Need help with proper etiquette when working with interior designer

3 years ago

My husband and I recently moved into a newly built home and have hired a design firm to help us decorate our new modern contemporary open concept home. Our children are all young adults and we have basically given them all of our old furniture as we plan on basically "starting from scratch" when decorating the main living space/ dining area/ kitchen. We had to put down a sizable amount of money in order for the design team to start working on a design plan. We have had two meetings with them and they have made second selections for various things that we hadn't loved in the first meeting. After the second meeting I'm still feeling like they don't quite understand my style. I'm beginning to feel like maybe I should have done things myself. Given the money we will be spending on the furniture I really want to LOVE it, given we will have it so long. Here's where the questions come in... I have found a sofa that I like from Arhaus that I like. The Krypton fabric on it is very similar, if not the same, Krypton fabric they had suggested. (I knew I wanted Krypton). Would it be of bad form to tell them that I found this sofa and want to purchase it? I know the accent chairs and dining table they selected I definitely want to purchase thru them. Should I feel like I need to buy everything thru them?

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Comments (7)

Lala
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
No, you should not feel obligated in any way. Furthermore, if they're not understanding your style, politely request another designer. They have no way of knowing if you don't speak up. It's your house and your money.
loobab
3 years ago
Before you get another design team think carefully.
Was this one well recommended and did you see examples of their work that you liked?
If the answer is yes to both of the above, take a long hard look in the mirror.
How communicative have you been about your needs and wants and price range?
Have you given them a scrap book of sorts of the kinds of things you like?
Just how easy a person are you to please?
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I'm contracted to pay her a retainer for the revised layout and materials selection. This is hourly where she provided her estimated hours upfront. She also charges her markup for any purchases. Upon reviewing my notes I'm not obligated to purchase anything I'm not comfortable with. And technically I haven't voiced my hesitation with her 2nd option, so I haven't given her the opportunity to look again. How many times can you tell a designer you don't like something? I guess I'm wondering now since I'm the one who found these new cabinets if I should still involve the designer in the process. I don't believe she's linked to a particular company since the first 2 cabinets were different brands. Palimpsest makes a good point that it's the designer's job to troubleshoot and make sure everything's in order which would be a huge help because my 'free time' is limited given a full-time job and family to take care of. I'm going to call the cabinet company on Monday to find out if they work with designers/contractors. Hopefully it's a win-win for everyone.
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I wouldn't recommend either a designer or a decorator for a lighting plan. I'd recommend a lighting designer. You can usually find one at the higher end lighting stores, and they can save you a lot of money and grief over lighting placement and types by developing an overall plan, sort of like a master landscape plan. Or sometimes some of the larger electrical firms have a lighting designer consultant available. Either way, for an older home, you also need your electrician involved from the beginning with your lighting choices because you may have certain tradeoffs you need to make because of the home's structure, or you may not have enough electrical service for a modern home's needs. Also, to get the most out of the time that you spend with any designer, especially if you just want to use them for a periodic consultant, you need to create your own to scale floor plans with either graph paper or software. If you use the old fashioned paper, create to scale templates of your furniture to be able to move it around on the graph. If this is beyond your skill level, then you will need to pay for more time from your consultant to do this for you. A floor plan is an essential part of any home design.
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I would be open and honest with the both. You can review their offers and let them know you will be making a decision shortly. Once you have made your decision, be sure to let the "loser" (for lack of a better word) know that you enjoyed meeting them and liked "X, Y, and Z" of their proposal but decided to go with someone else. You can leave it at that. If you REALLY liked their work but simply went with the other designer because you felt they had a better fit, you can let them know that you will reach out to them in the future or happily pass on their name to your friends and associates. Acknowledging the work they have done for you is always appreciated. Some newer designers may ask for feedback as to what they could do better in the future, but I wouldn't mention anything like that unless specifically asked. If you promise to reach out to them regardless of your choice then be kind enough to do so. It helps them to put the project away and move forward. Courtesy is highly prized but poorly applied in our society.
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arcy_gw
3 years ago
This is what keeps most people from "hiring" a designer. Their job is to GUIDE..it's YOUR MONEY..if you purchase one item you don't care for you wasted your money. It's your home YOU get to buy what you want. They might quietly disagree but they are HIRED to work with whatever YOU choose!!
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
This is business. Any interior decorator who gets her feelings hurt by having her choices second guessed isn't going to last long. Speak up please.
Melissa Lawhon
3 years ago
Just tell them you have decided on the Arhaus sofa and let them work around that choice. They are professionals and are there to help you. In the end, while they may not come up with every piece, they can help to make sure choices are cohesive and the overall look is what you envision.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I agree with Joseph IMO my job is to make your space look as if it is your space. I hate hearing people brag about the well known designers that have such signature design style that the homes they do always look the same. I want my clients to love everything that goes into their space so if you love the sofa it is a go and if they don’t like it too bad for them they now have to work around it. I have done this many times with clients that have some pieces they want incorporated into a space thats my job.
Michele
3 years ago
A good designer will help you put together something that pleases you. You have to speak up here. It’s ok. It’s not rudeness. This will help them do their job.

Need help with proper etiquette when working with interior designer

Comments (7)

Lala

loobab

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