Hiring a Designer

Hiring A Designer

Many people are intimidated by the thought of hiring an Interior Designer. They may fear losing control of the project or budget, others believe that hiring an Interior Designer is frivolous and unnecessary. I am writing this article to show you why these notions are incorrect, and how you can benefit from the services of a professional, no matter what your budget or ideas. Let's start by putting to rest some of the myths regarding Interior Designers.

Myth: If I hire an Interior Designer she/he will take over the entire project with no regard for what I want or what my budget allows. They will turn my house/business into something that suits their tastes rather than my own.

Fact: Interior Designers are professionals who work FOR YOU and WITH YOU. We formulate our ideas for your interior based on what you tell us you want. We are there to offer suggestions only, you as the paying customer, will always have the final say. For example, I had a customer who wanted her family room redone, she was adamant about keeping the same window drapes, so I incorporated those drapes in such a way that they would fit well with the new look. Remember, you ARE in control. As for the second part, the budget, Interior Designers are quite familiar with working with strict budget limits, it's part of what we do! Quite often a Designer will discuss budget limits with you during the first few meetings, just be sure to discuss this issue with him/her if it is a concern.

Myth: Hiring an Interior Designer is just a frivolous expense, only to be enjoyed by the highly affluent.

Fact: Hiring an Interior Designer is a wise investment, particularly for those who do not have the time, skills, or patience for creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing interior. Interior Design is not just about pretty colors and furniture arrangement, though these two do fall under our job description. Interior Designers perform some of the same functions as architects (though not quite as involved), they can design floor plans, lighting layouts, and perspectives (see AutoCAD & Color Perspective pages). Interior Designers know what works and what looks good, they have a greater knowledge of products than the average consumer, know how to hire good contractors (some work with the same contractors all the time, this helps ensure quality control), and will work to find you the best quality at the best price. They can save you time and money by avoiding costly mistakes. Interior Designers act as consultants, negotiators, quality control personnel, they hire and schedule contractors, are buyers,and even act as mediators when disputes arise (believe it or not, husbands and wives often strongly disagree with each other on matters of home interiors). Aside from homes, businesses that rely on attractive interiors, such as the hospitality sector, can really benefit from the use of an Interior Designer.

Those of course, are only some of the preconceived misconceptions that many have of Interior Designers, but those are the ones which I feel keep most people from enjoying the benefits of working with a Designer. I will now show you how hire, work with, and therefore get the most out of working with a designer.

Hiring A Designer

Why hire a Designer? If you answer yes to any of these following questions, hiring a Designer may be just the thing you need.

Do you have a desire to change an area/ or areas of your home or business interior to make it more functional or aesthetically pleasing, yet you have no idea of where to even start?
Are you sure of your capabilities in this area, but are just too busy?
Is most of your project coming together except for one area, i.e..paint color selection, furniture layout, lighting layout, etc.
Not sure about what products are out there, or which are the best value?
Are you uncomfortable with hiring and dealing with contractors?
Are you selling and want to increase resale value, but are unsure how to go about it?
Do you have a limited budget and would like to get the most for your dollars?

If you are like most people, hiring an Interior Designer is a whole new experience. Despite this fact, the process need not be stressful if you follow some of these tips:
The first step is finding the right Designer for you. You may start by finding rooms with interiors that appeal to you, it maybe your friend's living room, a newly built home, it may be pictured in a magazine, when you see something you like, try to find out who designed it. Perhaps there is an annual home or trade show in your area that you may want to visit, these will give you a chance to meet the Designer before you make that call. Browsing on the internet for Interior Design websites, particularly on sites such as the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO), will allow you to view the design company's work and services in a casual way. All Designers on the ARIDO site are registered or intern members, who must pass educational and business ethic standards in order to become members. Don't forget to ask friends and acquaintances if they know of any good Designers. You should feel comfortable when meeting with the Designer, he/she should speak in laymen's term's, and answer all your questions in a clear and concise manner.

Okay, so you have found the perfect Designer, what's the next step? Personally, I like to meet with the client before anything is signed or any money changes hands. I offer a FREE initial consultation with the client. This gives both of us the chance to get to know one another, discuss the client's ideas for the project, discuss the client's likes and dislikes, what he/she expects the finished interior to be like, what the room or rooms will be used for, budget concerns, if there is anything that he/she would like left unchanged, and what type of services would be most beneficial to him/her. Not all Designers offer this type of consultation, or some may charge a fee, so be sure to ask. If you wish to make the most of this meeting (and all future meetings) it is best to formulate some ideas as to what you want your interior to be. It's not as hard as it sounds, everybody wants something for their interior (even if it's just a color, extra storage space, or a certain ambiance). If possible, bring magazine or other photos, fabric swatches, or paint chips with you when you meet with the Designer, this will give him/her visual aid.One other point I should mention with regards to building new homes, is that it would be wise to bring the Interior Designer in to look at the house plans BEFORE you start to build. The reason for this, is to allow them the opportunity to offer advice concerning room layouts, storage facilities, traffic flow issues, cabinet and lighting selection and layout, so that you won't need to make those changes after the home is completed. Remember to keep the Designer informed of any changes you would like to the original plan, or if there is something you do not like. Interior Designers are professionals and can handle criticism. You are the customer and if you're not happy, neither are we.

When the Designer feels that he/she has gleaned enough information from the client, a rough draft of the proposed design will be drawn, and the customer will be asked to review and give approval, or discuss any changes they would like to see on the draft. Once the final approval is made, a revised and refined copy of the draft will be made (depending on the situation and agreement between Designer and client, the new copy may be presented to the client for approval). With the new and improved design plan in hand, the Designer will then set out to hire contractors (unless the customer wishes to do the work him/herself), order or procure furniture, finishes, and other articles needed. At Impressions Interior Design, I allow the customer to be involved with the project as little or as much as they want to be! For example, some want me to take over everything, others want me to take over the design part, but wish to hire the contractors or select the furniture. I am very flexible with this issue and only charge for the amount of time I actually put into a project. I also keep in regular contact with the client during the entire project to ensure total satisfaction.

When it comes to renovations, most Designers try to schedule the contractors in such a way as to limit the amount of time you are inconvenienced, we understand the frustrations that can occur when one has to live without a kitchen or family room. Whether it's a small project, such as selecting new colors for the bedroom, or a large renovation, the key to working with a Designer is good communication from both sides. Be clear and adamant about what you want, use visual aids if possible, discuss budget issues, review plans, and your experience can be rewarding and even fun! If you have any further questions or concerns, or would like to set up a free initial consultation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,
Tanya Bierman

Impressions Interior Design
Phone / Fax : (613) 388-9289
E-Mail : impressionsid@bellnet.ca