FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEF

WMC to 'Match' designers, clients

The year-round Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center will hold a special event Thursday that matches residents to interior designers. "Designer Match" is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.

The event will begin with a short orientation by Cindy L. Payne of Project Design Interiors and Dear Designer columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, who will discuss what consumers should look for when hiring a designer. Afterwards, attendees will be introduced to 20 prescreened interior designers in an innovative "speed dating" format. They will be able to present their design dilemmas and ask questions as they rotate from one design expert to the next.

Participating designers represent a broad cross-section of local professionals, with varied pricing, practices and specialties.

After a group lunch, the showrooms in Buildings A and B will offer miniseminars and preview their lines.

Dana Pretner Andrew, director of marketing and public relations for World Market Center, said the idea for the event evolved as the design center team started receiving more requests for referrals.

"As we grow as a resource for the local design community, we feel it's our role to be a matchmaker between the many talented designers in our community and local Las Vegans mulling the idea of hiring an interior designer," Pretner Andrew said. "We also feel that it's our role to educate consumers about how to work with an interior designer, and even what questions to ask when hiring one. So we developed this innovative 'designer dating' format. Best of all, the money we raise through Designer Match tuitions will go to The Public Education Foundation."

When it comes to hiring an interior designer, many consumers simply don't know where to start, Payne said. "They don't know what price is appropriate to pay, what to expect from a designer and how to be prepared for their first meeting. At Designer Match, the homeowner will learn that hiring a designer can be easy and fun."

Those interested in attending must register in advance at www.lasvegasmarket.com or call 599-3062. A $50 donation, which will be forwarded to The Public Education Foundation, is requested.