Is an Online Decorator Right for You?

Frank I am sure that an online decorator can work perfectly well for many design challenges. However, when we are talking about decorating an entire room, I can't help but feel that a decorator needs to be physically in the room to do a good job. I know that I myself could not give good advice if I were not able to stand in the room and understand the scale of the room or the view from different angles out the windows. These perceptions of scale, light, sight-lines, and orientation are such vital parts of designing and decorating a space.

Who knows, maybe some day I will try my hand at online decorating, I could probably tell somebody where to put the furniture. I just am certain that I could not make the same recommendations from a computer screen as I would in a house.

Waterfront Interiors My clients are happy to work hand in hand and I make the process fun and rewarding for them. They have input on decisions when I offer a couple of choices that suit their needs and that tie in with other existing design elements. I think that there are so many factors that came to play when designing a room, and unless I am in the room, measuring and taking note of obstacles that can affect the outcome, the final result may be compromised. An untrained eye may not realize or even be aware of issues, until it is too late. Think also about how many decisions are not made immediately. Often it is a process that evolves. I would challenge how many e-designs are implemented to perfection with 100% satisfaction. Lots of things are beautiful on paper, not so much, in reality. And half the fun is shopping in the clients home and finding gems that they forgot they have and repurposing them. Anyone can copy a magazine, but in reality, most people are not starting with a completely blank slate and must reuse many (maybe not so nice?) treasures. One of the challenges the general population struggles with is "How to work with them and add new pieces that tie it all together and LOVE the end result"?

owlin Is an interior designer an interior decorator? What is the difference between the two professions from a client's perspective?

South Shore Decorating I do both in person and e-decorating, and clients have been very pleased with both. I totally disagree that it is completely necessary to stand in the space to do a good job. I think that the most important aspects of choosing a decorator are whether you love their portfolio, connecting with and getting along with them when you speak (I always talk to people over the phone before doing e-decorating), and communication throughout the project. I just did an apartment in NYC via edecorating, and the client is thrilled and we are having scouting photos taken now for possible publication. It was one of the most fun, successful, and rewarding projects of my career, and I finished it with a good new friend 200 miles away. Please at least call the decorators whose work you like to talk about the process!
Stacy @ www.southshoredecorating.com

Casart Coverings So glad to see this topic presented as an ideabook and hope there's lots of discussion. While I always work with a local decorator (the same one numerous times) that might not be an option depending on where you live. Since we have an e commerce business, I know people have an ever-increasing comfort level with online shopping, so why not consider advice from a design expert who offers online consultation if it fits your need. Perhaps you can't afford to have Tobi Fairley on site but love her look. Her e-decorating service may be the next best thing. Stacy Curran's comments about her experiences with offering both types of services are insightful.

Bette I think this is a great option. Why didn't I think of this? I have my furniture, and my objects d'art. I'm terrible at putting it all together. I'm good at color. BTW I was a commercial illustrator for 17 years, and still can't do this. Question: when one hires the high end guys, do they make the purchases of textiles, furniture as "for the trade only"? Are we stuck buying retail? Thanks again.

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR I work with clients both locally and coast to coast and am equally successful -- and my clients are equally happy :0) -- whether I have actually been inside their home or have worked via phone, email, photos and shipping samples. The ease of taking great digital photos or video and the advent of cell phone service without long distance charges has made it much easier to work with someone when you can't be face to face.

The methods you've described above are definitely not the only way to work with a designer outside your area. The above examples are all pre-packaged services ... they cost less because you are getting less personalized service, and you have to do lots of the work yourself. It isn't cheaper just because the designer did their work remotely. "Room in a box" type services are cheaper because the designer does less work for you period, which is fine if that's what you can afford.

I think the best reason to work with a designer who isn't local to your area is because you love that designer's work and you connect with them personally. When I work with my clients who are not local, they get the same level of service from me as my local clients do. The ONLY differences are that the client takes their room dimensions instead of me and they take lots of photos of their rooms and send them to me, instead of me standing in their home to see how it looks. Other than that, it's business as usual. I create a plan and source furnishings specifically selected for them so that each design is unique. I still spend time speaking with them on the phone, I still purchase their items and work with contractors to remodel, add custom designed built-ins, install lighting and so on. Interior designers often have to visualize and create designs for spaces we've never been inside -- how do you think we come up with designs for a brand new construction? ... or create a design plan when we are completely remodeling a space? We can't see those finished spaces so we visualize and create plans. It's just what we do.

Laura Gaskill So glad to hear so many voices chiming in! To clarify a point I made in the article, I believe that in-person decorating is certainly the best option for *some* folks. It's true, if you want hands-on help, shopping help, and someone sitting down to discuss all of your options with you and see your home in person, there is no substitute for an in-person decorator.

That said, some of us simply cannot afford an in-person decorator, or live in a geographic location that offers little in the way of design and/or shopping options. Or, there are some of us who really enjoy putting in our own work and already have a distinct style or great color sense, and wish to do as much as possible on their own. For any of these situations, I think hiring an e-decorator can be a great option - really a lifesaver for some! I have also heard many, many great reviews of work from happy clients who worked with online decorators, so I know this can be successful when it is a good match between e-decorator and client.

Laura Gaskill @Pangaea Interior Design - You made a really great point here. There are many different ways that online decorators provide services - though all (unless clearly specified otherwise) should be created specifically for each client & their project. This is different from some "ready-made" designs, which, while those may also appeal to some, is not the same thing as creating an original design for a long-distance client.

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR @owlin -- Good question. For the vast majority of the USA, there is no valid difference between the titles. They are used interchangeably and make no difference at all from the client's perspective. However, there are a handful of states where regulations dictate which title you can use to describe yourself, so if you live in one of those states then there would be a difference -- you would have to look at what it means in your state. That said ... even in the majority of the country where there is no standard definition for either title, the titles carry some connotations and many professionals who call themselves an interior designer will get their knickers in a twist if you call them an interior decorator because they think it implies a lesser degree of service and skill. Some won't care what you call them ... just so long as you call them :0)

@Bette -- It looks like the description on some of the packages above leave you buying retail while one specifies they will purchase to-the trade items and what their commission is. Each designer decides for themselves how they would like to run their business, so if you are hoping to be able to obtain some of the drop-dead-gorgeous furnishings, fabrics and accessories that you see in magazines as being available "to-the-trade" then when you interview a designer, just ask them if they have developed these vendor resources so they can get these things for you.

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Thank you, Laura. Since working with a designer from another area via digital photos, phone and email is a relatively new development for those who can't afford to fly the designer to their location, I wanted to be sure that people don't equate the terms of "virtual design" or "e-design" with a lower level of service or customization. This past year has been an amazing one for me personally in that I have gone from working strictly with local clients to handling clients coast-to-coast and border to border. Technology combined with the exposure on Houzz has brought me together with clients I would never have had the opportunity to work with before. I'm loving it! Although if anyone wants to fly me out to design their new vacation home in Belize, I'm happy to go. Just saying ...

patscats2 I think virtual or e design is a great option for those who cannot afford to have a decorator come into their home. Some people just need help with putting things in the right place, and don't need a whole room make over. I'm glad this option is available.

Ellen Horn I want to redo my bathroom, and plan to completely gut it but keep the same layout. All the pictures of what I like are in my Houzz idea book. Is there an online designer out there who would help me select finishes, paint, tiles, etc., and would the fee for this be less than other rooms where, furniture, fabrics, arrangement, etc. would be needed?

South Shore Decorating @EllenHorn I'm sure many of us would love to help you! I would suggest looking at portfolios and seeing what appeals to you, and calling around. I'd love to talk to you if you like my work :)

euromomi I found powder room pictures that I loved on Houzz.. I kept clicking on the picture and found the design information and sent her an email. Knowing we have a powder room that I needs lots of "help".. I inquired and have just started working with her.. so excited to try this process ! The best is that she can look at my ideabooks and see what I like to help with the process!! Thank you technology! She lives in Illinois and we live in NJ :)

Faireden This comment by Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR: "Interior designers often have to visualize and create designs for spaces we've never been inside -- how do you think we come up with designs for a brand new construction? ... or create a design plan when we are completely remodeling a space? We can't see those finished spaces so we visualize and create plans. It's just what we do." pretty much sums it up for me. Designers are always having to create the vision in their head before there is anything yet established in reality. To me that is the art of design!

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR @ Ellen Horn -- As Stacy Curran mentioned, looking at designers' portfolios and websites will help you choose the right one for you. Call them on the phone rather than just email because it is very important to know that your communication style and personality click with that of your designer. As to whether the design fees would be less than another room, it's very hard to say. A bathroom requires a lot of decisions for such a small space ... plumbing & bath fixtures for sink & shower, cabinetry design, lighting in ceiling and around mirrors, finishes, bath or shower or both? curbless shower or not? what kind of shower doors? ... whew! They require some real thought. One thing to consider is that having a professional help you will save you countless hours and also help you avoid mistakes which can be very costly.

I would also love to help you and am good at working collaboratively with clients when they are willing to do some of the leg work. My phone number is on my profile. Best of luck on your remodel!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi Pangaea...what is the best email for you?
Thanks, Charmean
cninteriors@yahoo.com

bevrp I found this article and discussion so interesting and informative as I have wondered about e-decorating or more important, space renovation. We did an add-on of an 900 sq ft master bedroom, bath, WI closet on a 35 year old home, never before remodeled. Now I'm ready to tackle other parts of our 2,800 s.f. existing home. While I already know my paint colors, flooring materials, and misc. stuff, I do need help in the kitchen which is 18'x20'. But all I want in help in "updating" the flow of that area. Take out top cabinets to open space to breakfast area, downsize the huge island, should I go with gas or electric range and where should I go with it. I live out in the country 50 miles from any decorative company. Finding a contractor is a headache by itself! As the 6 month master bedroom addition shows! I not only will need to find another contractor for the next step of renovation, so much of the glam furnishings of the Houzz is was out of budget for us and not out style!! Thanks for this article as it gives me another possible was to remodel my 35 year old house with withdrawal of my entire bank account! We live simply and look for sales, not Andy Warhol. Vinyl plank flooring on our shifting black dirt foundation and George Boutwell are our price range. Although I scour Houzz daily and get ideas from it all the time, my ideabook is just that, ideas to start working by. I love, love, love Houzz and wouldn't know what to do without it!! But $10,000.00 for a light chandelier or not!! Really, how many of those sell in a year? I bought most of my stuff online but not for that kind of money. Country nurses make $25,000.00 a year. My beautiful chandelier came from gallery 803 for $129.00 and it is just what I wanted for over my bubble tub. Thanks e-decorators, will probably be contracting one of you soon.

Done in a Day Decorating I am just curious about how the budget works. Finding very low budget items takes more time on the designer's part and he or she would be getting the same fee for the service. There must be a way for either side to know that a great look can be achieved before money is put on the table.

Katie Miller I am a designer and founder of a company called Roomations. Our e-decorating model is that we connect homeowners with freelancing interior designers from all over the U.S. Our clients have told us that our service makes interior design more accessible, but not just because it is more affordable. Many busy professionals like the convenience of virtual design design services which allow the homeowner to provide input at any time of day and from any location. Roomations.com also enhances the design experience with customer reviews of designers, online portfolios for each designer, etc. which makes choosing and working with a designer a lot less scary.

Roomations provides 3 standard levels of service, ranging from a design advice subscription to design concept boards to full photo-realistic renderings of a room make-over. Our services are best for individuals, couples or families that are looking to improve their home one or two rooms at a time as opposed to decorating their entire house at once (in which case I do recommend an interior designer that can come to your home and work with you in person). The cost ranges from $20/month for design advice to $600 for multiple design options and renderings.

I have attached some examples below and more can be seen at http://www.roomations.com/gallery .

SavvySpace Interiors I'm a interior designer who offers on-site design consults and e-decor services. Both have worked well for my clients and e-decor services have been especially convenient for out of state clients. We make it very easy and offer affordable rates for this type of service. If you have any questions you can reach me at http://savvyspaceinteriors.blogspot.com/ for more info. Thanks~Michele