Tuesday, August 10, 2010

How To Come Up With A Budget

(i.e., "Make your Plan and Work your Plan")

I can save you money by helping you establish a furntiture budget...read how:"

In the sixteen or so years I've been decorating homes and selling furniture, I could probably count on one hand those clients who came to me with a clear budget for buying home furnishings. I still find it hard to believe (...when you go out to buy a car, new or used, your pretty-much have an idea of how much money you need), but that's the way it is.

If you're one of those "I/We don't have a budget, but let's buy anyway," turn around, go home, and find someone who insists on a budget (per room, per house) before selling you anything. Everyone has a budget, whether they say so or not.

I learned years ago how to apply "THE PLAN" to my new and old clients at Beverly Hall. Iris Byers, my design-consultant guru, taught me that it's my job to make this process a whole lot easier (and maybe even fun and enjoyable), by listening and establishing a budget based on your wants and needs.

The process is as easy as 1-2-3. First, at our initial meeting at the showroom, I ask what specific room you are working on. I quickly sketch the room, noting what items you already own and what items you need. In our first walk-through our 35,000 square foot showroom, I can save you time, bypassing those rooms of items you don't need. I explain that I'll mention price points as we walk, so you can see that sofas, for instance, range from $1500. to $6,000. each. If I know that you have $8,000. to spend on a family room, we can bypass those sofas priced at $3500.

The second step is me coming to your home for an hour or so visit. I might bring samples of fabrics you responded to in the showroom, or a few tear-sheets of items you liked, but I'm sure to bring my measuring tape so I can leave with the exact dimensions of the room you're working on.

The third step is you coming back to the store (by appointment within two weeks of the visit), where I propose the exact pieces of furniture that will fit perfectly (they'll fit the room and fit within your budget, which you've already given me in Step 2).

When I visit your house, I can observe what you're already surrounding yourself with. Many times, I can reccomend moving something from another room, ...even from basements and attics. I discover unique attributes about your home (how many pets,...toddlers, ...teenagers?). My knowledge of my product can help you pin-point a realistic budget for upholstery, case goods, rugs, lamps, and draperies, in that order.

With the help of a professional interior designer who understands the value of your time and money, decorating your home can truly be more enjoyable. And who among us doesn't like to save money? Tell me about YOUR PLAN:

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