off-the-floor

I really enjoyed reading this article. Doesn't have much to do with design but, I thought I would share it anyway! ~Marie

Ever wondered if you'd be happier in sunny Florida or snow-covered Minnesota? New research on state-level happiness could answer that question.

Florida and two other sunshine states made it to the Top 5, while Minnesota doesn't show up until number 26 on the list of happiest states. In addition to rating the smile factor of U.S. states, the research also proved for the first time that a person's self-reported happiness matches up with objective measures of well-being.

Essentially, if an individual says they're happy, they are.

"When human beings give you an answer on a numerical scale about how satisfied they are with their lives, it is best to pay attention. Their answers are reliable," said Andrew Oswald of the University of Warwick in England. "This suggests that life-satisfaction survey data might be very useful for governments to use in the design of economic and social policies," Oswald said.

The happy-states list, however, doesn't match up with a similar ranking reported last month, which found that the most tolerant and wealthiest states were, on average, the happiest. Oswald says this past is based on raw averages of people's happiness in a state, and so doesn't provide meaningful results.

"That study cannot control for individual characteristics," Oswald told LiveScience. "In other words, all anyone has been able to do is to report the averages state-by-state, and the problem with doing that is you're not comparing apples with apples because the people who live in New York City are nothing like the individuals living in Montana."

Rather, Oswald and Stephen Wu, an economist at Hamilton College in New York, statistically created a representative American. That way they could take, for example, a 38-year-old woman with a high-school diploma and making medium-wage who is living anywhere and transplant her to another state and get a rough estimate of her happiness level.

"Not much point in looking at the happiness of a Texas rancher compared to a nurse in Ohio," Oswald said.

The happiest states:

1. Louisiana

2. Hawaii

3. Florida

4. Tennessee

5. Arizona

6. Mississippi

7. Montana

8. South Carolina

9. Alabama

10. Maine

The scientists caution, however, that the top spot, Louisiana, might not reflect current levels of well-being since the data were collected before the disruption caused by Hurricane Katrina. They are confident that data for the other states does accurately reflect happiness levels.

Happiness measures

Their results come from a comparison of two data sets of happiness levels in each state, one that relied on participants' self-reported well-being and the other an objective measure that took into account a state's weather, home prices and other factors that are known reasons to frown (or smile).

The self-reported information came from 1.3 million U.S. citizens who took part in a survey between 2005 and 2008.

"We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality - of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etc - in their own state," Oswald said.

The results showed the two measures matched up. "We were stunned when it first came up on our screens, because no one has ever managed to produce a clear validation before of subjective well-being, or happiness, data," Oswald said.

They were also surprised at the least happy states, such as New York and Connecticut, which landed at the bottom two spots on the list.

"We were struck by the states that come at the bottom, because a lot of them are on the East Coast, highly prosperous and industrialized," Oswald said. "That's another way of saying they have a lot of congestion, high house prices, bad air quality."

He added, "Many people think these states would be marvelous places to live in. The problem is that if too many individuals think that way, they move into those states, and the resulting congestion and house prices make it a non-fulfilling prophecy."

Would you be happier in another state?

Using both the subjective well-being results, which included individual characteristics like demographics and income, and the objective findings, the team could figure out how an individual would fare in a particular state.

"We can create a like-to-like comparison, because we know the characteristics of people in every state," Oswald said. "So we can adjust statistically to compare a representative person hypothetically put down in any state."

This new research will be published online on Dec. 17 by the journal Science.

***My favorite part: (Let's me know I made the right decision moving to Texas from New York, with New York being last on the list!)

Here are the 50 U.S. states (and the District of Columbia) in order of their well-being:

1. Louisiana

2. Hawaii

3. Florida

4. Tennessee

5. Arizona

6. Mississippi

7. Montana

8. South Carolina

9. Alabama

10. Maine

11. Alaska

12. North Carolina

13. Wyoming

14. Idaho

15. South Dakota

16. Texas

17. Arkansas

18. Vermont

19. Georgia

20. Oklahoma

21. Colorado

22. Delaware

23. Utah

24. New Mexico

25. North Dakota

26. Minnesota

27. New Hampshire

28. Virginia

29. Wisconsin

30. Oregon

31. Iowa

32. Kansas

33. Nebraska

34. West Virginia

35. Kentucky

36. Washington

37. District of Columbia

38. Missouri

39. Nevada

40. Maryland

41. Pennsylvania

42. Rhode Island

43. Massachusetts

44. Ohio

45. Illinois

46. California

47. Indiana

48. Michigan

49. New Jersey

50. Connecticut

51. New York

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091217/sc_livescience/happieststatesrevealedbynewresearch

Buying a new leather sofa is a purchase that will pay for itself over the years, due to the fact that a well made leather sofa will last for a very long time. Because leather sofas are now in high demand you will want to do a little research before purchasing one to be sure you are getting a high grade leather at a decent price. Technology has allowed leather sofas to be made in more modern and efficient ways, so they are becoming more and more popular with consumers wishing to purchase a new sofa. Buying a leather sofa not only provides style but it also a very practical material to care for.

Leather is graded by the natural look it has, whether it contains many spots or blemishes, or if it is a virtually spot free piece which will make it even more desirable. Most leather sofas will have a few natural occurring blemishes but that’s part of the beauty of it. When you shop for a new leather sofa you will need to know what to look for as far as quality and price. You will want to purchase a top grain leather which is the part used from the outer surface of the hide. Although still a good product, leather taken from inner surfaces is called split grain leather and may prove to be somewhat weaker.

There are many types and grains of leather sofas available on the market, so doing research to find the highest grade will assist you in making your final choice for a new leather sofa. Full grain leather sofas are said to be the softest but are the highest in price. Top grain leather has a more uniform look and is one of the most popular types. Pigmented leather is the type most used when you want a specific color of leather sofa. It is somewhat stiffer then the other two grains of leather mentioned above, but offers a more scratch resistant surface. It also fades less quickly and resists stains. It is one of the most expensive types of leather sofa but you can find good bargains on it if you do check and compare prices.

Pure aniline leather is soaked in a dye and is one of the best quality leather grains available for leather sofas. Very good hides are used in this type of leather sofa. The quality of your leather sofa will depend on the grain of leather used to make it. The higher the grade, the softer it will be and the general quality will prove to be longer lasting.

What is Top Grain Leather?

Top grain leather is leather from the uppermost layer of a hide. It is the highest quality part of the hide.

What is Pigmented Leather?

Pigmented Leather is any top grain leather to which a clear topcoat and pigments have been applied. The pigments are what usually give the shiny even top color to the leather. The leather may or may not be aniline dyed. Sometimes the pigments (color) are applied to a base crust of a different color and in this case the leather in not dyed all the way through. If the pigments are applied to a hide that has been aniline dyed and matched for color then this leather is called a Protected Aniline Leather. Leather is usually pigmented to give it durability and hide its natural blemishes. Pigmented leathers are easy to maintain and have maximum resistance to wear, soiling, and fading from light.

What is Non-Pigmented Leather?

Non-Pigmented leather is leather to which no pigments have been applied. These are usually hides of the very best quality and have been aniline dyed for color.

What is Pure Aniline Leather?

Pure Aniline is top grain leather that is dyed for color without any pigments applied. These hides will exhibit some natural characteristics such as healed scars, scratches, neck and belly wrinkles. Expect color variation from the swatch to the actual leather, due to the fact leather is a natural product and will absorb dye differently within the hide and from hide to hide. This leather will develop a rich patina over time and will fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

http://www.rodenleather.com/faqs.html (caring for leather)

A) How to care for and clean Pigmented Leathers (including Protected Aniline Leathers).

Pigmented leather is the easiest to care for and to clean. In general it can be identified by its shiny and glossy surface, however there are exceptions so be careful. It requires very little care. Use lukewarm water and mild soap, but nothing abrasive. Work up some suds and go over the surface with a soft cloth. Rinse off any soap film with clean water and toweling. It may dry dull, but normal gloss can be restored by rubbing with clean toweling.

Never use saddle soap, furniture polish, oil, varnish, ammonia, or cleaning solvents.

If you get ink or lipstick on your pigmented leather there are special products that can help remove these marks. For additional care and protection consider one of our Professional Cleaning Products.

Professional Cleaning Products: Tender Leather Care Cleaning Kits

B) How to care for and clean Non-Pigmented Leathers (including Pure Aniline, Semi-Aniline Leathers).

Non-Pigmented Leathers are more difficult to care for and to clean. It is important to note that a Semi-Aniline Leather falls into this category even though it has a small amount of pigment in it. In general non-pigmented leather can be identified by the lack of a shiny and glossy surface, however this is not a foolproof method of identification. This type or leather tends to absorb oils and stains and develops a patina over time as the leather ages. If you get any type of food on it, get it off as best you can with a dry cloth, without wiping it into the leather, and then leave it alone! The spot should dissipate into the leather in a short time. Do not try to clean with water. Never use saddle soap, furniture polish, oil, varnish, ammonia, or cleaning solvents. For additional care at the time of purchase, and we do recommend this, especially for non-pigmented leathers, consider one of our Professional Cleaning Products.

Professional Cleaning Products: Tender Leather Care Cleaning Kits

C) How do I care for and clean Nubuk and Suede Leather?

Nubuk and Suede are both difficult to care for and clean. Nubuk is top grain leather in which to grain has been buffed to resemble a suede-like appearance. Both are nearly impossible to clean. We recommend that you consider our Nubuk and Suede kit. This product contains a Nubuk foam cleaner, “mooncloth” and protection spray. This will give you a limited amount of protection to normal wear and prolong the life of your leather but will not prevent damage from major accidents. It is important to use this prior to any damage preferably at the time of purchase.

In an interview in January of 2009, Barack Obama spoke of his and Michelle’s plans to “open up the White House and remind people this is the people’s house.” He said they wanted to host jazz musicians, chamber music recitals and poetry readings, “so that once again we appreciate this incredible tapestry that’s America.”

The allusion to Camelot was unmistakable. Nearly 50 years ago, Jacqueline Kennedy transformed a shabby White House into an elegant showcase for America’s cultural life and design heritage. Her refurbished state rooms, stocked with historically important furniture arranged with an eye to drama and beauty, became a worthy backdrop for performances, concerts and glamorous dinners. She helped make Americans proud of the place and, for the first time, of our own accomplishments in the decorative arts.

This is an appealing model for the Obamas. Unfortunately, they’ll find that Mrs. Kennedy made her own example very hard to follow — because she pulled it off largely through charm and cunning, and then shrouded her schemes in a welter of bureaucracy that now makes it difficult for any successor to again enliven the décor of the executive mansion.

The forlorn state rooms that Mrs. Kennedy found when she and her husband arrived in 1961 — furnished in Truman-era reproductions of 19th-century pieces from B. Altman and insignificant broadloom carpets — were desperately in need of revamping. The first lady whipped things into shape in a remarkably short time. She got Congress to pass legislation that designated the White House a museum and hired a curator. She set up the Fine Arts Committee for the White House to locate and raise money for the acquisition of 18th- and 19th-century furniture and art relating to the history of the presidency.

Mrs. Kennedy’s redesign, which was largely the work of Stéphane Boudin, the celebrated French decorator whose clients included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, was historically minded rather than historically accurate. In the Green Room, for example, Boudin relied on historical documents to inspire colors, wall coverings and curtains, but his goal was to create a sense of harmony. He arranged the Jeffersonian Federal furniture so as to reconcile the rather leggy, spindly pieces with the room’s enormous proportions.

But the first lady cast the work as a “restoration” and put Henry Francis du Pont, an authority on American antiques, at the helm of the committee in order to place all her design decisions beyond reproach. Du Pont and the committee provided cover for Mrs. Kennedy’s Parisian decorator. While du Pont gave advice and helped acquire hundreds of important antiques, it was Boudin who had the first lady’s ear. The chief usher of the White House understood he was to allow du Pont to rearrange the furniture during his visits, but then move it back when he left.

The American decorator Sister Parish was cannily given credit for some of Boudin’s work on the state rooms, and fabric woven in France was sneaked through customs in a diplomatic pouch. Mrs. Kennedy cleverly sold her remodeling to the American public with a breathy televised tour of the work in progress.

The same committee that functioned largely as a charade for Mrs. Kennedy still operates today, to the White House’s detriment. (It’s now known as the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.) Subsequent first ladies have read its preservationist mandate literally, turning many rooms into stultifying period pieces. Pat Nixon and her team replaced, for instance, Boudin’s window treatments in the Green Room with gold-tasseled reproductions of Federal-era draperies, which robbed the room of its former vitality. Yesterday, the Obamas stepped into a house whose design influences virtually stop around the end of the 19th century.

The Obamas should ignore most of what Jackie Kennedy said and instead do what she actually did — ideally, without the guile. As she understood, the White House, in order to truly be “the people’s house,” should reflect its living character as much as its history. Mrs. Obama’s appointment of Michael Smith, a Los Angeles-based decorator, is a promising start. He is well versed in the art of Gilbert Stuart and the craftsmanship of Duncan Phyfe, but is unlikely to shy from adding, say, modern paintings by Mark Rothko or furniture by Samuel Marx.

Mrs. Obama’s preservation committee, refreshed by the appointment of artists, architects, designers, critics, environmentalists, even philosophers, could pull off a perfect marriage of preservation and progress.

The White House ought to reflect the truth that people live surrounded by many historic periods at once — in our art, music and literature as well as in the décor of the rooms we inhabit. To revive the spirit of Camelot, the Obamas need to show reverence for the past without living in it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/opinion/21needleman.html

With Christmas right around the corner, I felt it would be a good idea to start sharing ideas on ways to make your entertaining just a little bit easier. Sometimes it can be stressful to have all of the family coming to town and staying with, cooking all the food and then to still have energy left over to visit with your loved ones. It can be somewhat exhausting! Here are some tips to help make your entertaining a success:

1. Forgo a traditional floral centerpiece on the dining table and instead create a charming holiday scene featuring gingerbread houses or ceramic Christmas village miniatures. First sprinkle faux snow along the center of the table, then place homes, stores, trees and people to create a focal point that will delight guests of all ages.

2. Rather than rushing out to buy expensive new china, glasses and silverware for a holiday get-together, consider renting it. No matter where you live, chances are there's a party rental store near you. The prices are reasonable and by renting rather than buying you also avoid having to store the items year after year.

3. A simple way to give your holiday decorations a professionally decorated look is to stick to just two or three colors. Deciding on a palette before you shop makes the selection process quick and easy.

4. Flickering candlelight is beautiful, but if small children or pets will be part of the celebration substitute battery-powered votive and pillar candles for a warm glow without the worries. Flameless candles are a great holiday decorating solution when you want the flame without the fuss.

5. For a custom look that's easy to achieve, add ornaments, wrapped candies, children's toys or glittered greenery to a plain wreath. The decorating options are nearly endless and embellishing a wreath is a fun project to do with the kids.

6. Adding a vintage element, such as homemade gingerbread men, hand-strung popcorn or a cranberry garland to your holiday decorations lends a sentimental, old-fashioned feel.

7. Always test Christmas lights before adding them to the tree. Nothing is more disappointing (and frustrating) than spending an afternoon carefully wrapping the tree with lights only to plug them in and discover that they don't work.

8. Give your chandelier a simple holiday update by draping the arms with an evergreen garland and embellishing plain paper shades with an assortment of ribbon attached with hot glue.

9. To cover an unusually shaped or extra-long table, simply drape it with fabric from the bolt. Measure the length of the table keeping in mind that 36 inches is equivalent to one yard. Add a few inches to each side to allow the fabric to puddle on the ground — no sewing required.

Fresh roses add a colorful and fragrant pop to holiday decorations.

10. Add fragrance and an unexpected touch to evergreen garlands and the Christmas tree by placing fresh flowers among the greenery. To keep flowers fresh for days, first clip the ends then insert into water-filled bubble tubes which are available at florist-supply stores.

11. A lit fireplace is beautiful but can quickly heat up a room filled with guests. To get the look without the warmth, instead fill the hearth with lit pillar candles.

12. Make your decorations shine by working strands of twinkling mini lights into garlands, topiaries and tablescapes. If you plan on using lights outdoors, check the packaging to make sure that both lights and any needed drop cords are rated safe for outdoor use.

I found this article vey interesting. I always like reading about the more positive things happening in our world. ~Marie

Home décor or home-related furnishings were purchased as gifts by 19.9% of those surveyed by BigResearch for the NRF’s study of Black Friday weekend retail traffic. The number is down slightly from 20.3% in 2008, but up from the 19.6% reported in 2007 and 17.4% in 2006. Home Accents Today asked retailers in the category to share their Black Friday and holiday weekend sales and traffic results:

"Sales for home accents were a little better than expected over the Black Friday weekend. Best selling categories were lamps, rugs and accent furniture, specifically chair side tables and chests." --Diane Charles, Director of Corporate Communications, Art Van Furniture, Warren, Mich.

"Our preliminary figures show a very large increase over last year. We don't have details at this point, but our numbers are very encouraging for the balance of the year. We exceeded our goal by over 23%." --Cathy Allen, VP Merchandising, Accessory Category, W. S. Badcock Corporation

"We saw strong traffic and good interest in smaller items. Traffic and sales were in line with our expectations." --Ron Werner, H.W. Home, Colorado (four stores)

"Black Friday itself was disappointing in that we had run inserts in several papers with timed doorbusters. Our day compared to last year was a little more than 50%. I think part of the problem is we are not in a high-traffic location, along with the economy and how it is affecting the decision-making process. People that were looking for doorbusters were shopping more for toys, electronics and clothes. Now, Saturday was a different story -- we actually beat last year by about 45%. People are shopping for the best look at the best price." --Becky Casey, Real Deals on Home Décor, Jefferson, Ga.

"Had my busiest Black Friday in 4 years... totally unexpected. A group of merchants in my town had a 'Secret Black Friday' the week before to catch shoppers before they hit the malls on the real Black Friday -- and it was really successful. As a result, we thought the real Black Friday would be dead. It was crazy. In my town, it seems like shoppers have developed a sort of disdain for the hyped-up event Black Friday has become, especially since the Walmart death last year. That, combined with a pent-up desire to shop, really boosted our sales this weekend. I’m up 20% over last November, after being down 15% in October. They were buying holiday décor, jewelry, candles, throws, and pottery. And lots of small artwork, like canvases and framed prints. Lower price points, but more transactions. Lots of shoppers commented that they were doing all their shopping locally this year. They definitely wanted everything gift-wrapped, sought out our holiday freebie (a snowman ornament) and really loved our over-the-top display in the front room. So the experience, the feeling, seems important this season." --Michele Bessey, Perch Home, Maplewood, N.J.

"Better than expected sales for the weekend. I enjoyed a 33% increase over last year and am up in every category except home accessories and tabletop. My silver and white holiday accessories and ornaments are selling best, followed closely by traditional colors. The vintage-inspired items are very popular. Most purchases were for personal use. Very few gifts have been bought, as yet." --Paige Thomas King, Hodgepodge, Clarksville, Tenn.

"We had a great Black Friday. I was really pleased with the traffic, and we had a 97% increase in sales. For the entire three-day weekend we saw an 11% increase. We are in a popular outdoor shopping neighborhood so to see that was reassuring. For the month of November we are up 23% year- over-year and I expect that trend to continue into December. I'm seeing a lot of small gift items going out the door. Our average receipt was $48 over the weekend. People were buying Christmas decor and gift books. There were very few receipts for one large item." --Amy Rutherford, Red Barn Mercantile, Alexandria, Va.

"Black Friday... hmm what's that? We did okay, but if it’s any indication of what the next few weeks are going to be like, I'm thinking there will be a lot of 'for rent' signs in January. I am the eternal optimist, struggling to find the silver lining. We sold Christmas oriented gift merchandise, mostly under $10. As a furniture and accessories shop, we did not move one piece of art, no furniture, no accessories. Thank God we thought to go stronger gift!" --Barbara Collins, The Whistling Elk, Chester, N.J.

"Better than last year! We were up about 30% for the weekend thanks to a huge turnout for our Thursday night Football & Hunting Widows Party that began at 7 p.m. Our (Facebook) fans really liked the early opening and we were thankful!" --Pam Reeves & Christi Tullis, Ambiance, Suwanee, Ga.

"(The) weekend was surprisingly good. Los Angeles definitely is a unique market. We see an uptick when our entertainment clients are working." --Jerod Mark, yourfurniturelink.com

"I can report great sales and great traffic. As always, seasonal decorations are selling first -- wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, trees, lights and tons of bows! Next will come gifts and tabletop. I am very pleased and feel it is much better than last year this time." --Nancy McKee, Total Bliss, Summerfield, N.C.

"We were closed this past week. As a small retailer, and not being located in a mall, I've never experienced increased traffic in my 22 years of doing this. I wish it was different but I believe people like the big box retailers on those days. It might also be because we have very few gifts. We are more interior design-based and have only large items." --Brad Clifford, Bravado Home, Portland, Ore.

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=89663601&gid=146683&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehomeaccentstoday%2Ecom%2Farticle%2FCA6709294%2Ehtml&urlhash=e2Ry&trk=news_discuss

PHOEBE HOWARD, an interior designer in Atlanta and owner of four retail stores in the South, admits that clients are buying less these days, doing smaller jobs and taking their time with projects.

For Mrs. Howard, 51, that has necessitated being more aggressive and more creative, trying to make her work accessible to a larger range of people. She has started hosting more in-store parties and events and is writing a blog, www.mrshowardpersonalshopper.com, with the help of a young employee. She didn’t know what a blog was until a few months ago, but now, she says, she plans to get acquainted with Twitter and Facebook.

Mrs. Howard has been pleasantly surprised by the response. And at a time many shops are closing, she opened her latest one on Aug. 6, in Charlotte, N.C. “I find myself trying things I thought I would never try,” she said. “Even if I’m feeling a little bit stressed or worried, I act like I’m having a good time. The attitude is contagious.”

In a business where tradition can squelch creative ways of doing things, it is often difficult to introduce fresh ideas, but the economy is encouraging experimentation. Designers who say they are doing well in the recession are taking risks and changing what has been a very conservative business. And while luxury items and services are the first to go in hard times, these new approaches are benefiting customers who are finding design more accessible and less expensive.

In a recent survey, the American Society of Interior Designers reported that 65 percent of its members said they were taking smaller projects than they once had, compared with 50 percent who said that in 2008. Of course, there have always been designers who offer relatively inexpensive services, but they haven’t been those whose work is shown in shelter magazines or shops frequented by wealthy customers. Now designers of status are reaching out.

Two years ago, Betsy Burnham, 47, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, added a service called Instant/Space (instantspacedesign.com). For a flat fee (a living room plan is about $1,500), Ms. Burnham creates a master plan on line, including resources and unlimited phone advice. There are no budgets, fees and markups — just a creative design plan.

Ms. Burnham said she came up with the idea when she saw the economy trending down; it is an alternative to the traditional full-service designer who comes to your house, expects a large budget and spends the next few years with you. But when she started it, her colleagues sneered.

“Designers are a snobby group,” she said. “I got a lot of funny looks and catty comments behind my back. Now, I have designers telling me they wish they had thought of it first.”

For those who have used her site, it has provided access they could not have achieved in a booming economy.

“It was like having a really great friend with fabulous style who was willing to share their thoughts and ideas about your space in great detail,” Molly Clark Kircher said. She used the Instant/Space service in her home in Walloon Lake, Mich., as well as a weekend house in Montana. Ms. Kircher said accessibility and ease attracted her to the service — and the fact that she got a high-end designer in a place where they are few and far between.

“Being in a small town in the Midwest, there weren’t a lot of designers I knew of with a style I really loved,” she said.

Many designers are testing new concepts and taking risks they never thought they would take. Celerie Kemble, 36, a designer with offices in both New York and Palm Beach, said she recently worked on a project she never would have taken a few years ago. She decorated the lobby and other public spaces in 200 West End, a luxury condo building on the Upper West Side, and gave design services to the first 10 buyers, paid for by the developer. “I really felt like it was risky because typically I don’t design building lobbies, and I was being handed a clientele that really wasn’t picking me — they were being handed to me,” she said.

As it turned out, though, “I ended up meeting amazing people, gaining more clients from the project, and it has kept the jobs flowing through my office,” she said.

Niche businesses like color consultation, art hanging and personal shopping for specific rooms are popping up across the country as designers try to gain an edge. Kimba Hills, 56, a designer and owner of the shop Rumba in Santa Monica, Calif., wanted to reach people who needed a second pair of eyes but not a costly long-term relationship with a decorator. She came up with Speed Design, a concept that is both educational for the client, and fast. She goes to a client’s house, assesses what should be kept or sold, offers advice and resources to change a room instantly, and typically finishes in less than a month. Her fastest turnaround so far has been three days.

“It’s really more about teaching a client how they can reinvigorate a room by changing the placement of the furniture, maybe hanging the art on the wall differently, or simply have a few tired chairs reupholstered.”

Ms. Hills is known in the design world for her expertise in local art and her eclectic array of midcentury collectibles; she sells through 1stdibs.com, a site that many top decorators use to buy items for their clients.

The economy has also pushed some back-burner ideas to the forefront. “I had a crazy idea for a business in my back pocket,” said Lindsey Dann Miller, 29, a designer who has been in the business for about 10 years. “And when the economy shifted I decided to put all my energy into it.” In January she started a site called formerfurniture.com, based in Los Angeles. On the site, she showcases a variety of designer and trade pieces that are slightly worn or have come directly from high-end furniture companies. Although Former Furniture ships anywhere, she buys only locally, for quality control. The pieces are inspected in person, photographed and put up for sale.

“I started the site with a handful of designer pieces and half of my own living room furniture, and I was shocked at the response,” she said. She now has close to 600 pieces on the site, including a Ralph Lauren queen-size bamboo bed valued at $2,400, and listed at $750, and an apothecary chest “once owned by a top-notch Hollywood TV and film producer” valued at $2,100 and listed at $1,000. Her sister Courtney Mack, 31, has come on as a partner to help her with the growing venture.

“The business offers designers a way to get rid of furniture that their clients aren’t interested in anymore with complete anonymity,” Ms. Miller said. “It’s possible to purchase pieces on the site for a third or even half of what people paid.”

Designer tag sales, pop-up stores, auctions and weekend events that mix shopping with picnics and cocktail parties are another way designers are reaching a different clientele. A recent Venice, Calif., designer tag sale attracted hundreds of people who paid $10 at the door to rub elbows with design-world stars and buy discards and extras from local designers. Anjelica Huston stopped by, and the free designer consultation area was packed all day.

Nathan Turner, 36, a Los Angeles-based interior designer, hosted a Spring Bazaar in June with a number of designers selling their wares and offering advice. “It was a way to bring a variety of people together to sell things at a lower price point, which is a real draw right now,” he said.

He noted that openness to change is essential. “If you’re not flexible right now, you’re simply being silly.” Clients who used to have their homes decorated by designers now prefer a consultant rather than a designer with an open-ended budget, he said.

Many designers have decided to stop worrying about what their peers think and simply focus on the client. Frank Fontana, 35, the HGTV host of “Design on a Dime,” runs a high-end interior design business, Frank Fontana Designs, in Chicago. He said other high-end designers looked down on him for his TV persona, snickering behind his back when shopping for expensive items at the Chicago Merchandise Mart and snubbing him at parties. “If you buy into it, you’ll be a goner,” he said.

“A lot of people in my position would never put themselves out there like I am, but again, we all get up in the morning and put our pants on one leg at a time,” he said. His tip to other designers: Do as much viral marketing as you can because it’s free. “That means blogging, Twittering, Facebooking and Myspacing your heart out,” he said.

Mr. Fontana is optimistic about the changes and believes that designers who try to connect with clients will do fine.

“I don’t buy into any sort of snobbery,” he said. “I don’t care what business you’re in, everyone is suffering. And if you get creative, this recession can make you a millionaire.”

By KIMBERLY STEVENS

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/garden/20decorators.html?pagewanted=1