Q: What are some of the hot color trends?
A:The most recent furniture market featured grey as the "new neutral" in residential design. And while color is slowly creeping back into many homes, and blues with browns are still requested, neutrals continue to dominate the market.

The influence of grey for interiors began with the use of grey in woman's fashions, as it was seen as an alternative for black. The wide range of grey, from silvers to charcoals, is very versatile when used with almost any other color. For instance, when used in color schemes combining grey with tans, blues, and spice tones you can create a sophisticated, tailored look.

B Berger's new Cheshire Collection features greys as a neutral base to combine with plaids and stripes to create both modern and traditional settings.

Q: What is the advantage of using faux leather over real leather?
A: Faux leathers have recently come into their own as they are now available in a wide variety of designs and colors. They have a unique surface quality and a supple hand that is often mistaken as real leather. And, while both real and faux are extremely durable, the cost difference can be dramatic.

B Berger has developed a new collection of faux leather in the Ferrara II Collection. The faux leathers in this extensive collection have the benefit of being affordable, with a wide array of looks, textures and colors and are exceptionally easy to care for.

Faux skin textures, metallics, and interesting surface textures and colors give this collection amazing diversity!

Q: In this economic downturn what suggestions do you have for marketing design services without a large marketing budget?
A: In this tough economy many groups, such as garden clubs, sorority alumni groups, women's clubs, etc, are looking for "free" speakers for their monthly meetings. Volunteer to be a speaker at no charge for one or more of these local groups.

Topics such as "How to freshen up a room with a limited budget" will be a hit! One large new piece of furniture or new draperies and new pillows, changing lamps, or adding slip covers. There are many options that don't cost that much that get their imaginations going and spark that natural urge to DECORATE!!! Bring fabric samples, wallpapers, some pillows and lamps to tempt them.

You are bound to get, at the very least, one new client. And most small jobs turn into bigger jobs as you get going. When her friends see the "new bedroom", or whatever she has redone, they will HAVE to redo something, too! There is a lot of pent-up frustration - go after it!!! Tempt them with hints of wonderful, fresh ideas!!!!

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