Secrets of Success for Today's Interior Designers and Decorators (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Interior design and decorating is a people business..." (more)
Key Phrases: other undertreatments, single rod pocket, hourglass tieback, Privacy Light, Determining Fullness Chart, Hunter Douglas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While some of Ramsay's information will be useful to the accomplished home sewer, interior designers and decorators will benefit most from the aggressive techniques outlined here, which were developed by a Southern California design firm. The unique information, geared to professionals, will help them polish their skills, expand their sales, and maximize their work potential. While many other titles discuss theories of color and measurements, this book covers the psychology of customers, considering custom-made interior products, preparing for a consultation and in-home appointment, and pricing the job. Other chapters deal with the business in general; customer service; elements of color, texture, and design; fabric selection; planning, fabrication, and installation; and creative uses of decorator fabrics. For large public and academic libraries with interior design collections.
- Judith Yankielun Lind, Roseland Free P.L.,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"I wouldn't have you forego your college degree for anything in the world, but if you decide not to go, you can read and study this book from the interior-design pubishing firm of "Touch of Design."

You'll find their publication, "Secrets of Success for Today's Interior Designers and Decorators," by Linda M. Ramsay, really, no kidding, jst about everything you need to know to begin a successful career as an interior decorator/designer. The skills are demonstrated here to be learned, from Customer Psychology to the many, many other facets of the interior designing business. Excellent and detailed chapters on color, design, form, proportion, contrast, lighting, fabrics, measuring, drapery hardware, curtains, bedspreads, canopies, upholstering, and all the rest. This book is 8 1/2 X 11, paperback, and teaches the skill of creating and controlling any job, anytime, anywhere. There are techniques in these pages on advertising, getting leads, closing sales, avoiding mistakes and doing a complete job of planning. It is the most detailed book of its kind I have ever seen. With it you can decorate and design to your heart's content." -- Broox Sledge, The Book World

"It's a nuts-and-bolts guide, written by a Southern California interior design firm, that provides loads of interesting information on lots of decorating topics. Written for interior decorators and designers, the book takes readers through the entire process of selling, planning, measuring and buying for decorating and/or designing jobs. There's no shortage of informative ideas, tips, advice, and recommendations in this book. Take her word for it. Nearly 145 pages are devoted to what is called the most difficult area most decorators encounter - window treatments. Even the most obscure decorating topics are addressed. Readers, even the most experienced decorators and designers will have trouble finding a particular decorating problem or subject not touched upon in this handy reference book." -- Cathy A. Goetz, Home Textiles Today

"Touch of Design, an interior design firm in Oceanside, Calif., has branched into the book publishing business with a career survival manual that offers tips and suggestions for succeeding in the design business. Information on competing for jobs, keeping customers coming back, and prospecting for new clients is included. So are some of the common mistakes and planning errors made by designers. Such topics as hidden enemies that deteriorate fabrics, steps to a sale and the effects of light on color are discussed." -- ASID Report

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Touch of Design; 1 edition (January 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096299183X
• ISBN-13: 978-0962991837
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #870,944 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book does help you avoid mistakes and make more profit, April 23, 2000

By	Joanie Brooks (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

After reading the reviews and checking this book out of my library, I bought my own copy. I use it as a reference for planning jobs, measuring, marketing, advertising ideas, what to include in the contract, etc. It's indespensible to my business. Many mistakes that you can make that eat up your profit are pointed out and you are shown how to avoid them before they occur (and shown how to clean up the mess, after they occur). Mistakes and the time they take to correct (and the credibility you lose) are what eats a small business alive. It doesn't matter if you caused the error, or the workroom, or the installer caused the error or mismeasurement, you still have to fix it, and generally with the designer paying for it. $39.99 is a low price to pay for the quantity of information in this book. As for the slightly negative review below, you have to try to close the sale. If you don't try and try again, you walk away with out a sale. I find you have to be slightly aggressive to raise your closing ratio. I used to wait and wait for customers to call me back and give me the sale - it just doesn't happen.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book does bridge the gap between college & making money, March 28, 2000

By	Linda M. Ramsay (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book through my college course as a supplemental text and it was as valuable to me as anything I learned at college (I don't want to offend my instructors, but, they had nothing over this book). It actually teaches you how to get out there and get the interior design project, how to compete with all types of competitors, how to avoid the many mistakes that eat up your profits, it is a window treatment bible. I know I would have gave up and quit had I not started using some of the low-cost marketing and customer psychology ideas. It's the difference in completely wasting your time on "free" estimates. Now, I'm turning each appointment into a "game" that I am winning and really having fun with my business.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A life saver for interior design professionals.", January 13, 1998

By A Customer

Wow! This is a life saver for interior design professionals. I can't thank Touch of Design enough. I figure that Linda has saved me thousands of dollars and much frustration in mistakes I would have easily made had I not read the book. Window treatments are heavily covered. Much information here for $39.99. If you need some new marketing ideas - they are here.