There isn’t a week that goes by that someone isn’t posting on various CSRA social media pages, “We are moving to Augusta, Aiken, or North Augusta and want info on the best neighborhoods, schools, and other options.”
For families selling their home or buying one, staging and renovation are big business, and so is making the home your own “forever place”. That is where interior designers come into play.
Chris Tsilimidos, owner of CSCM Furniture & Décor, Brittney Nelson, Brit Nelson Interiors, and Barbara Berlanda Stevens, BtheSpace, specializing in Interior Design, Staging, and real estate services, have teamed up for a free workshop to be held Thursday, June 26, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at CSCM located at 211 Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez.
Tsilimidos wanted to do the workshop because of customer questions, including What design style should I go with? There will be several groupings on display, like Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, and Traditional styles.
“If it has a great reception, we may do the workshop quarterly,” added Nelson.
As ABD has previously reported, the Augusta metro area has experienced a notable 26% population growth over the past two decades. There are several business trends and economic factors attracting more and more people to the area.
One of the largest economic drivers in Augusta is the government. Fort Eisenhower has long played a significant role in spurring local growth as it brings military families, contractors, and other skilled workers to the CSRA. Additionally, a boom of manufacturing, healthcare, and cybersecurity investments has brought employees and their families to the area.
Similarly, Aiken County has seen substantial growth with a population increase of more than 10,000 people over the last four years. According to U.S. News and World Report, the migration from the North and Midwest to the South puts South Carolina at the top of the list of preferred locations.
“We love people coming into the CSRA. Many buy older homes that need renovation. Of course, the Masters is also a busy time for interior designers to prepare client homes to be rented out during the tournament,” said Nelson.
How does the popularity of HGTV shows impact the interior design business?
“Negatively. Everyone wants their house done in an hour.”
For the record, employment of interior designers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,800 openings for interior designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
According to an annual survey by Houzz & Home, 17 percent of homeowners hire interior designers. The survey included information regarding remodeling plans, budgets, and priorities encompassing more than 170,000 respondents in the U.S.
Ninety percent of an interior designer’s job is to listen. Communication is the key to success. This week at the workshop, you can talk and ask questions, and three pros will be listening to offer advice on bringing your dream home to life.
For more information, click any of these links:
https://www.facebook.com/britnelsoninteriors,
https://www.facebook.com/atBTheSpace,
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093475685913.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
