| Hiring and working well with an interior designer or | | | | professionals will start a project either at the floor |
| decorator. Spending Plan aka BudgetI know, no one | | | | level with rugs, or at the top with artwork. Either of |
| likes to think in terms of money or limitations which is | | | | these are great launch pads for a design scheme, |
| how budgets are perceived, but if you aren’t | | | | allowing selection of colors and patterns to |
| really ready to get down to brass tacks and talk with | | | | coordinate. This is not an oreo cookie, you |
| your design professional about what you are | | | | don’t start in the middle! Permit your design |
| comfortable spending, there is no point in going | | | | professional to select a palette of rugs or a |
| further. This needs to be a realistic picture of what | | | | combination of artwork if you are working on more |
| your project will require and what you can get for | | | | than one room. This will provide the continuity and |
| dollars invested. This is an investment in your comfort | | | | cohesiveness essential for every project. |
| and lifestyle and should be considered such, rather | | | | The only homes that don’t share a common |
| than merely an expense. If done right this is also | | | | thread are Designer Showhomes with a different |
| moveable money and flexible dollars | | | | talent responsible for each space. These are |
| because the pieces purchased can be rearranged at | | | | wonderful sources for ideas, but not for flow. |
| another time and will move with you to your next | | | | Resourcing aka ShoppingA true design pro can find |
| home if so desired. | | | | extraordinary elements in ordinary places. I often |
| There is a great example of this with clients whose | | | | have clients comment that they went to the same |
| home I completed in Marietta, GA just as he was | | | | place but never saw what I did! This is knowledge |
| transferred to Dallas. They flew me to Dallas for just | | | | and experience. Allow your pro to use their |
| two days to rework all of the pieces we had put | | | | resources, rather than telling them where to shop. If |
| together including hanging artwork and displaying | | | | you plan to shop yourself, tell them upfront, and |
| collectibles. A year later, he was transferred again to | | | | what you are looking for, don’t duplicate |
| the West Coast and we repeated the exercise, this | | | | efforts. Also, if you are direct about what you plan |
| time going out shopping for a couple of fill in pieces | | | | to spend, you can avoid a pro bringing you items |
| also. The beauty of this was that the design created | | | | that aren’t a good fit with your budget (if |
| worked for my clients regardless of the the location | | | | they continue to do this, let them go!)Trust is |
| and the shape of the home. It was truly timeless and | | | | EssentialDon’t shop your professional. |
| flexible. | | | | Shopping your pro is an indication that you |
| Commit to the PlanOnce you have made a decision | | | | don’t trust their judgment and are not using |
| with your design professional on furnishings, fabric, | | | | their skills to advantage. If you are uncomfortable |
| draperies, paint colors etc., avoid checking with | | | | and they cannot provide reasonable justification by |
| others for their opinions and waffling on the | | | | quality, name brand, or style for the price of a |
| commitment made. Commit to the plan. Clients who | | | | particular piece, perhaps this isn’t the best fit. |
| cannot commit, waste a tremendous amount of | | | | Don’t be intimidated, be direct and ask |
| time, design fees, and rarely get what they want, | | | | questions. |
| but instead a mishmash of their friends and loved | | | | Work HoursWork with them as you would any other |
| ones opinions. Your interior is your own, not your | | | | professional, with regular hours. Expecting a designer |
| neighbor’s, best friend’s, or | | | | to work nights and weekends because it is |
| mother-in-law’s, make it | | | | convenient for you, indicates that you do not take |
| yours!SpaceplanningFor any project there is an ideal | | | | the design process seriously and are not a committed |
| order of events, and whether it is one room or an | | | | client. Be reasonable in your expectations, time |
| entire home, it is always best to start with | | | | beyond the regular framework can be charged at a |
| spaceplanning. Allow your professional the time to put | | | | higher rate. |
| together floor plan options for your review. These | | | | Education is Part of the ProcessExpect to be |
| create the road map to your design plan. Without | | | | educated by your design professional in the best |
| these you will run the risk of random purchases that | | | | selections to make, most appropriate pieces to |
| may or may not actually fit the space and the | | | | purchase, and how it will all come together. Make lists |
| scheme. | | | | of your questions and ask when you meet, rather |
| Color Scheme and Style: Do Your HomeworkIt is | | | | calling daily and late night with questions that can |
| often easiest if you take the time to peruse current | | | | wait. (It is rare to have a design emergency!) If you |
| design and decorating publications. Keep a folder or | | | | are more comfortable, keep a list of these questions |
| notebook of favorite rooms, looks, pieces of | | | | and the answers received to refer to them, so you |
| furniture, and colors. This is a great jumping off point | | | | can avoid asking the same thing repeatedly. |
| for your design professional. While you may feel | | | | SuccessWith the guidelines here for hiring a design |
| scattered and even slightly schizophrenic in the | | | | professional, and tips for being a great client, you |
| process, your designer can pull these disparate | | | | have the best opportunity for a successful long term |
| elements together to create a cohesive plan with | | | | relationship with an interior designer/decorator and an |
| continuity and welcome. | | | | inviting, comfortable home, or productive office |
| From the Ground Up or Top DownMost design | | | | environment. |