Design people, is this a no-no?

[DotAndBuzz]

We decided to buy the dining room furniture from Ethan Allen.  We looked at a number of other places, and were just left feeling ho-hum about everything except what we found at EA.  And the designer that helped us was wonderful.  That's actually who my question is about specifically.  I know that as an EA employee, when she helps us accessorize and plan our room, she has to use EA stuff.  But, can she kind of, moonlight?  Like, she helped us pick a rug for the room, but it is $2800.  For a rug.  I'm really not feeling that.  The EA chandelier is ok, and not terribly priced, but I don't love it, and they have a pretty limited selection.  But I would love her input on chandeliers from a lighting store that has a MUCH better selection.  Ditto for fabric for window treatments.

Is that something she's allowed to do, do you think?    Because we get along great, and she can read me really well.  She's younger, picked up on our aesthetic really fast, is not pushy, and listens to what we have to say.  Basically, I want to hire her to kind of work as a "consultant"  during her off hours so she can help me with stuff outside of EA (I love their furniture, but it is definitely $$$$), but do you think that puts her in a bad spot?  Do you think there's some sort of non-compete they have to sign to work there?  I don't want to ask her and make it awkward if it isn't a possibility.

[Deleted]

I'm sorry, I'm just dying to know how much money you're spending on all of this.

I'm tacky!

[Deleted]

Can't hurt to ask, right? I want pics of the table!

[Deleted]

I agree with bricco, it can't hurt to ask.

[EmilieMadison]

I'd assume that it's probably frowned upon, at the least, for her to moonlight as a designer.
Can you just...browse through stores and find things you like, and then search for similar items either online or in other stores that are within your budget?

[snipsnsnails]

I don't know, but, nah, I don't think she has any sort of formality in place prohibiting her from freelancing as a result of being employed at EA, but I'd be surprised if she did any additional consulting/interior design outside of what she does at EA. That's not to say that you can't ask her if she'd consider taking on some design work from you outside of her role at EA. I think if she can't, she will tell you she can't. You're still giving her a great amount of business in purchasing the dining room furniture.

[overture]

I guarantee she would LOVE if someone asked her to do this. Few designers dream of working at furniture showrooms forever. I'm sure she'd like to have something like this to add to her portfolio.

[DotAndBuzz]

lol stellas.

I almost backed out because I feel like we've been hemorrhaging cash w/ the house (this is our first big purchase for it), and settling in, but H wouldn't have done it if it was over the top. I'm not good with spending money. H is, so we balance each other out that way. I'll talk him down sometimes, and other times he talks me up.

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2013 21:24:05 GMT -5 @stellasmom said:

I'm sorry, I'm just dying to know how much money you're spending on all of this.

I'm tacky!

*Sits with Stella's...*

[Deleted]

Oh, and also, I buy everything possible from Ethan Allen and I love their quality.

I couldn't do their couches though. We found some we loved, but the two couches ON CLEARANCE, as is, would have been 6K. I just couldn't stomach it.

[DotAndBuzz]

Emilie - my problem is that I am not confident in what will look good there. I can find tons of stuff I like, but when it comes to actually deciding "yes, this is exactly what this room needs," I'm no good. We haven't really been in a position to design/decorate a room how we want it from start to finish, and have always been in make it work for the duration of our time here mode since we had to move so much. I'm sure I'll get better with time, but right now I feel like I'm still "this is all so pretty! I love ALL OF IT!!!! PINNING EVERYTHING! I love RED! OOOH, gold! Patterns!"

Quesera - that's exactly what I was afraid of.

[overture]

Jun 9, 2013 21:32:37 GMT -5 Que? said:

Jun 9, 2013 21:29:57 GMT -5 overture said:

I guarantee she would LOVE if someone asked her to do this. Few designers dream of working at furniture showrooms forever. I'm sure she'd like to have something like this to add to her portfolio.

Lol. She's making bank there, trust. They pay a very good commission and their designers are good.

I don't know about "bank."  From what I've heard they are a pretty shitty company to work for.

[Deleted]

Jun 9, 2013 22:48:25 GMT -5 Que? said:

Jun 9, 2013 21:42:28 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

Emilie - my problem is that I am not confident in what will look good there. I can find tons of stuff I like, but when it comes to actually deciding "yes, this is exactly what this room needs," I'm no good. We haven't really been in a position to design/decorate a room how we want it from start to finish, and have always been in make it work for the duration of our time here mode since we had to move so much. I'm sure I'll get better with time, but right now I feel like I'm still "this is all so pretty! I love ALL OF IT!!!! PINNING EVERYTHING! I love RED! OOOH, gold! Patterns!"

Quesera - that's exactly what I was afraid of.

You don't have to do it all at once. She should be able to help you with what basic pieces you need that are worth investing in, and you can build on that over time.

I think you should still ask her but I'm pretty certain she won't be able to do it.

I'm with Que. When I wait longer, the room always comes out better. I just found the perfect painting for my living room, 3 years after moving in (except we can't afford it right now. Ha.).

Anyway, just ask and cross your fingers!

[camelblossom]

Jun 9, 2013 22:45:09 GMT -5 Que? said:

Jun 9, 2013 22:38:51 GMT -5 overture said:

I don't know about "bank."  From what I've heard they are a pretty shitty company to work for.

I don't think you know what you're talking about.

'Bank' is relative. For retail design, EA is an optimal situation.

Could be. But maybe she wants to be more than a retail designer.

FWIW, Ovey does actually have good authority on the subject.

sent from my galaxy s3. suck it, iphone haters.

[RoxMonster]

I would ask, but I'm unsure if she can do it. When I worked retail (granted, never at a furniture store but at a variety of restaurants and clothing stores), we always had to sign something/agree that we would not work at/for a competing business. So when I worked at The Loft, it was totally fine to have a second job as a waitress, because that business was not direct competition to the Loft. But I could not have a side job working at Macy's or Banana Republic, etc. I would assume EA might have a similar stipulation, but I'm unsure.