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Interior Design
What is the best way to promote an interior design business that would not cost a lot of money?

I have been in business for almost one year. I have a small store where I sell home accessories and I also have interior design business. Both are not doing well. I’m out of money however really want to make this business work. Any suggestion?

A friend of mine had an idea that worked for her. She offered a free one room “re-design” party. The basic concept was that she would re-design one room in your house using only stuff you have around your house. She would take out all the furniture and start from scratch. She would go all over your house picking out items that would look great in the re-design. And then she would put the room back together using stuff you already owned.

She made it into a party by having me send out invitations to friends of mine (sort of like the candle, pampered chef, etc parties). They came sometime in the morning (between 8 and 9 AM) for just a few minutes to see the “before” of the room (my living room) being redesigned. Then they would go on their way (or they could come the night before if it suited them better). My friend set a certain time for her to be done and my friends came back at any time between 5 and 6 to see my redesigned living room and have some refreshments. It was open house style – they didn’t have to stay very long it they couldn’t. It generated some business for her – I know my MIL and at least a couple of my friends hired her for their homes after seeing how she redesigned my living room.

For my friend, at least, it was a great way for her to get her name out there to lots of different people with very little expense (I think the most expense was creating the invitations). I mailed the invites and handled the refreshments. She did all the work – had her hubby help with the heavy lifting stuff.

She also teamed up with the local newspaper to do a local version of “trading spaces” where she did the interior design of both places.

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How Interior Design Consultancies Use Lighting – The Lighting Toolbox

Interior design consultancies understand the richness of light in all its forms. In London, lighting is crucial to interior design consultancies that need to create stunning results. In this, the sixth article in my series which I call “DeLIGHTed by Design,” I continue to draw on my experience working with some of London’s Top Interior Design Consultancies to explain this exciting area.

Six main lighting tools are considered foundational by established interior design consultancies. These are down-lighters, up-lighters, wall-washers, decorative lighting, colour and control. Many London interior design consultancies will preferentially think of these mostly in terms of mood and results – from daring highlights to soft textures – instead of as hardware and installations.

Down-lighters are often set back into a false ceiling, although some interior design consultancies will prefer to install them on walls. These units will direct light downwards, and can be focused by the design team as necessary, perhaps to illuminate the floor or a favourite contoured bookcase. Most interior design consultancies recognise that this type of light is very sharp and will generate somewhat intense shadows, which can be a refreshing contrast to the occasionally dreary London weather. The most popular units are always available in narrow beam designs, which are best for highlighting certain features. Interior design consultancies will sometimes opt for a wide beam model instead. One nice technique that I have seen used in a few London residences is to create an array of shimmering ceiling lights with wide-beam downlighters. This is appropriate when the interior design consultancy wishes to create a more general, ambient light, but with a fabulous designer feel.

Up-lighters wash the ceiling with light, and the ceiling then serves as its own lighting fixture, bouncing relaxing and general illumination back into the living area. Interior design consultancies will use up-lighters to create an engaging feeling of openness and upward motion when the ceiling is painted a dark colour, in which case the reflected lumens will be low. Up-lighters in London are often either free standing or wall-mounted, usually above head-height to eliminate dazzle. One great technique that I once saw used by a well-known London interior design consultancy was to incorporate a fabulous up-lighter that was recessed into the floor as a central feature, creating drama and powerful contrast for a cove and elongated column.

In the next article in this series “DeLIGHTed by Design,” I will continue explaining how interior design consultancies rely on the six core lighting tools.

About the Author

Interior Design London – Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.