Monday, March 21, 2011

If Tom Scheerer Comes to Town . . .

I'll try to be as brusque with him as possible. Confused by this statement? Let me explain. Tom Scheerer is a renowned interior designer whose work I've long admired.
So, imagine my delight when I realized a home he designed in Maine was featured in the new House Beautiful. The room above is not in the home featured in HB; I found it on Scheerer's website (I was too lazy to scan in photos). However, this very same sofa and rug are in the Maine house. Same homeowners maybe?

Anyway, of course, I soak in the photos but then I go back and actually read the interview. I like to see what motivates and inspires the designer . . . their thought process. I got some of that, plus a little insult as well. As the writer was asking Scheerer about designing a house in Maine, he posed the question, "Are Mainers straightforward to the point of bluntness?" 

Here was Scheerer's response: "They can be a little brusque. It's easier when people are brusque." He could have left it at that, but felt the need to add, "I prefer it to that Southern thing that drives me crazy - everybody being nice to each other all the time. Takes too long. There's not enough time in the day."

Hmm. Guess I've been wasting my time being nice to people all the time. That explains it. I guess I should just take a cue from Mr. Scheerer and save myself some precious minutes. Being rude is SO much quicker apparently. Thanks for that valuable gem, Tom. Sorry to vent, guess I'm just a sensitive Southerner.

11 comments:

Ashley said...

THANK YOU for writing this!! When I read the HB article, I'm sure I had so surprised look on my face. I have many relatives from Maine and I wouldn't describe them as brusque...nor would I assert that Southerners waste time being nice...bizarre comment all together!

Jimmy The Undercover Designer said...

Well, he got one thing right, it is absolutely easier and quicker to be rude. But it is also with the same speed that clients/people will be running away from you, whether a designer or in any other profession.
It is politeness and taking your time to nicely direct people to better choices that takes time and effort and makes you a great designer/professional. That is where the real effort is.
Thank you for your comment.
Very nice blog.

Raina Cox said...

Being firm and clear and being polite and gracious are not mutually exclusive.

bluehydrangea said...

Kathy,
I felt the same way when I read that article!! I'll take our way any day!!

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Kathy- Too funny!

Loretta

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

What Raina said!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Sounds like he said something stupid and then backtracked with something stupider. Not brilliant, but if some day I ever get interviewed I bet I'll stick my foot in my mouth too!

Aimee@ the Functional Space said...

I third Raina! Geez....clearly his momma never taught him that if he didn't have anything nice to say to not at say anything all!

Gretchen O. said...

Love the post! I adore his work, and well about the Southern thing, to each his own....I agree with Aimee...maybe he has a thing or two to learn:)

alison giese Interiors said...

I wonder if he was quoted correctly. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since I love his work (featured one of his rooms from HB today, too!) but seriously, what the hell with people bashing on Southerners? Elitism is my #1 pet peeve!

Anonymous said...

I think I understand where he was coming from. We Southerners often hate to offend people so sometimes we may not come right out and say whether we really like something or not. I guess that could be hard if you were a designer working with a client who was just not telling you exactly what you needed to know.

But still! Good manners and thoughtfulness will still trump brusqueness any day of the week!