SO, WHERE DOES AN INTERIOR DECORATOR SHOP?
There are more furniture suppliers than what you see on the high street
So where does an interior decorator shop? I often meet clients who say that they’ve been furniture shopping or browsing at the brand names we know. Enter IKEA, Freedom, Harvey Norman, Plush… you get the drift.
But here’s a secret. There’s more furniture and homeware suppliers out there that interior decorators have access to that aren’t readily available to the public. And these suppliers don’t put pressure on you to buy that day or try to upsell you the whole bedroom suite (is that still a thing?) In fact you can sit on the sofa in the showroom as much as you want and move the furniture around to see how it will look and feel together. And you’ll often be sipping on a coffee while you do it (sort of making those IKEA meatballs not look as attractive!)
When I was studying interior design, my lecturer said that anyone can go to IKEA. You need to show your clients items that they wouldn’t normally see or have access to.
Where do I shop?
I’ve got a little black book of local suppliers that I use for my clients’ projects. They are suppliers that I find are easy to deal with, have great products and stand by them. And they work closely with interior decorators and keep us up to date with their ranges through industry product launches, emails and trade shows. While I’m not going to divulge all my trade secrets, here are some examples of where I go..
Custom made
There are some suppliers that make custom made furniture in Australia. Think items such as sofas, chairs, ottomans, bedheads and dining tables. A benefit of this is that furniture such as sofas can be made according to your requirements. Do you prefer a firmer seat or want to sit upright? That can be catered for you. Unlike ready made furniture, the furniture is made using the fabric and materials we’ve selected. The manufacturing of these items can take up to 10 weeks but it’s worth the wait!
Collections and ready made
Some of my suppliers have stock that is part of their collections that they refresh seasonably or yearly. The benefit of these suppliers is that you can see the items ‘as is’ and the stock is often available (or in transit). These suppliers have their products made overseas or locally. Again, many of these suppliers only deal with interior decorators. So I have access to the ‘behind the scenes’ showrooms.
Where will I take you shopping?
Where I take you shopping will depend upon a number of factors: your budget, the look and feel we are wanting to achieve, availability of items and the timing of the project. Typically I take my clients to a number of showrooms to try out the items. A benefit of doing this is so the final room will be more collected rather than looking like a display home. And I won’t let you loose! Showrooms can be overwhelming so I’ll shortlist and direct you to those items that are relevant for your home. You won’t be aimlessly wandering around a vast store looking for something (when you’re not sure what it is!)
But what’s the cost?
Where I deal with suppliers directly, I am generally able to get items at a reduced price. So where possible, I will supply items at less than what you would be able to purchase at a retail store. Once I know your budget, I will help determine where the money should be best spent.
Want to go shopping?
Want to see where interior decorators shop? Want access to furniture that you won’t see everywhere? Don’t want to feel pressured by sales people? Schedule a complimentary phone call, or email me at katie@katieriddell.com.au. To receive helpful tips and inspiration direct to your email inbox, please sign-up to receive my “All Things Interiors” newsletter.
