Around for Winter Market? Stop by Workspace: Now Open at the SFDC!

Coupar Consulting is pleased to announce the opening of Workspace in the San Francisco Design Center. Workspace was created with the independent interior designer's needs in mind. Located at Suite 315 inside the Galleria Building, Workspace offers daily workstation rentals for design professionals seeking a work environment away from their homes.
Starting at $85 per day, your office space comes equipped with a dedicated desk space and computer, a common space worktable for working with floor plans and design concepts, and an on-hand design assistant to help answer any project related or technology related questions to help you better access the office amenities, design center offerings or feedback on project best practices from budget conceptualization, to space planning to CAD and hand renderings.
Twice a month we offer 1/2 day full space rentals for client meetings for $295. For a 3 hour block of time you can use the space to meet with your client in a more formal setting.  The rental rate comes complete with a dedicated design assistant to help conduct the meeting, an initial orientation of the space and its amenities, and light food and beverage during the meeting to give the client the premier high-end experience.    

Need an extra hand completing design tasks to keep the project on track?  Our team of designers can assist you in project sourcing, budget development, space planning, CAD and hand renderings.  These are just a few of the project support offerings we provide.  For a full list click here.  Rates start at $65 per hour, and a complete account of time is provided to you for easy client billing.  

Workspace is not only conveniently located, making it easy to source for projects and feel inspired but also presents a collaborative environment that encourages designers to get out of their daily routine that sometimes can feel like "designing in a bubble" and begin engaging with other like-minded design professionals; accessing the creative expertise of this fantastic community we are privileged to be a part of.

Whether you need a workspace for the day to work on client projects, or need a large space to present and hold client meetings, Workspace has all the tools and services you need. Workspace offers the most up-to-date technology, presentation amenities, and hands on assistance when you need it, offering the designers the flexibility of an office environment or conference space when they need it.    

Make your reservation today and see what all the buzz is about!

Shiny, Happy People

The last week of December I always take some time to reflect on the past year and set my intentions, or goals for the new year.

For me, 2012 was a magnificent year both personally and professionally.  I think when you are able to balance and merge work and life magic happens, and that certainly was the case for me this year.

I was blessed with an exceptional group of clients that were not only talented and a joy to work with, but were INSPIRING.  I was continually inspired by the people I surrounded myself with professionally this year.  Seeing designers hitting their professional stride, watching their stars rise, and take risks were just a few of the things I was able to be a part of this year.

Watching how technology expanded and broadcasted their successes was amazing.  I am excited to see how we innovate technology over the course of 2013 to celebrate our successes and deepen our relationships through the information we share.

One of my major intentions for 2013 is to savor what I am creating through deepening my happiness.  So often we get caught up in the day-to-day lists of what we must accomplish I often find myself more frazzled by my full life rather than focusing on the joy of the abundance that I have.  So here's to a 2013 that is light and happy!  And a reminder below from author Stephen Covey on some tips on how to integrate happiness into the everyday experience.

The pursuit of happiness not only enriches our personal life, it enlivens our professional life touching each person we interact with in positive ways.  I love interacting with the clients who operate at the baseline of happy.  I leave the meetings feel energized and excited about the work we do together.  So this year, I'm paying it forward with happiness.    

Here's to happy!  

xoxo,

Showcase Alum Tinsley Hutson-Wiley a semi-finalist in Grange's Colorful Exceptions Contest

Marin based designer, Tinsley Hutson-Wiley was chosen as one of seven semi-finalists for the Grange Colorful Exceptions contest.  Her 'Stars and Stripes' finish was created by the concept of intermeshing the French and U.S. flags. Her contemporary graphic design uses red, white and blue stripes offset by an oversized silver star.  The juxtaposition of the traditional lines of the piece with a modern graphic design creates an updated traditional feel reflecting her approach to interiors. 

Online voting from now until February 3 will determine the grand-prize winner. Tinsley’s winning design can also be yours: 'Stars and Stripes' is available for purchase via Grange's online auction, with 75% of the proceeds donated to San Francisco’s Raphael House.


To see the final entries and to vote or bid for your favorite, visit: www.grangeny.com.

5 Marketing Resolutions for your Interior Design Business in 2012

The new year seems to be off to a good start for the design community.  Closing 2011 with a busy client load for most designers and then kicking-off 2012 with the anticipation of the San Francisco Showcase House, there is definitely a buzz in the air about this upcoming year.  With that in mind, here is a life-hacker (a la interior design) version of your 2012 marketing goals that will allow your business to flow in the coming year.   

Make your 2012 shine with these 5 marketing resolutions

Kathryn Macdonald photography  Interiors by Grant K. Gibson

1.  Photograph your projects with a professional interiors photographer.  I know, your photographer friend does a trade for you for photos.  But if you want to compete, or endeavor to be like the bigger firms you need to present yourself in the manner that they do.  And with that in mind, you need a professional interior photographer.  Hire a good one and your projects start to adopt a photographed "look," that in turn becomes your visual brand.  A good photographer can give you tips on styling for the camera and will shoot a project, and in turn, projects with consistency.  The images can be used for your portfolio, contest submissions that require magazine-ready photos, ad campaigns (Decorator Showcase Catalogue and The Fall Antique Show Catalogue should be on your short list), website, and general marketing collateral.  My tip is to set aside a minimum of $2500 from each project for photography.  If you do a mark-up on goods, use the mark-up profit and set it aside in savings ear-marked for photography. Right as your project wraps, choose a day where you won't be under foot and get the project shot. Expect 5-10 photos for a days worth of work.  One of my favorite interior photographers to work with is Kathryn MacDonald, you can find her contract and fee structure here and a portfolio of her work at www.macdonaldphoto.com.        

2. Visually organize your projects in a dropbox folder for easy pitches to magazine editors. 

Free marketing and PR in the form of editorial is always at the top of the list for designers.  Make it easy on you and your staff and organize the images you just had your professional photographer take into folders organized by project.  In each project folder should be a brief project biography that explains the project, any unique features, design solutions, or collections that emerged during the design process.  List the clients names, whether or not they want to be anonymous if their home is published, or if they want to be listed.  If the client opts to be featured detail any family story that makes them unique that the reader would want to know about.  For example, were there any design requirements the client imposed on the process -- all green products, child friendly, or thematic in nature?  Are there any design elements you incorporated that were special to the clients -- collections from travel, smart design based on client's profession, etc.  These biographies coupled with images are your go-to elements to pull from for editor requests.  Most requests come in with a time crunch attached so having everything at your fingertips ensures that you breathe easy when compiling your submission.  Sign up for dropbox at www.dropbox.com. 

3. Get on the social media bandwagon and post consistently.   One of the easiest ways to drive up your visibility in search engines is to link your business website to social media websites and post on them frequently.  Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, & Pinterest should all be listed on your company website.  If you do client testimonials like some designers do, having your clients post through Yelp is the most effective way to add value to those references.  Again, make sure that Yelp! links to your website.  Meta sites and aggregator sites are also important for your search visibility.  These are sites that list your company among other designers in your industry like Houzz.com, Gilthome.com, & the Elle Decor Designer Registry.  On these sites you can register and create your own listing for your company, add your contact information and brief biography as well as portfolio images.  Because these sites change their content frequently, they are registered higher in the Google searches, increasing the likelihood your business is easily found when searched for.  Again make sure that any external sites that contain your company information are linked to your business website for easy and more efficient search-ability.     

SFDC Design San Francisco

4.  Make time to network.  I mean in person.  Go to industry sponsored events, lecture series and openings for showrooms, product launches, trunk shows, showcase houses and industry sponsored fundraisers.  The SFDC's Design San Francisco is coming up in February, and that could be the first networking event of the year you can commit to doing.  Other events and networking opportunities I recommend are  becoming a member of the Dining by Design Steering Committee (fabulous group of people to work with), The Decorator Showcase opening Gala, The Fall Antique Show opening Gala, and the Dining by Design Table Hop n' Taste to name a few.  If you subscribe to the SFDC's Designwire, you will get an email sent directly to your inbox of all seminars, lectures, trade shows and other design-related happenings at the design center.  Being present increases your visibility and I've seen referrals happen as frequently through industry connections as they do through client referrals. With more clients doing some of the shopping on their own, you never know who they might run into that eventually leads to a referral to you.

San Francisco Decorator Showcase

5.  Participate in industry events that allow your designs access to a larger audience.  Any showcase house or large-scale industry design event (think Dining by Design), opens up opportunity for increased firm visibility for up to a year after the event.  That means increased editorial features on your room design, increased editorial features on your firm, opportunities to be discovered by design bloggers, and general design community awareness by virtue of name recognition in conjunction with the event. Of all the clients I work with in the design community, the ones that have participated in these types of events are recognized by showrooms and vendors I work with almost immediately compared with the designers who have never been featured in an event.  The name recognition has historically made it easier to get items on loan, get items in a shorter turn-around time, or allowed access to inventory for other design events and photo shoots for the recognized designer.       

Feel like you have these top five under your belt?  Send me an email and I'll send you numbers 6-10 marketing musts for the new year.  krista@couparconsulting.com.

Questions on the top five or marketing related?  I'll answer those too.  

Here's to a wonderful 2012!

 

      

www.dropbox.com

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.