I did get the feeling many of the users of this web site are wealthy and have no desire to do any of the work. But some of us want to install and remodel ourselves and designers keeping secrets don't help.

Being wealthy and having no construction skills is not the same thing. Many people go broke remodeling.....literally! People are trying to make a living, so I do understand not giving away details of their design work.

I joined a walking group...long story short....a regular told me I should NOT be working on my own houses, I should hire it done! :0) even.....after telling her my DH is a subcontractor and THIS is what HE does for a living. I'm under his watchful eye, we're a team. She was angry, loud and upset. Ya gotta smile....what's up with THAT?

I see the photos as many just ideas for inspiration. I'm usually not willing to pay the upcharge associated with having a designer and getting the designer goods. Some people copy everything straight out. When I look at an idea, I'm looking at the big idea. Does that paint color match the paint color I have in the next room or how can I use these colors together? Can I layer these patterns with that? What scale of furniture, art, etc., do I need?

Iv done allot of things to my home on my own.. But when I look back at all the time it took to educate myself. And then the fact it took me twice as long as a pro. Its a wash, or I'm actually in the hole if you value my time at all.

But what I do get, is more attention to detail, that feeling that I did the job, and the fact that some carny with a chunk of PVC for his teeth didn't come into my house.

Don't you hate when the sales man is formal and trustworthy looking. But then he sends a scrubby guy who looks like a carny with a chunk of 2" PVC instead of teeth? True story

What is a carny? Do you mean someone that works at a Carneval? I don't understand about the PVC and the teeth. I haven't heard those terms before. My husband fixes almost everything himself, we hire repairs out a few times a year when we don't have the knowledge or tools to do the repair ourselves.

Carny is a person who travels around with a carnival yes. This guy had no teeth and fashioned a chunk of PVC so he could eat.

Ive had some scary people show up after the salesman leaves. Iv also witnessed a coworker steal a steak from a clients freezer when I used to install furnaces etc etc.

My dad was robbed blind when we hired in home care for him. One of his care givers stole my wife's wedding dress among other things. We found children socks around the washer and drier when no children lived there. His diaper was always soaked when we visited..

I had a roofer who TRIED to jump through my roof to create damage right in front of my eyes..

The contractor who built my addition before I bought the house installed a french drain (drain which doesn't go to storm sewer) in the bottom of the stairwell which floods my basement because he was to lazy to plum it right. He installed B grade joists on 16" center instead of following code with A grade joists on 14' centers due to the span. You name it, Ive seen it while working in the trades. SO many crooked hacks working out there!

Frankly, I don't trust strangers in my home. And if I have to stay at home to make sure no one steals my food ,cloths or to be sure they follows codes. I might as well do the work myself.