This Is Not Your Grandmother's Interior Design Service
After sharing a little bit of my story a couple of weeks ago about who I am and how I got started in the interior decorating world, I thought it would be a good time to follow that post up with a deeper dive into Mix & Match's philosophy and goals. I want you, my dear readers, clients, and friends, to get to know why this business exists and why I'm so passionate about making interior design accessible to everybody.
An alternate title to this post could have been Interior Design For the Rest of Us, because that's exactly what I'm trying to do here with Mix & Match, but I decided to stick with the slightly more offensive one (sorry grandmas out there! I mean no harm.). I want to prove to you that you don't have to make millions of dollars to get the insights of an interior designer and make your home beautiful.
Before we dive in though, if you missed the post titled, "Hello. It's Me." - you might want to start there, then come back over here and continue reading. :) That post covers the more personal side of my background and how I got started, and today we'll get into more about the business side!
If this is your first time on the site, welcome! As a quick intro, Mix & Match Design Company offers affordable one-on-one e-design services along with (free!) design advice, tips, and inspiration through the blog and social media outlets like Instagram and Pinterest. Developing and growing each part of the business brings me such joy - I'm grateful to be running a company that suits my gifts and talents so well.
Let's get started!
WHY DID YOU START MIX & MATCH WHEN THERE ARE PLENTY OF INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES OUT THERE?
Simply put, it was a combination of realizing that there was a whole, huge group of folks who weren't being reached by the traditional interior designer, and the fact that I believe everyone should live in a space they love, that inspires them, and that feels like home. My goal was to create a company that would help "normal" people create spaces they're proud of, which is why my tagline reads affordable and approachable interior design services for everyone. I wanted to be able to help the busy young professional, the couple who just got married and is creating a new life together, the DIY-er, the person who just bought her first home, the family with rambunctious young kiddos, and so many others who value a beautiful, welcoming home, but don't know how to make it happen. E-design (my one-on-one service), the Mix & Match blog, and social media are my primary methods of serving these folks.
WHAT IS E-DESIGN, AND WHY GO THAT ROUTE INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL IN-PERSON MODEL?
E-design is a tech-enabled, all virtual design service - that's right, I never go to your house! This flat-fee service is carried out primarily through email and the occasional FaceTime or phone call. I provide a design plan, and you implement it when you're ready. This type of service gives folks all over the world access to great design services at an affordable rate. There are a few main advantages to working this way:
- COST. The model provides simple and straightforward design services at a fraction of the cost of a traditional interior designer.
- EFFICIENCY. It's convenient and efficient for both the client and me, the designer. Since everything is conducted primarily through email, we can work on the design when it's convenient for you, which is perfect for folks with limited time or long work hours. Your time and mine are both valuable, and I want to make sure we're using it well!
- STRAIGHTFORWARD. There are no hidden costs. A single fee, paid upfront is all I'll ever ask for from you.
- YOUR TIMING. You can make furniture and decor purchases on your timeframe. I provide the design and an itemized shopping list, and then you're free to shop when you're ready - you're in the driver's seat.
- FOR EVERYONE. E-design allows me to be an "equal opportunity" designer when it comes to the size and spend of the project. Many designers turn down smaller-budget projects because their business is based on markups on furniture and decor. Whether you've got $1,000 or $10,000 to spend, I charge the same flat fee per room, and you pay retail prices on items. I may earn a small commission on your purchase through affiliate links, but this doesn't affect what you pay.
WHY WRITE THE BLOG IN ADDITION TO OFFERING THE ONE-ON-ONE E-DESIGN SERVICE?
I love to educate, I love writing, and I love to cultivate community! I realize that not everyone needs or wants individualized design services, but they still want to learn how to decorate well, and be inspired along the way. I want to point people in the direction of well-designed furniture and decor that suits all budgets (hello, Best Of series!). The blog provides an outlet for all of those things, and it allows me to foster a community who understands and believes in the importance of creating a home they love. It's meant to be interactive, so feel free to leave a comment or ask a question!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STYLES TO DESIGN?
My favorites are all mashups of a couple of styles - cozy modern, mid-century eclectic, and modern farmhouse. I didn't name the company Mix & Match for nothin'! On the whole, I gravitate toward rooms with clean lines, a light and airy feel, and loads of texture. I want them to feel lived in, but not cluttered.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU OUTSIDE OF THE BLOG?
All over! My favorite places to hang out are Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up for at the bottom of this post! You'll get monthly updates on what's going on in the Mix & Match world, along with insider tips and information.
That's all I have to share with you today, friends! Deep down, I believe that having a home you love is an incredibly important part of having a happy, joyful life. Notice that I didn't say it had to be perfect or immaculately curated - it's more about the feeling you get when you walk in the door. Your home should make you smile and make you proud.
I hope that today's words gave you a little bit of insight into why I'm so passionate about my business, and that it resonated with you in some way! If you're ready to get started on that one-on-one e-design project, or if you have a design topic you'd like for me to cover here on the blog, feel free to contact me, or connect with me on Instagram!