A Simple Guide to Hiring an interior Designer + Fun Gifts for February 14
“An interior is a natural projection of the soul” - Coco Chanel
Let me start with a full disclosure: I have been an interior designer since 2004, and while my goal with this newsletter is to provide you with concepts and concrete examples of how to improve the look and feel of your home, I would be remiss if I didn’t first explain the value of hiring a professional. Over the years I’ve discovered that a lot of people need just a little bit of help with the design and decor of their spaces, but if you’re considering a larger project, it’s worth mentioning that a professional interior designer is invaluable. The advent of home design shows, Houzz, Pinterest, Etsy, etc. have created an almost frenzied interest in the design industry that have led many people to attempt to design (and sometimes even – gasp! - renovate) their own homes, and for some, that works out just fine. If, however, you are one of those who admittedly need some professional guidance, let’s explore why and how to hire an interior designer.
We all have friends who have an inherent sense of style, who always look effortlessly pulled together. For as long as I’ve known her, one of my dearest friends always looks good. She just has a sense of style that you don’t see that often, an easy confidence that comes with knowing how to put it all together. A good interior designer is the same way; they just know how to improve a room, a home, a space. They can walk into a home and immediately know what needs to be done. You can see the wheels start turning as their eyes dart around, checking out your worn sofa and dying tree in the corner. Experienced, professional interior designers also have the knowledge base to transform spaces and rooms into something both beautiful and functional, which is key to living well within your home. They know how to keep an eye on the big picture, so the final scheme is seamless. Designers also offer access to unique and exclusive products and will tell you how and where to invest in your home. Not to mention their insight into which fabrics, materials, and elements to use where – details most homeowners don’t even think about. Working with an interior designer – if it’s a good match – can be an invaluable and rewarding investment in the outcome of your design project. Trust me! In the long run, a good interior designer will save you time, money, and frustration in avoiding major mistakes.
Here’s how to find and hire a good interior designer:
Research – A boring term for a necessary endeavor! Talk to your friends, scroll through Instagram, Google with a glass of wine, go on home tours, etc. Find a couple of local designers whose style you like and whose online personality might be a good match for you.
Interview – Please don’t hire someone via word of mouth or their Pinterest boards alone. A good designer will schedule a short discovery call to chat about your goals and challenges to see if you click. This is your chance to interview them as well, ask how they work, how many projects they’ve done, get a feel for what it would be like to work with them. Ask about their process. Are they organized? Interested in you? A good listener? You get to decide who you want to work with, and this step is crucial in determining who you’d like to meet with in person. Talk to 2-3 designers before you decide to commit to a meeting. Ask if they charge a consultation fee. Please don’t be turned off by those that do, often they are seasoned professionals who take their (and your) time seriously and are only interested in working with honestly interested clients.
Meet – Now that you’ve decided to take the next step, set up a meeting in your home with potential designers. The in-person meeting allows each of you to get to know each other a little bit. Did they show up on time? Do they take notes? Really listen to your challenges and objectives for the project? Chemistry is everything, and you can tell pretty quickly if the designer is a good fit just by taking an hour or so to meet with them in person. Like a good first date, you should shut the door after they leave excited to continue the conversation. If not, move on and be grateful you didn’t go any further lol. But seriously.
Follow-Up – After meeting in person, a good designer should follow up within a few days. I always send an email with a recap of what was discussed so we’re on the same page, but everyone is different. Whatever works for you and your process is right. The next step is for the designer to provide a proposal and contract, possibly with a retainer to get the project started.
The Money Part - I can’t stress this enough, but please do not badger your designer for “trade discounts”. We are not in the discount business, we are in the interior design business (make no mistake, this is a business). Having said that, every designer works differently, and if you trust them to redesign your home, you’ll want to make sure you trust them on the business side too. Read the contract thoroughly. Trade discount information should be totally transparent. Do not sign anything that doesn’t clearly spell out how they work. Some designers do pass on their entire discount to you and have higher rates to offset their “generosity” (again, this is a business!). If they don’t, keep in mind you are getting access to products and furnishings you would never have otherwise, with the goal of creating a totally custom space unique to you and your home. Personally, I split whatever discount I’m offered with my client, so there’s a win/win on both sides. The amount they save with me usually accounts for a large percentage of my fee in the end, which is the benefit of working with a professional. I’m telling you, no nickel-and-diming - on either side – will lead to a happy client, designer, or project. Find someone you trust implicitly who comes with a good reputation and excellent referrals.
The Contract – Speaking of contracts, a professional interior designer will send you theirs (sometimes called a Design Agreement) with a request for a deposit to retain their services. Read every word before you sign! It should clearly spell out what their services entail, how they charge, what they are and are not liable for, and the terms of the agreement. Be sure to keep a copy for your files. It’s always a good idea to have someone else read it before you sign.
Let the Project Begin - Success! You’ve done it! Hopefully you’ve found a professional to help you transform your house into your dream home. Take it one step at a time and enjoy the process. Soon it’ll all be worth it, and you’ll be relaxing in your new digs.
Fun Gifts for February 14
I like that Valentine’s Day kicks off some fun and colorful festivities for Spring - St. Patty’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, all of that. I’ve been seeing a lot of Valentine-inspired gift ideas everywhere; here are a few that have caught my eye:
Halcyon Days x Tug Rice Collection - My favorite illustrator, Tug Rice, teamed up with English homeware brand Halcyon Days to create this cheerful Only You mug
- it would definitely brighten up my mornings! There’s also an Only You trinket box that would make a very sweet gift.
Here in Newport Beach our favorite candles come from backhouse fragrances. Their Valentine’s Day Deluxe Gift Box is beautifully packaged and you get to choose the scents, which I love. Their subtle fragrances are lovely and once you try them you’ll always want a few burning around the house.
One of my favorite sources for home decor is Paloma & Co by Paloma Contreras. (If you ever subscribed to her original blog, La Dolce Vita, you know all about her and her eponymous design house). This sweet basketweave vase would look perfect in the corner of a desk, filled with stems from your Valentine.
I hope today’s newsletter was informational and interesting, especially if you are thinking of hiring an interior designer for your next project. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the process, I’m here to help! As always, thank you for reading and enjoy your weekend. See you here next time…
C x
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