Life & Style | People
Decking up the men's dens
A 25-year-old interior designer lets bachelors have blue but works to give the pads style and character
- By Maryellen Fillo, Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service
- Published: 23:25 July 3, 2009
Taylor Spellman jokingly brags that she has it all when it comes to her relationships with men.
“Within 24 hours, I have his phone number, credit card and a key to his apartment,'' Spellman says, all grins.
Welcome to the world of interior design — bachelor-pad style.
Spellman is the founder and president of August Black, an interior design company based in New York City that specialises in bachelor-pad makeovers.
“Most guys' places are a combination of mismatched furniture, usually a leather couch and a very big television,'' says Spellman, 25.
“And it doesn't necessarily have to do with their job or how much money they have. I had one client who was very wealthy. I walked into his place and there were dirty clothes in his sink and shower. His coffee table was a cardboard box.''
Featured in a recent Forbes magazine article on entrepreneurs who are successful despite the bad economy, Spellman says that part of her business style includes how she handles her male clients.
“I don't lecture them, no matter how sloppy they are or what the place looks like, because they are the ones paying me,'' Spellman says.
“And every guy likes blue and wants it in his house. I let them have blue if they insist but gradually work them into other colours as well.''
Spellman has done makeovers for as much as $50,000 (Dh183,645) — her fee starts at $50 (Dh184) an hour.
She is well aware of the state of the economy and has slashed her consulting fees to half.
Her shopping habits including perusing discount outlets and flea markets to find affordable furniture, accessories and lighting to keep clients' costs down.
“It doesn't have to cost a lot to look good,'' Spellman says.
“Sometimes my clients have a lot of good furniture or accessories already sitting in their homes. They just need someone to straighten it all out.''
So what are the ups and downs of working with only men?
“Men are very black-and-white when it comes to decorating; they want to see two, maybe three choices. They make their decisions fast and want you in and out as soon as possible,'' Spellman says.
“Women want lots of choices, will take longer to make a design decision and will talk to you more about what it is they want.''
Homeward bound
Advertising her business as a “male-friendly solution to the problem of a subpar apartment'', Spellman says her work is her passion and joy.
“I think making your home look better has nothing to do with recession,'' she says. “Even in times like this, especially in times of economic turmoil, your home is your haven.
Your home and how it looks and feels is that much more important.''
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