sprӓ-ma - design

A Polarizing Industry

2011-06-15T13:09:00.001-04:00

"What do you do?"

The question is simple enough, but it's really loaded, isn't it? We ask (or are asked) this question so many times throughout our lives, and it is as though we are going to base the rest of the conversation and perception of one another on the answer. I make this observation because right now, it's in my lap.

I'm sitting on an airplane, headed to another destination and to my left, is a sleeping stranger. This is a three hour flight, so at some point he's going to wake up, we will begin chatting and that question is going to come up - probably within the first few minutes. It is precisely at this moment that I am reminded of how much I love my work and, interestingly enough, others do too.

Interior design is something everyone can relate to. Everyone has a home and everyone has tried to create an acceptable living space from it. There are so few occupations that allow for almost everyone to contribute in conversation. Upon sharing my work title, people often follow with, "I once saw this incredible restaurant..." or "Have you seen the new..." I love all these comments, but my favorite is, "I once worked with a designer to help me with my... and it was the best thing I could've done."

Although widely accepted, this is also a very polarizing industry. There are those who love us and believe we are worth every darn penny and then there are those who see us as no more than over-priced decorators (for an in-depth look at the difference between decorators and designers, look here). Jo and I have come across both types and a few in the middle. In an effort to assist the general population, below you'll find a list of questions that my help you to determine whether or not a designer is right for you:

§ Do you lack creative vision, even if you've got some great ideas?
§ Is it difficult for you to imagine the potential of a space even though you sense it could be great?
§ Do you and your spouse (or other decision-maker) differ in terms of style, form and function?
§ Do you have a hard time seeing your home improvements carried out to completion?
§ Also, rate for a second, the importance of the appearance of your space. On a scale from one to ten, ten being most important, ask your living partner the same question. How different are your ratings?

These simple questions are a great way to get started down the right path and based on your personal abilities, should give you a good idea of what value you'll find in hiring a designer. If you find later, you got yourself in a bit over your head - we're here to help you with that too.

Designers don't COST money - We SAVE money.

2011-05-06T11:44:00.001-04:00

Sometimes it happens within the first five minutes of an Initial Consultation. Sometimes it happens toward the end - but it almost always happens DURING the first visit to a new client's house. They show us what they've done, how they tried to make it work, what they bought, how they arranged it, then they say:

"I should have called you guys first."

It is a bitter-sweet moment in the consultation for Jo and me. It means two things:

The homeowners already invested in things they thought would work and it just didn't quite pan out they way they would've liked.
There are people out there who want to try it on their own. We like this... because it means people are passionate about their homes and have a true desire to improve it.

Design is something that appeals to many people. We see commercials on television, we recognize great design in our friends' homes, restaurants and offices - there is even a cable channel dedicated to the field of interior design! Design is beautiful, elegant and glamorous... but design is also a whole lot of work.

There is more to it than just the concepts behind a great design. Sure, creativity is a big part of it, but there is also the math and science, the psychology, the standards, the measurements and the budgeting. There is the question of quality, versatility and function. There are materials that work, and those that don't... and let's not forget the Christmas Tree Effect (it refers situations such as a sofa that looks about the right size in the gigantic warehouse from where you bought it, but upon entering your home, you realize it is entirely over-sized and <ouch> non-refundable.)

Designers are professionals who keep these, and many other things, in mind from the onset of your project. What worked in your friend's house may not work in yours, and we can tell you why. We can explain the difference between a 'pink' taupe and a 'green' taupe and which one you should choose. We can tell you the benefits of corrected leather, or why it may be better to go with uncorrected leather. We can help you to see what your closed-off kitchen would look like if you removed that one little wall and the impact it could have on the value of your home.

People tend to steer away from hiring a designer because they'd like to save money on their bottom line.

To that, we say: If you want to save money,
then find yourself a good designer.

Here is a testimonial from one of our newer clients: Day to day, she saw the developing design through the front windows of her neighbor's home, a Sprama client, and called to ask who was doing the work. Sprama got a referral out of it, and our client earned herself a referral bonus.

"You are VERY GOOD at your profession!!!! The thought of sprucing up the house, and doing it with confidence, knowing that the selections were based on choices that have artistic taste and professional experience behind them, makes the process far less daunting. And your receptive, easy style made it a fun and relaxing experience. So, thank you for a very pleasant beginning to my decorating project!"

J. Atwood - Harrisburg, PA

Harmony & Josephine: How we met

2011-04-26T16:24:00.000-04:00

It was the fourth interview of the week. We had been looking for a designer to fill a spot for our corporate design firm and the candidates just weren't what we were looking for. In walks Josephine: young, experienced, driven and no-nonsense. I loved her and within a matter of days, she was working for us.

During the following six months, her design skills emerged and I could see her talent was stifled by the corporate standards that kept her from really showing off her potential. At the same time, my term with corporate was winding to an end. I could sense the changes taking place within our company. Shortly after the turn of the New Year, I resigned from my position as design center manager and began the fundamentals of starting my own firm.

About a week after I bought the rights to the Sprama name, I was in the grocery store parking lot, ready to head in when that voice inside my head said, "Don't do this without Josephine." I couldn't shake it. She's talented - SO talented. She has years of kitchen and bath experience which had the promise of broadening Sprama's services a great deal. Her skill set hit every possible requirement for a great business partner and so, my manager instincts took over. I had her over to my house the next night and dropped the bomb on her.

"I'm starting my own design firm and I want you on board." I'm not very good at small talk.
It took her about ten minutes of discussion to make up her mind. With a nod, she said, "I'm in."

Later when I asked her how she was able to make a decision so quickly, she said something I have never forgotten: "I know that with you, I can't fail."

During the months when we were starting up, and the projects weren't yet regularly coming in, her powerful words were the fuel I needed to keep at it. When we got knocked down, those words provided the endurance necessary for anyone trying to start a business. In exchange, she has given me the best business partner I could have ever hoped for.

With an inter-business relationship as healthy as ours, Sprama has been able to take the spotlight. Our focus is on our design work and we absolutely pour ourselves into it. A direct result of that kind of work ethic is a business rich in growth, unparalleled design presentations and a working relationship that promises only patience, persistence and fulfillment for our future.

What is: sprӓ-ma – design?

2011-03-02T13:23:00.033-05:00

SPRA-MA: adj \sprӓ-mә\ 1: the combined presence of originality and high function within a residential or commercial dwelling. 2: a term used in the industry of interior design to describe the direct relationship between the owner and his living space. *

No matter how someone chooses to pronounce it,

we get the same question all the time:

“Where did you come up with the name, SPRAMA?”

Well, if we’re going to be honest – there is a way we came up with the name, but it’s rather silly. Frankly, very few of our clients would care to know the origin of such an interesting word would include the made up names of super heroes. (Right now you’re thinking, “Is she kidding?” and I would respond with only a sly smile and complete silence.)

Super heroes or no, it does boil down to the combination of two words:

SPIRIT + DRAMA = SPRAMA.

Ever walk into a room that is just, well… wonderful? It is beautiful to see, it fits the dynamic of the family and you plain feel good when you’re in the room? That is sprama design. There is unquestionable warmth permeating from a well-designed space and you sense it to a point where that feeling almost communicates with you, beckoning you to sit and stay and relax; you comply. That is sprama design.

There are so many beautiful homes out there,

but there is a distinct difference between

a beautiful space and well-designed home.

There is no denying the obvious beauty in a pretty color palette, nice furniture and a decent floor plan. The trick, however, is designing the space for the dynamic of the home. Are these home owners’ movers-and-shakers or are they home bodies? Is it a large, interactive family or a smaller one who prefers their individual privacy? Is it a retirement home? What hours do they work? Where does the first ray of sun strike? Exactly how big is that dog bed? – okay, we’ll make room for that, too.

The space must meet the demands of life’s every day drama. It must fit the spirit of the family. Each day, your home is the first thing to wish you a good morning, and the last thing to bid you a good night. It keeps you safe and warm and it protects you from the elements. It deserves to be part of the family and we can get it there. And we’ll keep the dog, too.

*This definition is entirely fictitious and in no way describes a real word recognized by the reputable Merriam-Webster Dictionary. A word does not exist to effectively convey the completeness and multi-faceted design techniques of the Sprama design team, so - well - they made up their own.

Stereotypes & Tape Measures

2011-02-16T17:36:00.001-05:00

Jo and I spend a lot of time getting to know our clients as we navigate them through the design process. Inevitably, our clients get to know us pretty well, too. Usually as they warm up to us, we find them willing to share information about preconceived notions they may have had before hiring a designer. It is at this point, the humor begins.

Just three days ago, I was in a client’s home and while working on some measurements she said, “I have to tell you something…” Giggling, she went on: “When I asked [my husband] if we could hire a designer to help out with this, he asked me what I wanted a designer for. ‘All they do is march around in obnoxious clothes and drive around in their Benz’s and Volvos. What good are they going to be to this room make-over? We need an architect.’” I grinned at her, understanding her message - this isn't the first time I've heard this.

Five years ago, when Josephine and I emerged onto the design scene, we were completely unaware of this deep-seeded stereotype.

The classes we took in college revolved around formulas of physics within a space and the kinetic elements affecting them. Our ‘art’ classes consisted of mostly straight line drawings, lighting plans, building codes and scale rulers. We stumbled into English class after those brutal 4-hour Human Factors exams, then we’d wander, delirious, into our textiles class right before landing facedown in our beds, only to fall asleep and wake up in the same position. How could any diva overcome that type of work and still be a diva when it’s all said and done?

Far be it from us to feed the stereotype strain. We do, however, delight in the moment when our clients discover we are nothing like it. We clamber through construction sites, tear apart old furniture and dig in the dirt on landscaping projects. We wear jeans, our fingernails are short and we carry real-leather duffle bags because they’re tougher. We use measuring tapes like they are an extension of our arms and our drawings are all done by hand. Our own hands.

We are two very real women who’d rather give our clients the crowning glory when their rooms are complete because we couldn’t have done it without them. Our clients are our best ‘accessory’ and we are their favorite tool.

We don’t drive expensive cars. We don’t have flashy clothes.

We are not your average decorator.

We are SPRAMA.