Page 52 - Lighting Magazine October 2018

NANCY MIKULICH (continued)
“It’s o en hard for them to understand the size and scale of xtures, especially large-scale chandeliers, so it’s helpful for them to see just how expansive they will be.”
focused on the way I’m steering them.”
Mikulich also suggests showrooms be more se-
lective in the products they display and choose as many nishes and sizes as possible — especially large xtures. “It would be so much more e ective than just a sea of xtures and tags hanging from the ceil- ing,” she explains. Also helpful would be drawers of actual sample nishes from the lines they sell, rather than hoping the image on a computer monitor is an accurate representation. She also notes that show- rooms need to be savvy in knowing the pricing being o ered online for their xtures and lines. “It would be terri c if they o ered a semi-private area with a large enough table to spread out design plans and provide beverages and seating while we’re looking over the plans,” she adds.
Mikulich is an advocate of regularly going to the High Point Market to keep current on new nishes and trends as well as to strengthen her relationships with the manufacturers she does business with, and meet new potential vendor partners.
“It’s very important for anyone in the design busi- ness to be there,” she remarks. “It gives designers insight into the true quality behind products. There’s nothing like seeing xtures in person. I can show my customers samples of everything, and they get ex- cited, but there’s always a ‘Wow!’ factor when they see magni cent xtures in person for the rst time. Similarly, it would be advantageous if local lighting showrooms could provide a similar opportunity on a much smaller scale to newer designers who may not have the budget to travel to shows. Showrooms are very bene cial for them in particular as they are learning the business and developing relationships with manufacturers and trade partners. It’s how they get to see and touch a wide range of nishes, materi- als, and styles.”
ROBIN BARON
Robin Baron Design, New York City
Celebrity interior designer Robin Baron has known since age nine that she has a strong pas- sion for design: fashion and interiors. Though she
didn’t grow up in a creative family, she knew design was her calling. She pursued a career in fashion and – a er several years working as a fashion designer with her own private label – Baron transitioned into the world of interiors because she wanted to be able to provide a long-lasting sense of home for her fash- ion clients and their families. She believes that her services have an impact on every person who lives in, and visits, those homes.
She’s now taken her successful career in interior design one step further by launching her own line of home furniture, hardware, and rugs. Baron has designed custom lighting for her clients’ projects for many years and is looking forward to adding a line of lighting to her home furnishings collections in the future.
A love oF ligHting
“My clients love to have special and unique pieces, which has always inspired me to design lighting for each project. I also love to mix vintage pieces that I nd,” Baron states. “Lighting design has elevated signi cantly in recent years, which makes it easier to combine new pieces with old and vintage pieces. I nd xtures at vintage shops, lighting showrooms, High Point Market, as well as online. However, I only order online from companies that I’m familiar with. Nothing takes the place of seeing lighting in person — especially when you can view a whole collection at market. It helps me to truly appreciate the level of design and all the details that are involved.
“We have relationships with quite a few lighting showrooms. I have con dence in the products and services they provide. That said, I’m always looking for new resources. Good business people are always open to learning from those they come across, and I think it’s important to continue to educate ourselves. Since there can be a lot of similarities among trade showrooms, I nd that the absolute most important thing to o er is great customer service. Service and relationships are what makes the di erence. We’ll go above and beyond for each other when we have mutual respect.”
Robin Baron Design is a full-service rm that manages everything from construction through
48 enLIGHTenment Magazine | OctOber 2018
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the Designer-showroom BonD