American Society of Interior Designers Arizona North Launches Design for Hire Professional Outreach

PHOENIX - Nov. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- When Susan Carroll and her family relocated from Ohio to Chandler, Arizona this year she was faced with the mission of creating a home that reflected their style and lifestyle.  Blending cherished pieces of furniture with new selections and figuring out how to make it all feel compatible, and selecting a color scheme that would embrace the new desert location were top priorities.  Thankfully she had a little help….a design gift from her Realtor®.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Arizona North chapter (Phoenix to Flagstaff) has launched a community outreach program aimed at residential and commercial real estate agents. Called Design for Hire- Professional Program, the program offers a two-hour design consultation that can be used as a closing gift or listing gift for a client. Each professional designer in the program volunteers their time for the two-hours and the $150 fee is donated back to ASID to fund local design educational programs.

Lucky for Susan Carroll, her Realtors® Connie and Dave Burnett, with Gentry Real Estate Group, had recently learned about the Design for Hire Professional offering from designer Amy Strang, Allied ASID,  who happens to be co-chairing the agent outreach for ASID.   “A professional designer can help create beauty, comfort and functionality. It was my pleasure to help Susan with her with color selections and give her some advice on furniture layout during our two hours together,” said Strang, owner of Amy Strang Interiors, LLC, specializing in residential interior design.

“When moving from out of state you are faced with so many choices to make the new home feel like your own.  It’s nice to work with a professional with whom I could reflect and clarify ideas, giving me a sense of peace,” said Susan Carroll. “The design gift was a very thoughtful gesture,” she concluded.

“As active Realtors®, we see tremendous potential in utilizing the Design for Hire - Professional Program.  If a seller has been in the home for a long time, it can be hard for them to accept guidance on removing photos, collectibles, and minimizing the furniture in each room so that prospective buyers can visualize themselves in the home and not be distracted by the current owner’s life.  Having a design professional stage the home can help the seller begin to detach slowly from this abode and begin thinking about their next one,” said Dave Burnett.

“We think the consultation time could also be really valuable in helping a seller make modifications that will enhance their sales price, and conversely, help a buyer realize the potential of what the home could be with a few updates,” said Connie Burnett.

Other uses for the Design for Hire - Professional Program expertise include: staging a vacant home to potentially enhance the sales price, accessorizing a new home, de-accessorizing a home for sale, furniture selection and placement, space planning, lighting and color consultation.   “One client wanted to differentiate his home that was for sale because it was a popular floor plan and there were others for sale in the neighborhood.  A designer can make it pop and sell quicker,” said Strang.

Professional designers have the education and resources to create unique spaces. They also have sources and vendors that cater to the trades and relationships with retailers to secure preferred pricing for their clients.

The Design for Hire - Professional Program is also available to commercial agents.  The ASID pros can help owners of a commercial or retail space with color selections, functionality, space planning and work flow.

For more information: www.asidaznorth.org