Interior design or decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. That is ultimately up to you. But, many designers wish it to be because it means more money for them. It does, however, need to involve hiring someone who knows what they are doing and who is looking out for the best interests of the client. Here is my personal advice on ‘How to Find the Right Designer’, as a designer myself, based on what I have learned, seen, and heard in the industry.
BLOG POST BY:
Carla Gentle with Design Realign, Inc.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR SEARCH FOR A GOOD DESIGNER OR DECORATOR
A True Partnership. It is important that your designer or decorator has open communication with you and to involve you in the project(s). Ask them what their communication process or style is and how involved you will be in the project.
Also, there is nothing wrong with designers telling you what they feel is best for you and your design, but make sure they value your opinion and listen. It is the designer or decorator’s job to create a balance of the clients’ needs, as well as the designer being firm when the clients need a little push in areas where they truly need help.
Someone Who Asks Questions and Wants to Learn About Your Needs. A designer/decorator needs to make an assessment and ask you questions to better understand your needs, tastes, lifestyle, and to determine your design style. I have come across many people who don’t even know what their design style is. That is common. To have a better understanding of your own design style, check out my last blog post called ‘How to Find Your Design Style’.
LAST WEEK'S POST:
A designer should never assume they know what someone’s design style is solely based on the furnishings in that person’s home. I can tell what design style the furnishings are in the home, but those furnishings may have been handed down or is from the spouse and there is a mix of designs. It is important to ask the client questions to better understand what is working and isn’t working in that home according to their lifestyle and tastes.
A Good Designer/Decorator Doesn’t Push You to Buy. Do not work with a designer or decorator who is always pushing their clients to buy things. Certain stores pay commission to designers on client purchases. It is a quick way for them to make money on the side. Find someone who is willing to work with what you currently have, as much as possible, by repurposing your things to create a new look and feel to your space.
Are They a Legit Designer/Decorator? By legit, I mean someone who truly knows what they are doing. Anyone can call themselves an Interior Designer, but many are not. Did you know that it is illegal to call yourself an Interior Designer unless you have a 4-year interior design degree with two years design experience OR a 2-year interior design degree with four years design experience—that 6-year combo—THEN, take the state exam (and pass)? That is right. You must have that 6-year combo before you can even take the state exam and then pass it, to legally call yourself an Interior Designer.
I do interior design work—and I do it well—but I cannot call myself an Interior Designer. Never have (my Bachelor’s is in business and Master’s in Organization Development and HR Mgmt.). I tell people I do interior design, which I do, and you can see from my photos that I am skilled at it.
THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE is to make sure you hire someone who knows what they are doing and who don’t call themselves an interior designer just because they like to decorate and think they are good at it.
FUN FACT: Did you know the world- renowned Joanna Gaines with Magnolia never received a formal design degree? Hard to believe, but it’s true; and she is FABULOUS!
Check Out Their Portfolio. Check out the work and photos of the designer/decorator. Does their work speak to you? Believe it or not, some designers and decorators think they do good work, but they really are not skilled in their field. I know a few like that, and I am always shocked they get any business.
Here is my 15-photo portfolio for this project, including numerous before & afters.
Scroll/click on right arrow for larger image or click on picture for smaller image.
MY OWN PROCESS AND THOUGHTS AS A DESIGNER AND DECORATOR
I am blessed to have the distinct ability to quickly visualize and create spaces that bring beauty and life to a home that reflects the clients’ design style and lifestyle.
If you are looking for a newly designed home, great! However, when it comes to my clients, I will not push them into buying a bunch of furniture and accessories to make a quick buck on commissions. I listen, and after learning more about them to properly define their style, my design process is to first start with repurposing the existing furnishings they want to keep that highlight their personality and style. This method of ‘using what you already own’ is called Interior Redesign.
Then, if need be, I discuss with the client color options and shopping to revive areas in their home that needs attention. I happen to be a budget decorator, so I am always in line with where to get the best bargains without jeopardizing the quality of my work. Below are some thoughts on what I provide:
Design Consultation Service. An analysis will be done to determine your true design style, as well as what is and is not working in your home based on your goals, tastes, and lifestyle. Whether you are looking to decorate, needing direction for a remodel, or are struggling to tie everything together, I guide the client to the right style of furniture, choose a color palette to eliminate color confusion, artwork that makes a statement, window treatments, or something as simple as re-accessorizing.
Repurposing (interior redesign) and Interior Decorating. You have options: Go all in with interior design starting with a clean slate and buy all things new. Or, perhaps, you would rather achieve a new look in your home by using what you already own. Or, you can combine the two by mixing new with the old where shopping is the way to go. Then, tie it all together with interior decorating that captures the true essence of the clients’ particular design style.
Shopping & Procurement Services. If you don’t know your design style or feel you have no sense of style, shopping will be more challenging and confusing for you and probably not fun. If so, you probably find yourself shopping many times only to come home empty handed.
Shopping happens to be a specialty of mine, as I have a built-in bargain radar. 😊 I know where to get good deals. Once I assess the home or space and the needs of the client, I can easily spot the perfect items that coordinate well together to bring that wow factor to a home. And even if money is no issue, I guide the client to make smart purchasing decisions.
WHAT I DID IN THIS INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT
The pictures posted throughout this blog article are from a recent interior design project of mine, and I would like to share with you what I did in this Great Room project. In addition to my process shown above, I also took the additional steps outlined below:
Shopped, selected, and purchased all new furniture and area rug (kept the entertainment center).
Shopped, selected, and purchased all new accessories (kept clock, mirror, one lamp, and glass lantern).
Consulted on new color selection to include accent wall color and surrounding wall color, as well as overall room color palette.
Designed layout and placement of new furniture and accessories.
Decorated with all the new accessories to reflect the design style and lifestyle of the clients.
THE CLIENT’S MAIN OBJECTIVE
What the client requested of me—as well as their main objective—was to give their Great Room a ‘refresh’. This ‘refresh’ turned into a ‘renew’ and it gave them a totally new and different look and feel to their space. They didn’t know where to begin, as they didn’t know their design style, how to vision their new space, and what to purchase.
I loved working on this project, getting to know my clients, and we were all very happy with the end result. I know they will enjoy their new room for many years to come, and that brings a smile to my face. 😊
IN CONCLUSION
Interior design or decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. Understand your design style, repurpose belongings when appropriate to save money, and find a designer who isn’t ‘all about the money’. Do your research and ask the right questions. And lastly, make sure the designer includes you in the process, so you are more knowledgeable for the next time around!
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