The Value
of Hiring an
Interior Designer
By Carol Carr
Since 1981, Carol Carr has specialized in making your home comfortable, an
extension of your personality and lifestyle. Her design philosophy is “Every room
should be usable and comfortable — a balance between visual response and
physical comfort. Carol can be reached at 408.779.4189.
S
hould you hire an Interior Designer?
Currently more people are answering
“Yes” to that question. Not surprising
with households where both adults
have a career and other households with
managed by one adult. Skilled interior
designers are ready to perform a “turnkey
job,” handling an entire project from the
beginning to the end. They design, they order
and arrange delivery of merchandise, supervise
all contract work, and see the job through —
with all expected and unexpected problems.
The more precisely you describe your
interior design needs and desires, the more
successful your interior designer will be in
meeting them. Ask yourself these questions:
• What do you expect from the completed
project? You may have multiple objectives
for your redesigned space. Ask yourself
whether the family will expand or whether
your children will be moving from home
in the near future.
• How many people will be using the
space/s to be designed? And, how
frequently will you have company? Do
you like to entertain and if so, how do you
entertain? Does the frequency of an elderly
relative’s visits to your home merit special
design considerations?
• Will your den/family room double as a
home office space?
• Who in your family should be consulted?
Who will be the decision maker?
• What’s your time frame? When do you
want the project to start and end? Do you
want the work done all at once or would
you like it done in stages?
• What is your budget? What resources
will be used to pay for this project?
Be prepared to talk to your designer
openly and honestly about your bud-
get considerations. Your designer will
ensure that your space is used to its full
advantage, which will save you money in
the long run and keep you from making
expensive errors by purchasing items you
dislike and then replacing them.
• Do you have a particular design style in
mind? There are many sources today to
research the look you want for your home.
Magazines, the internet and visiting retail
show places will help you decide a style
for your home; of course your designer is
there to guide you also.
• A word of caution: don’t be fooled by the
time frame you see on HGTV and DIY.
While these shows have made people more
aware of what’s out there, they reinforce
expectations for instant gratification.
Planning an interior design project should
be one of your most rewarding experiences.
For years to come you will enjoy an interior
environment that has been designed for
maximum utility, comfort and personal
satisfaction. A general outline of the basic
design process for interior design follows.
Once you sign a letter of agreement or
contract, your designer will inspect and
review the areas or rooms that are included
in your project. Your designer will prepare a
preliminary plan for considerations such as
furniture layout, lighting, color schemes and
spatial changes. This letter of agreement/
contract will stipulate what the designer will
be doing for you, a time frame, and a boiler-
plate list of other items.
Your designer will then provide visual
presentations, photographs, drawings and
floor plans. These presentations will facilitate
discussion about selection of surface materials,
finishes, window treatments, lighting,
furnishings and furniture. At this point your
designer may prepare an estimate of probable
project costs.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MAY/JUNE 2016
If you engage your designer to provide
purchasing services for the project, your
designer will place all orders on your behalf
for merchandise and materials, and supervise
labor and installation in accordance with your
letter of agreement.
When your designer takes you on a
market trip to see furnishings, furniture
and other related items you will have access
to a considerably wider range of quality
products that are not commonly available
in retail settings.
Generally your designer will monitor the
work of contractors selected on your behalf
and ensure quality performance and timely
execution of the work. Your designer will rep-
resent you during all stages of the project and
see that workmen, contractors or suppliers
are working toward your best interest from
project conception to completion. Hiring a
designer for your project is akin to hiring an
advocate, very worthwhile all around.
Now you are ready to hire a professional
interior designer! You may have thought
interior designers talked only about subjects
like furniture styles and how to find a good
upholsterer. These days, a group of designers
is just as likely to be discussing aging in place,
fire safety or barrier-free areas.
When looking for an interior designer,
consider if the designer is educated and
accredited in interior design. This is very
important because it means you’re working
with someone who knows about all aspects
of design, building codes and safety issues.
You can ask a friend who has used an interior
designer and whose house you admire. You
can log onto the ASID website, asidcapen.org
and find a designer in your area. American
Society of Interior Designers, ASID is the
nucleus of the design community and has
been for 40 years. ASID sets the standards
for professional practice.
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