CURATED BY CLAUDIA

THE FALLACIES AND FACTS OF FINE ART PRINTS

By Claudia Ricciardone

How to Get the Designer Look

QDear Claudia,

My husband and I just bought our dream home and will be hiring an interior designer. This is our first time though and we are a little nervous about finding someone who is a good fit. We are full of questions…What does it cost? Can they decorate in any style? Do designers sell furnishings and décor? How long does it take? We’ve heard that to design a large home could take at least a year! That’s a long time to work with someone and we want to

be sure it’s a good fit. Please help!

Thank you, Laura

ADear Laura,

I could write a book on your question! But since I only have a couple of pages, here is the Cliff Notes version of my answer. Finding a suitable match is key to enjoying your experience working with an interior designer, especially because cost and processes can vary dramatically from designer to designer (or firm to firm).

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Design by Claudia Josephine Design Photography by Laura Sumrak Photostyling by Kendra Surface

Let’s talk money. It’s not often a comfortable topic but it’s an important one when choosing a designer. What is your budget? I usually recommend clients budget around 15-20% of their home value for furnishings and décor if you’re starting from scratch; however, that amount will vary based upon home prices in your area. But Claudia, you bemoan, that’s a big investment! Yes, it is, which is why it’s crucial to find someone who is a good fit for your style and budget.

If you’re working with a tight budget, find a newly trained designer with a portfolio of work that appeals to your design aes-

Design by Claudia Josephine Design Photography by Laura Sumrak Photostyling by Kendra Surface

thetic. Instagram or referrals from friends and family can be a great place to find newer designers who may not yet have a professional website. Their rates are typically lower and they are happy to source products from retail stores and websites, which can save on procurement fees. However, unless they are exceptionally talented and have access to trade resources, I typically do not recommend brand new designers for large or high budget projects. It takes time and experience to develop the skills necessary to manage the potential pitfalls of substantial projects and to create a beautifully designed look. For higher budget projects, look for an experienced solo designer or design firm whose portfolio you love. While designers will often adapt their designs to a client’s preferred style and the architecture of their home, if their body of work doesn’t appeal to you, find another that does. When interviewing a potential designer, ask them what kind of budget it took to create a few of the spaces you admire from their portfolio. This will give you a good idea of the investment required to achieve a similar look for your home. Designers typically charge either a flat or hourly rate for their design services. Full service designers, like myself, will also sell furnishings and décor that are only available to the trade (not sold directly to consumers). This allows clients access to product not readily accessible to the general public. It also opens up a world of gorgeous custom design choices! We manage the hassles consumers often encounter when designing on their own, such as backordered and discontinued products, or those that arrive with shipping damage. We also help create a luxury experience for our clients, including the HGTV style “big reveal.” Procuring furnishings and décor is a crucial role in an interior design business, so most designers (myself included) work hard to ensure that trade items are sold at a

fair price. However, if you’re a bargain hunter and prefer to purchase items yourself, you may be better off with a design consultant versus a full service designer or firm. If you’re a working professional, busy parent, or would just rather not deal with the project management involved in good design, then a full service option is a great solution to free up your valuable time.

There are many factors that determine how long a project may take, including the number of revisions a client requests, a client’s level of involvement, how many projects a designer is working on at any given time, and factors outside of a designer’s control, such as the recent pandemic. For a larger home, expect the design process to take at least a year or more from the initial consultation

to the final installation. Good de-

sign cannot be rushed. Because design is a creative process, we need time consider all the options and develop a plan that is right for our clients’ needs. However, it is reasonable to ask for an estimate of time, so don’t be shy. Good communication is key to building a satisfying working relationship with your designer.

It’s important to find a designer who is a good fit for your budget and needs because you’ll be working with her for months, if

not years, to come. I hope my advice helps you to find your perfect match. Best of luck with your home!

XOXO, Claudia

Design by Claudia Josephine Design Photography by Laura Sumrak Photostyling by Kendra Surface

If you have design queries, feel free to reach out. Send your questions via direct message on Instagram @claudiajosephinedesign. Please be sure to include photos, if applicable. Your question may be answered in my column!

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LIGHTING

Design – and Customer Service – to Envy….

J. LANDON DECORATIVE LIGHTING

by Susan Gray, of GrayBlackBook, photography by Jim Schmid

For Matt Launspach, his decision to acquire J. Landon, a family-owned business located in Charlotte, NC, was made after a labor of careful research. He was drawn to the fact that this company had already set a precedence for providing exceptional customer service that paralleled his own philosophy. However, it was Matt’s passion for luxury design as well as the location of the business in North Carolina, that solidified his decision to confidently purchase and further develop the brand. Today, J. Landon is one of the area’s most dynamic resources for luxury products and services and remains family owned.

LIGHTING

Now, under Matt’s direction J. Landon is committed to further instilling a high-level client experience. Matt’s team has successfully accomplished this while maintaining and attracting an immense client base. Clients, including designers, home owners, and builders more continually seek the full-service design expertise of Matt and his trained staff at any stage of a project.

For every client, the J. Landon experience is a fully integrated process and the team is committed to providing the best possible end result. Not only do they feature a showroom and inventory of high-end design statement lighting fixtures and supplies, their attention to detail and client service is unsurpassed. From Matt’s background in managing high-value financial portfolios for his clients, his focus has shifted to cultivating high level relationships to effectively produce an impressive and sustainable end result for each client – both with the products selected and with the service provided.

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Matt and his team have carefully curated the most coveted designers and manufacturers. To stay on point with market trends and to stay competitive with current market pricing, J. Landon has created programs tailored to interior designers and custom home builders that give access to all the top lighting manufacturers that they may in turn pass their expertise and savings to their clients. J Landon design team worked with Hudson Valley Lighting Group to create a dynamic and luxurious lighting statement in a kitchen that perfectly complemented the open floor plan and furnishings of the adjacent great room. This shows how lighting not only ties a room together, but can bring harmony to an entire area. J. L. Landon offers the expertise of in-house designers to guide each customer through the entire process of selection, installation and operation. A fully trained staff of installation technicians complete the process as part of the enhanced client experience offered by J. Landon. Whether a client has selected an internationally recognized designer from the vast collection of featured manufacturers to collaborating with one of their in-house expert designers on signature track lighting, the attention is in the details.

Matt and his team are committed to growing their business to include clients all along the East Coast. Part of the enhanced client experience is catering from beginning to end -- their emphasis is on implementing a continual process from inception through completion.

Matt’s dedication to growing the business to be one of the most sought-after carriers of dynamic fixtures from leading designers is apparent by satisfied clients as featured on Houzz as well as comments on Social Media. Now, more than ever, this is an important time to support independently owned small businesses and Lux Lifestyle Magazine has outlined a significant resource here: “J Landon not only offers a creative collection of decorative lighting for every design aesthetic to satisfy tastes from classic to eclectic, they have created a dynamic customer experience offering lighting for all lifestyles combined with exceptional customer service.”