You Are Only As Good As Your Client

I find the process of interviewing really fun.  I enjoy meeting new people and  seeing apartments with potential.  Sitting down with potential clients, however, is a time for making sure that this is a partnership that has potential.

So this is a true story about a person who contacted me and interviewed me for a job. We are picking up sort of half way through the meeting.
GV: "so have you looked at my website?"
Client: "yes"
GV: "do you like my work, do you like most of what you see on my website or in my portfolio?"
Client: "Well, actually, I am not really comfortable using that much color and I like something a bit more traditional."
GV: (this is what I wish I could say)…"do you know that there are about 40,000 other designers (pulled that number out of my ear) in the city and you could find a designer who’s work is just perfect for you?"

I am not a designer who dictates my vision onto other peoples homes. I believe strongly that as a designer  I  can help to create homes that reflect the owner, and yes, there is always a lot of me in the home too, I suppose that is why they hire me. But it is that combination of their personality and lifestyle mixed with my vision that makes things work.

I am also not a designer who can design in many different styles - I have developed a style that I feel comfortable with and I want people to notice that. I KNOW I don’t create interiors that everyone likes - I think I appeal to a smaller group of clients.

As much as I love interior design, I do get very frustrated when it becomes clear to me that my client and I are not seeing eye to eye.

I want to share just 10 things I appreciate deeply in a client (but in no particular order).

1.  A client who does not ask the sales person in a furniture store for a design opinion (unless the client and I are just simply stumped and need a little nudge).
2.  A client who trusts me because they feel confident that I have the style that they are after.
3.  A client who believes that art is part and parcel of a well designed interior.
4.  A client who is willing to think outside of the box and take chances.
5.  A client who I enjoy spending time with.
6.  A client who keeps things in perspective and realizes that working with an interior designer should be a fun, creative journey.
7.  "Whimsical","modern","unexpected" and " tongue-in-cheek" are words the client is happy using when describing their interior.
8.  When a client is having a hard time making a decision, they simply leave it up to me to decide.
9.  A client who is willing to pay my design fee, feels comfortable with it and feels like I am worth every penny.
10. A client who makes me feel like I have made a difference in their lives and who hires me again.