Sharon Kotula

It was a long, LONG weekend, but we essentially finished the Maricopa vacation home installation! The clients requested we finish the install by Sunday when they left, starting Friday morning - and it's a 2300 sf house!

In the end, we have just a few items to deliver; a couch was damaged, and a desk went MIA. I am no longer going to use the furniture source I used on this one, for that very reason! With "Argent Decor - The Store" opening this month, I don't have to - I can go factory-direct.

The clients were SUPER cool! It was two couples from Edmonton AB that went in on the home together. They were so much fun; we stood around and talked almost as much as we worked! ;)

I am still recovering from the marathon, but am so proud we got it done!

Sharon Kotula
Argent Decor
Phoenix Vacation Home Furnishing
www.ArgentDecor.com
Sharon@ArgentDecor.com
602-774-2294 Showroom

The cuckoo clock to the left is symbolic in TWO ways this time:

1. Am I cuckoo?

2. Clock is tickin'!

I have an install in Maricopa AZthis weekend for a vacation home. What started out as a pretty simple "I like this theme" ballooned into "I want to do a custom package, select all my pieces, and I'm on a super-budget - and can you do the full install in a week?". I agreed, under the premise that the client sign off on all selections and send payment 3 wks in advance. This allows for the custom-selected furniture to arrive, and gives me time to "pre-shop" for accessories and decor in a non-standard theme.

Naturally, it took far too long to select pieces, make additions, budget revisions, etc - so payment arrived 7/3. Closing is 7/16 at 4PM. The client goes back to Edmonton on Sunday, and wants all 2300 sf of their Fulton Home furnished before they leave - 3 bedrooms, den, formal living and dining, family room, kitchen. They omitted some of the small stuff (kitchenwares), some of the stuff I wish they had kept (silk plants!), but added 2" blinds AND window treatments.

With roughly 48 hours to complete furnishing and decorating a 2300+ sf home, I feel like I should have a reality TV show on Home & Garden Network (HGTV)! HGTV, I am ready for my close-up! ;)

Sharon Kotula
Argent Decor
Phoenix Vacation Home Furnishing
www.ArgentDecor.com
sharon@argentdecor.com
602-774-2294 Showroom

OPENING JULY '09 - "ARGENT DECOR - THE STORE" IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE!

GREAT NEWS in Argent Decor land today! I no longer have to side with Tom Petty re: "The Waiting is the Hardest Part" from my blog the other day!

We were awarded the model unit install at the "Retirement Resort"! Still waiting to hear on the patio install; may be another 2 weeks, so I get to sweat that one out.... I am amazed that I beat out their staff designer, plus at least one other designer's bid, but so proud that I did!

Sharon Kotula
Argent Decor
Phoenix Furnishing Service and Model Home Installations
www.ArgentDecor.com
sharon@argentdecor.com
602-774-2294 Showroom

OPENING JULY '09 - "ARGENT DECOR, THE STORE" IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE!

Two weeks ago, a client of mine mentioned my services at a retirement community - and it turns out, they were taking bids on furnishing a model unit! PERFECT!

So I got in touch with them, and they had me come out on Monday. Technically, they stopped taking bids, but my client talked me up so much, they made an exception - as long as I had the bid in in under 48 hrs. I opened my big mouth and asked if the others had photos of the furniture they would use, and was told, "No - but if yours does, it would give you a leg up....". D'OH! More work!

I submitted the bid with time to spare, and by the end of the week, the staff proactively e-mailed me that no decision had been made yet. Then I received another e-mail - they are redecorating their pool and patio areas; would I be interested in bidding on that install, too....? YOU BET I WOULD! So I pulled together an amazing set, submitted a bid last Tuesday, and still....nothing. They have been very proactive in letting me know no decision has been made, the holiday had a lot of decision-makers MIA, etc...for them to ask for a second project's bid, I have to think they liked what I did with the first....either that, or they are trying to get another designer to come down on their price.....hopefully, that's not the case....

But the waiting - it's the hardest! I really love the packages I put together for the bids, and would very much like to see them come to fruition. Yes, the check would also be nice, but it's so exciting to see your own "creation" come to life!

It must be the same when agents have a great listing appointment, but the seller says they have other appts set and want to honor them - you know you nailed it, but you have to sweat it out for awhile....

Still waiting -
Sharon Kotula
Argent Decor
Phoenix Furnishing Service
www.ArgentDecor.com
sharon@argentdecor.com
602-774-2294 Showroom

OPENING JULY '09 - "ARGENT DECOR, THE STORE" IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE!

I was officially one of the last hold-outs on Facebook - I didn't get what the big deal was! I had a MySpace page for Argent Decor, although not much was happening there.....

After attending Real Estate Bar Camp (REBARCamp) Phoenix, I learned that:

1. I was the last soul NOT on Facebook;

2. Social Media is playing an unbelievable role in search engine recognition!

So as soon as I got home, I created a Facebook page for Argent Decor. It's nothing fancy, and I'm not entirely sure how to use it, but my website stats have gone NUTS, including massive increases in Active Rain stats!

Please become a "Fan" of Argent Decor by clicking this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottsdale-AZ/Argent-Decor/75820697506

I'm also on LinkedIn, although I haven't had much activity there, either....

Sharon Kotula
Argent Decor
Phoenix Home Furnishing Service
www.ArgentDecor.com
602-774-2294

OPENING JULY '09 - "ARGENT DECOR, THE STORE" IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE!