Contracting an Interior Designer is a great way to make sure your expensive décor is tasteful, works together as a whole, and that you have the widest selection of furnishings, fabrics, and fixtures. Many resources are available “to the trade only” that are not available to the retail public. One of Designers’ most valuable functions is as general contractor for decorating, handling specifications, scheduling, shipping, and installation. People with busy lives find it much easier to work with an Interior Designer and Architect than to handle all the details of building and furnishing themselves.
That said, Designers increasingly find the savvy client asking to purchase furnishings themselves, hiring the Designer only for the actual design. Thus the customer takes on much of the role of the Designer, caught up in the inevitable hassles of scheduling, shipping, installation, and returns. This alternative model for using Designers does expand the potential customer base for Designers. It also forces the Designer to change their fee structure to charge enough for the design itself if they are no longer able to up charge the customer for furnishings and installation services.
As a manufacturer, The Buffalo Collection works with both Designers and the public. We specialize in American Buffalo leather furniture and home accessories. American buffalo hides are purchased in the Midwest, tanned in Mexico, and built into furniture by Hancock & Moore in Hickory NC. Furniture designs are from ranch tradition and western Designers. Local skilled artisans enhance our designs with braiding and appliqué trapunto coming from Western handcraft traditions of rein-making and leatherwork.
The Buffalo Collection works with both Interior Designers and direct retail customers. Price levels are set at wholesale for Designers and at retail. We are in the process of placing furniture vignettes in 20 showrooms across the country (7 are currently in place today). Prices to these showrooms are set at the wholesale level and they mark up to their retail price. Our website supports both price levels and can be accessed by certified Designers using an access code.
We are seeing the value of displaying a Scenic Mesa Style in putting together a complete room setting, including furniture, rugs, tables, and lamps. Local artisans work with our designer to develop complimentary pieces using material endemic to the American West. Understanding that Designers are always on the lookout for new resources, we are happy to work with them in selecting furniture pieces to fulfill their requirements and encourage them to consider the complimentary items we have found as well.
Want to talk more? Contact me at 970/872-3548 or julie@scenicmesa.com.
Julie Littlefield
The Buffalo Collection at Scenic Mesa, owner
