News and Events
I Paid TOO Much!
By: Pierre Rattini
Biz Buzz Media
704.858.6899
Have you ever walked into a store and paid one price and walked into another store and found it for less? Well I think we all have, how irritating. Recently I came across an interior designer and immediately assumed she would be expensive. I know, you thought that too.
I learned the difference between wholesale and retail pricing. It was actually less expensive to buy through a designer then to shop and compare.
$1479.00 Store Price
$1125.00 Online Price
$682.50 Designer including design fee
Have you ever wondered what it is like to work with a designer? I have spent the last month with Rita and some of her clients.
This is what I have observed.
Rita’s clients come to her relaxed yet beautiful office and have everything they need at their finger tips. No crowds, no rushing around, no stress, while they have coffee and scones, I like the cookies. They got to touch the fabrics, select the colors and choose the finish. Have you ever experienced selecting your own custom choices? I prefer this to the stores and it turned a stressful situation into a fun experience. Rita helps lighten the tension between couples with her sense of humor and knowledge; one would say it is designing for the sexes.
“Clients buy a variety of items. As an example of a dining room our clients selected art work, draperies, rugs, and accessories” says Rita. “We inform clients of the arrival of their selections and then we come to the home ensuring the quality of the shipment. Next we ensure that each item is hung, positioned and/or installed to meet the clients and designers vision. It is a complete service making sure the client gets the feeling and results they wanted.”
“For instance many clients will shop retail or the magazines and find something they dearly love then they will call me and I will find that item for them at an inexpensive price”, says Rita. “To gain the honesty and loyalty of a client for a lifetime is the mission of our firm and how we evaluate our success.”
About Miles Interiors
Miles Interiors, Inc. was established in 1996 and is proud to bring style, elegance and satisfaction to all of their projects – no matter the size or cost. With a team of designers, sub-contractors, architects, engineers and custom craftspeople, including professional installation and quality control personnel, they provide clients with the highest possible level of service anywhere in their area!
Miles Interiors, Inc.
Designer: Rita Miles
www.milesinteriors.net , 704.492.9846
BUSINESS LEADERS OF CHARLOTTE
November 25, 2009 at Sunset Club, 5:00 pm
BUSINESS JOURNAL - Friday, May 22, 2009
Big Ideas - Adjusting to the market by design
By Adam O'Daniel Staff writer
Just like updating a home to match the latest styles, interior designer Rita Miles says her business is changing to meet client demands.
Customers are conscious of spending and how their home designs might impact the environment. Miles, president of Miles Interiors says she’s adapting to keep her business viable in a changing economy.
How have your clients changed their spending habits to deal with the recession? It’s the middle market that’s really cutting back. The high-end customers are looking for value right now. There were some that were trapped in the Wachovia deal (with the bank sold to Wells Fargo & Co.), and that hurt us. But most are still spending, just paying more attention to the value. For example, some clients had been saving money to move into a new home, and now they’re rethinking it. A lot of people are saying, “OK, if we’re going to stay here, then let’s at least remodel the kitchen.” People are also adding furniture, accessories and artwork to their home interiors.
How have you adjusted your business methods?
I’m marketing the business more by networking, being smart about advertising and connecting to the community with events, charities and galas.
Are you seeing any new trends in your industry?
We just finished a green-certification class last week. It helped us understand the healthy, sustainable and energy-efficient way to build a home. It’s really amazing how much it can save the homeowner. We’re actually doing a house right now in Charlotte that is 100% green. The owner is a film director, and we’re filming the entire project for a documentary. It’s really a neat opportunity.
QUICKINFO
VITAL STATS
•Miles Interiors was founded in 1996.
•Miles offers commercial and residential design services for total renovations, new construction and existing homes.
•The business is located at 637 McNinch St., Charlotte, 28208. For details, call (704) 492-9846.
aodaniel@bizjournals.com
URBAN LIVING
Miles Interior Design Commercial Projects
Not only has Miles Interior Design resolved many design solutions in the residential community but has vast commercial interior design experience. The portfolio includes hotels, country clubs, restaurants, bars, lounges, salons, bowling alleys and retail spaces throughout the Southeast. Local project work includes, The Tower Club, Brick and Barrel, Kostas International Salon in Founders Hall, Myers Park Country Club, Volare Restaurant and Café Sienna Restaurant. Miles’ multi-faceted design skills have enabled the firm to handle projects that range from small hotel renovations to $40 million design projects. Along the way, Miles has earned a reputation for attention to detail by providing hands-on expertise throughout the design process.
Miles Interiors Residential Projects
With inspiration, motivated craftsmanship, a passion for good esthetic and astute professionalism, Miles Interior Design guarantees their customers are involved in the entire design process. The attention to detail combined with the education and experience in residential and commercial design ensures that each personalized project is handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Establishing diverse clientele in residential design, Miles Interiors creates traditional, contemporary and old world designs, to name a few, for many homeowners in the greater Charlotte area. Rita Miles, owner and principal designer, and Lindsey Brewster, design associate, bring their imaginative innovation and expertise into every project. Closely listening to the needs and wants of every client and retaining first rate contractors and vendors is a priority for this duo.
Past project experience includes work with numerous custom homes builders in the Southeast and the greater Charlotte area. Many of the homes that complete Miles Interiors’ resume range in cost from $250,000 to over $3.5 million. Each design consultation ensures that the client’s personal selections are seen until completion of the project. Miles Interior Designs’ projects range from kitchen and bathroom renovations to new home interior and exterior selections. Kitchen renovations accomplished have ranged in cost from $10,000 to over $100,000. Bathroom reconstructions have varied in cost from $3,500 to over $70,000. Exterior selection consists of brick pavers and tile, ironwork, stucco, stone, gutters, exterior doors, paint color, trim color, landscape and swimming pool design. Interior project planning involves consultation for product selections, product specifications, color coordination, faux finishes and specialty paints, wall coverings and custom window treatments. Miles Interiors also advises the selection of unique furniture, lighting, accessories, artwork, custom design surfacing, fireplace surrounds, staircase design, fabric selection, custom flooring and audio/video installation. From media rooms to powder rooms, Miles Interiors has a design solution for every budget and style.
Written by: Lori Zannino