BK Designer: How to Pre-shop for your Residence. (Game on)

Okay. You've established that you are ready to design /re-design your residence. Check. You've sort of established what theme, what feel you would like your residence to reflect. Check. Now, you're ready to shop! 

So you think. Shopping is a sport. As any woman knows (feel free to ask ANY of us, really) it is a contact sport whether it involves window shopping or online shopping at home ("more wine, stat!") for clothes, shoes, children's items, groceries or pet treats. The same experience applies to interior shopping. While it is more a more 'mature' experience (soft lighting, vanilla infused air, super fashionable staff, I mean 'associates') and eye black and elbow pads are not needed, it still requires determination, stamina and a great poker face ("you want HOW much for that?"). 

Pre-shopping allows you to easily invest time and effort without killing yourself. This is casual, relaxed shopping; do it when you can. That furniture store you always pass on the way to work? The cute little lighting shop with the interesting floor lamp in the window? That earnest three man store front that makes furniture from old doors whose link you originally saw in a design magazine? Stop. Look. Shop. 

As often as possible, visit the brick and mortar establishment of any design store (furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories) that you might be interested in purchasing from. It is important to gauge the quality of their goods, the temperament of the sales staff (are you greeted with glee? snobbish mockery? or not at all?), the availability of their goods,  their delivery methods (inside of your home or literally dropped at the curb?) and the maintenance of their store. I mean I love dogs and cats like the next person, but I am never thrilled to see the owner's designer dog laying on a four times my rent sofa licking his hairy nether regions.

These are the companies who are not only responsible for the quality of your items; they are responsible for making sure that you receive your items in a professional, timely manner. Who, if something does go horribly wrong, will make the process of replacing, returning and/or refunding as painless and positive as possible. Depending on the lead time of what you order (in stock, three weeks, six months), they will become a part of your existence.

Here are a few pre-shopping suggestions: 

1. Take a best friend a parent a partner a spouse. Seriously. You will be so high on the idea of soon to be owning all of this fabulous non-handed down new stuff that your Disney-esque view will need some Oliver Stone type reality. Your shopping buddy will guarantee that that extremely worn velour fushia faded sunken cushion Edwardian type twelve foot sofa with the weird smell does not go home with you. 

2. Make friends. Talk to the sales representatives and find someone that is not only well informed about their product and the design process, but who is personable and respectful of your needs, your questions. We all know the stories of the associates who look sideways at 'consumers' and whose body language clearly states that they prefer to deal with designers. Screw them. A good sales rep will check in with you regarding the progress of your project; make you aware of new merchandise and the stock availability of what interests you. This should be the same whether you are purchasing from Mitchell Gold, Armani Home or Crate and Barrel. 

3. Come with measurements in mind or in hand. Know the width of your doorways, the length of your hall, the ceiling height of your elevator. What is your residential ceiling height? Does it accommodate a 6' chandelier? Is there a separate elevator for deliveries, delivery hours? If you don't have an elevator, how many flights to your residence? All of this figures in your merchandise cost. Delivery might require a different carrier outside of the standard methods and it will affect pricing. 

4. Compare in store to internet. Some online stores, such as 1st Dibs, Horchow, AllModern, Lumens Lighting, etc.) are experienced in providing a positive, well organized experience regarding management of your order, tracking updates and delivery arrangements. And yes. It might prove to be more cost effective - no sales tax, no delivery or minimal delivery fee. Some of them will recommend companies that they work with who provide additional services such as hanging fixtures or constructing furniture. 

These are simply suggestions to help you get started. We will delve into the nuts and bolts of real purchasing later on. Enjoy the pre-game shop now. While it still doesn't cost you anything. 

Dream Design! 

Cynthia Dennard 
INSIDE DESIGN/BK
Reach me at: idbkpatch@gmail.com