Eclectic Design Source's Profile

I am a sucker for history and am one of those who think *most* vintage or antique wood should never be painted.

Thankfully Chris and Tyler must feel the same way. The home has an obvious nod to its past but doesn't look like a museum, it feels homey and lived in.

I'd like to take the opportunity to express my utter jealous of all of your woodwork and built-ins. So many incredible details, you must love coming home every day to such an amazing home!

LeahDC nailed it.

Off that subject and in regards to trade-only merchandise, I can certainly understand the frustration of the public wanting access to these products. But, on the flip side, as someone already mentioned, certain merchandise has very specific ordering methods.

Also, in the age of the internet, the world has become so close and accessible that its not uncommon for some clients to try to find similar product to the ones proposed then come back to the designer and say they found it themselves.

That's like... hiring a plumber and saying that you are going to source your own copper.

Trade-only merchandise allows designers to have a very, very small level of exclusivity, a small edge over big boxes and chain stores, the internet, etc.

Ah, I'm so happy that dark is making a come-back. I have always had an affinity towards deep, moody rooms. But, paring it with light cabinetry, furniture, accessories can make it feel really clean or glamorous. Going dark has so many dimensions to it other than cozy or den-like, I can't wait to see more people embrace it.

You are absolutely right in noting that designers are generally self employed and need to roll the overhead into the cost of their design fees. And after that, there should be X% left over to pay themselves.

I can't comment on that particular price you gave, its higher than what we charge, but when we give a consult we are giving ideas which the client can take and use even if they never call us again. They are paying for our expertise, our time, the time it took to research color, bring color, bring and assortment of ideas, travel to their home, etc.

So, although there is not a tangible product like a sofa, the client is still left with tons of ideas that they can use however they see fit.

:)

@Rural and rueful, unfortunately many designers seem to have a reputation for being black holes of ego, steamrolling their wants instead of listening and interpreting their client's lifestyle. Its always our goal to make our clients feel comfortable and enjoy the design process, we are a strict no-ego zone! Who wants to feel inferior? Not me, not our clients. Its always our goal to make sure that the design process is a fun one.

Design should be fun and help you live a more beautiful, organized, full life.

Public areas of your home? Huh. I mean, unless you have some crazy nude photos I can't imagine how displaying pictures would be inappropriate in your own house.

Photos are to be enjoyed, that's why you take them so you can relive the memory.

We have a digital frame in our boutique that has rotating photos of design jobs, family vacations, pets.... customers love it. Photos are always a great conversational piece.

I know it seems counter-intuitive to some to paint a small room dark, but I also have a windowless bathroom and we painted it BM Nightfall, which is nearly black. Its a very warm graphite and the light bounces around the room like crazy. Its my favorite room in the house right now.

Don't feel like you need to stick to light colors because there are no windows and the room is small.

You can see my before/ (nearly) after here: http://eclecticdesignsource.blogspot.com/2012/04/from-this-to-that-pt-2.html

Looks lovely and layered. What color is your paint?

We are renovating my home and I didn't want to invest in custom drapery until after we were through, but the crummy plastic blinds that the previous owners left us were horrid. Not to mention breaking.

Though not blinds, I purchased roller shades from Ikea and spray/ hot glued 54" wide fabric to them, glued on some trim, and they look fabulous. Much better than anything I have found in the store, even if they will be temporary.

Here's the first two I did: http://eclecticdesignsource.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-roller-shades.html

Your real friends will not care if your home isn't done, has laundry on the floor, or you have nothing "proper" to eat for snacks.

We recently purchased a sad, neglected little '55 ranch with peeling linoleum floors, ugly cabinets, berber carpeting that has been professionally cleaned twice but still has the previous owner's pet pee stains, etc. It looks no where near the way we'd like it to (getting married 2mos ago definitely put things on a hold, too).

We've waited so long to have our own home that we don't care what it looks like at the moment, home is all about the way you welcome people in. Now we finally have indoor and outdoor space to have friends and family over, we're totally going for it.

OHMEURSAULT- I feel you on the Halloween love; we're having a bash this year, too. My Pinterest board is filling up with random, creepy decor!