go wrong when people get off track of the vision or the plan. I’ve seen it happen to my own projects when clients go off on their own and get caught up in a “deal”. Just because something is a “deal” does not mean it should be purchased. That “deal” could compromise the whole design or space.
On a recent project my client and I worked out a furniture
layout that provided flexibility to seating and kept the space open to the
views. She calls me and says: “I can get the matching love seat for a great
price.” There were many things wrong with a matching loveseat for her space. I
had to respond by going back to her original needs and vision. She snapped out
of it, and avoided a huge mistake. I’m grateful that she called me instead of
just buying it. She knew it was wrong on some level, that is why she called.
Another example of potential mistakes is purchasing items to
solve a temporary problem. I am working with my showroom manager / assistant on
the home she just moved-in to. She was avoiding have me see her “disaster,” and
she was getting frantic to solve storage. She was just about to spend $1000 on
a HUGE hutch so she would have a place to put stuff. It is a good thing she
showed me photos of it so I could save her the money and the hassle. She got
the same lecture as other clients that start veering off track. Why spend $1000
to solve a temporary problem? So within the next few days I was over there and
created a great layout that transformed the open living space. She is still
overjoyed and amazed at how incredible the newly designed space is. She now has
a plan and has invested that $1000 in furnishings that will make her new living
space beautiful and functional,
The lesson is, before you buy anything for your home, think
it through. Because if it doesn’t work you’ll waste money or be stuck with
something that is wrong.
- A deal is not really a deal if it won’t work in your space.
- Buying pieces for temporary solutions should be avoided.
- Don’t buy items for no reason, have a place for them. This will save you from accumulating lots of things that will be in your way later.
- Avoid trendy decorating items and furnishings
Julie Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her
studio and showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's
clients are primarily in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley,
however, she will travel throughout the state and North East. www.JulieFergus.com | www.DesignByMail.com
