Back to School, Budget 101!

We’re going back to school, so here’s a history lesson for the heart of a decorator!  Grade school history would have been much more interesting if they’d only included more stories like this one.  This true story is a cautionary reminder for those of us who have a passion for making all things bright and beautiful.  The adoring wife of our 16^th President was determined to make their brief stay in our nation’s capital as personal and comfortable as possible for her family.  That of course is what most women want, right?  The power of the nesting instinct! Congress appropriated a generous allowance of $20,000 to Mrs. Lincoln, so that she could get the executive mansion just the way she wanted it. 

 

 

Travelling to New York and Philadelphia, she set about organizing the cleaning effort; planning, shopping and working diligently to turn the executive mansion into a beautiful and comfortable showplace.  The $20,000 (which would be about $200,000.00 today) was to be used over the 4 year period of President Lincoln’s term - $5,000 per year.  Mary Todd Lincoln blew the entire budget in the first year.  Sound familiar? According to the records, in December when the bills started coming in, she had spent $6,700.00 more than her entire allowance.  Like many of us, she owned up to her overspending and sent the commissioner of public buildings to break the news to her husband.  The commissioner explained what happened and by Mrs. Lincoln’s request asked President Lincoln to give her more money.  What a woman!  Well, as you might imagine, Lincoln is said to have been furious.  He said that he would not give her any more money for such extravagance, particularly since there were U.S. soldiers who didn’t even have blankets.   He was so disturbed by her failure to stay within budget that he said he would pay the difference from his personal account.  Eventually congress quietly passed two deficiency appropriations to cover the extra spending.  As a testament to her redecorating ability, if you’re ever in DC, stop by the Lincoln Bedroom which still houses a beautiful rosewood bed purchased by the First Lady of the House.

 

Staying within a decorating budget requires diligence and determination.  Careful planning is critical.  If you have a client who has champagne tastes and a beer budget, consider working that job in phases and remember that with your skills and talents you can give your budget conscious client a designer look without a designer price tag.  Working with a budget will help you avoid getting a job partially done and never being able to complete it due to lack of funds.  If finishing the job will require an act of congress, don’t do it!  If your client has deep pockets and loose purse strings, you will still need to have them determine the amount that they are willing to spend and then spend wisely.  While you may have a more flexibility for additional purchases and substantially higher price tags with this client, they will appreciate your careful use of their dollars and cents and your conscientious spending on their behalf.

 

 

Soulfully & Decoratively,

 

Cheryl R. Cousins

Comments

[DesAnn]

Nice article Cheryl. One of my clients I am working with right now really didn't know the costs of items. He is divorced and didn't realize that lamps could cost over $30.00.
We have carefully created a plan with pre-determined, "realistic", expectations of our costs for the items needed. We are really going to s-t-r-e-t-c-h our budget through creativity. Communication with my client is paramount for a positive outcome.

[Marleen]

Cheryl, this is a great article! Since I've gotten older I can appreciate history so much more. You are right if they would have had a little decorating mixed in with the lessons I would have been a much better student. What else can you dig up for us?