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Interior design industry growing steadily

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Over the last three years, the interior design industry has rebounded from its post-recession decline and now appears to be on a steady course of upward, modest growth. Since 2014, the number of practicing designers and number of design firms have been increasing each year. Interior design business activity has picked up during the second half of this year, and designers as a group are mostly optimistic that the trend will continue into the beginning of next year.

The silence is finally broken: Harassment is not OK

Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Since mid-October when the story of sexual harassment allegations were reported about famed entertainment icon Harvey Weinstein, we have gotten reports of other famous and powerful people who have been accused of similar acts. This situation seems to be an epidemic among those who are in the limelight and wield influence; the power among creatives has finally been broken.

Scope it out: How to design and build what’s needed

Curtis Skolnick Healthcare Administration

Planners are often asked to test a facilities concept, define how much space it will take and determine how much it will cost to complete. These questions are useful in the early-concept phase of a project, but the basis for planning is missing: What am I solving for, and how does this potential "bricks and mortar" solution meet a defined service, market or strategic need of the organization?

A personal touch makes for a happier holiday season

Fred Berns Business Management, Services & Risk Management

While your competitors scramble to get out their holiday cards, why not do something this season that most of them don't do? Get personal. Share your seasonal sentiments face to face if you can, or by phone if you can't.

6 ways to offset the dip in job leads during the holidays

Kaitlin Krull Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

The holiday season is a lucrative time for businesses across the retail industry, with an increase in orders coming in and production soaring to meet demands. However, professionals in other areas often see a dip in trading over the holidays — this is certainly true for the home improvement industry.

Human talent for creativity can’t be replaced by a computer

Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Since I was a kid, I was told I had a gift, and that I was lucky because I am creative. As I got older, I was always amazed by people who thought I was special because it seems like I can pull great design ideas out thin air.

Long-term remodeling outlook foresees strong growth

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Coming on the heels of third-quarter indicators that showed sustained high levels of activity in the remodeling industry for the remainder of the year, recent longer-term projections forecast even higher levels of growth in the coming year and beyond.

Real estate stagers can and should offer design services

Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

The most financially successful interior design professionals are often the most diversified. They have multiple streams of income. One lucrative "stream" available to real estate stagers is offering partial or complete interior design services. Problem is, too many stagers avoid that opportunity because they feel they lack the proper credentials.

Making do with multis

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

With no end in sight to the nation's housing shortage, occupants are increasingly turning to doubling or tripling up to get more out of the space they have. Traditional single-family homes are especially scarce, and along with them traditional single families. At present, the trend in housing is toward "multi": multifamily, multipurpose and multigenerational.

Burned California neighborhoods consider production-scale home rebuilding

Michelle R. Matisons Construction & Building Materials

As people begin to recover from entire neighborhoods destroyed by recent California wildfires — approximately 14,700 homes — innovative home-rebuilding approaches may aid Sonoma County.

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