New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living

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 by: Lise Richards

For the past several years I have seen the emergence of a
new trend called ‘Lifestyling’. Lifestyling encompasses many elements
on gracious living, extravagant and memorable entertaining,
architecture, home design, and tips on where to live comfortably in
spaces large and small, with less effort or clutter than you can
imagine. In fact, this trend has effectively blurred the lines of
traditional titles and professions. New ideas and new inspiration have
created new sales to the tune of over 70 million dollars for one large
company.

But haven’t good ideas for living always been around?
The answer is yes. Certainly there have been people in the past that
shared tips and ideas through books and magazine articles on how to
entertain, or make a special recipe; they were mostly focused on one
area. Lifestyling gurus help you capture all the pieces and put them
together graciously and quickly. Collectively, they promote ideas on
living, entertaining, decorating, gardening, fashion and design. The
focus of some of the ideas is glamorous while others are much more
practical. In fact, some of the ideas are not really “new” at all, just
regenerated information with a twist. Today, Lifestyling books contain
the complete picture. Add to that the convenience aspect. We can obtain
many of these ideas in articles, books, websites, TV and video. Product
endorsements and specialized lines are also available to top
Lifestylists. Can you see why the opportunities are endless?

Who are the Lifestylists?

Unless you’ve been whisked away to an island without TV,
Internet access or a newspaper, you can’t escape the ideas and
publicity generated by Ms. Martha Stewart. Hands down, Martha is the
most well known Lifestylist out there. Whatever your take on her style,
or where her career is currently headed, she has created a
multi-million dollar industry all to herself.

You may also be familiar with other Lifestylists like
Susie Coelho, Carolyne Roehm, Sheila Bridges, Katie Brown and Colin
Cowie to name a few. These Lifestylists were former fashion models and
business owners, interior or furniture designers, caterers or event
planners. Whatever their background, the ideas and information
contribute in large ways to this new industry. In an era when fast food
and fast pace reign supreme, and etiquette and formal parties have
fallen off, they have brought the idea of homemaking and fabulous
entertaining back into style.

Standing out within a proven trend

All of the ideas are not perfect for everyone. In a world
where we are embracing our diversity and individual contributions,
there is no doubt that the current crop of Lifestylists can stand a few
more ideas. We are all becoming conditioned to receiving large amounts
of information at a time. Think about how a consumer might question the
value of a cookbook with just recipes over a book that explains how to
shop, prepare, serve, decorate and entertain all in one book. Which do
you think might capture more interest? Are your services just as
interesting?

Are you capitalizing on this trend?

We are all guilty of focusing on our core competencies.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But once you’ve become
efficient or obtained expert status in one area, it’s time to expand
your offerings. If you want to expand your offerings by turning what
you do into a lifestyle brand – think big and think differently.
Thinking of yourself as a complete brand is worthwhile to you, your
clients, and your current revenue.

Look at ways you can naturally and effortlessly expand
what you do. For example, I hired a caterer recently to provide food
for a shower I was throwing. It would have made my life much easier if
he had offered to provide complete event-planning services as well. It
is a natural expansion. Even If he doesn’t know a thing about planning
those events or did not have the staff to do so he can easily team up
with event planners that do.

Riding the trend requires a different way of thinking.
Caterers are not just providing food; they become consultants in
entertaining. Decorators don’t just decorate; they style a room around
a style of life.

Can you do it too?

Of course you can! Begin where you are with what you have.

• Take note of the new trend and think about what compliments your current services;
  

• Think about how to make your client’s life easier by
  providing more ideas, value and assistance in executing those ideas. If
  you don’t know how to do something different, seek out the information
  and learn it, or
  

• Team up with other professionals that add something complimentary to your core service;
  

• Reinvent your title to match your new service offerings;
  

• Educate your client with the information you have, but have not used and;
  

• Strive to provide something unique in your market.

About the Author

Lise Richards is the founder of the Artistic Lifestyling program, which helps design trade professionals, capitalize on the Lifestyling trend. The Artistic Lifestyling program is available through a licensing agreement and is expanding throughout the United States. For more information, about expanding your design and decorating services, email her at LiseRichards@ArtisticLifestyling.com

director@centerofcreativity.com

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