See if you can identify each of these designer's by their work.
Okay, so David Easton in this last photo is a bit of a give-away, but did you know the top three? Jonathan Adler, Barclay Butera, and Charles Faudree. We all know Adler and his bold graphic lines, and Butera, well, he's the current king of blue and white. Faudree, be still my heart, reigns supreme on quintessential Country French. And, a classic room with a large, round table to separate spaces -- it must be David Easton.
As a designer, do you strive to establish a look of your own? Or, do you fall on the side of the fence where you design for the client's look?
If you're the client, will you hire a designer for their look, or will you choose a designer who can design a space that looks uniquely your own?
Lastly, can a designer, in today's world, make it big without an identifying look? Is it enough to create beautiful spaces that reflect the client?
No wrong answers, here, my friends. I'm just curious to hear what you think. Please share your thoughts in the comments. I think it would be interesting!
Talk to you soon,
Carol
PS Posing these questions for the sake of interesting conversation and thought. It's not about me :)
Carol I think if you go High end your client will want the look you can produce. If you are decorating for residential clients I think it is important to give them a home that THEY will identify with. I know your dilema. I chose to do the look for the homeowner. I never wanted my name to be stamped on a room. I use to have some of my clients say, I just want you to come in and do what you want. I told them I would not do that, I would work with them and their taste. I go home to the home i love I want to leave you with a home YOU love.
ReplyDeleteI really feel it is a decision that each designer has to make for themselves. A hard one for sure, Kathysue
My training has been to create the space to meet the needs of the user, taking into account Function, Safety and Welfare, and Beauty, and checking my own ego at the door. I think a good designer should create a beautiful space that meets their client's needs. I have had clients who liked ultra modern interiors, and clients who were really into Rococo, and everything in between. My hope is that each of my clients is left with a space that is uniquely their own. That said, I do believe we can't help but develop a signature that informs our designs, regardless of the style we are working in.
ReplyDeleteI am not a professional designer...I just play one at home. The only one I recognized was Charles Faudree, because I simply love anything country French.
ReplyDeleteIf I hired a designer, I would want one that could create a space that is uniquely my own.
And yes, I think a designer can make it big without an identifying look. Who wants a look that looks like everyone else?
Great post!
Hugs,
Penny
My clients have hired me for my taste, but I apply it to theirs. Usually, their collections, artwork, hobbies or magazine pictures will give me insight. If I hate their ideas I definitely tell them and have turned down/lost jobs as a result. I agree with Kathysue that I don't want their home to be stamped as mine though.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
As a client I would look at past work, looking for spaces I would like that may or may not match my taste completely. I would like something unique to me but not from Mars. Also, after a window treatment fiasco I now look for a designer who can say "No", explain why AND offer an alternative that works with my initial desire.
ReplyDeleteI love all kinds of styles in design, so it is hard for me to develop a "look". I like a clean aesthetic and one that is not too formulaic or traditional. It's hard to bottle that and sell it, but I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteI would hire a designer based on past "looks" or "feeling" they put into a room, but I would not want that stamp on my room. I would want it to be about my taste, with them telling whether is would work or not. I am not sure you necessarily have to have a "stamped" look to be known, just good eyes and ears to listen and look at what the client is asking for.
ReplyDeleteI am doing a design course right now online and I so wish I was doing it in a classroom. Keeping motivated in my small rural town is difficult. So I am using my computer alot to figure these things out on my own and thank goodness for all the great blogs.