Should I hire an Interior Designer?

You have been scrolling Instagram, pouring over the latest issue of Veranda and House Beautiful, and wandering the aisles of your favorite home stores in anticipation of creating your dream home. Now that you are ready to embark on the journey, will you go it alone or hire a designer?

We are digging into what it is really like to work with an interior designer. Let’s go….

Trust

The most critical aspect of the relationship between client and designer is TRUST. As designers, we love what we do and are passionate about helping our clients create the home of their dreams. In order to achieve that goal, we will really get to know you and your family.

Starting a kitchen remodel? We want to see your kitchen after a morning of getting your family out the door (before you clean up) - it helps us understand how you live and identify challenges you’re facing.

At the beginning of a project, we are immersed in information gathering and fine tuning our approach to your goals and vision. Our collaborative process includes seeking feedback to ensure we are on the right track with colors, textures, patterns, and layout. Changes are easy when they are on paper.
As the project shifts to final design selections, we will manage the process on our end. It keeps your project running smoothly and allows our creativity to shine.
Our process culminates in a full design presentation where we create mood boards, renderings, and gather samples necessary to convey our vision. Each element of the design is presented and priced for your approval.

Curated Design

Are you tired of seeing the same thing in every home furnishings store catalog and want a personalized design that reflects your style and supports your life? As creatives, we are inspired by our client’s lives. We want to be your guide in creating a home that reflects who you are and how you want to live. One-size-fits-all does not work very well for interior design.

Do you have a challenging space and are stumped at how to make it work for your family? Hint Hint: many homes we are called to work on are just those spaces ~ awkward layouts, corner fireplaces, disparate finishes. We love a challenge and will bring our creative solutions to your project.

Finances

Are you prepared to make a significant investment at one time for your project? We approach an interior designer project by completing a space down to the smallest detail. We want you to walk into that room and smile from the inside out. If that means you pause on starting the third and fourth room so the first two can shine, we are all for it.

Most people are not surprised about the cost of say one sofa, but rather the total for an entire room. If you add up the purchases you have made for an whole room, you might be pretty surprised!

Decision Making

There are hundreds of decisions (or thousands!) in creating a home. We need your honest and timely feedback to keep your project moving forward. Delays can derail the project momentum (not to mention that a one-of-a-kind treasure might not be available).

So, can you change your mind? Yes and No. Early in the design process, we can pivot and modify the plan. The more completed the design plan, the more difficult (and potentially expensive) a change can be.

We will procure your furnishings (our fancy word for the process of purchasing, tracking, storing, and ultimately delivering / installing) from our wholesale vendors. As such once orders are placed, they cannot be changed or canceled.

Timeline

Good design takes time. We will take copious photos and measurements, do a deep dive into your lifestyle and vision while completing a design. Depending on the size and complexity, it typically takes 4 - 8 weeks to complete a design for presentation.

Once the design is approved and orders are placed for each element, we wait… and wait… and wait… Real life is not what you see on HGTV. Quality furnishings take time to create. A typical project will take approximately three months from order to installation. Of course, if you are ordering in time for the holidays, get started earlier. The fall is the busiest time of year.

Hire or DIY

What do you think? Are you a good candidate to hire an interior designer or are you ready to tackle your own project? What information was helpful? Share in the comments below.

Ready to transform your space? Schedule your consultation.

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