Interior Designers

What they can do for you

 

 

Most people are hesitant to call or hire an Interior Designer.  They do not understand how a designer works, what we do, what we charge or exactly how we can help in decorating their home.  So here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions:

 

Who are Interior Designers?

An Interior Designer is a trained professional who can provide a service or product for anything in the interior of a building or a home.  An Interior Designer should save you time, money, and costly mistakes in decorating your home.  A good designer will get products for the client at below retail cost.  They provide decorating options, solve problems, and help you complete your home decorating.

 

What are some things an Interior Designer does?

¨      Color coordination

¨      Fabric selection

¨      Theme, mood, and style creation and coordination

¨      Furniture layout

¨      Window and wall treatments

¨      Bedding and accessories

¨      New home product selections such as flooring, counters, cabinets

¨      Reviewing blueprints to make sure they will meet your furniture and living needs.

 

A designer also has all of the resources to select, purchase and install any product that you may need and insure a quality product and qualified installer.  A designer is your personal project manager for whatever you hire them for. 

 

When should I hire an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer can be hired at any point in your decorating plan, beginning, middle, or end, but involving a designer in the earlier stages of your design project will make things easier for you.  You hire a designer when you feel you need help, do not have the time, or do not want to do it all yourself. 

 

I find most people know what they like and have a personal sense of decorating.  They want guidance in things such as color coordination, pulling together a theme, mood and style, finding the right furniture, artwork and accessories, or giving their home a complete look.  Sometimes they need someone to complete a project and tie it all together. 

 

How much do Interior Designers charge?

The minimum you would need to spend is for one hour of their time.  There is no amount required to be able to hire a designer.  Some designers do specialize and may have a minimum fee, but ask before setting the appointment.  There are Interior Designers that are available and affordable to all. 

 

What can I expect when I hire an Interior Designer?

Expect to be working with a professional.  Depending upon the services you hire the designer for, normally your first appointment is a fact-finding mission.  They need to gather as much information from you as possible to insure that you are both working towards the same goal.  The second appointment you are normally presented with samples and pictures to review, sort out, and approve.  By the third appointment you should start making decisions on the items to be completed, and the fourth appointment ordering should begin.  Then depending upon what is being completed, additional appointments may be necessary for finalization. 

 

Your designer will then place your orders, project manage, scheduled installations and follow-up on completion.  Also, make sure you hire someone you like, because as you can see, you will develop a close relationship with this person.  Interior design is truly a personal service and you both must enjoy the experience. 

                               

What is a Design Consultation?

A Design Consultation is when you hire a designer on an hourly basis for decoration ideas and guidance.  You can then move forward yourself, or hire the designer to complete the project for you.  I find more of my clients want to do it themselves, but are looking for a little help along the way.  A Design Consultation is a great way to save yourself time, money and costly mistakes by getting some advice from an expert before you start. 

 

What can an Interior Designer achieve during a Design Consultation?    

Quite a lot can be achieved.  During a consultation you are sharing many design ideas, solving problems and providing guidance.  Here are some examples:

¨      General furniture layout and space planning

¨      Color coordination of any fabrics, flooring, paint, and finishes

¨      Window treatment and wall covering suggestions

¨      Review of artwork and accessory placement

¨      Continuity of theme, mood and style

 

What is Interior Re-arranging?

This is a wonderful practice of design where what you have in your home is taken and rearranged to meet your new or changing needs.  This works great if you have moved into a new home and want to reuse what you have, or if you have been in your home a while and want a new look. 

 

Everything moveable is rearranged to give you a new and fresh look.  You would be charged by either the square foot or by the hour, but expect to be given an exact amount before the re-arrangement would take place.  Depending upon the size of the project, it should be completed in one day. 

 

Do not be afraid to call and talk to an Interior Designer.  As you can see they can help in many areas of your home decorating plan.  A good professional will open up a world of possibilities for you and save you time, money and costly mistakes. 

 

For more information please call Marilyn Hazan at Hazan Designs: (760) 674-0252.

 

Happy Decorating!