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Kitchens are in high demand. Why not designers?
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesEarly estimates indicate that the remodeling industry did much better than expected in 2017. Business should be good this year as well, although forecasts call for a slower pace in growth year over year. With all this activity going on, it begs the question, why aren't kitchen designers and remodelers expanding their share of market?
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New year, new possibilities for designers
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesNew Year’s resolutions, predictions and trends always dominate the early part of every January. We are all anticipating great things for the year ahead, regardless of what industry we are in.
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Uncertainty dampens homebuyer confidence
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsDespite signs of a strengthening economy, low unemployment and a promise of lower taxes, consumer confidence fell in December, having crept up to a 17-year high in November. Weighing on consumers' minds were their prospects for employment and financial security in the coming year. Those concerns spilled over into their plans to purchase a home as well, with fewer consumers feeling that now is a good time to buy.
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Helping your employees deal with stress
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesInterior designers often work under considerable stress to meet deadlines, stay on budget, manage vendors and suppliers, and please their bosses as well as their clients. Not all stress is bad, and not all workplace stress can be eliminated.
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8 reasons you fail to get your fees
Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesIf you're feeling overworked and underpaid this time of year, don't blame your clients. Chances are you're undervaluing your services or committing one of the other common "money miscues" that too many interior design professionals commit too often.
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Are you ready to start an interior design blog?
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesPerhaps you've been thinking about adding a blog to your marketing arsenal. A blog can be a powerful way to capture the attention of new prospects by conveying your personality and sense of style, showing off your design skills and knowledge, and building rapport with design fans.
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Working in America’s gig economy
Dave G. Houser Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAmerica's workforce has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. It has changed from one in which many workers had the same employers for most of their working life to one in which job changes are much more frequent — and in which many workers choose short-term gigs over permanent or long-term employment.
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The right approach to design for aging in place
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesBuilding and remodeling projects to make homes more aging-friendly have boomed in recent years. And no wonder. The 74-plus million members of the baby boom generation — whose youngest members will turn 55 in two years and oldest members are already in their 70s — make up the largest portion of the nation's homeowners and the second-largest group of homebuyers.
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Housing market in 2018 likely to be more of the same
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsEarly forecasts of next year's housing market exhibit trends that will look familiar to builders and realtors. Although they vary somewhat in the details, the forecasts predict yet another year of tight inventories, rising prices and low rates of home ownership. These trends will be ameliorated somewhat, but experts anticipate it will not be until late 2019 or 2020 before the market evens out.
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‘Write’ the wrongs, if blogging isn’t working
Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesMore and more interior design professionals are adding blogging to their marketing mix — with good reason. Blog posts are the focal point of effective social media campaigns, since they can establish your expertise, enhance your online presence and get you clients.
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