The Best of Larchmont Village, A Neighborhood Gem in LA

Whenever anyone asks me what neighborhood I love the most in LA, it is without question the neighborhood where I live and work—Hancock Park / Larchmont Village. As long as I call myself an Angeleno, I hope I never have to leave this side of town. Bordering Hollywood, Hancock Park, and Korea Town, historic Larchmont Village is within walking distance of my house, and until quarantine, my office, The Storied Group, and is one of the most charming neighorhoods in LA.

While it had grown tremendously in the last few years—gaining larger high-end brands like Diptique and Blue Mercury—due to COVID, some shops and restaurants have closed, but there are still great independent boutiques and a Farmers’ Market every Wednesday (new!) from 1pm-5pm and Sunday morning from 10am-2pm . Though Larchmont Village is considered the south end of the street, it’s been expanding further towards Melrose with the opening of Cafe Gratitude a few years ago. If you’re looking to treat yourself, it’s worth nothing that this is the best massage I’ve had in Los Angeles, though they are still under a mask mandate.

For any out-of-towners, put this on your list for a local experience, and scroll down to see my favorite spots to eat, drink + shop:

If you don’t have clients, you don’t have a business. I know this because I have had a service based business relying on clients since 2008.

Some of these suggestions can be accomplished in a few minutes, while some are things to put in motion that will pay off over time.I have done most of these because they work for most businesses. Pay special attention to #8 and #9 because I have found them to be crucial in getting more word-of-mouth business.

Are you ready to ignite your business with new clients? Let’s go.

15 Creative Ways to Get Interior Design Clients

Make Your Client the Hero of Your Marketing: Stop what you’re doing! No really. Go to your website and answer this question: Who is the hero of the story on your website? Is it your client? Or is it you? 

Many designers make the mistake of making themselves the hero of their marketing narrative. Your client wants to know how you can fulfill their deepest desires and solve their biggest pain points. You need to make sure that your website copy speaks to your ideal client and convinces them that YOU are what they’ve been missing. And YOU are the one who is going to swoop in and make all their dreams come true.

What Every Interior Designer Should Know about PR

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s the importance of home. While so many industries suffered during the pandemic, the interior design industry soared. We saw stories like making your bedroom double as your home office, how to create a sanctuary at home, and the rise of the ADU.

And I have exciting news for you—getting quoted in magazine articles like these can absolutely be you! But it helps to know a few insider secrets before you run off and hire a publicist. (Yup, spoken straight from the mouth of a publicist!)

I have been doing PR for interior designers since I first started my business in 2008. In fact, one of my very first clients was a dream client—mostly because she checked all the boxes (that’s PR speak for had all the components that make magazine editors drool)—she was incredibly talented, already had a roster of celebrity clients, had a vision to open a shop, and write a book.

Through the years, I got her publicity for all of them—even landing her a coveted spot on Town & Country’s “Who’s Next in Decorating.”

I still work with many other interior designers—some on a project base, meaning the goal was to get their one project placed—while some choose to have ongoing PR, where they want to be positioned as an expert. There are many reasons to hire a publicist, but read on for what you need to know before you do.  And if you need some help figuring out how to reach your potential clients, here are a few thought starters to help with that.

As a homeowner, choosing the right interior designer can be tricky. Is it the right match? How do I know if things will align? Are we on the same page? Do our wavelengths match? It is pretty typical to have these questions in mind.

This is why it becomes quintessential to ask a plethora of questions before hiring the most appropriate interior designer for you. With each passing day, sources of design inspiration come from manifold areas—ergo, you HAVE to locate your taste.

Ask the following questions to your interior designer, and you are bound to get the desired results, and of course, be left satisfied.

1.    How Do You Choose Your Projects? How Do You Decide What’s Appropriate for Your Firm?

Oh, this can be a tricky one. It is almost as if your interior designer is up for a job interview. It is also a good screening measure for you, wherein if they appear nervous, you know that they aren’t sure whether they can live up to your expectations. Remember the dating analogy? Everyone likes a confident date, and this is no different.

This method of screening is also pivotal in determining how efficiently your job will be done. After all, interior designing is not just about expressing oneself, but also doing so in an efficient way. You need to understand that projects are meant to be time-bound entities, and coming to terms with the aspect of time becomes essential.