Gather your family, friends and neighbors. It’s time for an interior design party.
It’s a new concept in the interior design world and nine-year Clarkston resident Julie Easterday is leading the way.
Her new business, Stonehouse Interiors, takes a different form of marketing and distribution through home showings. Something like that of Partylite or Pampered Chef, but in this case, design services.
In an added twist, 10 percent of profits per showing are donated to a charity of the host’s choice.
The idea for Stonehouse Interiors came to Easterday as kind of a fluke, she said. Easterday was asked to do an interior design presentation this year for a Festival of Arts at Springfield Plains Elementary, where son Eric, 9, attends. (Easterday, married to Steve, has a 17-year-old son, Frank Cerra, as well.)
Not only did Easterday keep the students’ attention at the art festival, parents seemed to enjoy it, too. “All the moms were saying, ‘You should do this for adults.’”
So in May, Easterday began pursuing her new business full time.
“I think there is a need for this. People want an interior designer but don’t want to pay the large retainer fees.”
Easterday said the home showings are intended to be a fun gathering for women and an education in interior design.
“I find a lot of people whether they know what they want or don’t know what they want, have at least one problem where an interior designer could be helpful.”
Signing up to host a party will get a host a free consultation at their home, discounts on goods and services, trade professional referrals, and choice of charity donation.
“I always wanted to be able to give to charities if I had the time or money, but I always found I never had the time or money. I thought if I had my own business, where I have more control over money, I could do that. I have my favorite charities and I’m sure others have their favorite charities.”
Hosts will also have the opportunity to go on a shopping trip with Easterday to the Michigan Design Center. The center is exclusive to designers and has more than 40 showrooms of home furnishings from more than 1,400 manufacturers.
“It’s a fun thing to offer.”
Before the showing, the host is asked to prepare a list of 10 to 15 people who plan to attend.
“I send out invitations with a questionnaire to find out their needs and wants. The showing then will be custom to their needs and wants,” such as decorating styles, color schemes and more.
The showing could be themed as an afternoon tea party, luncheon or an evening coffee and dessert gathering. Easterday provides the treats.
“I don’t want to the hostess to have to do much. This is her thing.”
There is no charge for attendees. At the showing, they will have the opportunity to view a variety of “high quality” goods and services including custom window treatments, bedding and pillows, slip covers and table skirts, fabric lines and wall coverings, art and accessories, lighting and accent pieces, quilts and throws, rugs, and various lines of case goods and upholstery.
“Chances are you won’t find the same items in a store.”
They also can see the most current trends in home decorating, set up their own design consultation and get “hands-on” advice with Easterday.
Easterday will also put together a scheme for redecorating the room or rooms of the host’s choice. But after the showing the host does not have to commit to anything.
The 15-year design professional said she wants her business to get personal. “I want to get to know people, their personalities and (have designing) be a conjoined effort.”
Stonehouse Interiors, named after a boarded-up stone house on Dixie Highway Easterday is fond of and hopes to own in the future, has competitive pricing, Easterday said, adding she is able to charge less than other design service studios because of no overhead cost and no storefront. Easterday works out of her home.
After obtaining a business degree from Wayne State University, she began her career with Contract Interiors, a commercial interior design company. She then worked several years at the Michigan Design Center, before transferring to a Birmingham firm for five years. She was with Macksey Interiors in Clarkston when she decided to branch off on her own.
Easterday would like to hire other interior designers to host parties, put together a catalog for the showings and is excited to see what else the future holds.
To schedule a showing, call Julie Easterday at (248) 625-6937.