Part of being in the “know” as a designer is keeping your eyes on both the high-end showrooms and main stay retail fronts like “West Elm” & “Pottery Barn”. Rooms can be successful if all levels of furnishings and accessories are on display as long as a proper balance is maintained and care is taken to making things fit. That said i noticed a current trend while shopping at West Elm the other day….something I’m calling.. “the big switcharoo”….

Okay maybe i’m giving them credit for a merchandising maneuver that is just that, a way to sell more.. Throw pillows priced as the cover and the insert but who has a 12″ x 12″ insert just sitting around at home? or an ottoman “slipcover” priced without the shell to fit inside.. what’s next a table without legs or a sofa without the cushions ot sit on..

In the Custom Interiors industry when you work with an Interior Designer this is common policy, everything is based around the idea of custom so sure you will have the goods separated out to make personalization an easy process and so In my mind i saw it as being able to easily switch out one’s pillows without throwing the dishes out with the dishwater, REUSE YOUR FILLS…but i’m an interior designer of 14 years…

And so I say,  BUYER BEWARE! the Main Stay retail fronts now want to have their cake and eat it too! They are expecting the consumer to understand this process, “it’s clearly marked” i heard one salesperson say… but some might feel that they are being tricked as they shop. The game has changed! So the next time you go shopping take special note of those pesky price tags… so that when you reach the register after having fallen in love with what you’ve decided to buy you WONT be surprised to find out that shopping is now like renting a car, the true cost is only divulged when you go to pay.