Low Cost – High Style

I had the privilege of hearing two fabulous ladies (Chicago Home & Garden Editor Jan Parr and Architect Extraordinaire Claudia Skylar) speak at a fun event at Chicago’s Community Home Supply.  They shared some great tips that are low cost and high style – and these are some of the tidbits and insights that they shared:

Brilliant ladies sharing brilliant insights

-Consider using carpets and small area rugs to function as bath mats – don’t be restricted to the bathroom department when wanting to add a creative touch.

-Taking your shower curtain all the way to the ceiling adds drama and height for a great effect.

-Adding personal collections of things you love to decor’ is a fabulous way to express your personality and be surrounded by things you love – just don’t over due and land in chochkee land.

-Freestanding bathtubs are the latest way to add an architectural element to your bathroom – and there are some really slick ones available.

-If you’re working with a small space – don’t mix in too many different materials as it confuses things.

-Investigate Bamboo and Tin tiles – they’re the latest and greatest in “cool”.

-Paint still has tremendous power as one of the least expensive ways to make a big impact change.

-If you decide to work with any design professional – designer or architect – be upfront and honest about what you have to spend.  It’s their job to maximize that and work within your parameters.  It won’t serve any good purpose to say you don’t know what your budget is. You have to trust your partners.

The Power Behind Your Passion

QUESTION:  How does a news anchor turned vet tech end up chatting with Ellen Degeneres on her show?

ANSWER: By following his passion.

Ellen is big on animals – loving them, caring for them, even creating a food line called Halo.

Ernie Bjorkman, at 56, is a newly minted Vet Tech.  And he comes to this career change after being fired as a news anchor. 

He spent the last 30 years at a station in Denver.  New management and mergers netted a passionate “re-positioning” for him.

It also netted quite a financial adjustment.  Bjorkman made over $200,000 a year as an anchor.  He’ll make around $35,000 a year as a Vet Tech.

But I’m not talkin’ about the money here.  I’m talking about following your inner guidance and then landing in places that delight you.

Ernie always loved animals and wanted to be a vet.  He just got “side tracked” into network news for a over three decades.  However, a couple years ago he felt called to go back to school, which he did, to become a vet tech, while still working the news job.

Think it’s a coincidence that on the same day he graduated, he was also fired?

Not a chance.

What I love the most is that by following his intuition and his passion and not making decisions purely on the financial aspects, he is having the most fun he’s ever had.  And chatting with Ellen and other media and celebrities is bound to bring even more opportunities that I bet allow him to regain some financial ground.

I wanna be just like him!

High End Focus = High End Website

Susan Fredman, Julia Buckingham Edelmann and Tom Stringer

Another fun experience at the Merchandise Mart – this time during NEOCON.  Three of the industries top design professionals served as panelists at the Lapchi showroom.  They talked about how to use the media to leverage your brand with co-host Interiors magazine.

My favorite insights or sharings are:

-Julia Edelmans’ idea that you need to display the aesthetic that makes you unique and bring that style home – which to me means live it, breathe it, utilize its’ characteristics consistently in all you do.

-That there’s no such thing as “your personal self”.  This comment was in reference to Facebook and other very public social media.  Susan Fredman feels that every editor is always looking – so you never know what can come from what you post (or what is posted about you) on line.  I believe the level of transparency will just continue to grow and lines will continue to blur.

And, to be honest, even though Tom Stringer shared some great insights, the most inspiring thing he shared was how he took a great trip to Italy for a special birthday.  The trip ended up involving some media that accompanied them so it was a melding of work and play – and resulted in some great press coverage.  I can’t tell you how fun that sounds to me – so I’m working on planning for a future special birthday myself.  Somebody’s dream closets and my champagne are destined to celebrate together.

And to bring it back to the title of this post – was a comment made by the Creative Director of Interiors magazine, Patrick O’Bryan.  His feeling is that the higher end of the market that you focus on, the more important your website is.  As time passes, the search method of choice is internet.

And that ties back to both Edelman and Fredman utilizing digital options to reach people.  Julia and her partner do an excellent blog called “Material Girls” and the Susan Fredman Design Group keep us informed with “Designer Diaries” – check them both out.  And Tom, if you’re reading, the Chartwells concept along with the work your firm is doing would provide plenty to write about that people would find interesting (and please include any future celebrations or safaris so we can live vicariously!)

Does this Qualify as a Closet for Art?

The Art Institue of Chicago recently opened The Modern Wing so I had to dash right down and check out this amazing addition to our fine city.  Take a look –

And it’s impact can be taken in so many levels and in so many ways -  alot in the way of color -

As in this Yves Klein sponge art

Or these Wombly Peonies

Wombly Peonies

 

Or in the shape —like these funk-o-licious chairs

 

 

 

Closet Art

I recently spent a fun afternoon at the Merchandise Mart checking out the latest on the art scene and discovered some “closet art” that I just had to share.

May I never have to design a drawer to accomodate these!

I only see this in display ads

You know, the pretty photos for closet companies that show closets with just a few items and they’re all the same color (which never happens in real life closets!)  So this artist would make a great client because his closet might just be all the same.

Even though they are flat and black & white, the beauty starts with the blueprints

The beauty of your home that is.  So to all the architects out there – I love and appreciate you just the way you are (even if you do give me crazy spaces to turn into dream closets).

 

Paint Your Clothes

I mean, why not?  The clothing in some peoples’ closets is worthy of a painting because it’s so beautiful. Now if I can just think some ways to turn shoes into art – we’d really be rockin’.

A Case Study On Closet Designs

A Case Study on Closet Designs

 

Whether you’ve had closets done or are considering it for the first time, it’s likely you wonder what different designers will come up with as design solutions.

What they come up with depends upon not only their level experience and years in the field, but the company that they work with. Many shops are not set up to do custom work.  And many companies have people that are more “sales people” than “designers”.

So I conducted an experiment with parameters from one of my clients.

Three designers from different parts of the country  (Angel Artis from Affordable Custom Closets in NJ, Louise Gerber from Closets, Etc. in Santa Barbara, CA and Barbara Cerridwen from Asheville, NC) were given the same information and asked to provide designs and pricing.

 

LOGISTICS

The information for this experiment came from an actual project that I worked on in the Chicago area.  The homeowners (we’re calling them Eva and Doug) provided blue prints and specific criteria for what they wanted included in the closets for their new home. 

Those criteria included:

-Small basket for workout clothing

-Hampers on wheels with liners – preferably behind doors

-Storage for Eva’s scarves that makes them easy to see

-Mirror

-Lots of shelves for t-shirts

-Steam mechanicals hidden but accessible

-At least 7 feet of double hang each

-8 drawers for her/4 drawers for him – minimum

-She needs three feet of long hang for formalwear

-She has 50-60 pairs of shoes/He has 12 pair

I guided them according to how I was actually guided by the homeowners.

 

DESIGN EXECUTION

Two of the designers submitted computer generated designs, one did strictly hand drawings.

Angel offered a sliding rack for Eva’s scarves and the option of either letting the clothing hide the steam mechanicals or putting doors in front of the unit.  Her suggested material selections were mahogany or maple melamine with raised panel fronts.

She recommended “Countryside” melamine or a hardwood veneer and oil rubbed bronze accessories and hardware. She also suggested a granite top, crown molding with up lighting and ceiling track lighting placed for maximum illumination.

Louise offered options in melamine, thermofoil and wood, as well as a “green” option.  She put lots of things behind doors.  She also offered the option of having the closet fabricated and installed as parts or built as cabinets.

Everyone put long hang in front of the oval window.  And everyone floor based their designs.  Those are the only two common design elements.

Louise and Barbara located drawers so they were seen as you entered the space, which I know is a popular approach of many designers.  And Louise does not operate her business in any sort of “standard” sizing, so all of her drawers are custom, though she typically recommends drawers that are 22” deep.

The way the designs are presented varies.  The way the space is utilized is different, but not significantly in the two sets of designs that kept the closets separate.

In Barbara’s design, which removed the wall, you get the ability to expand your options and think about flow and symmetry.  By having only one entrance, you gain what seems to be a loss by knocking down the wall.

FABRICATION

All three of the designers offered options for fabrication with backs. However, when Louise sells something with a back – it is a cabinet – so no shared uprights.

Two offered wood/veneer options in addition to wood grain melamine.

PRICING

Angel indicated her pricing is typically between $90-$100 per linear foot (hanging and shelves), 15-20% more for wood grain colors.  The price for the two closets using the high numbers is around $9500.

Barbara’s pricing (incorporating Shaker style doors) was around $12,700 for standard melamine, around $14,800 for wood grain melamine and around $20,000 for Cherry Veneer. 

Louise’s pricing was about $5700 for His closet in a cherry melamine with raised panel fronts.  $8200 for Her closet.  Pricing for maple veneer (green) is about $7500 for Doug’s closet and about $12,000 for Eva’s (not including accessories).

REALITY

What I can share from the real life project is that I also recommended knocking down the wall, which the builder and the homeowners were quite happy about.

On the long wall I put four sets of drawers with upper cabinets with doors. The hampers on wheels behind doors were located on both ends of those drawer units. The hampers were to be purchased by the client from a retailer, as I know of no industry related fabricators of such a product.

I put doors in front of the steam mechanicals with shelves above – all enclosed – no back on that cabinet. 

The small basket for workout clothing went next to that, as I didn’t want it to be seen when you entered the space.

My pricing was about $18,000 for the melamine/thermofoil version and about $25,000 for wood.  Everything with doors and drawers was specked as custom stained cabinetry.

I can also share that, in real life, this is actually a project that I did not coordinate the fabrication for. I completed the designs, of which I was paid $1500.00 in advance to do.

And if I were a homeowner trying to do an apples-to-apples comparison, I would realize that it was nearly impossible.  I would have to make a decision based upon which design and which designer I liked the best.  And I’d likely make my decision based upon those criteria even if the pricing did vary more

Is value the new luxury?

 

I should start with the fact that, for me, almost all time spent at “The Mart” (aka The Merchandise Mart in Chicago) has a level of luxury and value.  I love being surrounded by beauty – and in that building – there’s always an abundance.  And when I’m there, I meet people and learn things – so value.

I should also say that they tend to do a really terrific job with their events, so it doubles the fun. 

So, of course I was in attendance when Milton Pedraza, founder and CEO of the Luxury Institute, presented research regarding the latest findings about attitudes, behaviors and desires of wealthy consumers – People who have the luxury of being able to indulge their desires with less concern than most about the impact on their monthly budget.

Now please don’t misunderstand. 

I’m not unaware of what’s going on in the world today.

Still, there’s always some level of luxury.

And tough times don’t equal zero abundance.  Or zero beauty.  Or zero making your life and your surroundings look the way you want them to look.

So when you do that, when you DO allow a little luxury in, how do you do that?  What criteria prompt the definition of something being a “luxury” in your life?

According to the Luxury Institutes research, it’s likely you define it as something that emits the emotions of trust, quality and a level of passion on all participants’ parts.  So whether you’re buying a designer house, designer scarf or a designer cup of coffee, you want the salesperson to be excited about selling it to you.  And you want them to share the details about the quality and craftsmanship and art involved in its’ creation.  Those are things you value.

The other component about this research that I love is that the real bottom line is that it’s all about the relationship. That’s the luxuriest luxury of them all.  Having a connection with someone or something that honors your values in a way that really resonates with you. 

 So it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  

But whatever your level of luxury – I encourage you to support those businesses that you trust, who provide quality and who do it with a level of panache’. 

And appreciate the level of luxury and value that brings into your life.  Because that makes the world a better place.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Is Value the New Luxury?

 

I should start with the fact that, for me, almost all time spent at “The Mart” (aka The Merchandise Mart in Chicago) has a level of luxury and value.  I love being surrounded by beauty – and in that building – there’s always an abundance.  And when I’m there, I meet people and learn things – so value.

 

I should also say that they tend to do a really terrific job with their events, so it doubles the fun.

 

So, of course I was in attendance when Milton Pedraza, founder and CEO of the Luxury Institute, presented research regarding the latest findings about attitudes, behaviors and desires of wealthy consumers – People who have the luxury of being able to indulge their desires with less concern than most about the impact on their monthly budget.

 

Now please don’t misunderstand. 

I’m not unaware of what’s going on in the world today.

Still, there’s always some level of luxury.

And tough times don’t equal zero abundance.  Or zero beauty.  Or zero making your life and your surroundings look the way you want them to look.

 

So when you do that, when you DO allow a little luxury in, how do you do that?  What criteria prompt the definition of something being a “luxury” in your life?

 

According to the Luxury Institutes research, it’s likely you define it as something that emits the emotions of trust, quality and a level of passion on all participants’ parts.  So whether you’re buying a designer house, designer scarf or a designer cup of coffee, you want the salesperson to be excited about selling it to you.  And you want them to share the details about the quality and craftsmanship and art involved in its’ creation.  Those are things you value.

 

The other component about this research that I love is that the real bottom line is that it’s all about the relationship. That’s the luxuriest luxury of them all.  Having a connection with someone or something that honors your values in a way that really resonates with you. 

 

 So it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. 

 

But whatever your level of luxury – I encourage you to support those businesses that you trust, who provide quality and who do it with a level of panache’.

 

And appreciate the level of luxury and value that brings into your life.  Because that makes the world a better place.

I gotta make my own Shoe Decisions!

As I wound down a great closet conference experience here in the windy city,  I ended up in the shoe department at Nordstrom’s with my two colleagues & friends, Joyce and Patti.  They were wrapping up their business trip with some “pleasure” and I was enjoying being their personal tour guide.

We headed to Nordstrom to help Patti release one of her fears.  She is gonna try on a pair of Jimmy Choos – even though she really does not intend to purchase them.  As a former shoe sales person, I convinced her that this was do-able because I’ve seen and experienced what some women do in shoe departments.  Trying on a pair of shoes that you don’t really intend to buy is NOT a mortal sin.

So – off we go – to shoe mecca.  And out pops this amazing pair of Stuart Weitzman pumps that are just the most beautiful thing ever (and I’m a birkenstock lovin’ girl with comfort being paramount).  I slip on the gorgeous pump because my size and the display size coincide. And I have lust. 

I also have happy feet because I’m in the midst of an abundance of joyful, affirming experiences.  And several of them involve being in front of more people and presenting.  And this birk lover realizes that ain’t gonna fly.

So I buy the shoes because I need the shoes (don’t we all need $300 shoes???).

I bring them home.  My friends and I create visions for these shoes.  We photograph me wearing these shoes. They’re so hot.  

Even though they are not quite as comfortable as they were in the store and I’m not convinced they’re appropriate for walking through manufacturing facilities. And orthotics?  Forget it.

I look at my wardrobe and pull some options together.  Then I call my friend Leslie to impart her professional image consulting background wisdom into my wardrobe.

She hears me walk in these shoes and suggests “maybe a wedge with a little more funk and twist” – something closer to my personality – since I can’t quite seem to get the “glide” concept she’s suggesting.

I like that idea.  I go find a wedge. Stuart is on his way back to Nordie’s.

I send my friends  a link to the wedge.  And I’m getting “chunky” and “not sexy” and (best of all so far) “Stuart can’t be replaced” as responses.

Great.  I want affirmation for comfort and practicality and I’m just not gettin’ it (dah).

So I gotta make my own shoe decisions.  I gotta decide that it’s one step at a time.  First gaining a bit of height, next attempting to pay money for a shoe that allows me to have three times my body weight on the balls of my feet.  The upside is that I’ll look longer and leaner and sexier.

Can I do this from a Chaise?

Closets are coming out of the closet!

Closets are coming out of the closet!  How exciting is that?  Well, for me, it’s super exciting.  Our industry association is about to embark upon a certification program for closet designers – and I get to spearhead this project.  So, in addition to being about to get the inside views on the coolest closet projects in the Chicago area, you’ll also get to see what other designers are doing and how we’re going to change the industry.