The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Theory Of Decoration

A list is given herewith, which is identical with the established practice of the majority of the better grade New York establishments. The percentages given are added to the actual cost of the article to find its selling price.

For special pieces of furniture, specially designed by the firm's designers, and made by the firm's own workmen, 20% is added for overhead in manufacturing and 50% additional for overhead and profit in selling.
For stock furniture that is purchased from a manufacturer or wholesaler, ready made and placed in the decorator's showroom as part of the display stock, 50% of the cost price is added.If the furniture is merely ordered from a wholesaler's catalog, and forwarded to the customer without standing as display stock, 331/3% is added. This fee covers freight, delivery charges, risk of breakage, insurance (if any), bad accounts, and the constant overhead of rent, bookkeeping, salesmen's salaries, etc.

Fabrics sold by the yard are generally sold at a profit of 50% over wholesalers' prices.
Imported furniture. It is necessary to add
to find the actual cost to the decorator. After these percentages are added, it is necessary to add 50% for store overhead and profit.

A pproximately
Duty ................... 15%
Insurance ....................15%
Freight .................... 20%

Objects of small value, add 100% or more to cost price.
Upholstery work—furniture coverings, curtains, etc., if done by the decorator's own employees on special order, add 20% plus 50%. If done by subcontractor, add 50'/' to the charge of the sub-contractor.

Painting and paper hanging, add 20% to 50% to the cost of labor and material according to the size of the job.
Tapestries, modern, add 50%.
Woodwork, 20% to 50%.
Sub-contractor's work, such as flooring, tile work, plaster work, electrical work and similar items, add from 10% to 25% , according to the size of the job.

Antiques of course have no manufacturer's or wholesaler's cost, and their selling price is a matter of judgment. Out always charges for them as much as one thinks may be obtained. Their prices at auction are of course most variable, and no general rule can be established, as so much depends upon the temporary and local conditions at the time of sale. An average rule to go by is to figure the reproduction cost and about double it as a retail price. Antiques with an authentic or certified history are usually worth considerably more than those without.