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Anyone used an interior designer?
I just have no idea where to start with my formal living room. We want to make it into a 2 person office--1 full time office and 1 part time office. So many of the pictures I've been looking at for inspiration just isn't what I had in mind (usually it's desks right next to each other and I can't sit that close to DH all day or he'll never get any work done!)
It's kind of an open area (into the foyer and dining room) so I want it to look nice. It's a blank slate right now and while I have a couple of ideas I'm tired of my IKEA/college furniture thrown together type of look and kind of want something "grown-up" but a look that is still casual enough that it appears that somebody actual lives there.
The thought of an interior designer seems very interesting to me--but I'll admit it--I'm pretty cheap. I've never seen any prices for them and I'm not sure if it's for me or not. So many of the portfolios I've seen online look way out of my price point just based on the architectural details of the house itself. I've seen some furniture stores that do it for free--but I don't necessarily want to be locked into buying anything either if we have someone come out.
So--has anyone used an interior designer (or are you one?) and have any advice?
Re: Anyone used an interior designer?
the problem with the store ones are that you are locked into that store - the furniture and accessories will be all pottery barn or all ethan allen, etc., he/she will not help you accessorize from somewhere else.
i met with an interior designer last year to talk about our living room and eventually the whole house. it truly is a small area - and she estimated $8-10,000. $4,000 alone was one window treatment for the one bay window. I need to replace the window too - so we're talking a few thousand on top of that.
It was way more than I expected for that space. I wouldn't have batted an eye at spending that in a dining room or my bedroom - but the thought of a sofa and window treatment and rug with few accessories (dh hates decor tcotkies) costing $10k stopped me.
She also offers different types of services. I could pay her to take measurements and accompany me to furniture stores to choose something. that bigger amount was for her to do it all - measure, design, order, be there for delivery, set up, coordinate - no hassles for me.
for a lot less money - you can find two coordinating desks and filing cabinets and other office furniture at staples or office max or even IKEA has some better looking stuff lately - not all college dorm or modern looking, but some traditional wood type pieces.
chances are, if you coordinate the furniture, the space will already start to look pulled together.
i'm not sure that i would personally spend a ton of money designing an office UNLESS i knew clients/customers would be coming through. for me and dh to work from home without visitors to the space, i'd save my money for other house projects.
We did but for paint colors only. We only did it because she was free (actually the store sort of paid us to use her). She cost a certain amount but then we got a percentage off our paints at that store. Since we already knew approximately how much paint we needed and that we were going to use Benjamin Moore we knew our savings was at least her fee.
Honestly 90% of the colors we already had picked out. She was very helpful in the rooms that we were sort of lost in. And she was very helpful when it came to what to do with the open space. But I don't think I'd pay a lot for someone to come in and tell me what furniture, etc.
Like PP said if the office is for clients, then maybe, but otherwise its not worth it. And I sort of highly doubt they'd suggest things that fit in a house with two rambunctious boys.
It sounds like you're looking for a decorator, not a designer. A designer would specialize in moving walls and doing other hard restructuring and might do the decorating at the end. A decorator is who you use if you're looking to keep the layout you currently have, but design space within it. My mom is a designer and does often stay to do the decoration end with clients, but generally doesn't take on clients who are only looking for a decorator.
I would ask around for recommendations for an independent decorator as someone who works with a particular store is going to recommend only within their company instead of finding the best solution. Some designers and decorators definitely will push you to find more expensive solutions (such as the PP who had someone giving very expensive suggestions) but not all will. It's likely that decorator had an agreement with a high end retailer and got a commission on any sales. My mom works within budgets and finds ways to design without gratuitously spending. In fact, she's had many clients thank her when projects came in way under budget.
I would interview a few people and see if you can find someone who doesn't necessarily specialize in making expensive suggestions. There are plenty of people out there who will work with whatever budget a client has.