Do you need a designer or merely a decorator? A decorator has no special qualifications. Anyone can decide to be an interior decorator and start offering their services. They may be qualified to make decisions about color or fabric or window shutters vs. blinds, but most of them have had no formal training. In particular, they are not qualified to do projects that have to meet building codes.
A designer is a professional who has the education and experience to offer more involved services. In most states they have to be registered and demonstrate their high professional standards and commitment to continuing education. Many of them are members of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Association) and these memberships indicate they have passed tests of ability and experience showing their competence in the profession.
Decorators are generally less expensive than designers and are good choices for the budget-conscious homeowner with a simple project such as installing indoor window shutters. If the project is more involved and certainly if it requires any kind of construction, a designer will be necessary.
How to Find a Professional
As with any consultant, start with word of mouth. Talk to friends, relatives, and co-workers to find out of any of them have had good experiences in the past. You can visit show houses or consult local design magazines for names as well.
If you are looking for a designer rather than a decorator, you can call 1-800-ASK-ASID to get referrals from the American Society of Interior Designers. You will be provided with the names of 3 designers in your area that you can interview.
Once you have a few names, review their body of work. Many have online portfolios or you can meet with them and review their work in person. You want to find someone with a style that appeals to you so you don't end up with a room you don't like.
Interview the candidates and talk about their design philosophies. Get a feel for how you will work together. It's important to build a personal rapport to make communication during the project easier.
Seal the Deal
Once you find someone you like, hammer out the details about the scope of the work, your budget, and a few other details.
In the past, designers made their money through marking up the products they sold. However that fee structure is disappearing as online shopping makes it cheaper for clients to purchase their own window shutters and blinds. Today, most designers charge an hourly fee for their services. Before the project begins, get a letter of agreement, a document that covers all the business details of the transaction and protects both parties.
If you've never hired a designer or a decorator before, you may be surprised at the results! Even a project as simple as window shutters or window treatments can turn out much more complete and professional than you ever imagined would be possible in your home.
Find An Interior Designer
Finding an interior designer - good interior design consultants are like good therapists. They don't tell you what to do, rather they guide you through a process of selecting options that best suite your style and provides the best outcome. So how do you find a amicable interior design consultant? Well, the best way is through word of mouth and recommendations from friends, family and others. Talk to your friends to see if any of them recently used an interior design specialist and if they would recommend the interior designer to others. Interior designer web sites can be helpful, but also visit local builders and model homes to obtain referrals. Another great source for referrals can be your local furniture supplier. Many furniture supplier retailers provide interior design referrals or have local designers that moonlight in the evening. Your local parade of homes or builder show rooms are also good sources.
First impressions - You should interview several interior design consultants before making your final selection. Be sure to review their portfolio of recent projects. Ask each designer about his/her education, training, professional affiliations and other credentials. Ask for referrals and contact their prior clients to determine if they were happy with the results. It's important that you develop a amicable relationship with your interior design consultant. Be prepared to show multiple photographs of what you desire. This will help you articulate your desires and help you determine if the designer's style aligns with what you are envisioning.
Focus on your desires - Many interior designers will appear to be listening, but then politely ignore your suggestions. This can be good and bad. It's favorable when the designer is very good at what he/she does, has taken the time to understand your desired outcome and then choose to discards the suggestions that do not fit with their overal design plan you have previously approved. It's bad when an inexperienced designer ignores your suggestions and then ultimately you are unhappy wiith the end results. An experienced designer will create a delicate balance between the two. It is important that you feel the designer is listening to you. You should also feel comfortable discussing your budget and feel comfortable saying no. In the end, you need to feel like there was a common goal between you and the designer.
Experience pays off - The ideal interior design consultant will have many years of experience working with builders, vendors and other suppliers. They should have expertise in fabric, appliances, furniture and other accessories. After listening to your desires, they should be able to take you to the showrooms, fabric stores and other vendors that will supply you with accessories that will develop and complement your individual style.
Selecting the right Interior Design Consultant will help ensure that when the home improvement project is finished, you love the results.
Both Christine Harrell & Kristi Cole are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Concert For Hurricane Relief If you know the value of this breakthrough, life-saving approach to tornado relief by dissipating the forces of nature, be sure to click on the links in my resource box below
