DSA Newsletter - May 2012
Dear Designers and Vendors,
Come one, come all! Designer Society of America wants YOU! Actually, we just really want to brag about you. We need articles highlighting what our vendors and members do best.
So put on your thinking caps and draft something spectacular that we can use to spread the word about you. Whether you are a vendor with goods and services to offer, or an interior designer looking for some additional exposure for your work, we want to be that voice for you, sharing your articles and information with thousands of readers through our eNewsletter.
Don't be concerned with your ability to write the perfect article. Our staff editor is available to polish anything you submit so that it sounds professional and informative before we publish it for you.
In addition, we're open to considering any photos and/or graphics you'd like to submit to illustrate your article. The best news is that this is a FREE service and just one of many member benefits we offer.
So don't delay! Be among the first round of articles we publish in an upcoming newsletter.
Warm regards,
support@dsasociety.org
Who Knew?
DSA members, did you know?
- If your name does not appear on the DSA website, you may have skipped a step in setting up your member profile.
- Your profile appearing on the site will increase the ability of search engines, such as Google, to find you.
- Using the DSA initials after your name will increase public awareness.
- DSA provides a national certification course to increase your credentials.
- Membership to DSA can be used as a credential for professional discounts.
- DSA supports designers right to practice with or without the taking of the NCIDQ.
- Your membership card is available for print in the member section of the website on the left hand side once you've signed in.
- You can use your membership card for applications and professional discounts nationally.
- DSA is working for you. We look forward to your opinions and comments. Email us anytime at support@dsasociety.org.
DSA Members - Don't Be Late For This Very Important Date!
We know how easy it is for time to slip away from us. We just wanted to remind you that renewing prior to your renewal date is essential. By renewing before the due date you will retain the luxury of renewing in the future at the same rate you initially joined.
Time really is money, so mark your calendar and plan to renew in plenty of time to lock in to the original rate you paid to become a DSA member. Increased membership rates will be effective soon, and we don't want to lose you!
There is a lot of benefit for all of you who remain in that exclusive and yet growing - group of DSA members who maintain their membership without lapsing. You'll thank yourself later for giving your time and attention to this important detail.
Welcome North Carolina Designers
While our new members typically come to us one at a time, we couldn't be more delighted to bring a whole group to Designer Society of America. Join us in welcoming more than 50 North Carolina Independent Professional Designers who became DSA members in late 2011. There is strength in numbers and this group is certainly an asset to us! With all the wonderful possibilities and opportunities this industry offers, it also has its challenges. Joining forces is the best way to make our voices heard. Welcome, North Carolina!Miromar Design Center
Miromar Design Center is the only interior design center in Southwest Florida and the ultimate resource for the latest home decor products. It is one of just 19 major design centers in the entire country. Forty-five stores are filled with everything you need for your home, including furnishings, fabrics, flooring, lighting, kitchen and bath products, art, accessories, rugs, bedding, and wall coverings. The designer center offers names like Baker, Fendi Casa, Ralph Lauren Home, Ann Sacks, Walker Zanger, Roche Bobois, Henredon and Poggenpohl and many more.
Whether your taste is contemporary, transitional, traditional or modern, Miromar Design Center has sofas, chairs, tables, lamps, outdoor furniture, tile, fixtures, and cabinets to suit every taste. With hundreds of product lines and custom options, choice has no boundaries. For all your home furnishing needs in a one-stop location, interior design professionals and savvy consumers know that Miromar Design Center is the ultimate home resource.
Here is what others in the industry have to say about us:
"It was a strategic decision for me to relocate my interior design studio to the Miromar Design Center," notes Interior Designer Kira Krumm. "Where else can you be surrounded by such beauty and sophistication? It is the center of design in Southwest Florida. Not only is the Miromar Design Center the source for incredible furnishings, fabrics, and design products, it offers an environment that inspires creativity. Everyday we enjoy coming to this exquisitely designed building and working amongst the best in our industry."
-- Kira Krumm International Design offers award-winning interior design, luxury home decor, and fine art to discerning clientele throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
"I find every element I need to complete my design projects at Miromar Design Center," says Naples Interior Designer Ivy Scheinholz. "In one very beautiful facility I find all the latest products and innovations in the design trade. I am very proud to take all of my clients to Miromar Design Center. Their shopping experience is always an extremely successful one."Are You Making Mistakes & Losing Money With Your Fees?
Fifty-two percent of all interior designers need more business and external pressures are greater than ever:
• Consumers shop you on the Internet and lose trust once they find something that looks similar for much less money.
• Consumers' emotional attachment to their money is greater than ever because they must make decisions not to invest in a car, a vacation or even a child's education to make improvements on their home.
• Budgets are smaller because consumers' homes are worth less, and they don't want to over invest.
• Funds for projects come from savings, and because the stock markets and real estate values are down, consumers don't have the excess cash they used to have.
Is it all bad news? No. It just means that you need to adjust your thinking to offer your services in ways that consumers want. Our survey also showed that almost 80 percent of all consumers want a fixed or Value Based Fee. Do you only offer hourly fees plus a mark-up? If so, you need to learn how to serve your clients the way they want to be served.
Your clients shop you anyway, so why lose credibility, trust and referrals?
About Gail Doby, ASID , DSA
DSA members download your complimentary copy of
DSU's 2012 Interior Design Fee & Salary Survey eBook. $179 Value
Free Copy click here: http://www.designsuccessu.com/aff.php?p=nlim&w=vbfebk
Ethan Allen Wants You!
We have heard time and again that independent designers want to offer their clients the high quality, wide assortment of products, and remarkable value that Ethan Allen is known for, says November Rawlings, manager of media and public relations. We have created the Ethan Allen Interior Design Affiliate Program (IDA) in response to these requests. Ethan Allen now welcomes qualified independent designers to become Ethan Allen Interior Design Affiliates and to benefit from special to-the-trade privileges.
As an Ethan Allen IDA member, you earn a referral fee on every purchase*. Perhaps the most important benefit is that, because we process every order, oversee preparation and professional delivery, and handle customer service and logistics, you are free to focus on what you do best: interior design. Every product we sell has our full backing and support, including our warranties.
Qualified interior designers are invited to apply. Applications are also available at your local participating Ethan Allen Design Center. Visit us at http://www.ethanallen.com for full details and to download an application.
*See terms and conditions for full details."THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME STAGING" Convention in Jacksonville, Florida
Be sure to mark your calendars for June 8th and 9th. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to our Advanced Staging Convention here in Jacksonville at Queens Harbour Yacht and Country Club. Queens Harbour is located on the intracoastal waterway a few minutes from the ocean.
It will be a continuing education opportunity for any veteran stagers or redesigners and home stylists. Anyone interested in staging is welcome but the focus is on new trends, marketing, extra streams of income. We will feature guest speakers in the fields of organizing, website creation, social media, architectural photography, time management and more. You will be able to get a new professional headshot for your website, etc. A lot of bang for your buck.
It will cost $275 and includes gourmet lunches and snacks. There will be many goodies and a drawing for the Grand Prize.
Our hotel is Somewhere Over the Rainbow at the Hampton Inn Suites at 13733 Beach Blvd. Jax, Fl. 32224, phone 904-223-0222.
They have a free shuttle to the class. Get a reservation ASAP.
$100 deposit will reserve your space at the convention. Look for a Pay Pal button.
Or contact me w/ your CCard number. 904-945-0093
This class is half-filled already!!!
If I Only Had a Brain, I'd be skipping on over to the Emerald City to join the fun.
Becky@BeckyHarmon.com
www.transform-us.com
The other promotion:
New Online Staging Certification Class at half price for DSA Members.
Save $375 on this class. You have 30 days to sign up. Click for details:
http://www.transform-us.com/online-home-staging-training.htmDSA Student Wins Prestigious Award
We want to extend our congratulations to Lubomir A. Sloboda, a Certified Residential Interior Design graduate in the Designer Society of America's design course, who recently placed second in the Student Category of the prestigious 13th Annual Northwest Design Awards competition at the Seattle Design Center.
For his project, the design goals included creating a functional, well space-planned family room and kitchen. The project was to unify family and kitchen space into one harmonious open space. Sloboda successfully achieved the goal, including being able to bring the outside atmosphere to the interior space using colors.
"It was my personal challenge to expand the design to the adjoining kitchen," said Sloboda. "Kitchen cabinets, family room built-ins, and overall color scheme were chosen to emphasize a unified 'one room' feel."
Sustainable products and principles incorporated into the design included DuPont's "Green Approved" and GREENGUARD-certified Corian sold surface countertops and Formica's LEED-rated and GREENGUARD-certified DecoMetal wall accents.
Sloboda's award was organized by Seattle Design Center of Seattle, WA.
Seattle Design Center
5701 Sixth Avenue South, Suite 378
Seattle, WA 98108
Photo credit to Kim
Doyel for TPNW Inc (c) 2012
