What to do when someone falls in love and won't listen to good advice!

Could the title of this blog get any longer?  

This blog came about as I was reading an article on the magazine site:  The Stylelist, Kimberly Mullian, It got me thinking about the surfaces and appropriateness of use and a designer's responsibility.  In this blog she discusses the fact that her designer recommended Carrara marble for the bathroom and how she agreed - because she likes it and everyone has it right?   Having lived with the marble in her bathroom for some months she is finding the down side of the beautiful white, porous & delicate substance.  I can see why the marble was selected but this is where I think Designer who is doing her job well will try and dissuade her client from using a particular product when it is not suitable for the purpose.

Carrara marble is one of the softest of marbles.  Its white colour will not remain white and pristine for long if subjected to any chemical cleaners, drops of nail varnish cleaner, wet soap left on it, etc. etc.  It may be sealed but we all know that doesn't count for much if through ignorance or ineptitude the wrong things are used or spilt. What would I have done?  I would have said - Yes, use the marble on vertical surfaces but be aware that if you use it on horizontal surfaces you are liable for staining, scratching and defects appearing.  Why not use: Corian, Axion etc many other man made products which cope with modern living very well and look very like marble and are just as expensive.

I have had clients select, fall in love with and want a product that is inappropriate for the job.  Persuading them to change and alter their minds is difficult.  The item you are usually trying to discuss is probably integral to the design/look of the room and they just 'want it'.   I am of the opinion that it is the designer's duty to point out all the flaws and potential problems with any particular product.  It is then up to the client to decide if they want to use it being made aware of these facts.   Occasionally, I will say that  'In my opinion this product is not suitable for the purposes for which they want to use it, and that they are using it against my advice.....And they have to be aware of the consequences'.  That hasn't happened often mind you!

So to answer the title of the blog - What to do when someone falls in love and won't listen to good advice:  give the advice, makes sure that you have documented the fact that you gave the advice and that your client is aware of the facts and then 'go with the flow'!  People fall in love with unsuitable people so let them live with their unsuitable interior decor choices if that is what they have fallen in love with.

What do you think - should a designer insists they know what is right or should they let a client make that decision?

Marble stained with water.

What should you spend your money on when doing up your home?

Money doesn't grow on trees (I wish it did) and I know that saving money is important but here you are doing up your house and you want to know where to spend your money to get the best effect or even what is important.   

In no particular order I suggest a few areas that I would  spend money on and others that you can get away with spending less.

1.   Flooring:
Get the floor that you want - don't skimp on this.  Replacing a floor sometime down the line is hugely disruptive.  So this is one item I would suggest that you spend money on.

2.   Worktops:
here you can save - replacing at a later date a  cheap worktop with a nicer one is not too difficult (depending if you have splashback tiles or not). 

3.   Kitchens:
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good looking kitchen, what you will compromise on will be the hinges, drawer runners and carcass of the kitchen.  But if you only need the units to last for a few years.  Compromise on this.  Also remember that fashions change!

4.   Bathrooms:
Spend on taps and your plumber, save on baths, basins, trays and wc.   Tiles again are a fashion item, so don't get too hung up on an expensive tile.  Often you can find a very good looking tile similar to the expensive one.

5.   Lighting: 
This is an area you should spend your money well.  Items like table lamps can easily be up graded, but ceiling fixtures can't - so spend the money and put in the best you can afford.  Also, put in more sockets than you think you need.  With the electrification of our lives (ipods, pads, computers, hair gadgets, mobile phones etc) you always need more sockets.  I know many people who don't like ceiling lights, spots or other - so one has to find innovative ways of putting light into a scheme.

6.   Storage: 
More is best.  YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH STORAGE.  The law of mess dictates that whatever storage you have will be filled.  So plan, plan, plan as much storage as you can.  If you can't afford to put all the cupboarding in now, at least plan for installing it in the future. 

7.   Furniture:
 I know you lust after that must have iconic item, you want it, you need it..............but do you really?  Being practical here, unless you are an uber cool chic person with a fabulous loft style apartment, will that steel and leather day bed actually suit your life?  No!  Well don't buy it now, but remember it and buy it later when the children have left home!

8.   Art: 
A difficult one this as art is so subjective,  I am of the opinion that if you love, love, love it - buy it!  Otherwise it will be an opportunity missed.  But it is one of those luxuries that can completely scupper your attempts at keeping to a budget so beware the impulse buy.  Sometimes a good piece of art can be the starting point for a scheme, layout or idea.

9.   Gardens: 
Love the outdoors - but you've just spent a fortune doing up the house and don't have anything left.  I would suggest that you do something simple for the short term and plan to do up the garden at a later date.   But do plan and put in electricity and water for that time!

10.   Interior Designer: 
Well what would I say except that money spent with an good Interior Designer won't be wasted.  We know our business and  know what is important and what isn't.  We can save you money by concentrating your mind and showing you what is essential.  We also know where to go to get those must have items at excellent prices.  Kitchens, flooring, lighting, storage, furniture, art and gardens - you want the look but don't have the money.  This is what we are there for; planning and strategic thinking.  Pay for us and we will pay for ourselves in the long run with money spent wisely.

Lighting under glass shelf - also access panel for the thermostatic control.