Michigan Design Center Opens to the Public
It’s a sign of the times that many design centers, previously the domain of designers, have been forced to open their doors to the public. This is what my local design center has decided to do. The Michigan Design Center will allow the public access to all showrooms.
It’s a definite plus for do-it-yourselfers who would like to shop on their own. Some showrooms will sell products directly to non-professionals. For showrooms like Henredon, which has its own stores outside the design center and are also available through local retail furniture stores, opening to the public may mean the difference between having a showroom or going out of business. I use Henredon only as an example. I don’t know what their financial status is.
While I can’t see a downside for owners of showrooms, there are some downsides for the public. Several showrooms, Rozmallin for one (which sells Cowtan & Tout, Clarence House and Roma) will allow the public to have a look at their fabrics, furniture and lighting. But they won’t give out samples or prices. Shoppers will still need a designer to buy for them.
What’s your opinion?
2 Responses to “Michigan Design Center Opens to the Public”
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Posted by Marianne Hauswirth on September 11th, 2009 at 9:24 am
The economic downturn has caused a giant shift in the traditional business model for the design trade, compounded by the wealth of information available online to the end user. That being said, it is the hope of Michigan Design Center that by inviting the public in to view the beautiful products that are available, we will ultimately create more opportunity for exposure to great design and customer partnerships. We hope to be a catalyst for increased business for the design community through education, marketing, press relations and event opportunities. I welcome feedback
While I somewhat understand the necessity of the showrooms doing what they have to do to stay in business, I’m a firm believer that these resources should remain to the trade. Having access to such resources is one of the things that sets design professionals apart and if everyone can shop “to the trade” it will definitely hurt designers’ business. I just wonder what impact this will have on the design industry after the economy is back on the upswing.