Louis Doesn't Discount

I’ve often wondered why there seems to be a wide variance between the expectations of certain brands who discount and those who don’t? 

Some brands set themselves up with different published retail price lists, (the manufacturer’s suggested retail price), whereby all different sorts of “discounts” are made available to the consumer.  Other brands have long held fast to the practice, the price is what it is.  For whatever reason, they’ve maintained their position in the marketplace and don’t seem to feel compelled to change their course, even in challenging times.

I wonder, if we took a poll of the Louis Vuitton shops across the world, how many have been automatically asked to reduce the price of their product by shoppers? 

A well-known, national furniture brand offers all of the elegance, quality and style, and yet the consumer assumes a discount or price concession will be given.  It’s a matter of programmed thoughts. 

Chances are the model, (in the 1st photo), would be spending more of her hours in the experience of the featured bedroom, rather than carrying around her LV bags.  Is the difference that more people will “see” her with her LV bags and the logo creates an external perception about her lifestyle?  Yes, Louis Vuitton offers exemplary quality, but isn’t there is a certain caché in the instant brand recognition?  (Recent article:  “Louis Vuitton, the French maker of laminated canvas handbags, is the world’s most valuable luxury brand for the sixth consecutive year.) Can this concept ever be captured by the home furnishings industry?

Have furniture and design been relegated to commodity items?  . . . of which the market treats as equivalent, or nearly so, no matter who produces it?  Is there a fear of loosing consumers/clients if a discount is not offered? 

I can’t help to be captured by the irony of comparing two of the definitions of ‘Discount’ and I thought you might appreciate them, too.

• Reduction in price: a reduction in the usual price of something.
• Dismiss something as untrue or trivial: to decide that something can be disregarded as unimportant, irrelevant, or untrue.

Gives pause for thought, doesn’t it?  Thanks for sharing yours.

Wanda

Coming Soon – “Interior Design:  Trusting The Process”

Stylish Luxury Furniture Concept Ideas

Stylish Luxury Furniture Concept Ideas

The research showed that first impressions of a bedroom are essential when deciding where the coming months are to be spent. So, as you can see it’s important that you get the look of the bedrooms right.

If you are either a firm building student accommodation, or a landlord hoping to rent out a room to students. Unique luxury bedroom decoration. Unique luxury bedroom decoration tips. Stylish luxury bedroom interior ideas. They are characteristics that the visco-elative respond in exemplary fashion-goes.

The first time I saw this bedroom design, only one spoken word, The left and right there is a small closet with a unique light, then the top of the bedroom curtains are luxurious and there is one more thing that makes visible is the perfect chair that was right in front of the bed, unique shapes and luxurious.

Exclusive Luxury Bedroom Style Design

Exclusive Luxury Bedroom Style Design

The design creates a floating appearance, giving the bed a remarkable lightness. The inward taper at the foot stand element is laid deep under the bed. If you stand in the room, it remains completely hidden by the narrow surrounding frame. Unique luxury bedroom decoration. Unique luxury bedroom decoration tips. Stylish luxury bedroom interior ideas

If you’ve ever watched Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, you are familiar with what luxury bedroom decor is. It is defined by it’s beauty, material, style, and placement within a room. Luxury bedroom décor applies to anything from window treatments to throw rugs to lampshades.

Having luxury bedroom décor in your home will instantly make you feel like one of the stars, as you relish in its color, fabric and design. Usually, this type of décor has a theme throughout a particular room. These can run anywhere from an Egyptian theme to a marble theme to an Italian villa theme.

A popular theme is nautical, where blue and white stripes are painted vertically on the wall. They can be topped off with an eggshell finish to give it a slight shimmer. Couches match, displaying navy pillows and ottomans and sconces light up a room with a soft, dim glow. This kind of luxury bedroom décor will surely make you comfortable asleep!

A Day of Interior Details

Yesterday, I visited a project that was about three years in the making.  (I’m talking about from the blueprints to the finished home.)  We keep adding little layers as this home is like a special woman who enjoys having a little extra attention.  It makes for an extra glow!  It is also the type of place where the words “simple” and “minimal” just can’t be applied.  There is also a fine line to the process of layering.  Too much, too soon, can be overwhelming.  My philosophy always is, “It’s easier to add than subtract”, so with clients who can embrace that concept, we create not only magic but memories, as well.

 

Sometimes I have some pieces in my treasure trove, of which I’m not sure where they’ll eventually be placed, but I have a “feeling” they will certainly land in a lovely spot.  This Belgium tapestry was one such item.  It was a little small so I had the workroom add an aged velvet with cording.  I ordered custom iron rods from Helser Brothers.  They do beautiful work and made the brackets so that I could reverse the acanthus leaves, from top to bottom.  The tabs and rods allowed for the tapestry to be stretched out in order to prevent wrinkling in between.

Here’s a close-up of one of the brackets.  Beautiful!  (Since I’m only 5’1”, I was so happy my new Canon G-12 camera zoomed to capture that shot.  Just wanted you to know I didn’t climb a ladder to get the photo and risk ruining my career with a broken neck!)

The groin vaulted ceilings are a magnificent architectural detail.  If we had only allowed for a flat painted surface, the depth would have been lost.  Adding soft texturing, which compliments the marble floors, let the lines pop forth.  After standing back, just one more layer did the trick . . . the hand-painted leaves are a reference to the light fixtures. 

We’ve decided to build a couple of custom wall-mounted tables for the walnut paneled library.  My inspiration will come from the cast stone fireplace supports. 

The scroll pattern will be repeated in some corbels.  My fabulous craftsperson, Phillip Stapp, will make these pieces seem as if they have been in place, from the beginning.  He was so pleased he had just acquired some reclaimed walnut boards! We changed the original function of the room, from an office to a retreat.  It’s now home to a pool table and some comfy chairs. 

Here is the area we’re going to address.  I can’t wait to show you the finished results.  Stay-tuned, in late March, for some new photos!

It’s always so nice to step back into a project.  Not only am I able to enjoy seeing the work we’ve accomplished, I enjoy catching up with clients to share their latest events.  Even in a few months, those events can change the focus of their home and I’m happy to be there to make the tweaks.  I call it “planning with flexibility”. 

“Love the home you’re in and allow for the details to honor it well.” ~ Wanda S. Horton – Interior Design

All my best! ~ Wanda

Christmas Countdown – Day 8

All I Want For Christmas

This evening, I was part of a fun event on Twitter, where we shared about the luxury gifts we could imagine seeing under a huge Christmas tree.  It was one of those ocassions, where in a guilt-free world, we could wish for pretty much anything.  (All good, mind you.)  Well, of course, I had some rather grand ideas.  A private chef would be lovely.  A daily dose of personal pampering.  I’m sure you could expand your own list, as well!

My mind also went to things which brought out the inner child in me.  You know . . . the ones where I might squeal with excitement if, on Christmas day, my heart’s desire and wishes might be granted?

Here’s what I shared . . .

My husband shakes his head in wonderment.  Why on earth would his 5’1” wife have heart flutters every time she sees a chunky Jeep Wagoneer?  I can’t quite explain the reaction.  Back in the day, I might have wanted a sporty little sedan.  That was during the same time I wore 4 inch heels.  I’ve always been more fond of the classics, with a twist.  Sturdy and sporty.  Fun and cute.  Are these such terrible attributes?  And in red!  Whooaa!

I first fell in love with these woodgrained-paneled beauties, while watching the movie, “Baby Boom”.  I think the lure of the country life seemed so appealing . . . especially driving around the moonlight in Vermont.  Diane Keaton’s character had second thoughts, after the reality sunk in.  I’m sure this clip reminds a few owners of old homes, about the joys and investment of caretaking for historic properties.  (That’s another blog post.) 

Oh, Santa Louis, hurry down the chimney tonight!  Don’t you think this Monogram Vernis bag would be the perfect tag-a-long for a trip to the country home?  (Courtesy – Louis Vuitton)

And what a country home it would be!  After my visit to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, I commented to my friend, if I had unlimited funds,  I would forgo a lot of the extra “gadget” rooms and a conservatory would be my luxe indulgence.  It would be the ultimate, quiet retreat, surrounded by plantings and floral exotics. 

It goes without saying, I really do desire more in life than material goods.  I would love to see world peace, an end to hunger and suffering, to witness children becoming fine adults, to see the elderly receive care and respect, to know animals will find a forever home, that cancer might soon have a cure . . . . but if all of those items were already checked off of the list, a little dreaming of indulgent luxury could be a guiltless pleasure.

How about you?  What would be your ultimate splurge?

“We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.”  ~ Seneca

Cheers to you! ~ Wanda

18 Days and Counting!