This weekend is The Barclays pro golfing tournament at Liberty National, where Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh (among others) will be playing and I’m very excited to say that I designed all the interiors of the country club. Though I don’t understand golf much, I do understand the drama that interior design can bring to a space, which after working on the space for two years – with a lot of drama and a lot of design – I am very proud of.
This pas weekend there was an hour-long special segment on national TV featuring the golf clubhouse and interviews with the owners and prominent suppliers. My firm did not receive any credit.
Now, God knows I cannot complain about lack of exposure, and you are all probably thinking ‘But he appears here and he appears there, he’s so exposed’, but there are certain projects that, when they get done, you feel that this could be a benchmark in bringing my work to a different place. As a business person, you want your work to bring different types of jobs, not just residential, but a broader spectrum of creative design. 
So when a job that you have worked on for two years gets the chance to have its exposure on prime time television (with credits) and you’re not included in those credits, it’s disheartening because we all want to hear the applause for our performance, whether you’ve just started in business or have been for 35 years. And that is part of why we do what we do, because we want that pat on the back. Plus, the possibilities of getting new leads from beautiful projects. For myself, I’m always trying to break out of the mold of being just a residential designer – hence I do photography, product design and jobs like this that says to the public I don’t just focus on one thing and that I can be considered for different types of projects. 
Especially in times like these it is so important for us to cast the widest net.
So, though now appearing in a small blog, here is the design that Vicente Wolf Associates did for Liberty National.
(As a side bar, for you out there who put out a contract – which you all should be doing – in mine it states that I have the right to publish pictures of my work. You should all include this clause in your contract as you then never have to ask permission to publish a job you’re proud of. You have it in your contract from the beginning and it is your right to be credited for your work – whether the client wants his name put on the piece or not is theirs.)
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#1 by karl lohnes on August 25, 2009 - 12:33 pm
Love it! Its always a fine line between privacy and publicity with clients; something that needs to be discussed early in the relationship. Keep up the incredible, inspiring work that you do.
KGL
#2 by Nathalie on August 25, 2009 - 1:06 pm
Spectacular!!
#3 by The Countrypolitan on August 25, 2009 - 3:31 pm
Vincente, These spaces are gorgeous. I have to wonder what their incentive was to leave you out of the credits. If anything, it would have added to the attention it would receive.
I have in my contracts that I have the right to take photos and use them for promotional purposes. At a higher level of exposure that your work receives, I wonder if you wouldn’t want to add to your contracts that any marketing or promotion of the space must include credits to you. If they are willing to agree at contract time to this line item, you would have legal rights for damages. And I would certainly consider not being given credit as “damage”.
#4 by Marisa Volz on August 25, 2009 - 4:30 pm
Your work on the clubhouse is gorgeous. Your choices are absolutely flawless. I can’t imagine the time, effort and expertise that you put into that project. Unfortunately, it seems neither can the owners. I’m wondering if that is what caused the omission. Just a complete lack of understanding that it takes a miracle of talent to achieve what you have done. Congratulations. Once again you’ve created a beautiful, inspiring, peaceful and real environment.
#5 by Mimi Smith on August 25, 2009 - 4:41 pm
Wow! What a sophisticated space. Just loving it.
#6 by Linda Merrill on August 25, 2009 - 6:28 pm
First – thank you for chatting on The Skirted Roundtable today! The post will be up shortly!
Secondly – you have every right to feel dissed by not getting credit. The pat on the back means as much to the seasoned pro as the novice – both for personal reasons and professional.
As for photo right, absolutely. In my contract I state that I have the right to use images of my work for marketing purposes in any manner or media in perpetuity. That pretty much covers it!
#7 by lara on August 25, 2009 - 8:20 pm
So sorry to hear about not receiving credit. That is poor on the part of the club, and I hope you find appropriate recourse.
Regards,
Victoria
#8 by Ann Shumbo on August 25, 2009 - 11:14 pm
Vincent,
I have loved your work from the first time I picked up your first book. I am 42 and went back to school for design several years ago but am not in a position to quit my day job. I understand very much your frustration with crediting. It happens in every profession including mine. It can be really frustrating even when you are already recognized for your talents. No matter how successul we are – we all want to feel validated for the work we do. You are truly an inspiration to me and when I got your second book – I curled up on my bed and read it cover to cover. I only wished, that I got to travel with you — to find all those unique and interesting pieces, art, etc. Travel serves as an inspiration in all forms. Whether or not you are credited please note that many people recognize your talents and it’s unfortunate that you don’t receive the appropriate acknowledgement.
Thank you for being you and being an amazing talent. I am so glad, I found your blog. I will continue reading.
ann
#9 by Vicente on August 26, 2009 - 9:34 am
@ The Countrypolitan – We do have it in the contract but I’m not willing to sever the relationship with the client. Call me a fool!
#10 by JoAnn Locktov on August 26, 2009 - 1:08 pm
Your work on the Clubhouse is beautiful, I can understand your dismay. Being television the program will probably repeat and have a life after the initial air date. You may wish to ask the producers to go back into the segment and add your name to the existing credits. They may be mortified by their omission and happy to hear from you. Since you have such gorgeous photographs and a compelling story the project still has great value to the press, specifically the trades which are read by the contract and hospitality community you are trying to reach. A good publicist will not only place your projects in the appropriate media, they will also always advocate for you. Buona Fortuna!
#11 by Whitney on August 26, 2009 - 2:03 pm
I’m so sorry about your frustrating experience.
People are always hard to give credit where it is deserved and I can’t understand it.
#12 by Petrit on August 27, 2009 - 11:11 am
Vincente,
As a friend of one of the project architects for Liberty National, I attended a party some months back in the clubhouse. Recently at a barbeque, I learned from Jackie that your firm was not invited to the event. I find the lack of appreciation and credit most unfortunate. As a contractor, I take notice of all aspects of a project. As I know that you were not responsible for the installation of specified materials, I could not believe the poor installation of the slate flooring in the lobby and the extreme cupping of the wood flooring throughout the clubhouse. As for your contribution to the project, I think it is already apparent by some of the comments made by the PGA members, that your contribution to the project should be recognized and celebrated, not ignored
All the best
Petrit Coma
#13 by Petrit on August 27, 2009 - 11:15 am
Please accept my apology for misspelling your name.
#14 by Bette on August 27, 2009 - 11:22 am
Vincente,
Thank goodness there are more ways of showing your work than just television. Your photo’s here prove it. It’s a bit frustrating sure but you’ve learned a valuable lesson and we’re learning from you as well. There are many more good things to come out of this experience than bad. Thank you for being who you are a great designer in many mediums.
I appreciate all you do.
Thanks!
Bette
#15 by cassandra @ cocokelley on September 1, 2009 - 10:00 am
wow – i must say that i’ve never seen a more inviting or well done club house! so many times they feel the same – overstuffed leather, or trying to hard modern… you’ve done it perfectly. i can’t believe i’ve never seen these spaces before! just gorgeous