As the Founder of Couture Chateau, I tackle myths about custom daily. The truth is I love this discussion because it opens a door to share my passion for the intentionally made. Here are the three things I hear most from my clients and what I tell them in return.
1. Too Expensive. Beautifully crafted items can be costly. However, ‘custom’ is one of the few true value exchanges left in the world of manufacturing. It’s the place where consumer and creator are most closely linked. This value exchange translates into magical aha moments; we realize a part of us and our vision for living is being made manifest by the hands of skilled designers, craftsmen and women. It is pure delight when we see our dollar glean that value. Everyone wins.
2. Takes Too Long. Not all custom products take a long time. A custom cupcake, for instance, takes one afternoon. A custom piece of furniture with custom fabric may indeed take up to 6 months, but the beautiful part about that process is the thought in every detail. We live in a “now” society, but the things we truly value, we wait for. With custom, the process is interactive and wait time becomes part of the product. Once we realize this, it’s the start date that delineates ownership, not the delivery date.
3. What if I hate it?! It’s not returnable. For over 20 years I have observed that the process of engaging skilled fabricators who make items to size and scale vets most of these issues. It’s the intentional interaction between thoughtful use and production that causes us to self-select function, form, purpose, detail, color, scale and price. The quick impulse purchase is often the regrettable return, rarely the custom.
When I started out, my passion was to honor the individual craftsmen and women I encountered in the luxury design trades and find a place where their skills would be curated by enthusiastic patrons in everyday life. What I have delighted to discover is that the story of how a custom item is created is often its most treasured attribute. The relatable process transcends social boundaries and is cherished by creator and curator alike.
As we say at Couture Chateau: “Live a custom life. There is only one you.™”
Thanks Ann for such an awesome piece and your advice!
Thank you Tess! It is such a pleasure to share our passion with you and everyone else at Custom Made! Grateful, Ann McD
Great insight Ann. Ownership starts when you start the process not when you recieve delivery!
Thank you – we love the process of creating those custom pieces for clients! It’s the engagement that adds so much. Best, Ann
Great advice Ann!
Thank you Tiffany!
Love all the comments. Thanks everyone and thank you Ann for your insight and support and for coining my new favorite term,” intentionally made”.
Thank you Marcie! Any time!
I love your comment about the NOW generation. It is so true – people look at me so strangely when I tell them that some of the best furnishings are made to order. Thanks for the post, I can’t wait to share with my clients!
Thank you Leslie. I share your passion and appreciate your work in the Design Field.
Great insight Ann!
Thank you Liz!
Ann, this a lovely post that embraces the true essence of the interior design profession. Thank you for posting!
Thank you Kim!
I also love the statement about how the fast purchase is the regrettable one, not the item that is a labor of love.
Great piece that puts customization into perspective. Thank you!
Thank you Heather! And isn’t that so true.
Wonderful post on custom!
Great post, Ann! Definitely feel more empowered to approach custom pieces with clients. Thank you!
Wonderful advice, and I love Ann’s theory about living a custom life!
I love this comment Traci. We also appreciate Ann’s perspective and are thrilled to have her as a guest blogger on CustomMade.com.
Ann, You give us permission to make our vision reality. The expense, the time frame, the effort are all validated in your great post. Thank you! You inspire your reader to take the leap to greater design and beauty. Well done.
Thank you Dorothy!!