Guest Author: Kathryn Bechen Ink

Kathryn Bechen
http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/
http://www.kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/

Hi New SDP Friends,

I'd like to thank SDP owners Denise Montgomery and Marleen Prater for inviting me to be a Guest Author for SDP. I'm honored, and I'd like to begin my Guest Author spot by telling you a little about myself and my writing and virtual consulting business for the home/design industry so we can get acquainted.

Q: How did you begin writing and scouting for national decorating magazines?

A: After studying internet marketing while also earning my interior decorating certificate from C.I.D. in 2006, I created my first decorating website, Kathryn Bechen Designs. A veteran national decorating magazine editor found that website and hired me to write an article for Cottage Style magazine, and to scout homes. I have a B.A. in English, and although I'd written freelance articles of all types for years, when I began writing for home magazines and clients, I knew I'd found the perfect marriage of my lifelong twin passions of writing and homes. I now devote all my time to writing or virtual consulting so my business has gradually evolved into Kathryn Bechen Ink.

Q: Can you help SDP members get their own homes and/or design projects featured in magazines?

A: I am happy to review SDP members' decorating projects and/or own homes for magazine article submission consideration. Members can find all the information they need to submit their projects through me here: http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/scouting.html. I cannot guarantee publication, of course, as that's up to the magazine editors, but I will be happy to look projects over to see if I feel they are a good fit for me to submit as a scout and I have several sources I have access to for submissions.

Q: Do you also offer writing and consulting services to interior designers/decorators?

A: Yes, in addition to my magazine writing, I write and edit business copy for decorators/designers, professional organizers, artists, etc. because it gives me a great feeling to help them figure out what makes their business unique and to put that message into effective written marketing copy. I've now served writing clients all across the U.S. I especially like writing professional bios because those are hard for people to do themselves without feeling like they are bragging; there is an art to it that I've honed over many years of freelance writing.

I provide editing services to other creatives too for their books etc. As part of that service, I was recently able to help two author clients of mine get a very nice testimonial for their new book from two highly accomplished experts in the home industry. I like connecting good people.

I also enjoy doing phone consultations and teleseminars about how my clients can get free PR in magazines, newspapers, and online for their businesses. Many of them have succeeded at this using my consulting tips and techniques and I love seeing them shine in this way.

Q: Have you written any decorating books?

A: I've written several e-books about decorating, organizing, and other lifestyle topics. I now donate a portion of all my e-book sales to the prevention of child abuse. Because every child deserves to bloom at home. (TM) I have just completed a brand new e-book store on my website and other decorators etc. are welcome to sell my e-books on their own websites and/or blogs too and earn a 50 percent commission. For more information: http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/store/

Q: What is your opinion of redesign and repurposing?

A: I think it's an awesome way to create a lovely and comfortable home because I believe good design, decorating, and an orderly home environment should be within the financial reach of everyone, no matter what their budget or size of their home, and I think redesign and repurposing achieve that. I also believe decorators and designers have a high calling because contrary to what some people may think, their work is not just about pretty homes, furnishings, and colors; it's about transforming people's lives by giving them a more positive and nurturing home environment, especially during difficult life transitions like death of a spouse/family member or divorce. If you can bring joy to someone's life as a decorator or organizer when they are going through a rough patch, it's very empowering and rewarding for both parties.

Q: Do you have any background or training in redesign, repurposing, and organizing?

A: I founded my own professional organizing, seminar, speaking, and consulting business in the early 90's in Omaha, NE and ran it successfully for several years. I personally organized offices and set up filing and work flow systems of all shapes and sizes for everyone from home-based entrepreneurs to corporate execs and I also developed all of the seminars and speeches I presented to audiences of up to 400 people. My organizing business was featured repeatedly in the media which is why I now like to teach others how to get PR for their businesses.

Although I'm not formally trained by an official redesign program, I've been "repurposing" since I was a ten year old girl! I found an old cabinet, painted it with left-over paint from our garage, recovered the top and cutting board with flowered adhesive paper, and used it as a desk in my room. (Thankfully my decorating skills have improved since then!) I have moved 11 times in 28 years of marriage so all of my homes have been my "repurposing and redesign labs." My personal term for it is "dollarwise portable decorating." I can make a decorating dollar stretch a long way!

Q: What do you think are the two most important qualities decorators/designers need to have?

A: The ability to listen to their clients' needs/tastes/lifestyles vs. impose their own style, and a keen eye for beauty and order which they are constantly refining whether through in-person or online classes, or even travel. There are many ways to learn, formally and informally. Observe nature and you'll learn about color. Take a favorite flower to the paint store, match it up, and put it on your living room walls! I've learned great decorating tips from staying at many bed and breakfast inns with my husband and I observe the decor and take notes! I now have a B&B blog too at http://www.bedandbreakfastbliss.blogspot.com/.

Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge decorators/designers face today?

A: Marketing their services in a world saturated with information. You must stand out by branding yourself as the unique person you are combined with your unique design flair you bring to your clients. If you don't know how to market what you have to uniquely offer, you can learn. The SDP can help through their webinars and convention. Getting featured in magazines and newspapers is also a good way to market your design business. A website is a must and it needs to be very professional and the copy should be professionally written.

Q: What's your own favorite decorating and entertaining style?

A: It's always been some version of eclectic cottage/garden style but it's ever evolving and as I mature I'm constantly simplifying. I choose to live in a small space to keep home maintenance simple so my husband and I have time to travel and many of our favorite things in our home have been purchased during our travels. Nothing is so precious or expensive that we don't use it. My husband and I share our home office. I have my "pink flowers cottage foo foo" side and he has his "dark wood and black chair side." Basically, I like my home to "feel like a hug" at the end of a long day and it makes me happy when my husband smiles and says "it's us" and my friends and guests tell me our home is cozy and inviting. Most definitely, I'm a nester; in spite of all of my career achievements, I feel creating an attractive, comfortable, and orderly personal home/lifestyle is my number one most fulfilling job. I absolutely love entertaining friends in my home for a nice lunch or dinner and setting a lovely table. We hold hands and say grace and I'm touched by their presence. When I'm happy at home, I'm more effective in the world, as I believe most people are.

You can tour my home office and writing studio here:
http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/studio.html

Q: Who's your own favorite decorating/lifestyle author?

A: Alexandra Stoddard, hands down. I heard her speak in 1994 and wrote her a letter. She called me to tell me she loved my letter and in 2006 she personally invited me and my hubby Steve to her cottage home in CT for a "Happiness Weekend" that she and her husband held. It was magical; we loved it. You can read more about our trip to her home on my blog here: http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2007/08/down-memory-lane-alexandra-stoddards.html

Q: Do you believe in green design or decorating?

A: Absolutely! I'm basically a poster child for green design because in the early 80's, right after I was married and we bought our first cute little house and were remodeling it, I became very ill and was eventually diagnosed with MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) by three doctors. MCS is basically another name for extreme allergies/sensitivities to VOC paints, formaldehyde in furnishings, and chemicals in new carpet and other design and business materials. I was forced to begin a lifelong quest on how to decorate my homes "green" in order to preserve my health so by now I'm a walking book on "green/non-toxic" design after so many years because I have to live it. It can be a challenge but I'm blessed to have a great husband who has been with me on the long journey and has been very supportive. Thankfully there are many more resources available now for green design, and in a future blog post I will share some of my "real life" non-toxic home tips with you.

Q: Do you believe realtors should recommend the services of redesigners/ decorators/ stagers /professional organizers to their clients?

A: Yes, absolutely without a doubt, yes! Although I don't pretend to be a realtor, I speak from personal experience on this after selling three of my own homes. I now think at the least, realtors should offer their clients a list of these professionals as resources when they list a house. At best, the realtor would hire them for their clients and pay for their services because it can speed up the sale, saving everyone stress and increasing the profit. After all, once a home goes on the market, it's no longer someone's private nest; it's a business transaction. Even with my own background, the last time I sold my third home, because it took eight months in a difficult economic market, I finally invested in a stager. It was not long after that my home sold and I believe storing extra personal possessions and staging helped because the buyers could then see the real bones of my condo, better visualizing their own furnishings and future life there.

Also, so many people have way too many possessions and clutter in their home when they go to sell. Professional organizers can walk through and give homeowners guidance on what to sell, donate, store, or take to the next residence. It helps the overwhelm.

Q: What advice do you have for someone wondering if they should join the SDP?

A: What are you waiting for??!! If design is your passion, now is the time to get the support and resources you need to empower yourself to create a career you love! And the SDP can help you get started.

Thank you for getting acquainted and I look forward to meeting all of you further as new decorating friends. Please "stop by for a cup of virtual tea" on my website and be sure to sign up for my monthly lifestyle e-newsletter there. When you do, you'll receive my FREE TIPS for organizing your home office for your maximum success!

Remember to bloom at home and help your clients do the same!


Kathryn
http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/