Page 8 – Claire Jefford

Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray

Coventry Gray HC-169 by Benjamin Moore

You’ve heard about classics before but this truly is one of the classic grays by Benjamin Moore.

Although Coventry Gray is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historic Colour collection, you’d be amiss to think that it’s old or outdated. It’s anything but.

A versatile mid-tone gray it can be used in modern and traditional spaces. You can use it as a neutral or an accent colour – it looks amazing on kitchen islands!

In today’s colour review video of Coventry Gray by Benjamin Moore, I share:

The undertone
Colour comparisons in order to easily see the different undertones
Best white paint colours for the trim and ceilings
Beautiful colour combinations to inspire you for your decorating project

After you watch the video if you’d like all this information conveniently laid out for you in one place, look no further than my Coventry Gray Perfect Colour Palette.

A fantastic paint resource showing a total of 10 complementary colours to go with Coventry Gray. It’s a must-have digital download for any colour enthusiast or design professional.

As a Certified True Colour Expert and an award-winning interior design professional, I’ve worked with many homeowners on many residential design projects. I want to give you the confidence to make educated decisions about your own paint choices.

Let’s do this!

Undertone: blue

Coventry Gray is not super light nor is it a deep gray. I call it a true gray. Coventry Gray along with Stonington Gray are the two grays I show most to clients who are looking for a true gray.

I worked with a family on a home renovation where we used Stonington Gray in their eat-in kitchen. It looks amazing in this space.

It’s always important to remember that in a different light this gray could lean bluer or slightly warmer. How a colour appears on your walls is also dependent on the fixed elements and furnishings in the room it shares.

Colour Comparisons

Looking at the colour comparisons below will help give you a better idea of where Coventry Gray fits between two similar shades, one that is more green and the other that is more blue.

Fieldstone 1558 & Gray Owl OC-52

I always love to compare a paint colour with clients so that they can see the true tones. It’s often not until you have a colour side by side with similar shades that the tones become obvious.

Don’t miss this step when selecting your paint colours.

During a colour consultation, I make sure to show my large paint boards against different elements such as flooring, tile, and fabrics. I swap them out to show clients just how different similar colours can look next to the existing finishes they have in their home.

Best Whites To Pair With Coventry Gray

Chantilly Lace OC-65

Snowfall White OC-118

Decorator’s White OC-65

Again, all three of these whites would give a slightly different look when paired with Coventry Gray.

I tend to have around 10 white paint colours that are my best whites for trim and ceilings. You don’t need to look at the thousands of whites available to find the right one. And you definitely don’t need to mix two different whites or use only a certain percentage of paint colour to get the right one for you. The right colour is already out there for you, I promise!

I can assure you that the best colour for your project already exists, you just need to know the 5 Steps on how to choose the right paint colour the first time.

After you take a look at my fabulous colour combinations below, be sure to swing back here to see my most popular YouTube video about the Best Gray Paint Colours. Do I include Coventry Gray? You’ll have to read the post to find out!

Fabulous Colour Combinations

In the video, I selected three colours to pair with Coventry Gray. All three colours are from Benjamin Moore and can be found in my Perfect Colour Palette for Coventry Gray.

There are a total of 10 complementary colours to give you loads of options for creating gorgeous paint palettes that work amazingly with this light gray.

Coventry Gray is extremely versatile. It pairs well with neutrals, colours with similar tones, and those that offer amazing contrast.

Coventry Gray with Wedgewood Gray, Horizon & Flint

Wedgewood Gray HC-146

Horizon OC-53

Flint AF-560

Coventry Gray does look stunning against the dark blue-black of Flint.

If you like what you see in Coventry Gray but aren’t sure it’s the right gray for you, take a look at the beautiful paints I have put together in my Benjamin Moore’s Grays & Blue-Greens collection.

Coventry Gray is in there as well as 9 others. Definitely worth checking out.

What are your thoughts on Coventry Gray? I haven’t had the chance to use this colour yet, have you? Please comment below.

Convenience At Your Fingertips

All of the colour combinations shown above are included in my Perfect Colour Palette of Coventry Gray.

My Perfect Colour Palette library is expanding and I now have over 50 palettes to select from! Click here to see all of my Perfect Colour Palettes.

These are digital downloads for your convenience. I’ve printed all of mine and they have proven to be a very helpful resource for interior design consultations and to refer to for client projects.

If you want to get all my Benjamin Moore colour guides in one place, look no further than my Benjamin Moore Ultimate Collection. All 20 of my Benjamin Moore guides are in one handy collection.

Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!

Room images by Benjamin Moore Colour Viewer

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Full Custom Design Service

We offer Full Custom Design & Project Management as our top luxury interior design service.

Many interior design and decorating professionals aspire to work on these types of projects where they are in charge and can see a project right through to completion.

What does the Full Custom Design service look like and what are some of the Pros & Cons?

Read on to find out how we operate this type of service and what I believe are some of the important positives and negatives of working on projects of this nature.

Firstly though, it’s important to know what services you’ll offer when starting or running your own design firm. When I coach fellow design professionals I discuss with them these 3 key factors that I feel are crucial when determining which services to provide.

1. What are your business goals? It is not necessary to offer the same list of services that every designer you know does if they will not help you meet your business goals. Be faithful to your goals and build your services around achieving them.

2. Where are you in your personal life? Certain services may be more or less appealing depending on your personal situation.

Perhaps you are semi-retired or doing design on a part-time basis, or you have young or elderly family members to care for. Maybe you have just moved to a new city. There are so many different circumstances that will have a role in deciding which services will fit best for where you are in life.

3. You Do You! This is YOUR business. It is of no benefit to you to worry about what other people are doing or what they might think about how you run your business.

You do not need to convince others why the path you want to take is a good idea. Provide design and decorating services that excite YOU and make no excuses!

Custom living room design for our Oakville Clients. See the full project here.

If you haven’t already got your hands on my FREE Services and Pricing guide, with 12 pages, get it now to determine the best list of services to offer that will help you achieve your business goals.

Services & Rates Download

What is Full Custom Design Service?

Full Service, Custom Design and Project Management are two of the terms used to describe this type of service. Regardless of what you name it, for most, this is the top interior design service. I describe it as our elite service and tell clients that when they hire us for this service, they are MARRIED to me.

Full service means exactly that – Full service. There is no piecemeal to this type of service and the client needs to fully understand that they are handing over the reins to you, the interior design professional. You are the lead for this project and will see it through from beginning to end.

The client gets to sit back on this one (for the most part) while you organize everything and handle all the details. You will manage the trades, make selections and do all the purchasing. It will involve installations and typically white glove delivery service.

BTW, if you still don’t feel confident about managing your relationship with trades, you can get my How To Find Great Trades & Suppliers where I guide you in finding the right people and products for your business.

Lastly, there will be the Big Reveal upon completion!

See more images of this custom design living room.

Who’s likely to hire you for this type of Full Service Interior Design?

It is important to remember that this type of service is not for everyone. This is a tailor-made service for someone who has no time or frankly the inclination, to take on this type of project themselves.

In my experience, these clients are often busy working professionals who do not want to be involved in the day-to-day running of the project and they typically have a decent amount of money to invest for these services.

Homeowners seeking this service understand that this is your field of expertise, not theirs. Therefore, they want a beautiful space where the smallest detail will not go unchecked. Most clients who hire you for Custom Design and Project Management appreciate the incredible value you bring to the table and put their trust in your abilities.

See more of this custom design project from Claire Jefford Inc.

This part is critical…. don’t skip it.

Like all my services a signed contract is a must. I always review my contracts in person with my clients and request a retainer at the same time.

During the initial 2-hour consultation we have evaluated the needs of the client. We have also assessed the scope of their project. In doing so we’ve determined that Custom Design & Project Management is the most suitable service.

Learn more about what’s included here

I have a comprehensive and easily editable contract template specifically for my Custom Design & Project Management service. Included with it is a wonderful marketing tool. Use this outline to explain to your client how this service works. It will also assist in answering many of the most common FAQs.

If you have trouble articulating the value you bring to a project and the benefits of your services, this will help you immensely.

I also have helpful tips on best practices for how to conduct your first client meeting, including 5 Mistakes to Avoid at the Initial Consultation.

Photos by Stephani Buchman Photography.

Pros & Cons – Starting with the Pros

Committed Clients

Because clients of this type of full design service have invested in you and your abilities, they stick with you for the duration of the project. You have a dedicated client who will not shop you or be constantly looking over your shoulder. They have signed a contract stating all this and more.

In the beginning, it might be difficult to land the bigger custom design jobs with decent-sized budgets. In that case, Designer by Your Side services may be what you sell more of when you first start your business.

You Have More Control

If you like being in charge of a project then this may be the only service you offer past the initial consultation meeting. This client is putting their trust in you. In addition, they are giving you the creative freedom to see your vision through to completion.

There’s no confusion as to who’s dealing with what because you are dealing with everything. From scheduling and meeting with the trades to ordering furnishings and selecting finishes. There isn’t anything you are not on top of and people know who to come to should any issues arise.

That BEST Feeling of Satisfaction!

I believe the biggest pro is how rewarding it is to see the absolute joy on a client’s face at the big reveal! It’s fantastic when you see all your efforts and hard work come together in a stunning finished room.

Amazing Professional Photos

Following on from the previous pro is that you’ll likely get fabulous professional photos of the space to add to your interior design portfolio.

These images are great for showing future prospective clients your work. Also, for sharing on social media to broaden your reach. A range of professional photos is a fabulous asset for your business.

This custom project was in my hometown of Burlington.

With the positives come the negatives, here are some cons of this service.

You Must Be Super Organized

Because you are the lead on a Full Custom Design Project it’s imperative that you are super organized. You will have a lot of balls in the air at any given time and need to be able to manage them all. It starts with your processes from the time you sign the contract with the client. It continues through the design and planning stages all the way through to building, installation, and delivery.

If details aren’t your forte then you might not be suited to offer this type of service.

Oh the paperwork

Documentation is enormous and you will need to keep accurate records of all the incomings and outgoings. Quotes, invoices, emails. They can pile up quickly and you will need to file everything so that you have a complete paper trail if (when) you need it.

Headaches

Keep a bottle of aspirin handy as I can guarantee you, issues will arise!

When things go awry it all falls on you to sort out. If you don’t deal well with confrontations or the pressure of being the ‘fixer’ then you may need to rethink offering this service.

Ultimately, you are the person that must resolve problems that arise. From trades not showing up and dye-lot issues with the fabric to damaged furniture, it’s all up to you to resolve these problems that inevitably will arise.

The client is paying the big bucks for you to take on the headaches on their behalf. If this sounds all too overwhelming for you then you will either need to hire someone who will do this for your or stay clear of this type of design service altogether.

Do you currently offer this service or one similar? If you don’t, would you consider it?

I love hearing from all my fellow design and decorating professionals so please, comment below.

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More design contracts for your business:

Interior Design Quiz: Photoshoot Secrets

Who doesn’t love a quiz?! See if you can guess the answers to these interior design questions about our professional photoshoots and learn some trade secrets ‘Behind the Design’ about each project.

Believe me, when I say, photoshoots are way more work than you might expect. It can take up to 30 minutes and sometimes even an hour to get just one shot perfectly right.

Watch the quiz video below and TEST YOUR ID IQ!

HOW THE QUIZ WORKS:

You will see an image with a question above as its title. Below the image, there will be options for you to choose from. Some will be multiple choice and others may be True or False.

DON’T SCROLL DOWN TOO FAR BEFORE DECIDING ON YOUR ANSWER!

Once you think you know the answer, continue to scroll until all is revealed. Comment at the end to let us know how you did and what surprised you the most.

ARE YOU READY? LET’S DO THIS!

All photos by Stephani Buchman Photography.

1. We broke a leg on this coffee table during the photoshoot – True or False

TRUE.

We constantly move furniture and accessories during a photoshoot – a smidge here, a hair there, we need to find the perfect placement to get the right shot.

When my photographer pulled this table with one hand, dragging it along the rug just a few inches, the leg snapped. She got to keep the table and had to pay to replace it for our client.

She now has an assistant to help with photoshoots. It takes a village and we must be careful!

See more of this Oakville Client’s project here

2. What furnishings did we manipulate in this Toronto client’s walk in closet / lounge area for the shoot?

A. The settee against the wall

B. The black chair in front of the closet door

C. The artwork above the settee

D. All of the above

D. ALL OF THE ABOVE.

The settee was actually purchased from Homesense and was only used for the day of the shoot. We returned it immediately afterwards as the clients were not keen on keeping it in this space, even though we thought it worked really well!

Settee shown with no artwork above it.

We placed the black ‘Smoke’ chair opposite to face the settee which created a ‘conversational feel’.

However, in real life, the chair doesn’t make sense to be in front of the closet door – unless you absolutely hate all the clothes in your closet! Haha! But for the shoot, it was placed in the perfect spot.

link here to see the process of the chair set on fire!

The canvas above the settee was photoshopped in later to give us the option as to whether or not we wanted to use it when sharing photos. The canvas art is a photo of our client’s baby girl.

The canvas above the settee was added in later

On a side note, the wall and ceiling paint colour is a blue-green by Benjamin Moore called Gray Cashmere.

See the full project including a gorgeous all-white custom bathroom we designed here.

3. What’s wrong with this picture?
A. The artwork should be sitting directly on the fireplace mantle

B. The table is too close to the chair

C. The fireplace should not be on in professional photos

What’s wrong with this picture?

B. THE TABLE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE CHAIR.

In real life, the table would not be placed this close to the swivel chair. You would have no room for your legs if it was set up like this!

This custom accent swivel chair does not actually reside by the fireplace at all. However, it made for a lovely and cozy looking vignette with the fireplace in the background.

Below is another angle of this family room from the eat-in kitchen area where you can see how the chairs are actually positioned.

In addition, the artwork had not actually been hung before the shoot. My photographer added it in afterwards during the post-production phase.

The key is to ideally minimize post-production work like this where you can though, as this increases the price for the photography when more edits are required.

On a side note regarding the photographing of fireplaces, you should always have them on because they provide a relaxing ambience that people like.

4. What did my photographer have to add to this built in unit in my clients’ custom master bedroom during the post production process?
A. The TV, it hadn’t been installed prior to the shoot

B. The shelf below the TV

C. The hardware because it was on back order

Cloud White cabinetry with Revere Pewter walls

B. THE SHELF BELOW THE TV.

Despite having this in my rendering and in my original design, when I arrived on site after the installation, I noticed the shelf was not there.

Rendering of the built ins with shelf shown under the TV

My contractor said he didn’t think it was necessary and omitted it from the design. I was not overly happy and I explained that it was there to anchor the TV.

Here is the photo of what it looked like before we staged it and without the additional shelf.

My photo of the custom built in with no shelf below the TV

Needless to say, after this incident, I kindly asked my contractor to always speak with me first if there is ever something design-related that he feels is not required for whatever reason.

We are good friends again, so all is good. 🙂

See more of this custom principal bedroom project in my portfolio and learn details ‘behind the design’ here.

As an FYI, the wall colour is the always popular Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore.

5. Sometimes we reuse accessories for different photoshoots –
True or False?

Did we ever reuse these mannequin heads for another shoot?

TRUE.

In the image below you can see the mannequin heads in my Toronto client’s bedroom on their dresser.

Shown with 2 barn doors either side of the dresser with mannequin head accessories

They actually bought me one of these heads after we worked together because I told her that I really like them. I then used this same accessory in my daughter’s bedroom for another photoshoot.

So, how did you do? Comment below to share your results and tell me if you want more quiz blogs!

Did you realize how much goes into a photoshoot? Did any answers surprise you?

Perfect Colour Palettes

There’s nothing like a perfectly curated colour palette to bring a home’s décor together flawlessly. But knowing how to coordinate colours can be confusing and overwhelming.

We’ve created Perfect Colour Palettes to help you confidently select the best colour for your home, and then see which trim, ceiling, and accent colours pair well with your selected colour.

Our Perfect Colour Palette library now has 40 paint colours from 3 top paint companies; Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball.

An amazing resource for your next design or decorating project.

If you love quizzes, be sure to take my colour quiz to find your PERFECT PAINT PALETTE AND MATCHING ACCESSORY IDEAS!

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Designer By Your Side Service

Designer By Your Side is a service that is growing in popularity in our industry. It’s a service I have been offering since I started my business over 10 years ago.

3 Factors to Consider First

Before I delve into what exactly Designer By Your Side looks like, I want to emphasize three key things you MUST consider before establishing your menu of services.

1. What are your business goals? Do not follow the pack when creating your list of services. Be faithful to your goals and build your services around achieving them.

2. What is your personal situation? Certain services may be more or less appropriate depending on your personal situation. Perhaps your design business is only a part-time gig or you have young or elderly family members to care for. This may mean full custom design projects are a bit more challenging to handle at the moment, but smaller time block services are ideal.

3. You Do You! Do not worry about what other people are doing or what they might think about how you run your business. It’s not your job to convince others why the path you want to take is a good idea. You don’t need approval from anyone to run your business as you see fit. Provide design and decorating services that excite YOU and make no excuses!

Download the Services & Rates guide here

What is Designer By Your Side service?

It can go by several names. I have heard it referred to as ‘Designer On Call’ or ‘Designer On Demand’. When I first started out I called this type of service ‘As and When You Need Me’.

I prefer Designer by Your Side as it doesn’t imply that I will be there at the drop of a hat.

For this type of service I work side-by-side with my clients, guiding them through the process of their renovation or interior decorating project. I have set this service up as a minimum of 20 hours.

You could do less, but I suggest you do not go below 10 hours for this type of service. If you are going to offer anything less than 10 hours, you should defer to Designer for a Day Services.

My policy of requiring payment upfront holds true for this service. Before I begin my working relationship with my client, I will have invoiced them for the 20 hours and already received payment.

You could start with 50%, just be sure to have at least partial payment up front prior to initiating any interior design services.

Like all my services a signed contract is a must. I always review my contracts in person with my clients and request a retainer at the same time.

Learn more about what’s included here

I have an easily editable and comprehensive contract template specifically for my Designer By Your Side service.

Included is a wonderful marketing tool that you can use to explain in detail this service and answer many of the most common FAQs.

It’s a fantastic way to sell them on the advantages and benefits of hiring you for this service.

Pros & Cons

Great for New Designers

This is a great service for those starting out. So, if you are new to the business, I’m especially talking to you here!

In the beginning, it can be hard to land the huge custom design jobs with decent sized budgets, so this is a wonderful alternative.

Get Your Foot in the Door

Point #1 leads nicely into this next pro – it’s a great way to get your foot in the door. You start by helping out a client with a smaller project, gain their trust and show your value, and often it can lead to getting signed up for a future bigger project.

I know this to be true in my own experience but have heard similar stories from several designers during a recent WIDWIL (What I Did and What I Learned). This is a live show in my private Facebook Group called Interior Design Business Strategies.

Don’t be too quick to say no to these small jobs, as you just never know where it could lead! You may lose out on a potentially larger project if you do.

Experience is Everything

Another important Pro is the experience you will gain. By working on more of these ‘Designer By Your Side’ projects you will quickly gain valuable experience. Lots of different projects mean lots of diverse experiences. All of which will put you in good stead for when you begin to tackle Full-Service projects.

Flexibility and Less Responsibility

In addition to experience, Designer By Your Side offers an incredible amount of flexibility. Depending on your personal situation, which I touched on earlier, you may not be able to commit to 6 months or a year for a major renovation project. However, a 20-hour project assisting a homeowner work through the process of renovating their kitchen might be a perfect fit for your schedule.

Build Your Reviews

Don’t think you can’t ask for reviews where you’ve worked on projects with clients for Designer by Your Side Services? You absolutely can and you SHOULD!

Reviews are everything. I’ll even ask for a testimonial for ‘working design sessions’ because I always aim to ROCK the Initial Consultation. No matter what a client hires us for, my goal is to always bring the MOST value to their project.

We charge well for our initial consultation meetings and never hold back in sharing our ideas and bests advice. I recommend you do the same, it will feel great and can pay off in dividends over time in different ways.

Profitability

The last Pro is huge. Are you listening? Check it out! Designer By Your Side can be an awesome moneymaker for your business.

In less than 10 months we have provided this service to three different clients and through hours worked alone, we have billed over $30k. That is not including any sale of products!

So don’t write this service off completely if you’ve been doubtful that there is money to be made. I wouldn’t be sharing all of this with you if I didn’t think it could help increase the bottom line in your business.

With all that said you might be wondering if there are any Cons? Yes, there are. So here we go…

Limited Control

The biggest Con for many interior designers will be that they don’t have full control over the project. If you prefer being in the driver’s seat for the duration of a project, then you will likely struggle with this type of service where clients tend to be more hands-on.

Piecemeal is Real

Because clients are more involved, they may also like to shop and source for items on their own. So rather than you creating a vision and showing them a full design presentation, the design may come together in pieces.

I appreciate this is not ideal and can be frustrating, which is why I’m highlighting it here for you as a Con to the Designer by Your Side service.

Not Getting to the Finish Line

This type of service may also mean that you will not always take a project to the finish line. Therefore not having the option to get those professional photos of the completed space at the end.

HOWEVER, I would like to make a little side note here to say that in my own business I have worked on many projects in this capacity and have got photos for my portfolio.

While I may not have always been the one ordering materials and all furnishings, nor managing the trades, I worked very closely with my clients and was able to get some fantastic photos when the projects were complete.

The images below and others throughout this blog post are all examples of projects where we were hired for our Designer by Your Side service.

Do you currently offer this service or one similar? If you don’t, would you consider it? Love hearing input from others so please comment below.

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Benjamin Moore – Soft Chamois

Soft Chamois OC-13 by Benjamin Moore

What a lovely, warm neutral. Benjamin Moore’s Soft Chamois has a beautiful lightness to it, a wonderful colour for traditional and modern rooms.

In today’s colour review video of Soft Chamois I share:

The undertone of my featured colour
Colour comparisons in order to easily see the different colour tones
Best white paint colours for the trim and ceilings
Beautiful colour combinations to inspire you for your decorating project

If you would like all the information I discuss in the video plus additional colours to pair with Soft Chamois, I have the perfect companion. Take a look at my Perfect Colour Palette. A must-have for any colour enthusiast or design professional.

As a Certified True Colour Expert and an award-winning interior design professional, I’ve worked with many homeowners on various residential design projects. I want to give you the confidence to make educated decisions about your own paint choices. Let’s do this!

Soft Chamois Colour Review

Undertone: Greige

This off-white colour may appear more beige or more gray in colour depending on the lighting and what other decorative elements you pair with it in your interior decorating project. Looking at the colour comparisons below will help give you a better idea of where Soft Chamois fits.

Colour Comparisons

Classic Gray OC-23 & Ballet White OC-9

Classic Gray is another fantastic neutral that I have used in a previous client’s project. This is an extremely popular soft gray that looks amazing in so many spaces. Because of its’ popularity, I have already reviewed this colour. You can find the review here. Another great option to consider if you’re thinking of a beautiful neutral for your next painting project.

Best Whites To Pair With Soft Chamois

Snowfall White OC-118 by Benjamin Moore

Simply White OC-117 by Benjamin Moore

Chantilly Lace OC-65 by Benjamin Moore

I tend to have around 10 white paint colours that are my best whites for trim and ceilings. You don’t need all of the thousands of whites available to you to get the right one and you definitely don’t need to mix two different whites or use only a certain percentage of paint colour to get the right one for you.

White trim and ceiling paint colour comparison

I can assure you that the best colour for your project already exists, you just need to know 5 Steps on how to choose the right paint colour the first time.

Soft Chamois pairs beautifully with each of these whites, offering three subtly different looks.

Fabulous Colour Combinations

I went for a very natural palette today that reminds me of the beach and different shades of natural stones. But of course, you can pair Soft Chamois with bolder and contrasting colours as well.

Soft Chamois with Wind’s Breath, Gray Owl, Edgecomb Gray & Pashmina

To see 10 amazing complementary colours to Soft Chamois check out my Perfect Colour Palette.

These digital downloads give you inspiration for putting a palette together of fabrics, tiles, flooring, and other decorative elements that will work wonderfully with Soft Chamois.

Wind’s Breath OC-24 by Benjamin Moore

Gray Owl OC-52 by Benjamin Moore

Gray Owl is another popular gray that I have reviewed. Read here and see if this slightly richer gray might be the colour for you.

Edgecomb Gray HC-173 by Benjamin Moore

My clients and I have a real thing for gorgeous, rich neutrals. Both Edgecomb Gray and Pashmina are colours I have previously done reviews on.

Pashmina AF-100 by Benjamin Moore

Convenience At Your Fingertips

All of the colour combinations shown above are included in my Perfect Colour Palette for Soft Chamois.

Soft Chamois is also included in my Benjamin Moore Whites and Neutrals Collection. A curated collection of 10 of the most popular neutrals from Benjamin Moore.

My Perfect Colour Palette library is expanding and I now have 50 paint colours to select from. Click here to see all of them.

All 20 of my Benjamin Moore paint guides are conveniently found in my Benjamin Moore Ultimate Collection.

Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!

Room image by Benjamin Moore Colour Viewer

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Simply Answer the Question

How do you answer the following question: ‘Can you give me a trade referral?’

Do you simply provide a helpful answer or do you immediately go on the defense thinking this person is trying to bypass you to get something for free?

This similar style of question comes up periodically in my FREE private Facebook group, Interior Design Business Strategies.

It could be asked by an acquaintance, a close friend, or perhaps even a past client who is doing some minor decorating in their home.

In this specific instance, a woman reached out to an interior designer and was looking for a seamstress to make her some new window treatments. She had the fabric, knew what style she was after, and had all the measurements.

Would you have helped this person out and simply answered their question to offer a helpful resource?

It can be a touchy subject in our industry, after all, finding reputable trades isn’t easy and this is a bonus of working with an interior design professional.

In today’s video, I share a wonderful response to this question from my good friend, podcaster extraordinaire, and top businesswoman, LuAnn Nigara.

Watch the video to hear some great advice on how to respond professionally to this type of question.

Answer the question, nothing more.

We all appreciate getting a quick, direct, and sincere answer from an expert or professional. You should keep that in mind when replying to situations where the roles are reversed.

Do not go into this by lecturing the person on why they need to hire you to carry out this job, instead simply answer their question and help them out if you can.

Understand the reason for the question

As design and decorating professionals we should never jump to conclusions. Try to find out why the question is being asked in the first place and get more information about what it is exactly that they need.

Maybe they feel their small project is not worth your time. Others might feel that not every decision around home décor requires hiring a designer, but they still value your opinion. There are so many scenarios it’s worth taking a moment to find out.

You never know where it might lead

Helping someone out by simply answering the question posed to you may have the potential to lead to more…then again, maybe it doesn’t. What’s the harm in offering some helpful advice? They came to you because they view you as an expert, that’s gotta count for something!

Imagine how many potential clients never even reach out to you because they aren’t looking for a full custom design service with project management. For some designers, their business model is full-service design only, so I totally appreciate that’s not a concern for them.

But we know there are others who enjoy smaller projects versus the ones that take months and sometimes years to complete. These smaller jobs can often lead to larger projects in the future and are why I offer Designer by Your Side services.

If you don’t share your trades’ information, I totally get that! But it doesn’t mean you can’t offer some helpful insight into where they can look to find someone who might assist them.

For example, if someone was looking for a painter and mine only worked for me and other designers, then I would suggest they go to a local paint store like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams. These companies often have a wall with business cards of local painters.

I would also let them know that I have loads of colour review posts that are loaded with a ton of helpful painting advice.

I could also send them a link to my Free downloads about choosing paint colours.

Now I’ve not only given them an option of where to find a painter, but I’ve also provided some extremely helpful resources to help them solve their problem and potentially gained a new subscriber to my email list! It’s a win-win!

Simply answering a question with some helpful advice could have the potential to lead to a future project and working relationship. And even if it doesn’t, it just feels good to be kind and forthcoming with your expertise when you can.

Next time a friend or acquaintance asks for the name of a trade resource, what will your response be? Comment below and share your thoughts on this topic.

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Farrow & Ball Railings

Railings No.31 by Farrow & Ball

A soft black by Farrow & Ball, Railings is more blue than black and offers a stunning richness to any room.

If you’re new here, welcome! Below you will see what I cover in every colour review post.

In this colour review video of Railings by Farrow & Ball, I share:

The undertone of my featured colour
Colour comparisons in order to easily see the different colour tones
Best white paint colours for the trim and ceilings
Beautiful colour combinations to inspire you for your decorating project

After you watch the video if you would like all the information discussed conveniently in one place with a total of 10 gorgeous Farrow & Ball paint colours to use with Railings take a look at my Perfect Colour Palette.

This helpful digital download can be printed off and used as inspiration to create the perfect flow for your next interior design or decorating project.

Railings Colour Review Video

Undertone: blue

This stunning colour is a fantastic alternative to black. Depending on the lighting and other decorative elements you pair with it, Railings can transform rooms into a dramatic interior space.

The colour of your trim and ceilings will also affect how Railings appears in your space. And we must not forget the finish selection – high gloss would make a commanding front door entrance!

As you can see below, it’s when we start to look at comparisons to other colours, that we can get a true idea of Railings’ shade and tone.

Dining Room Walls in Railings by Farrow & Ball

Colour Comparisons

Pitch Black No.256 & Hague Blue No.30

It’s only when we compare colours that we can truly understand the tones and whether they lean more one way or another on the colour spectrum.

When I do Colour Consultations in a client’s home, I am always comparing colours so they too can easily see the differences.

When I hold my large paint boards up to decorative elements such as fabrics, wallpaper, or subway tile and then swap out one board with another board, it becomes much clearer as to which colour will work best.

Above I show you a comparison with Hague Blue of which I’ve done a previous colour review. It’s a fantastic colour and I hope to use it on a project in the near future.

Bedroom Walls in Railings by Farrow & Ball

Best Whites To Pair With Railings

Strong White No. 2001 By Farrow & Ball

All White No.2005 By Farrow & Ball

Wevet No.273 By Farrow & Ball

I mentioned in the video the differences in the 3 whites I chose to pair with Railings for trim and ceilings.

It may have been difficult to see the contrast between the three whites but it’s more obvious below how Wevet has a slight pink /violet undertone and Strong White is what many would call a neutral as opposed to a true white.

All look stunning with Railings but it’s important to be aware of the different looks you would get with each.

I can assure you that the best colour for your project already exists, you just need to know the 5 Steps on how to choose the right paint colour the first time. With this free download, you will also get my Farrow & Ball paint finishes guide!

Bedroom Walls in Railings by Farrow & Ball

Fabulous Colour Combinations

Railings with Peignoir, Manor House Gray & Mole’s Breath

Peignoir No.286 By Farrow & Ball

Manor House Gray No.265 By Farrow & Ball

Mole’s Breath No.276 By Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball Paint Collection

If you love Farrow & Ball paint and want more inspiration for your next home decorating project, take a look at our Farrow & Ball Classic Collection.

With ten popular paint colours from F&B, plus ten coordinating colours to choose from for each featured colour, the options for gorgeous paint palettes are limitless!

See all the colours in my collection that are immediately available for download now!

Convenience At Your Fingertips

All of the colour combinations shown above plus more options for you to choose from are included in my Perfect Colour Palette for Railings.

My Perfect Colour Palette library is expanding and I now have over 50 palettes to select from! Click below to see all of them.

Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!

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Get Paid Up Front

Oh my goodness, why am I still hearing so much chatter in my Facebook group and on social media about designers having to chase clients for payments?!!

It is my #1 piece of advice: ‘GET PAID UP FRONT.’

This means for all of your services: From your initial consultation and ongoing design services, to the purchasing of products.

Why? Why? Why?

I’m on a bit of a rant once again and in today’s video, asking this hard-hitting question; ‘Why are you not charging ahead of time for your services and for products?’

Before any services are performed or products are ordered, you should be getting paid.

We have built this important step into our streamlined processes and it’s something we inform potential clients of during the Discovery Call.

It’s about building trust and a professional relationship. We require our clients to pay for the initial consultation fee up front as this confirms their booking on our calendar.

Our clients can then see that we have organized processes and this demonstrates that both parties are committed to working together on their design project.

And this process continues, should a client wish to sign up for any one of our services past the initial consultation.

When we review any of our contract agreements, we detail our fee schedule so that everything is clear and easy to understand.

Help me understand

I am not trying to make anyone feel bad here, I am simply trying to understand why this is still a regular occurrence with interior design business owners.

Perhaps you are lacking the confidence to have those all-important money conversations with clients? Are you new to the industry? Perhaps you have never experienced chasing a client for outstanding payments and as a result, this hasn’t been an issue for you?

If you want to avoid that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach as you chase overdue payments, see here how I can help you get more confidence and Claire-ity.

Always remember that you are running a business. You have your own bills and expenses to pay. You should never be out of pocket. Period.

Plus, the GOOD clients appreciate you more for it, I promise!

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Farrow & Ball Drop Cloth

Drop Cloth No. 283 By Farrow & Ball

A gorgeous muted neutral from Farrow & Ball, Drop Cloth is neither too yellow nor too gray.

If you’re new here, welcome! Below you will see what I cover in every colour review post.

In this colour review video of Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball, I share:

The undertone of my featured colour
Colour comparisons in order to easily see the different colour tones
Best white paint colours for the trim and ceilings
Beautiful colour combinations to inspire you for your decorating project

After you watch the video, if you would like all this information conveniently laid out for you in one place and have even more paint colour combinations to use with Drop Cloth, take a look at my new Perfect Colour Palette.

A must-have for any colour enthusiast or design professional.

Drop Cloth Colour Review Video

Undertones: Yellow/Gray

This subdued gray/beige paint may lean towards one colour more than the other depending on the lighting and what other decorative elements you pair with it in your interior decorating project.

The colour of your trim and ceilings will also affect how Drop Cloth appears in your space, more beige or more gray.

As you can see below, it’s when we start to look at comparisons to other colours, that it becomes very eye-opening.

Colour Comparisons

Elephant’s Breath No.229 & Pavilion Gray No.242

When you look at a colour side by side with similar shades the differences become much more apparent. Elephant’s Breath, another gorgeous neutral by Farrow & Ball, has a pink undertone and Pavilion Gray definitely has a more gray undertone when compared to Drop Cloth.

It’s only when we compare colours that we can truly understand the tones and whether they lean more one way or another on the colour spectrum.

When I do Colour Consultations in a client’s home, I am always comparing colours so they too can easily see the differences.

When I hold my large paint boards up to a decorative element such as fabrics, wallpaper, or subway tile and then swap out one board with another board, it becomes much clearer as to which colour will work best.