I had an hour or so consult with a designer to get recommendations for how to deal with our oddly shaped LR using existing furniture, etc. She was terrific and was able to explain some of her reasoning, which has helped me going forward.

Anne- I previously worked for a furniture dealer so I bought everything myself, she just picked it out as I was able to purchase close to cost. Many designers that I interviewed would not work with me in regards to that. My budget wasn't huge so I had to find someone that was willing to work with me. I painted, refinished an antique end table and delivered the furniture myself. It would have been better if I had the budget to have her install, paint the room, hang the drapes and chandelier but I didn't. We still spent 8 -10k that's with me doing EVERYTHING and getting the furniture close to cost. It was worth it, I love the room.

That's really informative Sabbath!

I AM an interior designer, but when I'm working on my own house, I frequently bounce ideas off friends who are also designers. It's far more difficult to decorate for oneself than for others!!!

We're working with one now since we're downsizing and moving in the summer. The kitchen will be gutted, we're moving a wall, adding new hardwood floors throughout the first floor, gutting the Master bath and updating the other 2 baths. I'll see what she advises about furniture to keep, what should be reupholstered and what to donate.

We've been in our current home for over 30 years and the rooms evolved as our family grew and our focus changed. This is the first time we're decorating a home for just the 2 of us - and it will be the entire home - and I think hiring a professional will help us achieve a cohesive look. In total we'll have 3 full baths, 3 bedrooms, a living/dining room, family room, kitchen and study (DH needs his own space since I claim the rest of the house).

And honestly I could use the help since DH is very good at visualizing space and colors and I tend to second guess myself.

Our first home after we got married was a small apartment in midtown Manhattan. We hired a decorator (I think my mother-in-law found her for us), and that was the only time we did so. It was a good experience though.

I liked most of her suggestions, but one piece of advice I did not follow was to hang framed publicity photos of my grandparents, opera singers, plus original newspaper articles about them, in the bathroom. I do have quite a lot of art in my present two bathrooms, but nothing irreplaceable.

Remember the book Sex and the Single Girl from the 1960's? I'm pretty sure that's where I read it was fairly easy to get licensed as an interior decorator; then you could get furniture, etc., at deep discounts. I never pursued it though.

One of the things that really helped me was making a binder of rooms that I liked and a binder of rooms that I didn't like. After looking at the binders she pointed out what I didn't like, and pointed out what I did like contemporary, clean and tranquil rooms that were very simple. She was also very good at showing me a completely different vision for the room than I had imagined.

Anne- I also was surprised at the questions she asked and how she specifically designed the room around the answers. She asked:

How is the room used? Entertaining friends and reading. She then made sure the lighting was correct for reading and the end tables were appropriate for every person to set their drink, and that we had the most seating that we could manage.

She wanted to know about our favorite cities, trips. We love New Orleans and she found a chandelier made by a local artist after his love of New Orleans named the New Orleans.

She wanted to know our favorite colors. We love blues and terracotta. She did the room in blue, dusty teal and beiges.

She wanted to know the things in nature that we love. I feed a family of deer every night so we properly cleaned some antlers they so generously shed in our yard. I also love turtles. She found resin shells that look completely real.

She also took into account that we like contemporary, but our home is traditional with a mediterranean feel (done by the previous owner) so she tried to blend everything.

She took into account where we are from and added elements to remind us of California.

She had me show her the furniture that I like and went from there. She also brought two other Designers by to get their opinions. She also recommended plants and picture frames and shared tricks of the trade on end table height and width, drapes and accessories. It truly was a great experience.

There is no "licensing" of interior designers. Some have formal training; some do not. Formal training can teach mechanics and "rules", but it will never be able to "teach" having a great eye. Many of the greatest designers never took a design course in their lives - they lived in lovely homes, and all their friends did as well, and that is how their eye was trained.

One can apply to be an ASID member and membership requirements may vary according to how long one has been in business. Many, many designers do not do ASID.

As far as a "license" in order to buy at cost - there is no such thing. One applies to the state in which one works for a Re-Sale number and certificate. One then takes this and opens accounts with to-the-trade showrooms. Often, there is a minimum first order. When one sells something to a client, one must charge sales tax. Whether there is tax on labor depends on the state. Then, on either a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, one files a Re-Sale tax return with the state and sends them the sales tax collected. How often one files depends on the amount of business one does - a store would be on a monthly basis; a free-lancer would either be quarterly or annually.

Yes, just once. I was 24yo. Purchased our first home. I remember my mom saying she'd purchased nice things for her first and still had them after all these years. It was a mistake. I should have lived in the home for awhile and figured it out for myself. I ended up making the curtains SHE designed and hanging them at my moms house. :0) The matching wallpaper and dark beige paint....all disliked by my DH and I....designed around things I said I wanted.

Yes! It has saved me time, leg-work and money, in the long-run. Certainly they are not all created/educated equal! A good one can either work from "nothing" or help you fine-tune what you have, and make the most of everything. It is amazing what re-hanging (moving) a few pictures can do! The simple change of a wall color can hide a flaw, enhance a space, or or make a small room totally charming. Resources for contractors, flooring, rugs and art...did I mention that a good designer could save you time and money...and your sanity?