How to Work With an Interior Designer

Hiring an interior designer or decorator can be outside the box thinking for many people who wish they had professional advice, but think that it is too expensive or too intimidating.

As an interior designer with 22 years experience, I have worked with all types of people on residential projects ranging from the single mother with little money to the professional athelete who has an endless budget. Visit my website at www.barbaraenglishdesigns.com

Most designers offer an initial consultation which may be all you need to get you started. The average cost for this is $100 an hour and a good consultation should last about two hours. From this meeting in your home, you should come away with furniture and color ideas, artwork and style suggestions and a vision of how you can take your project from concept to reality. You should also be able to come away with a realistic budget.

A good designer will get to know you, your lifestyle and your tastes and will work with you in painting a picture of you represented by your home..not a picture of themselves imposed on you.

Start by researching interior designers on the internet or by asking friends if they have ever worked with someone they really liked. Call the designer and discuss your project on the telephone. This conversation should give you enough information and feedback to know whether you want to go the next step and schedule an appointment.

If you feel comfortable with the conversation and the person on the other end of the phone, be sure to include some basic questions to start the potential relationship off on the right foot.

Always ask what the designer charges and is there a minimum of hours or financial commitment for them to take your project seriously. Designers range from only taking clients with a minimum of a $50,000 budget to designers who love the challenge of working with all types of budgets. Someone who only works with high end clients may not give you the time of day when you call. Someone who is just starting out may not know enough to be of any assistance, no matter what the price of their advice. Fit the designer to your needs for a successful experience.

Offer information about who you are, where you live and what your goals are. A good initial conversation or consultation always includes personal information to help the designer tailor advice for you. Every living space has different needs and the function of your home for your lifestyle is the first consideration to make. Do you have young children? If so, you don’t want an interior designer to suggest that you put a raw silk sofa in your family room. Do you have pets that live inside the house? Knowledge about durable materials will be essential. Do you entertain a lot or are you looking to create a nurturning space primarily for you and your family? All of these types of questions will help both the designer and you get on the same wave length. Do not feel that when the conversation veers off into the personal aspects of your life that you are wasting the hourly fee.

It’s part of the process.

About the Author

Barbara English is a residential and commercial interior designer who lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia and has traveled all over the United States on projects ranging from beach homes, to ski chalets, high rise condos to historic Victorians. She is a full service interior designer, but welcomes consultations for the client who wants to do it themselves and only need some advice.

Interior Decorating Ideas : How to Accessorize a Living Room

Garfield The Cat And Friend Collectible Teapot For Kitchen Decor And Teas $20.95 A spot of tea with this delightful fat cat is just what the doctor ordered…

Super Soft Luxury Plush Queen Size Mink Blanket – Fire Department $54.95 Luxurious super soft mink blanket doesn’t pill in the wash like fleece and it’s much softer. Unique firefighter / fire department / IAFF pattern on flaming black background looks as rich as it feels. This blanket will provide many years of use. Machine washable and dryer safe. No one can resist this softness. Makes a fabulous gift !…

Colorful Metal Cat Sculpture Figurine 6 (Makes A Great Gift) $11.95 A metal cat sculpture with great detail and color. Makes a great gift. Cat is 6″….

BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Interior Decorator Success (Ultrasonic Career Development Series) $14.99 Program your subconscious mind to be a successful interior decorator. Develop your professional skills to increase your productivity, enhance self-promotion, expand your clientele, improve performance and increase your success. Program yourself to rise to the top of your industry! Create life-changing results using advanced subliminal and brainwave entrainment technologies. Tune your brainwaves to…

E-Z Bowz Holiday Home Decor (As Seen On TV) $0.99 E-Z Bowz Holiday Home Decor (As Seen On TV) Create beautiful designer bows the E-Z way! On this video you will learn to make: Floral Bows, Tree top bows, Wreath bows, Nested bows, Swag Bows, Bow Garland, Scrap Bows and Double Ribbon Bows….