Services

HOME CONSULTATION

Here is where you and I have an opportunity to get acquainted.  You can learn more about my services and I can get a clear understanding of what you want in outdoor furniture.

I understand that you may have a foggy idea or have formulated a less than precise vision of your needs because there are so many choices available.  Don't sweat it!   There is a solution for everyone and every imaginable taste and we will find one for you. 

The consultation is a great time for me to answer any questions you may have.   I recommend that you write down any questions that come to mind between the time the consultation is scheduled and the time we meet. 

Having your questions and thoughts organized during the consultation raises the level of its efficiency and should help you and I come to a relatively quick agreement as to how to proceed.

This period is also a great opportunity for you to do some research on your own behalf.  There are many resource on the internet at your disposal and I can probably recommend a few of which you may not be aware once we meet.

If, for any reason during the consultation, I do not have an answer immediately at hand, I will get that information back to you within twenty-four hours.

My main goal during the consultation is to congeal a mutually agreed pre-purchase decision.  You are an integral part of the decision making process and the more you can contribute during the consultation the better!

Of course, it is my hope that you will allow me to be your purchase agent to make your outdoor lifestyle vision a reality!

SELECTION AND PLACEMENT

Selecting the actual product is, for many, the most daunting task in purchasing high end outdoor furniture.  There are many products available and many choices and options lay ahead of you. 

To borrow from a overused cliche, it is often difficult "to see the forest from the trees" regarding the purchase of the ideal furniture piece or set.

Let's look at just a few elements to be aware of in the selection process. and questions you may want to ask.

Integration

• How will the furniture pieces I select integrate naturally into the chosen outdoor space?
• Are there styles themes already present in the outdoor space.?

Environment

• Is the outdoor space condusive to the furniture pieces I have selected?
• What is the ambient temperature of the outdoor space?
• Are there external sources of heat ( or cold)  near or in the outdoor space?
• Is there high salinity in the local atmosphere?
• Is the outdoor space arid or humid?
• What is the local diurnal variance in temperature and humidity?

Structural Materials

• Should I buy wood, metal or resin weave based furniture piece?
• How does the local environment affect each?
• What is the longevity of each?
• Is tubular metal better than solid metal?
• Is wicker superior to rattan?
• What types of wood are best suited to my outdoor space?

Color

• Should I select color based on the my house theme or landscaped elements?
• Which colors are best suited to various wood hues and grains?
• Is it OK to "mix 'n match" colors amongst various selected pieces?
• How does the local outdoor space ambient lighting or albedo affect my color selection decision?

Fabrics

• What fabrics are best suited to my outdoor space?
• Which fabrics hold up best in direct sunlight?
• Which fabrics are mold resistant?
• Should I use natural fibers?
• I have heard of Sunbrella, what it is?

Patterns

• What patterns are available?
• Does the pattern I selected have longevity?
• Is it better to have a monochromatic pattern?
• Do solid colored fabrics last longer than patterned fabrics?

Style

• Are there designer series available?
• Which designers work with which manufacturers?
• I have selected a style I love but does it work well with my outdoor space?
• How long should I expect a style to remain fashionable?

Craftsmanship

• How can I verify the quality and craftsmanship of the furniture I have selected?
• I saw a similar furniture piece at Costco for one third the price.  Is there really that much of a difference in quality?
• How can I tell the difference between a "slug" weld and a good weld?
• Should I worry about how the environment affects my outdoor furniture if it is under a lifetime warranty?

Warranty

• Does a "lifetime warranty" really mean my outdoor furniture is warrantied for life?
• Do different vendors offer better ( or worse) warranties?
• How can I prevent voiding my warranty?

Care and Maintenance

• How do I best protect my investment in outdoor furniture?
• Are there industry specific cleaners or solvents I should use on my outdoor furniture?
• Are there cheaper alternatives?
• How often should I clean my outdoor furniture?
• How stain resistant are the typical fabrics used?
• How often will I need to replace cushions?

Given the questions above, do you think you are ready to make an informed purchase decision?  If not, I can help you make it through the sometimes arduous furniture selection and placement process.

PRICE POINT NEGOTIATION

"A fool and his money are soon parted."
 ~ Thomas Tusser

A timeless proverb and one that could not be more appropriate when negotiating on the purchase of outdoor furniture.

As a long time industry insider, I understand the pressures and influences on the salesperson or store manager facing you across the table.

A good salesperson can "read you like a book" the moment you walk into a showroom floor.  Basing his or her sales strategy on experience, a bit of psychology, body language and often basic intuition, a talented salesperson can sometimes move you in a direction you realized you didn't really want to go.  Usually, and unfortunately, that realization happens a long time after the "close' has been accomplished and you've found a little spare time to contemplate just what happened on the showroom floor.

By definition a negotiation is a discussion intended to produce an agreement.  In your case, an agreement on how much you are willing to pay for the furniture you want.  But is this "discussion" taking place on a level playing field?  Ever?

Do you know the margins, discounts and cost reductions in place before you sit down at a table to negotiate with someone who does?

Understand that most deals "go south" on customers due to omission rather than explicit deception.  Understand further, that typically a customer is unaware of just how much they overpaid.

One could argue about the ethics of such negotiating tactics ad nauseum but the "bottom line" is simply this:

The retailer acts in his or her self interest and to that end, all is fair in love and furniture selling.

After all, this is America and there's very little that is not, ultimately, for sale.

In short, it is most often what is not said during the negotiation that allows customers to pay more than necessary to bring home the furniture they desire.

I have been that person facing you across the table and I know the difference between how low the retailer wishes to go and how low they can really go.

A retailer's cost per item sold is dependent on many variables but one of the most influential is the variance of cost due bulk purchasing.

Ask yourself a simple question next time a salesperson says they are selling something "at cost":

Why sell it at all if no profit is to be made?  Strictly speaking, a product's cost to the retailer can rarely be reduced to an absolute value so when a salesperson pitches this line to you, be aware of what it actually means which, in this case, is not too much.  

In truth, saying an item is "at cost" is not really being deceptive.  Omitting that the cost is actually much lower due to a bulk wholesale purchase or other mitigating circumstance is not unethical either because, regardless of that particular item's cost to the retailer, from their perspective, it is all a negotiation.

From an accounting perspective, the vendor must make a profit or there's not much sense in being in business at all.  The wholesale cost of an item is just one of many "costs" the retailer incurs and it all influences what is discussed when negotiating on high end outdoor furniture.

It is important that you understand that there is enough cost variability in the industry and that the sales margins are typically wide enough, that a knowledgeable and savvy negotiator can substantially reduce the amount you would be, otherwise, willing to pay to get what you want.

I am that savvy and knowledgeable insider working on your behalf to level the playing field at the negotiating table.

DELIVERY MANAGEMENT

"How much of human life is lost in waiting"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Has something like this happened to you?

Okay, so you've made your purchase and you've been told by the attentive sales staff that your order will be placed expeditiously.  You are initially satisfied with the promise of a delivery that will arrive in time for the social event you'll be hosting in less than a month.

A week goes by and you haven't heard anything from the retailer about the status of your order so you decide to call to get an update.  A salesperson graciously receives your request and assents to getting the status on your order and will call you back as soon as they are done helping another customer.  You take their name and hang-up.  A few hours later, you've heard nothing
so you call back.  This time, another salesperson answers the phone and informs you that person to whom you spoke earlier has already left for the day.  You look at your watch and it says 3:20pm. 

A little suprised but undaunted, you repeat your request for a status on your to the new salesperson and, again, he or she is extremely accommodating and tells you to just wait on the line for a few minutes while they look it up on the computer.  A few minutes pass and the salesperson comes back to the phone and informs you that the order was just placed that morning and that there is no other current status yet to which they can refer.

A bit confused you inquire as to why the delay as to placing the order.  The salesperson is apologetic but without answer and suggests that perhaps you should speak to the sales manager.  Unfortunately, the sales manager is at the warehouse this afternoon and will not be available until tomorrow morning.  You respond with a sigh and tell the salesperson that you will call back first thing in the morning.

Morning arrives the next day and you call.  A answering service tells you that the all of the staff are currently helping other customers or are on the phone but will gladly take a message.  You have already explained your request twice and are getting a bit impatient but decide to repeat it again.  The answering service takes all your information and says someone will call you back shortly.  Twenty minutes go by, and lo and behold, you get a phone call.  The salesperson explains to you that the sales manager has left on vacation and will not be available for the next ten days but they would be glad to help you.

You get the drift.

Why bother with this hassle if it's unnecessary?

Let me be your single point of contact to dedicate the time, patience and persistence to making the inquiries and getting your status updates to you promptly.

You will receive updates from me via any one or all of the methods listed below based on your preference:

• E-mail
• Instant Messenger
• Phone
• Internet (Coming soon!)

You will always know "exactly" where your order is current located in the shipping and delivery cycle.

Once your furniture is received locally and queued in the retailer's warehouse, you will be, again, notified.

At this point, I will re-confirm with the retailer  that all of your purchased items are accounted for at the warehouse and, if not, follow through on pressing for a quick resolution.

I will assume responsibility for scheduling and managing the transport of the furniture to your residence and ensure your investment in handled with care by the delivery staff.

Once your furniture is delivered and staged for placement, you and I can finalize a layout decision and I will coordinate the placement effort until you are satisfied with the layout and ready to release the delivery staff.

During the installation, I will ensure that the delivery staff  responds promptly to you every question and request.

I know you will be satisfied with the result.

SHOWROOM PRESENCE

"Dost thou love life?  Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."

- Benjamin Franklin

As your outdoor furniture purchasing agent, it is my intent to relieve you of the burden of repeated appearances at local retailer showrooms.  I understand, however, that many clients dont wish make purchases without "laying eyes" on the product.

I fully encourage my clients to accompany me to the retailer showroom of interest at least once to validate any assumptions you may have about what you believe your interested in purchasing.  Often, these assumptions can change considerably once you have had a chance to physically handle the furniture and gauge the appropriateness of its selection in the context of your outdoor space.

Once you are at a comfort level that is suitable to your needs, there should no further necessity for you to step into a showroom floor.  If need be, I will make any remaining appearances on your behalf.  On the other hand, if visiting the showrooms is something you enjoy then, by all means."knock yourself out".

However, in many cases, customers are "time poor" and "obligation rich."  I have had many people express to me how grateful they would be to have a trusted advocate with unquestioned integrity, honesty and industry expertise and who empathizes with their sense of style, taste, and propriety if the efforts of such a person could somehow allow them a greater degree of efficiency with what little time they do have at their disposal.

Herein lies the value of my physical representation for you at the retail showroom because I can, effectively, free your time for other equally important and immediate needs and simultaneously reduce your apprehensions about making the right decision regarding your outdoor furniture purchase.

"Face time" with the retailer buys much more attention than a simple phone call or e-mail and usually results in a noticeablle improvement in responsiveness from the retailer.  As well,  depending upon the immediate need and/or position in the purchase cycle, appearances at multiple showrooms may be necessary.

Driving across town in a city like Los Angeles or even San Diego can be stressful and exhausting and it is my hope that you relinquish this responsibility to me so that you can utilize your valuable time to a greater degree of efficiency and personal satisfaction.

OUTDOOR SPACE STAGING

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
~ Lewis Carroll

Let's start with a question:

Why is that staging your outdoor space is primarily associated with selling your home?

Consider this...

Why should it be so?  Would it not make more sense to stage your outdoor space when buying a home?  Or even after having spent a small fortune on outdoor furniture?

Staging is no longer the domain of the real estate agent and in my opinion should never really have been.  Upscale outdoor furniture can transform your outdoor space into a mini Shangri-La if done with care, consideration and an eye for the small but important details.

After all, this is your furniture for your home and it should reflect your sensibilities and tastes.  The layout of your outdoor furniture cannot be taken lightly and you should be aware that professional assistance in this area can breathe new life into your outdoor living space.

In my experience in the outdoor furniture industry, I have come across countless cases of "buyer's remorse" after the installation is complete.  In almost all of these cases, the furniture, itself, was not to blame but its arrangement.  It can be difficult for a person to imagine the actual integration of a furniture piece or ensemble by simply perusing a catalog or walking a showroom floor.  It truly takes years of experience to develop a "knack" for maximizing the impression you hope your furniture will have on your guests as well as your family as it is integrated into your outdoor living space.

There are no set rules to staging your outdoor living space and each home is unique and brings with it different challenges to overcome.  I can help you overcome the challenges specific to your home's outdoor space.

A word of advice:

Don't take the importance of this service for granted.  Staging is a crucial step in the process of maximizing the effect of the furniture you purchase.  I recommend professional guidance in this area.

LATEST PRODUCT OFFERINGS

Flipping through the pages of a vendor brochure can be a lot of fun when casually looking for the right combination of furniture elements for your outdoor space.  However, a single vendor brochure or a few advertisements in a lifestyle or fashion magazine does not begin to capture the breadth of offerings available to you.

There are over two hundred vendors of upscale outdoor furniture.  Some are well known, other less so but offering products of equal or superior merit.  Keeping track of the latest offereings from each is a time consuming effort.  These vendors each excel in various niches and may lag in others.  Matching an appropriate vendor to your needs is difficult without professional assistance.

It is important to know how long a particular design series has been in production and to what extent it is nearing its end-of-production cycle or obsolescence. 

In addition, design series have a natural lifetime regarding their fashion relevance.  Of course, by definition, fashion is a transient phenomenon but how will you get information about vendor's products that are stylistically avant-garde or out of date?

In addition, you'll probably want to avoid product offerings that lean toward the "trendy" rather than those that define a new paradigm.  Understanding the difference between the two is sometimes an undervalued asset.

It is my hope that you allow me to offer my professional advice and industry specific acumen in keeping you informed of what is best suited to your style and taste.

FASHION TRENDS

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
~ Coco Chanel

How true!  Whether we like it or not, fashion is a mirror of who we are and how we think.  It is what allows us to so quickly date an old movie or recognize a classic automobile and for many, a measure of our tastes and attitudes concerning the world around us.

Occasionally, the avant-garde becomes the commonplace. Remember the beanbag, shag carpets, and earth tones of the 70s or the rise of the southwestern motif in the late 80s and early 90s?  All of these fashion trends found their genesis in the prevailing spirit of their time.   Unfortunately, we know the shelf life of these trends was extremely short.  Today, we have a much more diversified world with influences from around the world descending on us like so may raindrops from a spring shower.  With so many vendors jockeying for the lead role in the next great fashion revolution in the outdoor living space, will we ever see the likes of such homogeneous fashion trends again?

Of course.

And why?

Because we all live on the same planet and share the common experience of it.  The simple point is that like the implications of the Chanel quote introducing this section, fashion trends are an organic part of the human experience.  For all of us.

Information flows at us at a torrential rate these days and we can sometimes be overwhelmed at the choices available to us.  But how do we filter all of this information?  To what standard can we possible adhere, that could guide our decisions on a long term investment such as high-end outdoor furniture?

Is there one?

Well, have you heard of the "Green Economy" lately?  I'm betting you have.

Have you been affected by the "Great Recession" of the new millennium.  On this, I'm betting you have as well.

This is the salient point:

So have the multitude of vendors focused on bringing fresh ideas to the outdoor living space genre.  As these vendors compete, the market decides.  Over time (and distance) these ideas coalesce into a set of commonly held beliefs and sensibilities.

A perfect example of this phenomenon is the rapid rise and  fall of the Hummer.  The automobile's fate is emblematic of how macro shifts in sensibilities can affect what we buy and the success or failure of a product in the marketplace.

Upscale outdoor furniture is no exception to the forces that shape the way we think about things.   Indeed, the entire industry today rests upon a greater idea of extending ourselves into the environment and seeking greater integration with it.

Living in harmony with our environment is one of our great challenges in the decades ahead.  The rise of outdoor living fashion is simply a reflection of our times.

So given everything previously mentioned, it should be obvious that fashion trends affect the outdoor living space industry as any other.  But what of style?

Clearly, style is something that comes from you.   In fact, it is  simply your expression to the world around you.  If you are a creator of things then your sense of style will be manifest in what you create.  When you see an item that you like on the showroom floor, you and the designer have found common ground in a mutual sense of style.   Regardless, of industry fashion, your sense of style only changes when you change.

I believe that getting to know you better is the key to putting your sense of style in touch with the right designer offerings.  My experience in the outdoor living space industry can help you make intelligent decisions on your next purchase and ensure that the products you select are integral to your lifestyle for the long term.