The First Timer's Guide to Completing A Showhouse

You did it! You’ve been invited to participate in a Showhouse. For new and seasoned designers alike, the prospect of a Showhouse is high on the list of career experiences you want. You agree immediately, THEN think the rest through. Before you dive in head first, I’m going to share my experience in hopes that you’ll be better prepared when you jump. Here are 7 points to consider:

What Are Your Goals
There’s a certain esteem that goes along with a Showhouse, but it’s important to outline your personal goals for a project like this. Having your own goals will be the compass guiding your decision making from beginning to end. Do you want to enhance your portfolio with the pictures you’ll get of the end project? Do you want to network and deepen your connections in the industry? Will this project enable you to work with brands you’ve never worked with before? Simply wanting to do a Showhouse isn’t enough to carry you through to the end, especially when obstacles arise*. Your goals, however, will get you there.

Who Invited You?
Some Showhouses are invite-only. Others have an application process. While there is usually a team of folks who operate behind the scenes, you will primarily work with the Showhouse managers. These managers get a notoriously bad rap. And it isn’t without reason. They are managing mega watt talent who have different asthetics, different personalities and a variety of backgrounds. It’s not easy.
But if your manager is organized, has patience and mutual respect, a smooth ride can be had for all.

Who All Will Be There?
Like any cookout you attend you should be aware of who will be there. Even if you don’t know all of the other folks there, having at least one other person you know will enable you to share information as well as be a sounding board when something has gone awry (And something will go awry…let me prepare you for it now.*)
And if you don’t know anyone, this is the perfect opportunity to network.

Are You Covered?
Let me say this - if you are working in ANYONE’S home, office, or any space that’s not your own, you should have insurance. I mean that. Spring for both the General Liability and Errors & Omissions. If you only take one thing away from this post, let it be that. Most Showhouses require that you are covered.
There is that super rare occasion where the showhouse provides their own insurance and won’t require you to have your own policy. The Kaleidoscope Project I worked on recently didn’t require designers to have coverage.

You Are The Talent!
Before I go further I want to focus on you for a bit. Your skills are what got you here. You deserve to be here.
When your room is completed, know that no one could have done it the way you did it. You and only you will make it happen. Bring your A-game. Pull out all the stops and don’t forget your finishing touches. Do this for you. You!

Take Those Pictures
Your room will likely be shot by a professional photographer. Have your shot list ready prior to their arrival.
And please, take your own photos. Take before and afters, document what you’ve left in the room by way of personal effects. Yes, those books are art that you want back at the end - take a picture of it all in case you have to refer to it before, during or after tours.

Press Day
In the event that no one prepares you for press day - I got you!
Dress your best. Get your hair and makeup done. Get that manicure and spring for a pro to do your makeup. Your day will be long so wear comfy shoes. If you are most confident in heels, make sure you wear your most comfortable pair. (I did this—-highly recommend).
Know the inspiration of your room, your list of vendors, and be ready to rattle these things off in quick succession. You will be asked many times*. Press and reps will be coming at you fast and you want to be prepared. Be yourself. Be polished…not canned. And water - be sure to take a breather to drink water.

I write this on the tail end of The Kaleidoscope Project. A non-traditional showhouse located in Lenox, Massachusetts at The Cornell Inn. In the traditional Showhouse model, items from vendors are generally sold by the designer for a profit. Since the Inn is opening as a functioning bed and breakfast in mid-June, all of the items specified for the Showhouse will remain onsite. Also unlike a traditional Showhouse, a number of our vendors were lined up before we specified anything, making it easier on the Designers. You will rely heavily on your own relationships with vendors in the traditional model. Keep that in mind as you’re building your business.

And when you’re done with your first Showhouse, I want to hear all about it.

*Handle it with grace..you got this…

Benjamin Moore Paint & Schumacher Wallcoverings