The Rural Voice, 2000-11, Page 29Ir
Home Decorating
There are reasons things cost as much as they do
By Patti Robertson
At my company, Classic Interiors,
I've been active with co-operative
education students for many years.
This has allowed me the opportunity
of assisting many young people
interested in learning more about the
interesting and multi -faceted areas of
the interior design field. I enjoy the
kids and usually I learn from them as
well, in this mutual sharing of
knowledge and experiences — and
such was the case when my co-op
student Alicia Riley of Teeswater
shared a turn here at Classic Interiors.
Alicia arrived, exceedingly well
groomed, bubbly, enthusiastic and
ready to "take on" the design world.
Alicia oversaw and participated in a
multitude of projects and duties,
client calls, colour and texture
layouts, assisted in window treatment
installations, etc. — and as teens like
to do, shared her opinions.
And so, a case in point: we were
working with a client in finding the
appropriate style and fabric to adorn
the windows in her new kitchen.
Alicia and I presented the client with
some absolutely delicious fabrics in
styles to die for. The final selection
was a wonderful number featuring
muted hues in bittersweet, sage
green, and charcoal, featuring a
metallic gold thread — absolutely
smashing in this smart Tuscany style
setting; a real "eye catcher". I
presented the client with the follow-
up estimate and after a very brief
consideration the client turned down
the selection, stating that although
she knew the choice was 100 per
cent, the family was discussing
selling and moving on within a year
and would probably leave the
treatments behind, making the final
price an issue. Would I please re -
select in a less costly style and fabric.
The next day when Alicia arrived I
explained the situation to her stating
that we were back to the
drawingboard. I was pointing out to
Alicia that at $450 this style and
fabric were a bargain but (and before
I could finish) Alicia, horrified,
exclaimed $450! My gawd you can
go to Zellers and buy a valance for
$19.99. Well, I shot back, "If
everyone thought Zellers' products
were the height of interior fashion
you and I would be out of a job!;'
So that evening I found myself
analyzing where Alicia had gotten
her point of view and slowly I
realized that she did not understand
"the cost" of fine products on today's
market. I also came to suspect that
she did not
understand the
quality and
styling we were
dealing with.
(All of these
aspects are a
very integral part
of the interior
styling of any
home decor.)
The next day
I set about to see
if I was on the
right track with
my theory. As
we drove to a
client's home I
started by asking Alicia if she still
believed that the valances were way
out of range, to which she bravely
said "Yes!" Next I said "Well how
much do you think the client paid for
her cabinetry. "Well," Alicia said
"probably about $500."
I knew then I'd hit the nail on the
head. My little protege just did not
know today's pricing, and the
variation in quality and options. And
that is where I decided Alicia's
extended education would begin.
I said, "No honey, you were
looking at approximately $7,000
worth of cabinetry, not including
installation, faucets, countertops, etc.
"Oh Wow ... I had no idea!" she
said.
"So how much do you think the
granite countertops cost our client?"
"Gee maybe $1500?"
"No sweetie, more like $5,000".
"Oh my gawd!"
"So, Alicia, the two perfect
valances in the perfect style and
colouration are really quite
inexpensive by comparison at $450."
"Right! Ya right!"
"And Zellers offers nothing even
comparable, correct?"
"Ya right".
So now that we were both on the
same page, and our client agreed, we
went back to the beginning and
worked at finding a suitable
substitute and everyone was wiser for
the experience.
From that point on Alicia and I
played the "pricing game" and this
young lady who has become an
employee of Ward's and mine has
learned so very much. Recently I
purchased a wonderful Louis XV
marble -topped commode for our
bedroom, and upon seeing this piece
Alicia remarked, "I bet this little
number cost a pretty penny".
I said "you're on ... how much?"
To which Alicia's guesstimate was
only $200 higher than the actual price
tag. Lesson. well learned.
And so, my gentle readers, I share
this with you. If you are planning on
renovating anything or planning on
buying new furnishings,
wallcoverings, etc., get out there and
look around. Ask questions when
pricing confuses you. Find out why
one sofa is more expensive than
another. Why one
paperhanger/painter charges $28 per
hour while another only $15.
It can be really hard on the
emotions and pocketbook and
downright discouraging to get our
hearts set on our "dream kitchen"
only to find out it's thousands above
our imagined guesstimate. More
times than not we get exactly what
we pay for. But wouldn't it be better
to understand what it is costing us
and rearrange selections that work
within our financial budget well in
advance to avoid discouragement or
even bitter disappointment. So often
there are perfectly suitable substitutes
once we have an eye for styling and
design -oriented features.
Professionals in all fields will
gladly assist you in working within
your realistic budget. Understanding
your personal budget limitations, the
scope of your project, and the
materials available on today's market
scene will always finalize in a
successful and enjoyable home
renovation, or should you be so
lucky, an entire new home.°
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.
NOVEMBER 2000 25