Flexible, Affordable Residential Design: The Business of Interior Design

Breaking the rule that says design must be expensive, one interior designer is pioneering affordable design for hire.

by Joe Cooper
Interior Design School Search Columnist

While it can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a complete residential interior design, one interior designer is saying “No.” With 3 East Coast offices already established the trend of affordable interior design is quickly catching on.

Design for Everyone

New York, Boston, and Charlotte — these are the office locations of interior designer Carl Stibolt’s design firm “Pret-a-Habiter.” The East Coast designer’s firm lets clients design the process and decide how involved they want to be. If they want to choose fabric and paint samples, that’s great. If they just want the finished product, also great. Mr. Stibolt and his firm are flexible.

Mr. Stibolt’s main goal is to “demystify the whole design process,” he told the Boston Herald. This represents a new principle in the interior design world which often comes across as exclusive and mysterious. His design firm charges a flat fee per room with no markup on purchases and the concept has been very popular with clients.

Design of a Career

Stibolt’s idea for affordable design isn’t necessarily new; there are many residential interior designers who attempt to price their services more affordably. It establishes rapport with customers and grows their business.

Most importantly it’s his business plan that makes his interior design firm successful. His flat fee idea eliminates price haggling and establishes clear communication with clients.

These concepts can be learned (and business principles are taught in interior design degree programs). To focus your own career goals you must have an idea of how the business of interior design works. Every interior design career depends on it.

Source

Boston Herald

About the author

Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.

Posted on August 29, 2007

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