Selecting an Interior Designer by Courtney Ronan
If your idea of interior design is remembering to cut the tags off your pillows or draping that end table with a piece of fabric to disguise its secret identity as a milk crate, you're not alone. Very few of us, it seems, have been blessed with an "eye" for home décor. Sometimes, of course, our lack of finances limits our capabilities. Perhaps the most tragic scenario of all, however, is when homeowners have the necessary resources to afford beautiful furnishings and accessories and take it upon themselves to decorate their homes with reckless abandon. The results can be disastrous. While taking risks can be fun and on occasion even successful, a fuschia fake-fur rug or red and gold fuzzy wallpaper (which covered the walls of my childhood home) should be punishable by arrest - especially when you consider that homeowners with disposable income could hire a designer and enjoy far more effective results. But how do you select a designer? Take the case of a Dallas couple preparing to move into a new home they'd just built. They selected a designer, who was an acquaintance. The couple and their designer discussed likes and dislikes, and the designer set to work to find fabrics and furniture that fit within those parameters ... or so they thought. The designer came back one week later and presented a plan that was in fact consistent with the couple's dislikes. At that point, the couple informed their designer that they'd made other plans, but of course, the still owed the designer a substantial amount of money for the time he'd spent on their account, albeit wasted time. So how do you find yourself a designer who will carefully listen to your preferences and create a plan that works within those parameters, not to mention your budget? First, check with your local furniture store or home décor center. Many of them have interior decorators on staff, and their services (ranging on average from about $50 to $150 per hour) usually come more cheaply than those of an independent designer, whose services can run you anywhere from $200 to $300 per hour. Of course, if a friend has recommended an independent designer, and you've seen their work and want to capture the same look in your home, it may be worth your while to bite the bullet and pay the independent designer's higher fee. If you opt for a cheaper designer with whom you're not familiar, you could waste hundreds of dollars if he or she doesn't live up to your expectations. Regardless of whether you're satisfied with the designer's work, you'll have to pay his or her hourly rate. Plan to "comparison shop" before you make a selection. Interview a series of designers, ask to see examples of their work and request a list of references. Don't make instant judgments based on hourly rates. The true test should be based on references and the quality of the designer's work. While interviewing prospective designers, ask them the following questions: How many years of experience do you have? (You may then want to ask yourself if the designer's experience justifies his or her hourly rate.) Where did you receive your training? Are you accredited by the American Society of Interior Designers? This is an important distinction. Much like other industries, interior design has a certification that designates qualified professionals and serves to protect consumers. What is your design specialty? If your tastes lean toward traditional, and your designer specializes in contemporary, his attempts to traditionalize your home may not live up to your expectations. Is the designer accustomed to working on homes of a similar age and architectural style as yours? When you're asking to see examples of the designer's work, make sure you specifically request a couple of samples taken from homes of a similar age and style as your own. How would you like us to work together as a team? How do you define the client's role? Do you view yourself as both the designer and the shopper, or do you prefer to advise me and then have me shop for furniture and other décor that meet the design parameters we've established together? How would you describe your personal style? "Taste" is subjective, so it's imperative that your boundaries of taste mesh with those of your designers. Your designer may encourage you to push the envelope, of course, and that's commendable. It's also your right to pass on his offer. If he pressures you to change your mind or seems unwilling to abide by your requests, it's time to move to the next candidate. Do you work with specific contractors and subcontractors - professionals on whom you know you can depend? If you don't work with a set group of contractors, how often will you be present to monitor their work and assure quality and accuracy? How will I be billed for your services? Do you charge an hourly rate, or do you charge on a per-project basis? If I make purchases through you, what percentage of that sale do you keep? The answers to all of these questions should be handed to you in writing before you make your final selection. There's no doubt about it - hiring a designer is an expensive proposition. But it's an expense you'll only have to incur once if you get it right on the first try. |
