I would not mind someone sharing ideas with me, but I enjoy the hunt and like to find bargains and discounts on what I want. I think I'd miss the planning and designing phase if I delegated to someone else.
Besides, the money I'd spend on a decorator is money I could spend on the project and I am too cheap for that, lol.

I could not afford a interior designer but if I could...I would have one in a heartbeat! I would like to be involved in the process & add my individual touches but I would love expert advice from a designer. If I ever get rich & have a dream home built I will be hiring one for sure :-)

When I redo my kitchen, I think I will have a kitchen designer that comes over free from the stores see if they can help me out at all with idea's. They may have seen way more kitchens & listened to people about likes & dislikes way more than I have. This does not mean every designer would be in sink with my style or that I would take every suggestion but to have new ideas from someone with more experience would be awesome. Thats why I post for advice on this forum. I love everyone's great idea's & advice, even if I don't use all of it. Terri

If I could get Antonio from HGTV, I would be thrilled. He's sooo creative.

I'd prefer my own style, but fine-tuned by a designer. I know what feel I want, but get overwhelmed by fabric choices, paint colors, etc. Would love to have someone narrow down choices, have the vision to put the furniture in the right spot on the first try rather than the constant rearranging I tend to do (usually ending up back where I started, etc.

One big advantage to working with a designer is access to all of those "to the trade" resources. Even if you are perfectly comfortable with your own design skills, it can be frustrating to be limited to "retail" sources.

I guess I have all that. I started with a designer for our FR and continue to use him for his feedback. Everything in my home is MY Style. He saves me a lot of time and prevents wasted money from mistakes. He also is a great buffer between me and my DH with regards to decisions.

It does not mean we don't shop outside of him. We just bought fabric on sale a Calico Corners to reupholster our sofa and saw other fabric we like for new chairs in the LR. We may be calling on his services to help us decide on how we want to reupholster the sofa to fit the style we want to achieve.

I not sure it costs more money then all the sample paint pots, all the time you spend deciding on the right color, all the time it takes to shop,all the time spent moving furniture around over and over again, and all the mistakes made which probably add up to most of the topics on this website.

If you do decide to use a designer, just make sure you find one that is highly recommended and you have seen his work, and repects your ideas and input.

I would like to have both too. :) I feel like I have my own peculiar style, but I have trouble finishing. I have been looking at my DR for the past week and I just made one change. Well, really two changes. It is probably 90% finished, but I am having trouble getting it to 100%.

It would be nice to have someone come in and move things around or give you a few ideas when needed. Sort of like what we do here on the board, but in person, and I feel like I can beat a subject to death and then I don't want to post anymore on it. :) Like my DR. I mean really, it has been dragging on for what seems forever!

In our previous house, while shopping for furniture, we ended up at Ethan Allen. We picked a sofa and love seat and a fabric we loved. The salesperson/designer came to our house, took pictures and then called us back with lots of options. She could show us how each item would look in our room on her computer. We ended up getting a few things that I probably would have never considered without her input. The down side was that everything came from one store and I later thought I could have got the look of some things at a much lower cost. But overall she got our style and helped refine it and add that unexpected element that made the room special. Maybe we were just lucky that time in finding someone that we could work with. We have been in our current home 5 years and I haven't found the right person yet. You need someone who will listen and hear you.

If I could afford it and the relationship was like the ones designers seem to have with their assistants on TV (ie the design assistants source multiple items and bring them back for approval). I enjoy the hunt but this could be great and they are hopefully a bit more in the know (as someone already pointed out). While it is fun to watch designers build rooms for clients and then (seemingly) surprise them with the finished product that wouldn't work for me: my house, my taste, my choices. I will say I do get a particular pleasure from having found my own things.

For now I have to do all the work I finally found a lamp (a bit goofy looking but I do like it) for the bedroom this Friday that was priced right ($50 on sale):

Framer delivered my newly framed vintage Magnificent Obsession lobby cards today - she did a gorgeous job with them. I like Candice Olsen and Sarah Richardson but I'm not sure they would have picked either.

Definately a designer!! Decorating is sooo hard to me! I'd rather point my finger at a picture in a magazine & say this is what I like.

Doesn't an Interior Designer design a room and an Interior Decorator, decorate it, or are they one and the same?

I'd love to have a Decorator come over and give me tips and ideas, but it's not in the budget.

I have good tastes but lousy placement of things.

Oak I think a designer has a higher degree and understands the architecture as well as just picking out the right stuff to make a room come together.

Personally I want to have a hand in every part of our homes interior and exterior. I need no help to be happy. Others may think I need some help though.

That's true, justgotabme. Interior Designers have advanced education usually with a Bachelor's and/or a Master's Degree. In some cases, they have certification by passing a rigorous test, then they can get a certification that enables them to be known as a Certified Interior Designer. In some states, they can only carry the title Interior Designer if they are certified. If they are then they are more like Interior architects in that they can remove interior walls and act as an architect, signing off on blueprints etc.

Some states do not have this certification requirement such as California so almost anyone can refer to themselves as a designer (which I think is a shame because then there isn't as much moderation).

It's true that then an Interior Designer understands the architecture and then makes the appropriate suggestions. A designer will usually start with a concept (you may think of as a theme) and then from concept to completion makes selections. This may or may not involve addressing the architecture, but it's usually necessary.
By contrast, an Interior Decorator may have an AA degree and picks out selections like fabric and finishes. They are the final stop on the design chain that is the decor part. There are some overlaps though. Just as an Interior Designer will also handle decor, an architect will sometimes act as the Interior Designer.

My own personal attitude towards hiring a professional is to look at their portfolio or collection of past work (it's not ALL about the education) and make sure they understand that you want your space to be a reflection of you (but like better etc).

Finally, I also think that when you hire someone that you think about what your project is. If you want some suggestions on sofa pillows or drapes, then perhaps it's best to hire a Decorator. For more extensive projects like room redo's, furniture selection, remodels then hire a Designer. Lastly, if you are removing walls in the kitchen and moving plumbing around, it may be best to hire an Architect.

There are many elements to interior design:
1. Space planning, of which a floor plan is one element; walls and ceilings also define the space.
2. Colors, patterns and styles
3. Furnishings
4. Accessories
5. Pulling it all together into a harmonious whole.

I'm good at 1, take my inspiration from great works of art for 2, have definite ideas about 3, but often find that I have to settle for what's available at a price I can afford, not particularly good at 4, and find that messy reality gets in the way of 5.

As with most things, I would like to hire a designer because they would think to ask the questions I would never think of, and ask them in such a way, that the perfect solution would come about. That, and they'd have the insight, experience, and education to get from point A to point B in the most elegant (as in Ocam's kind of elegant) way.

I want help with furniture placement, contrast and scale. I know what I like, but I'm always second guessing about the too big/too small/too much/not enough thing.

Only if it could be by my own choosing and it would be no other than Charles Faudree, king of all things CF. ;o)

Really an interior designer or decorator should be executing the project for you in his or her interpretation of Your taste/style. It should be your style but better than you could do it--because of their training.

The exception is if you hire a particular designer or decorator Because of Their particular style because that is what You want. This is why many people hire celebrity designers--because they want their signature look. However, it will still generally be personalized to your needs.

Those surprise reveals you see on TV are not real life: a good designer will not saddle you with the unexpected. (Except to the extent that is might be better than you expect).

I would want a professional member of ASID and someone with years of experience. As much as I think I can do things myself, I'm still very much an amateur compared to a real designer.

"Personally I want to have a hand in every part of our homes interior and exterior. I need no help to be happy." That's me too!

As someone said (Cyn, I think?), I usually have a vision of what I want. I have good taste and I will hunt for months or longer for something I am looking for - it is very rare I will "settle".

That said, I'm sure I could use some pointers. Wouldn't mind some tweaking by an expert, but want the overall room to be mine - not only to look that way, but to feel that way too (ours I should say, but you get my drift).

tina

Don't confuse TV "design shows" with real life design. There are very few people who want to relinquish control over their decisions and want to have their new room "revealed". That's totally fake drama for TV's sake.

In real life, designer work with you to help you define what your style is and how to implement that in the most successful way in your home. A large part of "design" is simply editing or organizing a homeowner's existing clutter, collections, and heirlooms that they are unwilling to give up. Anyone can throw a lot of money at a completely blank room and have it look fabulous. It's a really talented designer who can use Aunt Martha's secretary and carnival glass collection in your room and make it look like it belongs without making it look like Aunt Martha's house. Or convinces you to give that desk to another relative whose style it suits more. AND do it on a budget!

I'd like the help of making what I have/like all work together. I've talked with a designer and the suggestions were to get rid of everything from my DH's recliner to DH himself. As they didn't fit with her vision of my space. Needless to say DH was not interested in working with a designer again.

I think I have good taste and I know what I like. I have trouble tying it all together and making it flow. And the accessories kill me. I am to afraid to pick something because if I don't like it then I have to hear DH's comments. LOL.

TO PATTY CAKES: Do check in at Amazon.com -- Faudree has a NEW decor book coming out in October -- in time for the Holiday Season!!! :)

As for designers -- I would choose Charles Faudree; Dan Carrithers; Phoebe Howard or Amelia Handegan or Barry Dixon (who also has a new decor book coming out in June!!!!) Just to name a few! Of course -- I would need to win the BIG lottery first! :) LOL! :)

PLUS do read this posting at the wonderful blog stylenorth -- a cautionary tale about big-name designers .....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: stylenorth blog -- a cautionary tale about using a designer

I would love to just take everything I own and love out of all the boxes and closets, lay them out on the floor, and have someone come in and pull it all together. Although I too think I have good taste I am not good at getting it to reality!

The person Live Wire Oak describes would be a dream come true! Someone who could mesh both mine and DH's styles with the space we live in and have a home that reflects both of us would, to me, be heaven.

Chris

I had a tree trimming party one Christmas and one of the attendees was a designer. He gathered my treasured holiday items and arranged them in the house like I had never seen before. It was gorgeous. Even my 'tired out' old things looked great.

THAT is what I would want. Just like cth-1027 said, someone to take the things I love and arrange them in a stylish way.

I am completely sure about that you have to take the advice of interior designer and must hire a good design professional.This decision will make your house perfect marvelous.

Help is always appreciated here~~~

Ooh! Ooh! I want one! When we first moved here, I had a decorator (I don't think she was a designer) help me with color and fabric selection in our living areas. She guided me towards lovely patterned fabrics that melded with our Oriental rug. I know I would never have had the vision or time to pick those out. And I definitely need all the help I can get tricking things out with accessories because I am at a complete loss. And upholstery overwhelms me, but it can really add so much to a room.

And fortunately, my DH really lets me head in which ever direction I want. I'm not sure if it's because we have the same taste or he's a very wise DH;) Lol.

I am quite good with fabric -- mixing pattern, color and scale. I know how to mat, frame and hang my art. A dear friend does layouts on her CAD system for me, so I get a lot of help with the scale and placement of furniture from her. But, what I wish I had help with is the arrangement of the tchotchkes. That remains somewhat of a mystery to me. But, would I pay someone to come in and do it for me? Probably not.

If I could afford a designer I'd hire one in a heartbeat. In fact...I'd even turn my BR over to one and just let them go to town...so long as it was someone I trusted who listened to me. Candice Olson and Sarah Richardson both have a good grasp of what to do with less-than-huge spaces and MBR. Candace over-layers for my taste...but there are ways around that...and she appears to be a wizard with lighting.

If I could easily afford a decorator and the types of items a decorator would work with, I would definitely hire one. But, I can't ever see having so much money that I could afford the decorator, plus the prices of "things" that are not homegoods, tjmax, target, ect.

Even being on a strict budget, I have spent a lot of money on furnishing my home, and that is with keeping the price of individual pieces--artwork, rugs under $200 each. I can't even imagine how much it would cost if I wasn't budget conscious.

When I moved into this house, I hired an interior designer to help me put my living room together--I found it was particularly awkward in terms of size and layout, and I kept buying pieces in misguided attempts to pull everything together. I was very happy with the outcome. Later we remodeled the house, and that room was significantly altered (moved a wall, opened up 2 others, added a window, etc.). I was no longer stymied. Some rooms are just tough, I think.

My mother-in-law doesn't change a pillow or move a piece of art without the advice of her interior decorator.

I too, would like pointers from a decorator...maybe one that would come in and use the furniture I have and rearrange it. But can a decorator really know what a family's life style is? Such as husbands favorite chair being in front of the TV, room for grandkids to play in the middle of the floor etc.

Had one....paid LOTS and LOTS of money for HER ideas. She wanted to change my entire color pallette. Out the door she went and I stuck with my own likes and dislikes.

* Posted by itltrot (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 21, 11 at 13:01

I'd like the help of making what I have/like all work together. I've talked with a designer and the suggestions were to get rid of everything from my DH's recliner to DH himself. As they didn't fit with her vision of my space. Needless to say DH was not interested in working with a designer again.

I think I have good taste and I know what I like. I have trouble tying it all together and making it flow. And the accessories kill me. I am to afraid to pick something because if I don't like it then I have to hear DH's comments. LOL.

Ditto. Even if I could afford it, I would be extremely hesitant to give a designer carte blanche after watching shows where they get rid of everything, start over, and replace with cute but cheap stuff. I know they don't all do that. What I'd really like to have is someone who will look at all my crap and rearrange it so it bears no resemblance to crap at all.

I have a tendency to go shopping and fall in love with an item, bring it home, and have no idea what to do with it.

Like this lamp I bought the other day.
{{!gwi}}

I'm not taking it back. But it sure doesn't work on the dresser. Like someone else said, the accessories are the hardest for me.

This discussion really surprises me. Almost everyone that I went to design school has moved on to other careers because they were never able to get jobs. Some of them were really talented and I was saddened at the news that they changed their career direction.
There is obviously some demand but appears to be a disconnect between prospective clients and designers. I guess the bad designers have spoiled the bunch.

Even if I had the scratch to pay for an ID, I like decorating too much to pay someone to do it for me. Cleaning the house, doing taxes, mowing lawns, hemming pants and other jobs I do, but detest, if I had $$ for that, I would hire those out in a heartbeat.

sandyponder

I have always wanted to hire someone to come in and re-arrange my stuff. I think they could think of options I had never considered. A friend did that and her condo looked great. It was the placement of things that made such a big difference. Then if there is something that just doesn't work, or something is needed or something needs to be gone the decorator could tell me size, color, the look to go for, etc. and I would do the shopping since I have fun doing it. I think if I could hire one from the start it would save me money in mistakes.

I'd love someone to *merchandise* the items I have.