Richard: Dear Oliver, who wouldn’t be overwhelmed!? Turkish, Oriental, Persian, Indian—handmade, machine made, and some with a combination of both. It’s a good question, but unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. As I’m sure you have concluded from shopping, there is quite a range of prices. And you probably deduced from dramatic sale prices, there’s often quite a markup as well. But there are real differences and price justifications.

Jean: Richard and I often make special buying trips just for rugs because there are so many options. Some experts in the field can look at a rug and identify the source—sometimes down to the specific village responsible for weaving it. Choices of patterns, dyes, and techniques reflect generations of handed-down experience in the craft. But exercise caution—it’s fair to say many of the traditional patterns used in Eastern rugs can be at odds with our Western sense of design.

Richard: Well, they can also complement them. But I’ll admit that the intricate patterns you see in some of the weaves are a struggle for a non-professional to work with the streamlined simplicity of contemporary design. To simplify basic quality levels, we might use three categories—hand woven, hand tufted, and machine made. The most expensive is the hand woven, of course. Not only are they beautiful, they age well and can last a lifetime. You can verify these by parting the pile to find the actual knots tied at the base of each tuft.

Jean: You can also clearly see the pattern on the back. And there definitely are a lot of wonderful cleaner, simpler designs and styles today, in a variety of price points to simplify your choice.

Richard: Hand-tufted rugs are mid-range, quality products that are not painstakingly hand knotted, but constructed using an electric tufting gun to secure the tufts. Finally, machine-made rugs coming mostly out of China and India are the most affordable, and depending on the nature of their use, sometimes the most practical. If the use is temporary, or your budget is tight, they can still have a nice look. Maybe that’s the solution if your animals sometimes leave you “gifts” on the rugs like Jean’s…

Jean: Not stepping on camouflaged Greyhounds, Cavaliers and cats lounging on my rugs are my main animal concerns. And we forgot to mention Dhurries, a great hand-made—yet affordable—alternative. These are flat, woven rugs usually with a geometric design, and generally in paler colors. But they’re not quite as soft for pet beds.

Richard: Speaking of flat, be sure when you are making your final decision that you view the rugs flat on the ground and from all sides. There is a darker and lighter side which can make a big difference depending on where you’re standing. Any good rug dealer will not mind you spending the time inspecting it before you purchase, and by all means ask to take it on loan since things could change drastically when you place it in your home.

Jean: And when you go shopping for a rug, be sure to take your paint and fabric samples with you. They don’t have to match perfectly, but the rug should complement them. Just like I want to complement Fancy, Mary, Lucy, and Buzz for looking so fabulous on our new hand knotted den rug!

Richard: Dear Oliver, who wouldn’t be overwhelmed!? Turkish, Oriental, Persian, Indian—handmade, machine made, and some with a combination of both. It’s a good question, but unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. As I’m sure you have concluded from shopping, there is quite a range of prices. And you probably deduced from dramatic sale prices, there’s often quite a markup as well. But there are real differences and price justifications.

Jean: Richard and I often make special buying trips just for rugs because there are so many options. Some experts in the field can look at a rug and identify the source—sometimes down to the specific village responsible for weaving it. Choices of patterns, dyes, and techniques reflect generations of handed-down experience in the craft. But exercise caution—it’s fair to say many of the traditional patterns used in Eastern rugs can be at odds with our Western sense of design.

Richard: Well, they can also complement them. But I’ll admit that the intricate patterns you see in some of the weaves are a struggle for a non-professional to work with the streamlined simplicity of contemporary design. To simplify basic quality levels, we might use three categories—hand woven, hand tufted, and machine made. The most expensive is the hand woven, of course. Not only are they beautiful, they age well and can last a lifetime. You can verify these by parting the pile to find the actual knots tied at the base of each tuft.

Jean: You can also clearly see the pattern on the back. And there definitely are a lot of wonderful cleaner, simpler designs and styles today, in a variety of price points to simplify your choice.

Richard: Hand-tufted rugs are mid-range, quality products that are not painstakingly hand knotted, but constructed using an electric tufting gun to secure the tufts. Finally, machine-made rugs coming mostly out of China and India are the most affordable, and depending on the nature of their use, sometimes the most practical. If the use is temporary, or your budget is tight, they can still have a nice look. Maybe that’s the solution if your animals sometimes leave you “gifts” on the rugs like Jean’s…

Jean: Not stepping on camouflaged Greyhounds, Cavaliers and cats lounging on my rugs are my main animal concerns. And we forgot to mention Dhurries, a great hand-made—yet affordable—alternative. These are flat, woven rugs usually with a geometric design, and generally in paler colors. But they’re not quite as soft for pet beds.

Richard: Speaking of flat, be sure when you are making your final decision that you view the rugs flat on the ground and from all sides. There is a darker and lighter side which can make a big difference depending on where you’re standing. Any good rug dealer will not mind you spending the time inspecting it before you purchase, and by all means ask to take it on loan since things could change drastically when you place it in your home.

Jean: And when you go shopping for a rug, be sure to take your paint and fabric samples with you. They don’t have to match perfectly, but the rug should complement them. Just like I want to complement Fancy, Mary, Lucy, and Buzz for looking so fabulous on our new hand knotted den rug!

Jean: The cautionary adage “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is certainly true in our field, but there are levels of taste in every style. We try not to dictate the style, but rather to maintain high standards for every design.

Richard: Every job begins with an extensive interview. We ask about lifestyle, like ‘do you entertain?’ or ‘do you have pets?’ We ask style questions, too, such as ‘what kinds of wall treatments do you like?’, ‘do you collect antiques?’, or ‘do you prefer a more sparse or full look?’. We even ask what a client’s favorite colors are. Sometimes Jean gets personal… she’ll ask what’s in your closet!

Jean: And I’m not looking for skeletons. The fact is, some people don’t know what their favorite colors are, but their closet will tell us. If half the wardrobe is green, well—there’s a clue!

Richard: Also, while one of us is interviewing, the other is scanning rooms, petting pooches and looking in the medicine cabinet.

Jean: When it comes to a client’s personal tastes, often it’s a memory that haunts them. I once presented a dining room design that included large scale floral wallpaper and period furniture. The client responded with, “It reminds me of Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. I hated Grandma!” Needless to say I moved on… It’s often about our histories.

Richard: Someone’s history can be a positive influence, too. People who grew up in urban environments often have different priorities than those who grew up in the country, for example. And their tastes in art and accessories can vary dramatically. The rules of good design still apply, though—scale, proportion, color balance, etc. And one’s grandfather’s overalls are not art. We will always push people to the edge of their taste comfort zone, but ultimately respect their wishes.

Jean: I think that’s the main reason they hire us….so their home is more fun or beautiful than they would have come up with on their own.

Richard: Somewhere in everyone’s personal taste is a level of drama, humor, serenity and comfort.

Jean: Well, you might work for around 25 years as an interior designer, but even then you could choose the wrong one. Because color lies! The swatch whispers, “Florida Fern,” but when you get it on the wall, it screams, “Kansas Corn!”

Richard: And sometimes if the color doesn’t scare you, the change will. Any strong color can be a challenge to get right on a large surface. One tool we use is the larger 8 x 11 sheets of color a good paint store can provide, rather than use dinky swatches. But choosing well is more than selecting the right hue, because so many other things affect it. For one thing, the color you put beside it can alter the tone. Red and blue, for example, will seem to vibrate when you put them side by side- like a cheap motel.

Jean: That may be true, but I’ll bet Lorri will not choose red and blue for the same room. Look at what happens with color under both natural and artificial light. One time a client suggested to the painter that she believed he had slightly changed colors on each wall. But it was only about the difference in how the light hit the walls.

Richard: The reflection of light is what it’s all about. Adjacent colors, artificial light sources, contrasting trim, fabrics and carpet—all dramatically affect the perceived color. For someone who doesn’t pick paint colors that often, a good thing to remember is the color will always be bolder than how it appears on a swatch, so you may want to “gray it” or “brown it” somewhat to tone it down. Something I wish I could do to children in nice restaurants.

Jean: Paint companies usually assume the consumer wants clear, crisp colors to create a fresh, newly-painted look, and they formulate them accordingly. But if you are restoring an historic home or creating an elegant, understated setting you may have to get the paint professionals to mix you a color that falls between swatch selections. Yet no doubt, nothing gives you more change and impact for your money than paint.

Richard: Another consideration for paint is sheen. We use different sheens for different applications. In one Asheville restaurant, for example, we used flat for the upper walls and satin for the lower walls, but they were the same color. The difference is dramatic. Flat finish will move surfaces away and semi-gloss will bring them closer due to the reflection. A little sheen goes a long way for durability and adding excitement, but will show all the surface imperfections.

Jean: Different textures can also affect the color. And as far as which color to choose, surround yourself with colors that you love. Discern the effect you want to achieve. Sophisticated? Whimsical? Institutional? Color speaks all of these languages.

Richard: I just wish I could find a cute Italian.

Richard: I confess my yard might not yield much in the way of natural materials, but I’m sure Jean’s could produce all kinds of things, like poison ivy wreaths, bird nest baskets, or pinecone centerpieces.

Jean: Ha ha, very funny. Actually, those sticks Esther is talking about are usually curly willow branches, and can in fact be very attractive when displayed in something like a heavy glass vase. But if you choose to try them, make sure they have some size to them and there are several to fan out—otherwise, they will just look like you collected some wayward sticks from your yard.

Richard: Well, isn’t that the point? Found materials? I live on an urban street, and what I find you wouldn’t want to display! But lots of people have flowering trees and shrubs that offer opportunities for real centerpieces or beautiful arrangements.

Jean: Of course! I’m just saying don’t be bashful with the idea. Three sticks in a jar will look like a kindergartner did it, where a single flower in a beautiful vase can be lovely. I like to cut a flowering branch—or several—at least two feet long for display, or use a double handful of greenery to showcase cut flowers. Bring some of that outrageous color and unpredictable pattern and texture from the natural world inside. Natural sculpture! And this time of year there are lots of choices.

Richard: Yes, but use caution when choosing. If you’re not careful, you might bring bugs inside too, or some beautiful plants that don’t smell as good as they look. If you brought in a sprig of English Boxwood, for example, you might think the cat missed the litter box. Unless you’re in Jean’s house. Then chances are the cat used the cut flowers instead of the litter box.

Jean: And you wonder why I don’t invite you over very often. Besides, it’s much more likely my cats would chew on the flowers than soil them. But that’s not the point. For my own “back yard” arrangements, I take advantage of what every season brings—cherry blossoms or forsythia in the spring, magnolias or hydrangeas in the summer, camellias in the fall, and yes, maybe even pinecones or holly in the winter.

Richard: Well, accessories can be from the natural world without coming from your yard, too. Consider using a beautiful large clam shell for a tissue holder, or an exotic rock for a bookend. But make sure they are overscale and mix them in with more conventional elements. Just sticks and stones and dead pine cones like hers will never charm me.

Jean: Oh, that was painful. But speaking of charming, cats can serve as exquisite living accessories! I’ll get their bowls and toys, and we’ll be right over to decorate your home, Richard!

Jean: Wait a minute. Are you already planning to sell it before you even buy it? I know we’re living in the age of disposable everything, but this is your home we’re talking about—assuming you’re planning to live there. If your question is about appealing to the broadest real estate market, I’m afraid you’re asking the wrong people. To me, it’s like asking what kind of clothes I should buy based on what the thrift store might want when I’m through with them.

Richard: Jean, I wish you had a stronger opinion! I suspect these folks are less invested in the design and just want assurance their purchase is safe. Of course, what people thought was a safe housing purchase two years ago may not have the same buyer appeal today. It may be a surprise to younger generations, but there was a time that people actually chose a house to call home, not just to invest their money.

Jean: I trust you’re not implying I’m the older generation. Regardless of demographics, designing a personalized home interior is about lifestyle, not resale. Let’s leave the monthly trends to home builders, whose best interests are to stay “beige” so they can appeal to the largest number of potential buyers. The other day I heard a radio commentator use the phrase “a culture of mediocrity” and I think a lot of people aspire to that.

Richard: I have bought and sold maybe 30 homes in my life. Most people (other than clients) fear me when I am first invited to their home, and rightfully so. What they don’t understand is that I can actually like beige, and I would love it if their home interior did not look like everyone else’s. I have a problem with predictable, unoriginal and “off the shelf”. And cheap wine.

Jean: People who place a high priority on having a beautiful home are less likely to make it look like everyone else’s. People who choose a house based solely on cost-per-square-foot or what financial gain they MIGHT receive when they sell it are living in their investment portfolios, not in their nest. Here’s the gist. In choosing a house, buy what feels right for you. Chances are, if you like it, a future buyer will like it too. And don’t simply begin replacing everything for the purpose of pleasing some future buyer. Not even a fortune teller could figure that one out! Make it your own—give it some personality—add some color and texture. Be creative!

Richard: Collectively, we seem to have forgotten what it means to turn a house into a home, and given the real estate’s recent market adjustments, maybe it’s a good time to remember. While you’re sitting on your nest egg, you may as well feather your nest.

Richard: Hi Ed, and thanks for asking, because we have some strong opinions on this subject. First, the term “staging” suggests some form of theatrics that is meant to create an ideal setting for presentation. Though it may be a valid concept to make the most of a home’s interior before it is offered for sale, the idea can also be taken too far. To us, some “professional” staging looks like the interior of a builder home model, and offers no sense of homeowner personality. Staging is OK to show order and good taste, but the results shouldn’t look like a cold store display.

Jean: Well, of course the purpose is to allow potential buyers to see the actual house rather than the seller’s taste, but that can usually be accomplished by getting rid of clutter. It’s usually not necessary to paint everything beige so people can imagine their own furniture in it. Simply boxing up and storing the teapot collection may be enough.

Richard: Not that we’re suggesting you have a teapot collection, Ed. Jean is right, though. Get rid of—or at least hide—what’s not necessary to live comfortably from day to day, especially if you are marketing your home while still living in it. This “less is more” idea allows the interior to look more open, demonstrating that there is sufficient elbow room and flow throughout the house.

Jean: Let’s go back to the paint. I will admit that you may want to tone down a bright wall color if the wall needs paint anyway. What irks me is the notion of dulling the color palette as if that will automatically make your home more appealing. Another way of looking at it may be how color could enhance the appeal of a dull home!

Richard: Here are some things to do that are just as important for preparing your home as re-painting. First—as we have already said—eliminate clutter. Second, make sure the house is always clean. Third, make the entrance sparkle (the first impression philosophy.) Fourth, clean your closets. Fifth, if you have pets, make sure the lawn is free of evidence and any odor is minimized. Sixth—and this sounds corny, but it’s effective—display fresh flowers.

Jean: Ooo—that’s good! I like the flowers. That’s a nice idea even if you’re not selling your home!

Richard: And then there’s the ridiculous absurdities you see on T.V – baking cookies, hiring actors to play your family and lighting candles everywhere. Just kill me!

Jean: The best tip on staging your home is to just remember to subtract rather than add. Subtract the clutter, the dirt, the smells, the cat hair, and the weeds along the driveway. The place needs to look as if you are proud of it and a person with high standards lives there. If your child’s room is bright yellow, it’s more important to subtract the concert posters on the door than it is to add new paint to the walls. And you don’t need to hire a professional to do this. Trust your realtor’s opinion. Good luck!

Richard: Hi Jan. Ouch! “Decorate?” Well I agree that it makes no sense to hire someone to do the same job others might do for free. I can only imagine what your friend, neighbor or mother-in-law’s design would be. I think you may have some basic misconceptions about our industry, and if you’re measuring success by cost cutting, your home’s interior could suffer from those misconceptions. Be careful—that “free” advice could ultimately be expensive.

Jean: Jan, to your point about store advice, we know there are many good store designers—in fact, I once supervised the design department in one of Kansas City’s largest furniture stores. But think about it—those staff designers choose from the resources available to them, and usually that means from the inventory they carry or the limited manufacturers they represent. In other words, your final choices are from selections made by store buyers, whose choices are based on what they believe will appeal to the masses.

Richard: Yes, and that’s not necessarily bad, as long as you want a safe, predictable look. But some people want their home to be unique, to make their environment an extension of themselves, and the most it can be. Those goals will require more creativity and wider resources than you find in a local retail environment or in a magazine from the grocery checkout line.

Jean: Aha! You read those “100 decorating tips for under $100” articles, don’t you?

Richard: And a million others do too, which supports my point. Magazines, television shows, home improvement stores—all show you “how it’s done,” as if there are easy recipes for cooking up a great interior. You also find house plans in some magazines, but ordering a house plan is not the same thing as hiring an architect.

Jean: Architects have also been our clients, as well as developers and even custom home builders. And it is usually because they also want something that’s not “off the shelf.” You might compare the difference between a decorator and interior designer to the difference between a landscaper and a landscape architect. They both do important work, but their roles are different. A self-appointed home officed and part-time decorator—someone who has no credentials and buys retail for their assignments—is simply not a true professional.

Richard: Jan, I agree that our services are not for everyone and most professional designers have a minimum on purchases. Not everyone needs the services of an investment broker, either, but some investors wouldn’t think of building their portfolio without one. Most of our clients realize that their home is also an investment in their happiness, and they spend a lot more of their time in it than in, say, their car—another big ticket item. It’s a matter of priorities. I think Jean and I agree (yes, it happens) that when a space is professionally designed, it is completely unique.

Jean: We work within a client’s budget, and like the stores, we buy wholesale. We attend international, national and regional home furnishings markets, which keep us ahead of the styles that trickle down to magazines and local stores. In the long run, you may wind up spending a little more with a professional, but you may be surprised at how little more. The real difference is in the results, which can be amazing!