What to do with all that junk?

I get a lot of questions when I'm de-cluttering with a client about what we're going to do with all the junk we're purging from the space! What exactly do you do with old batteries and electronics? And is it safe to throw away old medications?

Thankfully, Yahoo! Green has a great article to answer some of the toughest recycling and throw away questions: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/151/10-toughest-things-to-get-rid-of.html

So don't get swallowed up by all that stuff! Now you know what to do to get out of your junk jam :)

Incredibly creative!

I just love brilliant little DIY projects so I had to share this one with you! I'd been looking for a way to neatly and creatively hold and display my business cards and I ran across this awesome idea on www.evilmadscientist.com
It's very simple instructions to follow with a template to print out and everything. I think I'm going to alter the pattern slightly and maybe use fabric instead of paper for the decorative element. I can't wait to make one asap!

Dwell Color Inspiration Contest

"Modern Masculine with a Flair for the Eccentric." I think that pretty well describes this color concept project based on the muse image (menswear thumbnail in upper right corner) provided by Dwell Magazine and Glidden for their newest online contest. I had a lot of fun doing it and going outrageous with the colors.

Did you know that clients can order a personalized Color Concept board like this from me? Digital or hard copy versions can be produced to your specifications to help you understand the Color and Style concept of your next project. Its very inspirational to refer to throughout your redesign!

My guest blog post at CRAVE!

http://thecravecompany.com/blog/

A Store Display is Born - #1

Two of my favorite things are 1) making something out of nothing, and 2) fabric!

So it would stand to reason that combining both loves and making something out of nothing with fabric is a guaranteed delight for me.

Even though incredible time constraints and a non-existent budget stand in my way, I'm pulling together a sassy and sophisticated store vignette!

The Home Fabric and Rugs Store where my display will live for 6 - 8 weeks is in Torrance:

3842 Sepulveda Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90505

Honestly, I almost don't even want to tell you about this place because it's my super secret place for crazy low prices on fabric and rugs! But alas, I do want you to come check out the display when it's finished so I must divulge my sources :)

The empty space:

The mock-up plan:

Budget: $0 ($110 spent so far, LOL!)

Time: 48 hours

Items complete: Desk Chair

Watch for updated posts to check-in on the progress!

Make your own To-Go Bag

There are days when it seems like I'm living out of my car. Driving from appointment to appointment to errands to meetings to ... oh you know exactly what I mean, we all have those days!

Now, I don't mind it so much when it's all planned out 24 hours in advance and I've prepared for each and every little thing (can we say obsessive much?) The truth is that it doesn't always go down as planned and expecting the unexpected is really the only way to keep sane through it all!

That's why I love the concept (and practice) of keeping a To-Go Bag in the car. A melange of all the seemingly trivial little items that can really come in handy when on the go. Here are some ideas to consider for your own To-Go Bag:

1. Lipstick / Lipgloss - personally, I am addicted to chapstick and MUST have this at all times
2. Mints / Gum - for when the Starbucks-breath hasn't faded before your 9am meeting
3. Lint Roller - I love visiting clients with pets, but dog fur covered pants doesn't always make a good impress at my next appointment!
4. Pen / Notebook
5. Back-up Phone Charger
6. Quarters for Meters
7. Small Scissors
8. Safety Pins
9. Band-Aids (especially if those are new shoes you're breaking in!)
10. Perfume / Body Spray
11. Notecards / Stamps - great when you network a lot and want to send a "Nice to meet you" note as an immediate follow-up

These are just a few ideas so play around with it and be on the look out for what items would make your busy life easier. Find a cute little tote to carry your ToGo items and be sure to tidy and restock it on a regular basis!

Here are some cute insulated bags to get you started. I have no proof of this, but I imagine an insulated bag would be better since it's sitting in the car all day and subject to varying temperatures! And be sure to let me know what your cannot-live-without ToGo items are!

What if the customer ISN'T always right?

Designers, organizers and consultants provide services, and sometimes products, to clients (or customers) based on their recommendation of what will be best for the project and customer.

The very nature of the collaboration is founded on the customer relying on the expertise and experience of the service professional.

So what about the age old adage, "the customer is always right" as it pertains to these industries? If that were true, then these professionals wouldn't exist, right? Or if they did exist it would be merely to execute orders rather than create or develop anything.

My experience has been that if you choose to work with great clients, you will most likely develop such a trusting and respectful relationship that issues will never even come up. You provide your opinion, expertise, examples from past experience, you can flat tell them they "absolutely have to do it this way" ... but ultimately, the client has the power of choice.

Ironically, that power is often the very reason the client has contacted you in the first place - because they can't make a decision. When it comes to paint colors, fabric choices, etc., people get nervous about committing to a choice and will say things like, "I don't know, you choose!"

In the beginning the "I don't know, you choose" line can be frustrating because you don't know the client well enough yet to know whether or not they will be happy with your choice. By the end however, it can be very liberating for both the professional and the client because they get relief from making tough decisions, you get creative freedom ... and ultimately everyone is satisfied in the end.

I'd like to hear from people in the service industry - specifically ones that are required to take the "trust me, I know what's best" approach with their customers. What are your secrets to making the relationship work smoothly? What do you do to ensure satisfaction? What horror stories do you have and what did you learn from them?

I think this topic is really relevant and doesn't get discussed the same way that consumer complaints and customer reviews do so I'm interested what people have to say.