You know when you're having a great conversation and the person you're chatting with just has so much to share? Well, you don't want it to end, which is what happened today when Megan and Linda (*) chatted with the fabulous Vicente Wolf! Mr. Wolf is clearly a born teacher and had so much to share about interior design and the business of design. So, pour yourself a nice cup of coffee, sit back and join us in our in depth chat with Vicente Wolf!
And if you haven't been there, please do visit his website.
(*)Joni was experiencing technical problems, so have no fear, she'll be back at the table next time!
Comments
Great job, ladies:)
Great interview...missed Joni, though.
I'm not sure if Vicente is answering any more questions, but I'd love to hear how you gracefully decline a potential client?? I would never want to hurt any feelings or burn any bridges but sometimes something just doesn't feel right with a potential client. Also, sometimes it's not something tanglible that I feel I could explain to them or maybe it would hurt their feelings... Like "Your budget expectations are unrealistic..." (which I've actually been getting better at saying to clients) or sometimes they seem like they're the type who will never be happy with anything (when you come in & they're already complaining about past ppl they've worked with.) Or they are really mean to each other (a couple) and it's just bad/ awkward to be around. Anyway, I'd love any thoughts on this.
Also, Megan & Linda, do you work out of your homes or have clients meet you at a home office? I do have a nice in-home office but usually go to clients' homes. I do see how having them come into your territory would help balance out the playing field from the get-go and I also think it would be less pressure for them to ask you for your ideas on the spot because you haven't seen their home yet. Any thoughts here? Do you think it's better to have potential clients do the first meet at your home? (I will most likely never have an out-of-home office because of my working style & of course the cost.) Also, I live in a really "normal" home--- it looks great but it's not large or impressive or in an affluent neighborhood. Do you think more affluent clients would be turned off by this?? Would the fact that our income is obviously less than theirs take away any balance of power from the beginning that I would have gained from having them in my territory? Or do you think seeing something that looks really "normal" on the outside be so special on the inside would help?? Any thoughts??
SO sorry this was such a long one!! Thanks so much & really enjoyed this interview!!!
xoxo,
lauren
Thanks!!!!
-Lauren
thanks (as always) for being so thought-provoking!! :)
How great to connect to your interview and hear about this designers inspiring work... and of course the day to day life of the "Real" business of the industry:)
Thank you so much!!
KayEllen
To answer Lauren's question:
Part of the compromise of having the office in your home has to be that you have to let go of some of the creature comforts that you would have if it was just your living space. It has to be neutral enough to appeal to different types of clients but have a strong sense of who you are as a creative person. You need to have an area for presentations like a large round table where people can sit around and it should not look like you’re doing it in your dining room. So if it means closing off certain areas with curtains or putting in bi-folding doors, it should give the client a sense that they are in your office and it should give you the sense that you are not entertaining clients in your living room – giving you a stronger sense of confidence.
Alot of great information here, especially about the initial "get to know you" processes: the first meeting, questionnaire, etc. I agree it is so important to meet the client for the first time in the designer's office. It is amazing how much brain picking can happen if the meeting is in the client's home, which may never lead to a formalized agreement. If the meeting is in the designer's office, the client sees how you work and a professional respect is generated. After you agree to work together (as Vicente so eloquently put it), then your design advice will be compensated.
I will be anxiously awaiting the Mr. Wolf's new book!!
Megan, your comment about his dyslexia and his working methods made no sense. If someone is dyslexic--poor at processing written language--why would he rely on a questionnaire to gain critical information to do his job? Why wouldn't he give clients photographs, or books, and ask them to show him, visually, the things they like and don't like? Why would he choose to get his information from WRITTEN LANGUAGE, if he's bad at processing that? That's the question that should have been asked.
Have a great week.
Hugs;
Alaura
I found in my own practice, that too much bending backwards to please the client backfires with the expectations that you are endlessly availlable and ready for constant change. It is certainly good to bring the notion to the table that this is a business and a two - way - street, but designers are hired for their expertise, so let there be expertise and not a decorating back and for...There is only so much room for decorating negotiations!
Also: I work out of home, out of sheer neccesity, I can't afford an office nor any cut off space from our rather small family home.
Therefore I see clients in their places, I think that makes the first contact less intimidating and I get a feeling for the job at hand. Of course, a neat professional office would be great...It's a bit a chicken and egg situation.
Since my home is my castle and private, I do not want to give the impression, that my style at home refects my abilities as a decorator.
It was great to hear Vicente talking about the common problems of design work and his approach to solving them.
Thank you for another great Skirted Round Table!
As always!
XX
Victoria
It's very refreshing to listen to a famous designer who is willing to share his experiences with others.
Thank you Vincente and skirted round table.
A very diverse talent...some great information...thanks! I can't get over the way that the internet has changed everything.
Best,
Michelle
we missed you, dammit!
Joni - your voice was greatly missed!
–Lana
I love his point of view on why it's important to meet with clients first in our own office or space - I'd just never thought of a number of those points, but they all make complete sense.
Having come from the client side, I can tell you that a lot of clients are just dying to see their designers' own homes, assuming that they are out of this world fabulous - but if your space is not pristine and very impressive, it could very well backfire to bring them in there. If you're going after a very high profile/high budget client and a large project in particular, they might look around your tiny little bungalow and decide you won't be able to handle their job unless perhaps it's *really* spectacular. But people tend to migrate towards others who are most like them, so too big of a mismatch between your home style and size and theirs won't bode well, I don't think. Commercial office space can help level that playing field immensely.
I also agree with Vicente that a home office may have to be more neutral in style than you may want to live with in order to appeal to a broader range of client tastes. Too many people simply cannot visualize anything other than what's right in front of them, and if your design work is contemporary but your personal style is more traditional (for example), many won't be able to make the leap.
Can't wait for more from you all!
Lots of love - Victoria
I have always believed that we will only survive as an industry if we start being more supportive of each other. It's nice to hear one of our industry luminaries with the same outlook.
I hope he moves forward with his seminars. I will definitely be attending!
Thank you for a wonderful interview.
xo
Brooke
thanks, -susan
It is interesting that he talks about explaining things intelligently right after he uses the term architecturally-wise.
The Vincente Wolf interview was a great example of that. Although this was an interview the tone was so comfortable and conversational that I pictured the 3 of you sitting around a table together.
I was struck by Vincente Wolf's accessibility and his simple approach to the various steps involved in managing a project.
One comment in particular struck a cord with me. Vincente spoke of the importance of "keeping myself amused." I love that! Isn't that a big part of what we do? Stay engaged and stay amused!
I have just recently started design school after being in another field for close to 14 years. I feel like I've just learned a very important lesson. A lesson that I will be carrying into my own practice one day.
Thanks so much for doing the interviews. It is most appreciated.