I love my job and with that design has become and has stayed my passion; for those of us that are lucky to be immersed in such a great industry I find that the duty we have is to educate those that are not so design clued up. This is my mission, this is what I hope to achieve; to make South African’s understand and grasp the value of design.
It is not their fault for not being design savvy; but if you are going to buy an item then stop and think about why you are buying it. Is it the aesthetic, are you looking for something not seen before, is it the cost, do you think that this is all you can get for the price so you stop the looking and purchase then and there? What are the reasons - think about this before you go out to buy and remember - never buy hungry! Hungry makes you less discerning, it makes you settle for less than you desire.
I don’t expect everyone to buy originals, however I do want for people to know the value of what they are electing to take into their home - remember designer furniture is like art - purchase it and take it into your home and there it shall remain. Like art, do not go out and buy on a whim, this is where the mistake is made of buying cheap knock offs that do not last for much over a year and so subsequently you have recurring costs. Think about it, know your materials - gone should the delusion be that plastic is cheap, polycarbonate is the most durable material, it will last you a life time, it will NOT snap or damage so then why don’t you save and purchase something that not only looks better but will last longer meaning money in essence is saved on what appears to be the more expensive item. Ok, perhaps someone does not want to buy modern or new or plastic for that matter, still - do not settle for that sofa that may look nice and is cheap in not only monies but in materials, why don’t you try vintage, re-upholster - make the item yours!
Basically, my job in educating is a process, and where do we start? Students, the youth - those that in ten years are the ones specifying, buying, selling; they are the ones with free and open minds. For now please what I ask is for you to heed the words I tell you - cheaper is down the line a lot more expensive and don’t we all in this present day want to know that we are saving - and doesn’t it give you a sense of something knowing that you have saved on something that is the highest quality!