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Genuinely I am upset by the video recently released by Design Within Reach promoting their new “DWR 3D Room Planner”. I think the idea of people being able to plan their own room is clever, although ehem ehem their options are limited to the DWR catalog, it surely is a great way to promote their brand of, let me remind you, modern reproductions. Yet introducing the tool by first stating that you no more need a “pricey decorator” isn’t as clever a tag line about saving consumers money and is rather more effective at labeling the decorating/design business as unnecessary luxury.
Yes it is true that services offered by the great decorators of the past were luxuries only affordable to the wealthy and such, yet today, far many more individuals rely on their modestly priced decorating and design fees to helps sustain themselves as well as help families cohesively and affordable design their homes. Besides doesn’t DWR rely on decorators and designers who shop at a discounted price and who’s clients end up paying the same retail price after all, letting the not so pricey decorator make a living too.
Some of you may think I am over thinking the matter, but in truth, it was uncalled for. And if like me you are following the latest trend of bashful advertising you too may realize that the way of the decorator isn’t threatened by its falsely perceived unappealing fees but rather by another industry that is slowly trying to monster its way toward a brand culture of ultimate supremacy.
Sadly integrity has long lost its way in the culture of falsely perceived American companies. I truthfully believe that the few individual companies who have been making it a point to innovate ways how the many more business can grow along with their own success are growing because of their ever greater creative ability to think more broadly then the rest. The face of American industry is soon to become stronger then ever, mainly because of its integrity.
*Please Note: I am not upset at DWR but rather I am upset at their poor choice of words for the opening of the video I noted above.
Photographer Tim Walker shoots English fashion model Agyness Deyn for the May 2011 issue of Vogue UK. Styled by Kate Phelan, and make-up by Sam Bryant.
