Happy Holidays from Coupar Consulting!

Five Simple Steps to Keep your Business Stress-free During the Holidays

The holidays are in full swing and if you are like many of the designers I work with you might be feeling a bit frazzled as internal and external timelines and project goals loom.  Here are five tips to keep the joy in your holiday and the stress at bay, so come January 1st you are ready to make 2012 your best year yet.

1.  Be realistic about the work you can achieve.  In a perfect scenario, plan to take the month of December "off".  By "off" I mean no HUGE project ramp-ups, no BIG installations, no mid-project grinds that call for excessive site management or vendor management.  Floor refinishing, kitchen cabinet installations, tile and paint should all be scheduled to begin in the new year.  Keep the work you do choose light and fluid.  Holiday decorating for your favorite clients, new client meetings, and marketing are all low-impact and fun ways to keep your business buoyant and spirits high during the season.  One easy way to make sure you are on the right path is doing an internal check: "is the work I am about to commit to making me feel excited or tired?"  If its tired, place it on the back burner until the new year.  

2.  Cut yourself (and your staff) some slack.  Everyone can feel a bit distracted during December.  Whether through stress or merriment of increased commitments outside of the office expect that the people who help your business run on a daily basis will have the majority of their attention elsewhere and plan accordingly.  Delegate staff members on tasks that are low-impact: budget and construction schedules, marketing materials, materials sourcing, and goal setting all are tasks that keep the business moving forward without impacting the end result.  Stay away from measures, specifying materials, custom furnishing, window coverings or vendor direction and supervision.  Those are all New Years' tasks that will fare better when the staff returns focused on the business in January.  

Kendall Wilkinson has her staff put together a beautiful newsletter that gets sent during the holidays that serves as both a holiday greeting and a marketing opportunity to connect with people.  (A fabulous way to multi-task and cut down on redundant, time intensive tasks for staff).  The key is to make the content of value to the recipient, and Kendall & co has this nailed: gratitude and glad tidings followed by beautiful images and a design tip or two.  The key is, like Kendall, be confident in your design expertise, and don't feel intimidated by sharing a bit of your wealth of knowledge.  There's no genuine design tip you can give that will not be returned to you in terms of new client possibilities. 

One interior designer who has holiday appreciation in the bag is Patrice Cowan Bevans.  This world-class designer is a not only fabulous at making things pretty, she is a star at making her team feel appreciated.  Her holiday ritual for her staff members includes a nice lunch at the Fairmont or Big 5, followed by massages at the Nob Hill Spa among other year end bonuses.  Her approach is give a little, get a little.  A nice lunch and massage for yourself and your team is a great environment to set goals, intentions, and review the last years highs & lows.  (The lows are much better to revisit with a glass of bubbly in hand)!  

Another notable I saw pop across my social media this week was Grant K. Gibson hustling early Monday morning after giving his assistant time off during December.  His Monday AM Facebook post was "My assistant is off this week and I am already loosing my mind."  Giving your assistant time to regroup during the holidays ensures a loyal and refocused staff come January.  You get what you give, and in this business a little loyalty goes a long way.    

3.  Shift the attention you give to your work to the evening social activities that come with the season.  Working hard during the day can make you feel too tired to jingle and mingle at the industry hosted holiday parties at night.  Those parties are just as important as the work you accomplish during the day. You may meet a contractor or architect that refers you to your next big project.  I've seen designers get referrals through showrooms, wallpaper hangers, painters, carpet installers as well as general contractors and architects.  Some time toasting the end of a year during December can be more impactful than the time spent building schedules in the office.  Make your events and contacts count & give yourself permission to do so.  The December business strategy gets things accomplished with less work and more play.  Give yourself permission to play a bit, and reap the benefits come New Year.  

4.  Have a little cash cushion for the business that lasts through mid- January.  Clients are slllooowww to pay this time of year.  Not so much for lack of cash, but more for lack of attention on anything not holiday focused.  Plan accordingly for your firm and don't get too hung up when your punctual paying client doesn't send a check until close to the end of the month.  Send a reminder out mid-month to all clients with open balances and then let it go.  Most clients will pay by the beginning of January.  

5.  Make some time for 2012 goal setting.  Write down how you want your business to feel for the new year.  What type of events would you like to participate in?  How much money would you like to make?  What type of marketing or expansion would you like to do?  Create a plan to make it happen.  A company budget is the single greatest gift you could give yourself and your business for the new year.  (And building a fabulous budget can happen in January after the holidays).  But make some time to day dream and write down all this possibilities you'd like to experience in the New Year.  Decorators Showcase?  Buying Trips?  Big ticket advertising?  These can all be a reality with a proper budget and a little planning.  

Wishing you a happy and stress-free holiday season and a prosperous 2012!

Krista

San Francisco Designer Alexandra Torre creates a modern-day nomadic dining environment for DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN

Every November the San Francisco Design Center's Galleria building plays host to DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN charity event, showcasing some of the industries top designers in a table design format that is a feast for the eyes.  This highly-anticipated industry event always surprises and delights me, and this year I was able to work with one of the designers that was invited to participate in the event, San Francisco based designer Alexandra Torre.

Her design was simple, stylish and unique: a modern-day nomadic dining environment that began with her intrigue with the concept of a yurt.

From the original yurt concept, Alexandra began to form the idea of a stylish nomadic, modern-day dining environment.  Something that you could set-up on a moment's notice, and still fete in style.  Her finished design was a wonderful blend of high and low: decadent fabrics comprised the tent, plush peacock blue fur pillows adorned the folding chairs, and cardboard pendant lights illuminated the whimsical sophistication of the space.  One of my favorite pieces in the space were the host and hostess chairs from anthropologie, which where brushed with a oversized gold stripe of paint down the front and back, and finished in what seemed to be a durable, mod podge type glaze.  

Here's a sneak peek of the space prior to the Table-Hop & Taste.  

And a couple other images I was able to borrow from Mink Interiors coverage of the event.  

I love Alexandra's concise explanation of her process in designing the elements of the room:

Conceptually based on the philosophy of a Yurt, this dining environment plays off of the modern-day need to be flexible and mobile while communicating your personality and style. Nomads traditionally never stayed in one place for too long, picking up useful items along the way. This of course made for a very eclectic mix of items, rough in presentation but big on character.

In this dining space, you will experience a mixture of textures (some luxurious and others raw) and styles (traditional motifs and modern presentations). These contrasts emphasize how you can take bits and pieces from your life and your collections and, while not always matching, they can provide for a cozy and contextualized dining space. Outdoor iron chairs mixed with fur seats, a satin fabric contrasted by recycled cardboard pendants, a patchwork over dyed rug overlaid with hides and a plywood table top on top of an iron base.

Another notable aspect of this space is its transportability. We may not always have the ability to host a large group of people in our designated dining room, or maybe we want to move this event to another location. Here you will find many pieces that allow for flexible living while still high on style. Folding outdoor dining chairs, a structure that defines the space but can be installed in a matter of minutes, a custom designed collapsible table base on top of which sits a portable plywood table top.

Please enjoy these juxtapositions and examples of how to create a mobile feast!

Never one to not acknowledge the talented tribe of people that contributed to this nomadic environment for merry-making, I thought I'd pass on the love the Alexandra's pulled together to make sure the vendors she worked with get the kudos they so rightly deserve:


Assistant and Designer: Morena Sesana: 925.219.2491

Cardboard Pendants: Gray Pants: 206.420.3912

Custom Metal Table Base: Richard Hubbard: 415.518.1885

Overdyed Rug: Modern Fever: 415.522.6666

Sewing of table-top items: Doug Shamp: 415.668.5185

Structural & Handyman Extraordinaire: Carlos Palacios: 415.302.8215

Custom Sewing of Tent: Tea Cake’s Custom-made: Esther Bennett: 415.203.7732


To see Alexandra's complete list of services, design philosophy and examples of her work, please visit www.alexandratorre.com.

For additional information on items featured in the dining space, please contact alexandra@alexandratorre.com.

Summertime: the perfect time to develop your marketing and website

Clients vacationing, longer days, and the slightest feeling of ease in the office, summertime is a great time to turn your focus on the development of your business in preparation for a busy fall.

One of the best ways is to focus on the marketing and branding of your business. Developing your visual identity can be a great creative outlet, especially when its not sandwiched between the heavy load of design deadlines that September brings.

Here are some of our most requested summertime offerings in anticipation of fall:

Basic website: Everyone needs a professional web presence that is easy to find and showcases your design talents on a visual and written level. At Coupar Consulting we offer affordable full website design & development. This service includes meeting and advisement on visual site layout, & copy development: including SERVICES & BIOGRAPHY. Our websites includes blog development and build out linked your website site and a client login page for easy communication on projects between client and designer.

Examples of basic website design & development are: www.couparconsulting.com, www.designerdujour.com, www.bdhomesf.com, www.theperfectsettingdesign.com, www.rhondalanierinteriors.com, www.thecompletekitchen.com, www.leslielundgren.com.

Recent website concept development for Julie Mifsud Interior Design

Our sites are developed to benchmark your firm with top interior designers, allowing opportunities for more meaningful visibility with clients and magazine editors. We strive to develop the sites that are easy to access from a mobile device so that the information is streamlined and easy to browse, -- a must for your client base which is most often multi-tasking while shopping for designers.

All of our websites are content manager based so that they can be updated internally by you or a staff member in your firm. A great advantage to keeping your portfolio current.

This basic site is a very comprehensive package. Beyond the design and build of the site, we also advise you on all aspects of content development so that you are competitive with other designers in the industry. Coupar Consulting focuses on maximizing and showcasing your firm's unique talents and offerings. We offer suggestions and advise on what areas of design to promote to access the most clients and maximize profits.

We develop branding landing pages for view while your full website is in development.

Recent Landing Pages for Etsy Retail Concept Goose Vintage & Event Planning Company The Perfect Setting

MARKETING ADD-ONS:

Logo Development: Every designer needs a logo that is a representation of his or her interior aesthetic. Something that shows style and industry relevance. At Coupar Consulting we develop logos that easily translate into business cards, postcards, letterhead, blog, and constant contact (email marketing) templates. Along with the logo the formatted client marketing deliverables include: formatted business cards ready for print, postcard design ready for print, letterhead jpg for all contracts, work orders, faxes and Microsoft word documents, and constant contact eblast template that matches website, is easy to update and promotes brand continuity.

Recent Logo Concepts for Interior Designer Lisa Bakamis & Designer du Jour Staffing Company

                                       

      

 

Marketing & Website Training: Once the website is built, Coupar Consulting can provide training on updating the site and integration of Social Networking and marketing. We cover basic photoshop, constant contact email creation, & blogging. Training includes tips for streamlining all social media so that it is easy to reach the maximum number of potential contacts with the least amount of effort.

Social Media Set-up: Coupar Consulting offers set-up & Integration of Linked-in, Facebook, Twitter, blog and constant contact so that updates and marketing is generated from a single point of origin and routed through all social media sites with the least effort possible. Consulting on design and direction to make the sites rich on visuals & content to stimulate interest. Design and development of additional visual templates as needed.

Photo shoots: With clients vacationing summer is a great time to update your portfolio and photograph any completed projects. Coupar Consulting works with a range of fantastic photographers that fit a variety of budgets. We are on site for the shoot and help you to train your eye for photo styling so that you can continue to work with our photographers on your own to pull together beautiful interior shots that are a reflection of your design and brand.

        

Recent photo shoot with talented San Francisco Interior Designer Alexandra Torre.  Website currently under development.  Photography by Jenny Watts.

All of our offerings are designed to be affordable and integrated to your business. We strive to create solutions that can be internalized and continued within your firm's structure, empowering you with effective business solutions that manage costs and maximize profits. Visit us online at www.couparconsulting.com for our complete list of offerings and services.

Announcing the Designer Support Service: Designer du Jour

One of the biggest issues for interior designers and the industry at large for the past three years has been staffing for project fulfillment.  We need staff to execute a particular project in a timely manner, however, upon project wrap there is no guarantee of continued pipeline to keep the team employed.  So begins the principal designer's fine dance of trying to get the project fulfilled and keep the client happy on a less than full staff, in a less than ideal situation.  Yes, late-night emails over a glass of wine or early AM touch-bases over your favorite cup o' joe works for the short-term, but three years later?  Lets just say that many of our industry's brightest are feeling the burn of the perpetual all-nighter.

  
*If your evening fun looks like a flop, your canvas monogrammed bag is filled with files like these, and you get THIS excited over a cup if coffee, then you *might* need some additional staffing support.  GENTLE...NUDGE.


On the other side of this staffing dilemma is the junior and senior design talent.  Scrambling for work or remaining steadily under-employed also leads to industry burn-out, and over a period of time we are losing some of our support talent to other industries.  Doesn't seem like an issue now, but as the industry starts to recover, we are going to have limited resources of support staff to tap as expansion begins.  And make no mistake, the thought process, contribution and expertise of a principal designer and a support designer are WORLDS APART, but are deeply interconnected to the success of a firm.  A good principal designer's utilization rate (ie billable hours v. non billable) should be around 50%.  That is to say a principal designer should spend 50% of his time in billable activities with current clients, and 50% of his time networking for new clients to keep the pipeline full.  By contrast, a support designer should be 75% - 90% billable, meaning all of the time spent is running the details of the project.  Principal = broad stroke design, big picture.  Junior/Senior Designer = details, details, details & project fulfillment.

              
                                                            Both Pierre and Kitty know that it takes a team to be THIS fabulous.  

Designer du Jour was developed with this in mind: pairing great principal designers with great support staff on an as-needed basis to prevent the crazy-making balancing act of the principal working around the clock for a project, (which deteriorates the time needed to go out and get new clients), and retain the talent pool of support designers in the industry.  Whether you need someone that is project specific or you would like to hire a designer, Designer du Jour gives you the flexibility to tap into talent as needed, or test drive a designer for permanent hire in your firm without the head-hunting fee or worry that its not the right personality fit.
   

The services offered are simple and formatted in a menu of services making it easy to order an "a la carte" item for a full day or half-day rate.  And because your are hiring someone to fulfill a billable portion of the project, you are passing this cost onto your client at a mark-up: which is a revenue generating investment in your business -- always a good thing.  (Business tip: Embrace your revenue centers, manage your cost centers).  All pricing is set-up to be marked up at a senior design level rate (about double your cost).  Your can "order" a designer and service up to 24 hours in advance and the menu option is delivered usually by the end of that business day.  We also can offer custom services if there is something you are working on outside or our comprehensive menu.  Just drop Designer du Jour a note and we are happy to accommodate.   

So put down the cup of coffee, maybe hit the sheets early or indulge in a guilty pleasure that doesn't require a battery of emails to keep pace with your business.  Schedule your support designer today and tackle your next big project with grace, ease, and some breathing room to really enjoy what you do best.  Designing.  www.designerdujour.com   

Coupar Consulting Announces Goose Vintage Tableware on Etsy

About two months ago I was asked to design a logo and landing page for one of my FAVORITE people in the interior design industry, Bill Geis, and his partner Leo.  I have had a work crush on Bill since I first met him right after I opened my interior fabrics showroom in the Oakland Hills ten years ago.  Forever stylish, with a wicked sense of humor to match, Bill is always fun to collaborate with on anything creative.  It was such a blast taking his concept of vintage tableware, blending it with his tongue & cheek approach to design and whipping up something that was uniquely and perfectly suited for him and Leo. 

landing page for the website.  e-commerce site coming this fall.

I have no idea how I had gone ten years without meeting Leo, (I mean, does Bill keep him in hiding or something?), but he is a delight to talk to, knowledgeable and passionate about the tableware pieces he & Bill acquire and sell.

move over Brangelina, Bill & Leo are my new favorite power couple.



Etsy banner designed after Bill's initial inspiration of wrapping all pieces in craft paper and twine ribbon.
                             

There are so many elements to love about their Etsy shop and their product philosophy in general, but my two favorite aspects of their collection is that it is largely acquired through their travels, and it is one-of-a-kind, designed to be a unique setting collection for about 6-8 people (though they will custom design a collection for more upon request).  My favorite is their line called "miss-matched", a single setting of a teacup, saucer, and dessert plate.  I am a big believer in little decadence on a daily basis, and drinking tea from an exquisite little set fits this concept perfectly.  I also like the idea of using the set for the guest of honor at a dinner party. My friend Laura does this for each party she hosts, the guest of honor gets her own special cup for soup that stands just a bit grander than everyone else's at the table.     


                       
                                                   Some of the pieces from Goose Vintage's "Miss-Match" collection


I have always described Bill & Leo's aesthetic as bohemian chic, very well edited, European & mid-century/deco American inspired items.  They only buy what they love and each piece has a little story behind it.  Visit their shop on Etsy, new items are added on a weekly basis, and look for them in some upcoming showcases this summer and fall!  Details to follow.... Until then happy shopping with Goose Vintage.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/GooseVintage

bd home launches new website

One of the websites I was involved with designing and developing this Spring was for San Francisco interior designer Beth Daecher.  Beth has had her own burgeoning design business since 2002, but only recently decided that she needed to grow her business from a marketing standpoint, choosing to finally pull together a website that showcases her work.

            

One of main issues I always run into with designers is compiling a portfolio of work that showcases a complete design aesthetic based on their past projects & arranging for a photographer to shoot at a reasonable price that allows the designer to compete with the big designers in the local industry.  The project images are the crucial part of the web design and the end goal is a cohesive site that looks beautiful and doesn't break the bank.  

     

                

San Mateo photographer Jenny Watts fit the bill perfectly for the interior shots.  She is creative and dynamic, her prices are BEYOND reasonable and she is FAST.  We left our first shoot together in three hours time and over 50 usable shots for not only Beth's website, but her blog as well.  So in concrete terms, that is one house, 50 shots, including head shots and images for future blogs.  Jenny is not only a pleasure to work with, her end product fits the bill perfectly for new designers who need to build a professional portfolio quickly and have the past projects to do it.  

Take a peek for yourself at Beth's website.  Since launch Beth has had quite a bit of traffic on the site and has landed a couple new projects.  It was such a pleasure to collaborate with Beth, she is not only a smart and fun woman to work with, but as her new website can attest to, fabulous interior designer.  www.bdhomesf.com.