Tag: Ruhlmann

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories

The Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann cabinet by Frank Pollaro with amboyna burled wood veneer showcases a stunning glass collection with pieces by Louis Marjorelle, Daum Nancy, Emile Galle, Sabino and Linossier.
All too often, a client will hire a designer and not allow them to either finish the project with art and accessories or the client believes the designer should not be involved in something so personal. This is really a “Death Nell” to the designer and possibly the project as well. Some clients have extensive art collections and will always keep updating their collections and this is usually a welcome aspect to the designer; however those who do not are wrong if they think this is not part of a designer’s overall responsibility. Most designers would prefer to carry out the “look” to the end and complete the original concepts.

For the Designer

Always, always let your client know if you want to work with them on their art collection, discuss your knowledge with them and whenever possible, show them art and artifacts as part of the shopping experience and always make room for this in the budget. If you are not comfortable in doing this, there are plenty of consultants with the expertise to help you bring this to a wonderful conclusion. Understand that art can be the most important portion of the project and can also be the most costly. Most clients won’t want you to help them do this, but you will need to learn what their intentions are about the inevitable results of having either bad or no art in their homes. Also, “Decorative Art” is usually terrible, so look for galleries who specialize in original paintings, antique pieces, artifact collections and learn what galleries are reputable and those which are not.

If you don’t do anything with the artwork, you may have your entire project slide down the drain when they hang those velvet paintings of Elvis…be forewarned.

For The Client

It is understandable you feel your art is personal…all of us do, however your designer can be a resource for you so discuss how you wish to handle this at the beginning of your interview in order for your designer to understand where you stand on this issue. If the designer wants to help you an you don’t want to have to pay for this time billing, ask if you can do the shopping and pass your ideas on to them for their review. While this may work for you, the designer has no idea of what you will want to hang and I have seen many homes be rejected by editors because of the art collections and unless you really know what you are doing and have invested yourselves in learning about art, your concepts of good art are not necessarily up to the standards of most gallery owners. It would be most wise to visit a lot of galleries and discuss their art with the curators and gallery owners to understand why these pieces are considered “good” art. Most of what you see will not interest you, but you will learn a lot and quite possibly become a fan.

Also, conventional wisdom prevails…if your designer has been in the field for a while, they have seen good and bad art and most likely will be able to guide you or at least point you in the right direction of a few great galleries which will work with what you and your designer are doing.

For the Designer and Client

Usually I would not buy a lot of art at the local art fairs, but Art Chicago or Artropolis at the Merchandise Mart has such a broad spectrum of galleries and artists, you can find new and emerging artists to well established artists as well as vintage works and a wide array of pieces ranging from paintings, tapestries, sculptures, artifacts and even new and interactive pieces to help broaden your viewpoint….It’s all good for you and your designer, so ask him/her to go with you so you both can discuss what would be great in your space…remember, your designer knows scale, color and has a style for which you hired them.

Currently Cannon Frank is working with several clients who have large and established art collections and since we have broadened their viewpoints with regards to antiques and high-end furnishings, they have also found their taste in collecting art has also taken an up-swing on the “learning curve”. They know the simple fact that there is so much art to see and to enjoy, and we are proud to have had this influence on them and while they still love to collect for themselves, we are consulted on most of the pieces as well as the placement and if something doesn’t work, they now are willing to “trade up” to items which will work best with their décor.

Art is part of the décor whether the art comes first, is a wonderful existing collection or is something you will endeavor for many years to come…just include your designer for a better overall look.

Beginning the Relationship

I became great friends with these clients after spending nearly three years together designing their duplex high rise apartment and sharing a passion for Art Deco

Welcome to the debut of We Hear You!  As a successful, interior designer who has been in the industry for more than three decades, many of my clients, friends and colleagues have encouraged me to write a book and share my knowledge and musings about interior design.  While I’m not quite ready to embrace an entire book, I am ready to write a blog.

Furthermore, through the years my clients have told me over and over again that not only do I listen to them but I actually hear what they have to say.  I hear their dreams, their worries and their ideas and ultimately guide them to what they really want.  I think this is one of the main reasons I excel in my career –I believe I’m a talented interior designer, of course, but I really do hear my clients.  This is why we say at Cannon Frank “We Hear You” and thus, the name of my blog.

There are many interior design blogs and I hope this one offers a unique perspective: actually two of them!  With each blog entry about a particular design-related topic, I will write from the designer’s viewpoint and also from the client’s viewpoint.  Why write for both?  Well, my goal is that a designer reading a client’s viewpoint and a client reading a designer’s viewpoint will help both parties understand each other better and help build a successful relationship…with the end result being a gorgeous project.

Through many years of business and relationships with other designers, I have learned that whenever you get more than a few designers in one room, add a few cocktails and the stories begin to “fly.”  Usually they are the same…only the names and a few details change, but it has always struck me as odd…the relationship between what the client says and what the designer hears…the same can be said of the opposite.  Follow the blog to see if I can represent both viewpoints.

For the Designer

When a client says they want to get the most out of their project, you first need to understand what they are asking for.  Do they want you to work for low fees, do they want a lot for the budget they have or are they looking for the maximum impact they can achieve….hopefully the latter, but this is the first rule in a good client/designer relationship — clear and concise understanding of what they want and what you can provide.  Don’t be afraid to discuss the ugly topic of compensation.  You need to be paid for what you are giving and if they want to negotiate your fees, determine if you can, but don’t give yourself away and become enslaved to a project.

Clients usually don’t know how much work is required for their project…don’t be afraid to let them know what you are doing and why it needs to be done and always keep them informed of any issue which may come up with your suppliers…you don’t want to pass on to them any false information you get from a vendor, but as we all know, sometimes vendors tell you what you want to hear rather than the truth.  You also need to let your vendors know how to work with you…you won’t tolerate lies…it makes you a liar to your client, so teach your clients and teach your vendors how you expect them to work with you.

For the Client

When you decide to work with a designer, be concise with your information and if you don’t know what to tell them, try to formulate at least what style you would prefer even if it means cutting out magazine articles with something you like as a reference.  Try to figure out what you can spend and always tell the designer what you expect them to provide to you in terms of drawings, services, samples, concepts and what he or she is to include in their presentation.  Also, please remember your designer is only the designer…he/she does not make these pieces, ship the pieces nor is he/she the one who will take these pieces back if you decide you don’t like them, and all shipping dates come from the manufacturer, so if the piece is late, your designer most likely had nothing to do with that as well…. Also if you come to an agreement with your designer, keep the terms of your agreement with that designer because the first thing a designer won’t do is work for free when you decide to hold back on your payments. Since you are in control of your checkbook, if the designer shows you a piece which is over the budget, you need to decide how this affects your overall budget…can it stretch or does Peter need to pay Paul?

For the Designer and Client

Giving a client what they want is always very important, but don’t give them something you don’t believe in…if she wants Lucite chairs on castors at her dining table, you may have to discuss other options or tell her to go shopping for herself …that you just won’t be a party to bad taste!  If you discuss certain concepts with a client, don’t be worried about telling them how you really feel about some of their ideas and adapt to give them what they want albeit within the realm of good taste.

Having a designer do what you want is all well and good, but remember, you hired a professional to give you his or her opinion. If you choose not to listen to your designer, don’t be surprised if they lose interest if this is outside their realm of a great concept.

I will be posting more information and discussions on Client/Designer relationships on We Hear You in the near future.