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The Art of Remodeling
Working with Interior Designers
Many consumers are somewhat intimidated by the thought of hiring an interior designer. They worry they'll lose control of the design, or the budget, and that the finished room may not be to their liking. Using a design professional can, and should, be a good experience. It can give your home continuity, function, and beauty. And it doesn't have to go over your budget. Working with a designer can save you money in many situations by allocating resources wisely, eliminating decorating mistakes, and increasing creative thinking about your project.
Each designer has a different way of working and various fee structures, whether a flat fee, hourly fee, or percentage of purchases. Even if you don't want to spend a fortune, there are many ways to use a designer on a very tight budget. Start small if you wish, using a designer for a short time on an hourly basis for a specific project. We will use our experience and expertise to ensure your needs are met.
Describe Your Vision
Be able to explain to your designer the style you want, the colors you like, and the activities that will take place in the room. Make a list of furniture you own that you want to keep. Think about your preferences for furniture, fabrics, materials, and patterns. The more information you can give to your designer the better. Your needs, your preferences, and your hopes can be conveyed in both words and pictures. Collect photos from magazines of rooms, furniture, and color schemes you like, and use these to illustrate your ideas. This will give your designer a place to start in creating a design specifically for you. (Make an extra set of color copies if needed.) See the article on Inspiration if you don't know where to start. In addition, learn how to make your own project design file to get you organized.
Decide on a budget
Collect color swatches you like. Have pictures to illustrate what you like and what you don't like. Think about the furniture pieces you hope to keep. Listen to all ideas, but never go against your heart.
Sticking to a budget
Be conservative. Plan a project with goals and phase-in purchases over a few months or years if necessary. Make sure you're very clear on exactly how you'll be charged, when your designer needs deposits, how you'll be billed, what you get, and when the work should be complete. Will you be charged for phone calls, shopping trips, or in-home consultations? Are purchases marked up or discounted?
Communicate with your Designer
Listen. Talk. Listen. That's it in a nutshell. The designer will tell you your concept of the project, and be frank about your budget limitations (everyone has them).
