Finding a Designer...

[susandennis]

Turns out that interior designers do not quite understand the value of having a website. Further, it appears, the few that do are far more interested in graphics and java than in information. And then, I found an exception. It's not pretty but it tells me that here's someone who has design sense, can get a job done, is not frivilous and might just 'get me'. So I sent her this email.



From: Susan Dennis <susandennis@gmail.com>

To: info@sapphire-studios.com
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 13:21:02 -0800
Subject: I want my own Designers Challenge

Sheri,

My name is Susan Dennis and I'd like to talk to you about the possibility of giving my condo a make over.

I have a 1,200 sq ft condo in Pioneer Square in Seattle. It was carved out of an old railroad ware house and finished in 1992 and had great bones. It is a living room, bedroom, and other room plus 1.5 baths. None of the walls go all the way to the ceiling and there are no doors (except on the bathrooms).

I have lived in it since 1992 and have let it go to the dogs (well, cats, in my case). It needs color and new carpet. About half of my casegoods (shelves and dressers) were damaged a little (drawers won't shut all the way) in 2001 earthquake and need to be replaced. I think I hate my couch.

I love crayon colors. Dwell is my new favorite magazine. I have a few clippings of pictures of stuff I like and a pretty firm idea of what I don't. I need design, furniture, space planning, and all the stuff that goes with it from strong guys to carry stuff to someone to organize and plan and implement it all.

I've been to your website (which I got to, by the way, via the ASID "Designer Referral"). I have never hired a designer before. Except for a fairly thorough HGTV education, I'm pretty clueless.

Are you interested and/or could you point me to a good next step?

--
susan dennis
seattle, wa
http://susandennis.com

Comments

[jimcarson.livejournal.com]

There are some web designers I work with who still subscribe to the David Siegal theory of having an annoying flash "doorway" into the site and making it even more annoying to navigate. (Not quite unlike this: http://www.satirewire.com/news/0011/cubist_site.shtml)

I loved the "I think I hate my couch." :-)

[susandennis]

Don't even get me started. First of all, I cannot imagine that in 2005 ANYONE would even consider having a business with no website. Would they have no business cards? Geesh. I don't get it.

And then, I think it's time to just declare flash on websites, illegal unless you have a critical need for it that cannot be filled any other way and you sign a Code Of Flash Use Conduct. Who's with me??!!

[jimcarson.livejournal.com]

"Friends Don't let Friends Flash?"

Add to that: a link to get past the flash animation, penalized by eating the five year old cans of mystery substance from all those Y2k bunkers.

[susandennis]

EXACTLY!!! Perfect.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I am so excited for you. (Me too cause I know you will take us along every step of the way.)

Having just moved to our new house, I would love a designer, but can't afford it now. Yours will be the next best thing. Thank you!!!

I just hang stuff up I like and hope for the best. I need two new recliners and can't find what I want, cause I don't know what I want, so tolerate the old ones.

[susandennis]

I know you will take us along every step of the way

oh yeah... hopefully, quite soon, you will be sick and tired of hearing about the whole thing!