Risk & Reward
October 20, 2011 § Leave a Comment
For years, designers have had the refrain of how hard it is to sell and advise clients to take a leap and do something daring. The boldest move I saw for a while in the 1990s were red dining rooms, the audacity of which was quickly watered down since everyone in Boston seemed to have one. Invoking the curse of making mistakes by an unwillingness to be a little madcap and adventuresome in designing is selling the process – and end result – short. Making that statement you’ve always wanted to do but feared it is great way to winnow out the look of your home from your neighbor over the fence to the right and left. I’m acutely aware that risks come with strong reactions and the need for guidance; hopefully the client is getting that from a design professional. Your living space should be personal and bespoke and, if you are working with a designer, certainly creative and tailored to the needs of that household.
My perspective is, try a bold color or an unconventional work of art. Playing it safe all the time isn’t growth. While the need to be totally contrarian isn’t what I’m suggesting, I do encourage my clients to be open to taking a few calculated risks and to keep it fun… and reap the benefits.
