A case for the Interior Designer.
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do was paint old furniture and make it new. I hauled some brightly painted coffee table (with a sponge painted tile design on top) to college with me and displayed it proudly in my dorm room. I'm sure my roommates loved it!
Luckily, my taste has evolved over the years and I do not feel the urge to attack everything I see with sponges and primary colored paint. However, the need to do-it-yourself still remains. And this need is extends to not only us in the design industry, but to other people, just like you!
My personal feeling is that home renovation projects need creative balance. This balance comes from the integration of field professionals and the home owner. You may know that you want that opening in between your kitchen and living room, but how big? How high off the floor should it be? Should the top align with adjacent door or window openings or not?
Home renovation in and of itself is like roulette. You never really know what you are going to get in the end. You are just hoping for the best and want it done as quickly as possible. With an Interior Designer's help, I assure you, your end result will be better than you ever expected.
Without further ado, may I present my list of WHY you should hire a designer!
1. We will keep you organized!
I keep a binder for all my clients which houses the drawings, copies of invoices, specifications for all items selected, etc. It's the manual for the project!
2. Discounts!
Love that lamp you saw on online? Well, lucky you! We have accounts with many manufactures and can save you money!
3. Whoops!
Did something go wrong with the table delivery or was an item damaged? Don't worry! We'll deal with the vendor and have it replaced or fixed.
4. Are you busy?
Don't worry, that's why we are here! We'll meet on site with the contractors and furniture delivery crews to make the sure the job runs as smoothly as possible.
5. Think we cost an arm and a leg?
We probably cost less than you think. Most designers (myself included!) do not charge for an initial meeting to gather information and see the scope of work.
Yes that tile you selected for your new shower is lovely, but how do you lay it out? We will draw a layout that explains perfectly how to center the tiles, where to start (floor or ceiling) and how to incorporate that accent mosaic in a symmetrical way.
7. It's what we do!
Most of us went to school for this and are in love with what we do. It's important to hire a licensed designer (just like a contractor) to make sure you are getting a professional. It takes several years of working experience and extensive testing to call oneself an Interior Designer and not just a Decorator.
Thank you for reading! I hope this entry has perhaps given you a different perspective on hiring an interior designer. Don't be shy!
*Need help with your own home? Contact us at virginia@virginiabdesign.com and check out our website at www.virginiabdesign.com
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