Contact:

Marianne J. Hauswirth
Michigan Design Center
248.649.4772
marianne@michigandesign.com

MICHIGAN DESIGN CENTER OFFERS THE PUBLIC A TASTE OF DESIGN  

Despite the ongoing popularity of home decorating shows and the abundance of shelter magazines now available, the majority of people interested in creating similarly polished looks for their own homes have no idea where to begin or how to turn their ideas into reality.

The truth is, most people are only familiar with furnishings available in retail stores and catalogs and believe they don’t have access to the wonderful products they see in their favorite shows and magazines. That’s why so many people are amazed when they see the quality and variety of products on view at Michigan Design Center. With over 30 showrooms, occupying more than 215,000 square feet of space, Michigan Design Center is an enormous resource for home furnishings, kitchen and bath fixtures, textiles and fabrics and wall and window coverings.

However, using Michigan Design Center can be daunting for the uninitiated. That’s where MDC’s Design Connection program comes in, offering complimentary, one-on-one, designer-led “by appointment” tours for consumers who are interested in interior design and home remodeling. "We created Design Connection to introduce the end consumer, the public, to this wonderful resource and to the design process itself," notes Susan Zinger, MDC General Manager.

“Many consumers have no idea what a designer does,” explains Joan Whitman, a seasoned member of the MDC Design Connection team. The critical difference between retail shopping and ordering from showrooms is the ability to customize. It is one of the factors that make having an interior designer so helpful. Sorting out just the options available on upholstered furniture – size, fabric, cushion firmness, and the choice of legs or a skirt to complete the look – is a complex decision-making process that benefits from the expertise of an experienced designer.

The enthusiastic design professionals who show visitors around Michigan Design Center are virtually walking encyclopedias of interior design products and resources. “The design center is an expansive resource which offers endless possibilities for building, furnishing and accessorizing commercial and residential projects. A professional designer is knowledgeable of all product lines and is able to navigate clients effectively through the design process to select products that will suit their style and budget,” states designer Maha Jano.

The first meeting is really an opportunity to educate our potential clients about the benefits of working with a designer, to envision the possibilities for their home or office, explains Design Connection member, Renea Lewis. “

Design Connection members might take people on a general tour to give them an overview of MDC’s bountiful offerings, including furniture, fabrics, carpets or stone, and tile. Design Connection members can also guide visitors to areas of special interest, for example the kitchen and bath showrooms. “Many clients find buying flooring one of the most confusing decisions they’ll ever make. A designer can help the client narrow down their choices from the vast amount of products available. A designer can also provide an installer with working drawings to ensure an installation goes smoothly” says Lewis.

For people about to embark on a design project, a Design Connection tour is like an introductory course in the design business, demystifying the process as much as possible. People come away from the tours armed with information and sparks of inspiration for current or future projects.

“They realize, ‘I can be different…I can have something unique,’” comments Jan McCollum. “It’s a great thing to see them go ‘wow'."

Design Connection tours are scheduled by appointment only. Please call Bonnie Brown, at 1-888- DIAL MDC or 1-888-342-5632 to make arrangements. Our one-hour tours are complimentary.

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