How to Work With an Interior Designer

Anita Roll Murals Very informative for the public Lisa!

olldbobbi Oh, I wish I could hire a designer! Just having someone to bounce ideas off and share the decision making process would be awesome. Thank goodness for the "discussions" area on Houzz!

Judy We used a designer for our new home. I feel that she really helped us, visioned things that we would have missed. She's still helping with decorating...yes, I thought I would do just as well...but no I can't. IMO a professional is worth it. And, her services did not break the bank.

JAN MOYER As an interior designer... let me add my tips.
Try to know and understand your BUDGET issues, and over what period of time, say six months to a year. I can't tell you how many times the answer to the question is..."I just want the best looking house I can have, for the least amount of money!" That is not an answer. Often, a designer can rather surmise what a budget will be, but what if she is wrong? Don't waste your time or his/hers. I can also say a designer who is honest, and has integrity, will NOT let you over-spend in areas that add no value in terms of function, comfort, style, and value added to your home. She can wring the most from whatever your budget may be. If she tells you your wish list is too large for your budget... BELIEVE her. And scale it back, with her help.
Be honest about what you like, and what you HATE. A client can not often answer the first, but is very capable of saying HATE THAT!
Be OPEN to different ideas. You don't do this every day. You get behind on important trends, and after a while, you don't see your space. You are paying for a second, new, fresh, pair of eyes. The possibilities will often astound you.
If you are one of those people who needs to see fifty powder room wall papers before you can select, you will make yourself crazy for no reason. You are paying this person to EDIT. When she brings you two, do not say "that's all?". She has already done the hard work, and has already considered effortlessly, what will work, and what will not. You pay to get the best choice for the room, your home, and you.
If two people need to be available for every decision, the second person must make themselves AVAILABLE. I think you know what I am talking about.
Last.... don't shop. Please? And very last.... if "Becky" next door has design tips for every choice you show her, or discuss with her, or invite her in to see... perhaps "Becky" should be designing your home.
Dead last: Call before you have blown up the house, and are "stuck!!!". Please CALL before you buy the dynamite.
Thank you!

olldbobbi Jan Moyer - I read every word of your comment and I'm thinking "sage advice". It sounds like you have been there before! Possibly more than once??? If I could, I would hire you in a flash.

JAN MOYER Bobbi.... Let me count the ways!!! This is the best job, the most rewarding job, and the most simultaneously frustrating job on the planet. It only looks "easy" when it is done, and done WELL. But when a client and a designer click, and when everyone is on the same page as to resources, and when the client can LET GO OF THE REINS and trust the person they just hired....it is a beautiful thing, and a beautiful result. The designer isn't there to be your best friend on a given day. I ALWAYS tell clients "There is going to be a Tuesday... when you are gonna hate my guts!" But my skin is thick, and as long as you love me and your result in the end.... I can take the temporary hate. You will forget the day I jammed this idea/ concept/color/whatever! down your tonsils, but you will see the result every day you descend the stair, and long after you have paid the bill. So it's a bit like having a baby.... this decorating design thing. The pain is forgotten the moment you see your bundle of joy."

sbutler10 Keeping an open mind is so key. I remember sitting in a corporate design consultation and for the kitchen the designer recommended blonde cabinets and a muted purple Formica counter top. I could not imagine that, but it turned out beautifully. Very warm and stylish with the art and wall color.

timmermom We built a new home about six years ago. The house we were living in for 24yrs was quite small but cozy. The house we were building was huge, at least to us, with an open floor plan and pot shelves...we live in AZ. While we were building we would frequent model homes and open houses. One day I visited a model home that was decorated exactly my style! I spent a couple of weeks trying to find out who the interior designer was and finally found her. We can both say it was the best money we've ever spent (other than paying a moving company to move 24 years worth of stuff)..she knew what style I was looking for, & also knew from the beginning we didn't have an arm & a leg to spend. It turned out perfect, a country chic style and to this day could not be happier!

jconroy Thank you Jan Moyer for articulating so beautifully what so many of us have felt. I especially love the part about "Becky"!

diane707 My best advice as a designer is--If you can afford one --Hire one ASAP....Furnishing and designing a space is costly and the mistake I always see is made BEFORE I am hired. The client usually wants everything they love crammed into one space and it never works It creates chaos. A good designer takes YOUR taste and makes it tasteful--they don't push their style on you.

JAN MOYER j conroy.... it seems there are a LOT of "Becky's "?? There is also a lot of house envy out there. So ladies,if and when you get great design help, and finally get the house you have been longing for,( in some cases this is DECADES)... be VERY prepared for the green eyed monster to rear her ugly head. There will be the friends who don't notice you did a single thing.... the friends who say " oh YOU could have done this... you didn't need HER!!" It is fact. Just enjoy your beautiful results, smile a lot, and keep your "friends".

JAN MOYER Diane... no kidding! It's what I alway s say... "the only reason to get the help is to get YOUR style, far better than you could have gotten it on your own!" If you don't believe that, do it yourself...or better yet...get BECKY from next door! lol

Concept 2 Design Jan Moyer: Bravo!!!

digsblues I'm a person who "has trouble articulating my desired look". However I have very specific tastes, and seem to either love your hate many rooms I see here. Our realtor recommended a designer, and I spent many hours over coffee with my sister and neighbor, going through her portfolio. We also checked every other designer in the area that had a protfolio online.

Then I hired her for a consultation, which only took an hour and a half, and resulted in a 10 page report, with photos and prices. The materials she found were way cheaper than anything I had seen, mainly because her business is knowing where to go.

I just let her do her thing, having trust that she had the experience and vision. And I loved everything she did. After the Seattle home was sold, I copied the master bedroom in my home in San Diego.

Hope people will at least try a consultation and not assume that a designer is out of their budget. It may turn out to be less costly than doing it yourself.

ana474 Great advice! I have been working with my interior designer for the last 4 years redoing area by area. We had issues in the beginning for her to understand my 'style' (a bit of hollywood glam, meets a bit of contemporary, meets a bit of EXTREME bling). She has been the best decision I made in helping me not go crazy I have to admit. Now when redoing a room I can get my statement piece in the room I must have, call her and have her bring me wallpaper, paint colors, lighting choices, fabric choices, case piece choices, etc and somehow now that she knows me, she brings things I always like, but somewhere in her pile of offerings there is that 'Wow, I love it' for every part to complete the room! I have to also add Interior Designers are not as expensive as one might think. My designer works with buying wholesale, if she gets 30% off a piece she keeps 15-20% and still gives me 10-15% off retail so it is a win/win for both of us!

JAN MOYER Not to make a blog out of the whole topic... but if clients only realized the effort that goes into making "nice nice!!!" for them, they would faint, as they're not usually NOT AT HOME home when I
start sweeping the leaves from the garage in my heeled suede boots
hauling the trash to the curb in your absence
emptying the trash, purging your catalogues
loading the dishwasher/emptying the dishwasher post breakfast
wiping down the counters, bleaching your sink in my good skinny jeans
hauling the furniture around....alone
RUNNING THE VACUUM CLEANER
sorting your utility closet
re-doing your bookshelves
cleaning out that under the sink spot.......UGH!
folding your laundry, and putting away
throwing IN your laundry while awaiting a furniture delivery
in extreme cases, hauling it to the laundromat!!
changing out all the hangers in your closet, NO WIRE!!! NO PLASTIC!
re-arranging to make you more space in the closet... and a trip to the
container store included.
re-folding your sheets into packets, and cleaning out your linen closet of
long DEAD linens.
BUYING YOU NEW TOWELS
making your bed
changing your bed/(read laundry)
wiping out all the kiddie vanity drawers
cleaning the kiddie rooms....
arranging pick up of junk from your basement
arranging cleaning of your garage......
de-greasing your stove
getting you party ready
putting up the xmas tree.... re-arranging thee ornaments...whatever
fluffing, puffing, huffing, sweating....
right up to the big TADA!
And on it goes. So when you sigh "aaaahahhhh" upon opening the door to new and lovely surroundings, know we've been there, and left alone with a key for any period of time, we will start "fixing" what ails your home. No wonder we are accused of being insane......we are. Completely in love with beauty, order, comfort, and the visually pleasing. Know that we are generally...nuts. So watch out. We will leave it better than we found it. It is a sickness. It is scary and hard to explain, and it is as necessary as AIR. lol
If you are a designer, and have not done some/one of these tasks...I want to know how you tied your hands to your sides...I really do.

digsblues ^^^^^^^
Darn. You live in NY!

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Good advice all the way around.

I do wish people would call us BEFORE they order the bulging, over-stuffed recliner, or the sofa that is 2 feet too long for the room. Sigh. I really hate to see people throw good money after bad.

Couples ... please meet the designer together at least for the first consultation. Even in the most harmonious relationships there are bound to be some disagreements down the line. I consider it my job to be sure both people's desires and perspectives are heard and to balance the design so both people are happy. There will be compromises, but neither person should end up with things in the room that they actually hate. And it should never feel like it is two against one.

Jan Moyer said "don't shop". Here's some great reasons why that is so true:

Although we often get you your furnishings and finishes below retail, and we know contractors who won't gouge you on price, there are other equally important factors when we decide where to get your things and which contractors to work with. I prefer to do business locally when possible and through reputable vendors & contractors I know and trust and with whom I have an established relationship. That way when things go wrong (and they will you know) I know that we will get great service and problems will be resolved rapidly and professionally. Repeat business with vendors and contractors means that we have extra clout. They know that if they don't take care of the issue it could mean the loss of lots of future business. You might be able to find that same style sofa or faucet for less on the internet (btw, did you know that some manufacturers make the same items with different qualities of "innards" for different vendors?) and your neighbor's brother-in-law might be quoting you a rock-bottom price to do the contractor work, but the ensuing headaches are just not worth it and will likely cost you more in the long run. The lowest price is almost never the lowest price after all is said and done ... if you know what I mean.

And on the topic of "Becky" LOL. Oh dear. Asking your friends to second-guess the designer's recommendations is a recipe for disaster. The term "too many cooks in the kitchen" comes to mind. Most clients hire a designer because all of the choices are overwhelming. Even professional designers have conflicting opinions! Find a designer whose work you like and who you feel is hearing you, then, with your friends, talk about anything else but your design decisions. The Beckys of the world love to make themselves look important by casting doubt on your choices. Especially if you are being billed hourly, you are racking up your bill by revisiting decisions multiple times.

JAN MOYER Bravo Pangaea! When someone says I have my own....whoever it is, my response is "oh! okie dokey!!... this absolves me of all minor day to day decisions/problems and responsibility as to outcome, right? " That is generally followed by a blank stare. I explain... "no control?? no responsibility!" So that task will be on on YOU"!
I have leaned my lesson too many times. It takes longer, comes fraught with control issues, and is not worth the trouble in ninety percent of the cases. It sounds harsh, but is a far more efficient and better result for the client. We have broad shoulders/great people and sources... use them!

ana474 Jan, I did not realize interior designers will do my housework??? Wow, I need to talk to mine about this lol. If you do all this then I think you are the exception to the rule. I have worked with 3 over the last 10 years and never ever did they offer to organize let alone clean anything :(

JAN MOYER If it is uglying up the joint...... it is OUT of there! That includes your mess. Like I said... whatever it takes, but honestly, it does drive me a bit bats at times. Especially when one third of the decorating "it's a miracle!!!!"... is often a bit of housekeeping and TLC!? ^%$#@

jconroy yep! I will not be doing anyone's dirty laundry, that's for sure. Although many of the other things we all do, especially during the installation process. I've even house sat for whole vacations for clients. Clients need to understand we have visions of what we expect your space to turn out like so we feel compelled to do these things in an effort to make the client understand our vision.

Nancy Sloop Well, all I can say is the designer we hired for our 1982 ranch renovation skipped the customer service part of class. I've never been so sorry for money spent in my life.

nellesworth I would like to add:

Designers do a LOT more than "paint and pillows"! We also ensure the health, safety, and wellness of a building's inhabitants through appropriate space planning, proper knowledge and execution of building codes, and (hopefully green) material and finish selections. We can lower your maintenance costs, your water bill, and your electricity bill. We can also make your morning routine more efficient while giving you the shortest possible fire escape route so that your family (pets included) can survive the unthinkable unscathed. Designers can change the way you live for the better.

JAN MOYER As Nellsworth said, we do a lot more than pillows and paint! There are good designers, and bad designers, just as there are good and bad in every trade. Your best bet is to ask friends who have had help, and whose homes, and tastes, and results you admire.
All designers strive to please, and ALL benefit from good press vs. bad. To get the best from anyone, in any trade, you must allow them to assume the mantel of responsibility. Three people can't paint a picture, and two cannot drive a bus. Only in the HGTV myth, do results happen overnight, on 500.00 dollars. Hire someone you trust, and then trust them as best you can!! This does not mean you will always agree, or get confirmation that every idea you ever had was a great one. Get yourself someone who isn't afraid to tell you NO! NO! NO! Get someone with a sense of humor, as all design and it's very processes require a healthy dose. Decide your budget, and then free yourself to spend the money. Once you unleash resources a bit, it isn't nearly as scary as you think. Dare to let someone take you exactly where you never realized you were simply dying to go. It's a THRILL. It is why we wake as designers, to the same problems, and strange people, and weird houses ... every day! Something can always be better. Prettier. More functional. More comfortable. Safer. Lighter, brighter, more welcoming, cozier, sleeker, sexier, glam or not!
It's an abstract thing, until a fabulous, tailored to you result, has happened to YOU. It's not brain surgery, but it definitely betters peoples lives. Ours too, as we do houses, and kitchen and baths, and whatevers!!....over and over again. We are the lucky people who do for a living, that which we love to do. And just so you know.. we bring you the BEST ideas... the first or second time. Not the fifth time. We can wipe out ugliness in our heads, and rearrange your furniture in our sleep, and move your walls as we brush our teeth. We see that which you can not yet see. Get help, and have fun.

Rebecca Purdy I'm an interior designer for television and the clients I work with don't have ftime to make decisions on our schedule, so I have to make a lot for them. The ultimate goal is to create a space that they will love, fits into their existing house and looks great for television - all on a very tight budget. Since I don't have time to discuss the details with the client, I rely on Houzz.com to help out.

I ask the homeowner to send me images that give the "feeling" they are hoping for. Part of our job as interior designers is being intuitive about what parts of a design are appealing to a client and finding the common thread in a variety of different styles that they pull together. Finding houzz.com has made it a lot easier to do this part of my job. And passing on this website to homeowners I work with has created a lot of new houzz fans. Thanks for such a great site!

Elza B. Design, Inc. Nicely done!

diane707 Poor Nancy Stoop
If your designers personality didn't meld with yours --you should have parted ways.

Nancy Sloop Wasn't so much a 'didn't mesh' problem as one of her not listening and not following through with her promises. Example: email to designer asking about meeting with contractor to do over her design. She said she never received it, I re-sent. She then said she was waiting to answer until she had information to pass along. But I specifically asked that she acknowledge receipt so I would know the email I used to contact her was actually functioning, after the first message supposedly wasn't received.

Next, when I declined to use the cabinet maker she recommended (not a local business, as we'd agreed, and 200% more expensive than we'd discussed) she pretty much stopped responding to us at all.

Additionally, the first contractor she recommended didn't want to pull a permit for the plumbing or electrical work (He said, 'It isn't a good idea to get local authorities involved," - !!!) which I told her we just weren't comfortable with; the second contractor declined (after a 3-week delay of stringing us along) our job due to his busy schedule; she never even showed up to discuss her design with the 3rd contractor who is going to do the minimal demo work, and subbing the plumbing/electrical.

The money we paid her could have been used to pay for the appliances -which she sourced from the same place we ended up going and buying on our own, and her price wasn't cost-plus, it would have been RETAIL-plus!

I'm honestly flummoxed as to what we paid her for at this point, because her "design" ended up being pretty much unworkable. Although -I must in all fairness admit- she at least kept us from making the mistake of a too-large island.

It has really soured us on designers, unfair as that may seem.

JAN MOYER Nancy, that is a bummer. But I have questions. Why wasn't her contractor/cabinet maker involved from the get go..ie why was the plan"unworkable"? Did she explain from the beginning how her design fee was accounted for in the project? The permit issue is very subjective... a very good contractor will often skip a permit for this, unless your local codes are extremely strict. Reason being, if their sub is a VERY reputable licensed electrical/plumber they are extremely conscious of code and will do NOTHING that does not meet that code. Last, not sure how much you paid, but a too large island is a big deal, and can turn into a very costly mistake considering counter-top, storage underneath... or even a cooktop, sink, or flooring mistake as a result. So take heart, and do NOT LET one experience sour you on a trade that strives to please, and produce the best in the most appropriate scenario of budget and tastes for any given homeowner.

Nancy Sloop I didn't know the cabinet maker should have been involved from the get-go; this is our first in-depth remodel, beyond repainting installing new countertops in our previous kitchen ourselves.

We met, I showed her the clippings I've been accumulating for years, and told her what we were thinking of (I reiterated over and over that 'comfort' was the key word for us), mentioned that an island was something I really wanted (and I knew it would fit). I have a collection of earthenware I really wanted to incorporate into the design, but was told I could "put some out here and there" when we moved in (we are currently living in the basement while we get the upstairs remodeled).

I say 'unworkable' because she completely left out the pantry I said was a must-have. And all we ever got was a computer-generated 'photo' of the cabinets she proposed, not a drawing with dimensions/measurements. And because the program she used for designing evidently works only with the cabinet makers she wanted us to use (Gepetto's), she said.

As this was our first experience with a designer (as well as our first remodel) we had no idea of what to expect. But from reading the comments above, we pretty much got nothing for our $4,900.

JAN MOYER Nancy,
Five grand isn't chump change, ( I have no clue what percent of your total project that represents either!) and I have no idea how many times she came to the house, or if you got minds together and agreed on a total budget, or how and why she left out the requested pantry, and why she wasn't there for subsequent meetings with contractors. In the defense of "no dimensions" and "no measurements".... this part of the process is usually an in-person sit down, with designer/ cabinetmaker, and homeowner. Frankly...it is very rare to be given a copy of the plan with dimensions until you have SIGNED OFF TO ACTUALLY PURCHASE CABINETRY. The reason of course, is so you can't take another's work, and design efforts... and go shopping for price! Kitchen design is an exacting effort, and dimensions are the heart and soul of the plan. If the pantry didn't fit into a pleasing design... she should have explained why. If your collection of earthenware had to be abandoned for more important storage issues, or even a smoother design, she should have explained that as well.. If yours was a small kitchen, a small budget, and she is used to larger more "important" projects... she should have been up front and said so. And she should have passed on yours. It sounds like she completely lost interest from day one, or....(and I hate to say it but a contractor will often do WHATEVER you want, unless a designer stomps her foot) you are getting a pantry that doesn't work in the scheme of things. Alas.... can't be judge and jury as she hasn't told her side of the story. And you are entitled to an explanation of the 5k, unless you were previously advised of design fee/method !!.... a big boooo hooo in this case?

South Shore Decorating My biggest piece of advice to those who are about to hire, and especially those who have hired, a designer; DON'T buy things or shop before seeing her advice! It disrupts the process and ends up costing you a lot more because the work the designer is doing for you has to be changed based on the sofa, for example, that you bought while she was planning something different. You should have already had long discussions about what you like, and maybe even shared photos from Houzz or Pinterest to determine your style, so just let her do her job before you jump in!

Elza B. Design, Inc. A lot of interesting comments here and a great article. I would add that you, the homeowner, should always feel part of the project. It is your home the designer is working on, and he/she should never purchase anything for you without your full consent and written approval. We, the designers, really want you to have a wonderful experience and be perfectly pleased with the result! It is a collaboration: If your budget is reasonable, we will help you stay as much as possible within its limits. If it is not realistic, it is the designer's role to let the client know early on, and then perhaps you can review it or postpone the start of project until you have saved up. The reality is: If you want quality, you need to invest. Of course an IKEA item can absolutely be used here and there, but you will be thankful in the long run to have quality constructed pieces that will make your investment worthwhile. I am a firm believer in mixing high and lower pieces but there are shortcuts I would not recommend :-)
If you are a client, I would echo the writer of this article and advise you communicate your likes and dislikes early on, so helpful to designer! Try to involve your other half in the process: the ideal design projects are those in which the designer gets to hear both homeowners. Another note: HGTV quick makeovers are great but in real life that's not how it happens. If you really want to put in the time and money, and want to order some custom upholstery, pillows etc, you need to be patient. I find most of my projects take from a few months to a year, depending on what is ordered, how fast contractors move, how fast items are fabricated and how quickly the client is able to make a decision and respond in a timely manner. Finally, know that a good designer is not out to squeeze your dollars away: A good designer must listen very well, communicate clearly and be an excellent researcher. Check the designer's work, references, interview past clients before signing on. Interview them. Ask for a written contract. To help you realize your dream home, A good designer works very hard to achieve this and really wants you to be very happy :-) For best results, the designer will need your trust : Please remember research takes time. The designer is working as fast as they can but for the job to be well done, it takes the time needed :-)!
Happy designing!

marvinone Nancy S - I'm sorry that you did not have a good experience with your designer. It sounds like communication was the downfall overall.

For anyone reading these comments, interior designers and architects are required to have a great amount of training/education. Many people will call themselves designers, but may not have the correct training. So please check their credentials. For Nancy, that may not be the case, her designer could very well have the qualifications. We must all remember, there are people in every job who are not the best at what they do. We all read stories about a quack doctor but we also know they are the exception and not the rule. This is true about interior designers, one bad experience doesn't mean that all designers are unhelpful.

Nancy, if you consider another large renovation project, I urge you to check in with a different interior designer or architect to help you out. You're armed with an experience that will help you make the best choice for you.

By the way...this story about interior designers can also be applied to architects. If you're building a house, do not overlook the value that an architect can bring to the table. There are a million decisions that they have experience with that will make your process much easier.

And for those who think you can't afford a designer. Make a call, many people/firms will offer consultations for either free or for a low fixed amount. It might be much more affordable than you think.

designs by human. This is a good article! Jan, thanks for the comment. It's nice to here the frustrations and solutions of other designers out there. I have been doing this for years, and it always always feels like such an unappreciated profession, especially more and more with TV shows making unrealistic expectations for homeowners and their budgets!

Although, like you said, when the project is done and I can see my vision come to life, now that is a feeling like no other!

astraea When I first moved out on my own, it was to a condo. When you walked in the door, there was a small hardwood area by the guest closet, but visually there was no separation from the living room beyond that. I brought a layout to a large furniture chain that had interior design services, to get ideas & talk about furniture, and the woman suggested a sofa table with a couple of lamps as a divider, running the lamp cords under the wall-to-wall .. which seemed like a bad idea & code violation to me! That would also have had the sofa about 6’ away & backing the front door, which seemed like bad feng shui .. before westerners even heard that term! NOT a good start! So I went to a couple of independent interior designers, and walked away feeling like they’d design what THEY wanted, rather than what I wanted. At the time “Chinese” was very in, and my saying I didn’t want that, didn’t seem to get thru. In the end, I did the decorating by myself.

Since that point 30 years ago, I’ve been open to input from professionals, like when I bought my current house. I got the paint store’s designer in to talk about color & transition between rooms, had a (different) furniture chain’s designer in to work on adding pieces, scale & fabric. And those episodes went well .. primarily because we had an understanding that we were starting with MY vision of my home, and there were limits to their scope & decision-making. I always tell people that if I made a decision against their better professional judgment, they won’t hear me shift the blame if I’m not happy in the end! Times I deferred to a professional against my gut feelings, they went on their merry way afterward, and I was the one left kicking myself.

JAN MOYER Okay, here come my fifty lashes with the wet noodle from the retail stores. The paint lady is not an interior designer, though her eye for mixing and flow may be super. And with all due respect to furniture stores, and their attendant professionals, they are there to sell you their furniture. Now... think about that. I am not saying there exists no talent in the retail store. BUT. They are not going to search beyond what is available within their store. They have a motivation to sell you more than you need in many cases. And most importantly, when they are done "helping", their names are nowhere near as much ON your result as the independent designer. Beat me up, but it is true, and trust me...if you walk through a store, and point out an item you like, and it doesn't sit well with what you've already chosen, it's a rare in store designer who will stomp her foot in a big fat "NO. You can't have that, it makes no sense"
If you are a strong willed/decisive and reasonably skilled home owner, this method of getting help may be fine, and all you require. Otherwise, the guidance of an independent designer with a world of choice at his/her fingertips may save you a ton of money, and net you a far more interesting result. Design is editing, even as you are adding. You love a certain store? Great! Drag an independent designer with you to the store!

astraea Jan - In this economy, it's amazing the certified professionals you find working in the most unlikely places these days! A friend spent almost a year talking about a custom closet design with representatives of companies that specialize in that, only to wind up at Home Depot .. because their designer really listened to her. The woman had worked independently before, but at her age decided that working for HD worked better .. and my friend lucked out.

As far as people who work for furniture stores, they may have the same professional qualifications as an interior decorator, but for personal reasons may be working where they are .. at least temporarily. The woman I worked with talked me out of a larger sofa, saying it was a little too large for the space, and never talked me into more furniture than I wanted. She never spoke ill of the furniture I already had, or tried to convince me to replace anything I thought I should keep.

My bottom line point was really that homeowners need to be true to themselves, no matter what type of professional they deal with, and not just "give in" when they're uncomfortable, just because that other person is a "professional".

JAN MOYER Of course there are super and not super folks in every aspect of the trade. I always ask myself what is the best for the client within the scope of what they are trying to accomplish. I listen!!! Many years ago, I got a call from an owner who wanted to do extensive improvements to a home they had been living in for decades, in a neighborhood of similarly very average and small homes. I let them vent their entire wish list, and then said. NO! No to all of it!! You will spend big $$ and you still will not have the house you just described in your list, and you will still be of no greater value than another on your block. You have simply overstayed your welcome in your starter house. I want you to go out and look at everything you can find in (fill in the blank price point) I want you to consider WHY you would throw money at improvements that will never come back to you at sale in this home. Do this, and then if you find a "keeper" call me!Two weeks later I got a call to come and look at a super empty nester, well within their reach, that needed nothing but some updated furniture. I took one look and said...."and the problem would be what??? It is PERFECT for you, has everything you want!!! And brand new! They are happily there to this day, ten years hence. Yes we got some new things, and yes they got a much better value. Please share what paint lady, or home depot closet person will tell you to MOVE.... not improve. Some design moments require the brutal truth.

timmermom A few days after my designer & I discussed ideas & her fees, she called me and arranged an appointment to go shopping. We are in a small town and went to a store I knew existed but had never been in. What fun we had! She told me to look around and let her know what I liked and she would do the same. We ended up purchasing several items and although a few of the items I would not have chosen, when I arrived home from work the day she completed our home, she had worked her magic and everything looked fabulous! I wish everyone could have the same experience...my designer & I were both very happy!

Nancy Sloop Bottom line is we spent money and don't feel we got value for it, and will leave appropriate feedback on Angie's List (where I found the designer). That's all I can do, I guess. And next time we'll be wiser. We only renovated the kitchen, only 'updated' everything else (paint, floors). We will need to renovate the basement for my parents to move into next, and the masterbath at some point, as well as the exterior (architect for certain). Sadder but wiser consumers, definitely, and a lot more cynical about the process. It might have helped had she been able to see my current belongings better - most of our things (including artwork, etc) are in boxes because we moved from out of state to this house and are living in the basement with very limited space/stuff until the upstairs is done. She didn't ask to see what was there. She wanted to choose all new furniture for the living room, and our budget wouldn't even cover her kitchen design as done by her cabinet makers of choice. We were very firm on wanting to use local businesses (putting our money into our own community just made sense to us), yet she was pushing us into a business whose profits went to a large investment firm out of state (and ultimately out of country). Bad fit, and obviously lack of communication.

digsblues I would post a review on Angie's List for sure, and probably Yelp too. I think I'd discuss my concerns with your designer first.

I got a $250. consultation before I hired our designer. She gave me a written report that included pictures, SKU numbers of the materials, and places to buy them. That way, I was able to research on my own, read customer reviews, and comparison shop, etc. She lined up the contractors so I was able to check their work and reputation. There were no surprises at all.

Mona Ives Thank you so much for this post. I wish more people would read it.

A few comments about previous posts:

1) Yes, there are some bad designers, like every other profession. Don't let that turn you off. Just be more careful interviewing next time. Most important is chemistry, professionalism, and if they're being clear. If the designer is being evasive in the first meeting, this is not going to go well.

2) I agree that most but not all furniture store designers do not necessarily have the right motives when working on your design. they are simply not paid enough in my opinion to do the kind of work that's needed. Figuring out what to do about your outlets, carpet, etc. is a bit above their pay grade. And there's a difference in approach. Independent designers are rewarded by a complete project's success - store designers are rewarded by how many pieces of furniture they sold.

3) GET A CONTRACT!!!!! This should be in the article. A designer working without a conract is not professional and you should not have to ask for one. They should not be willing to work without one. That's probably MORE important than credentials. It shows respect, professionalism and a desire for fairness. Read it carefully. Ask for clarification or different language to be written out the way you feel comfortable. And if you don't like the terms, move onto someone else.

4) There is ZERO consistency int he industry regarding pricing - so ask, ask and ask before you hire. My contracts CLEARLY state I charge a flat fee, 50% up front, 50% when work is complete. I also take markup on items you buy from me between 10-40% at my discretion, however all prices are agreed upon in writing or else there is no order. My contract ALSO states that if you need me to "retail" shop somewhere where I don't receive any discount or incentive, then I will add 10% to the purchase price. It's all out there in writing. AND if you purchase over a certain amount from me, I will waive your design fee.

Now my fellow designers: It's very upsetting when customers shop online to try to find something slightly less than from where you're sourcing the same thing. I had a customer buy a sofa for $30 less than what I quoted and I can't tell you how offended and upset I was. Isn't my work worth that extra $30 on your $25,000 project? I do know that everyone is looking to save money these days and so I don't say anything because I don't want to upset my clients, but consumers do need to appreciate the work they are getting.

We need to as an industry make things more and more clear to the consumer to help ourselves reach the right clients, and to help all the people who want our help and will appreciate it. We need more articles like this one. :) So I am going to embed this on my blog, and I would encourage as many designers as possible to do the same!

Susan Jay Design As a designer, I so appreciate this article. One thing missing...some of us charge hourly AND cost plus. Back in the 80's you could make a living on cost plus but now clients have the world of interiors at their disposal.

ana474 Susan many brands still do not sell to the public or do custom orders for the public. If I want for example a Kravet fabric on a specific sofa style I do not have access to do that. That is what I use my interior designer for in my circumstance. We work together, which I appreciate. She brings me brands that do COM and fabrics and work from there. I like the idea that no one has 90% of the stuff I have in my home. If there are brands or a specific piece I must have and she feels it fits into the style of the home she gets me the wholesale off the retail and then just charges me right under retail. In these economic times I think more people would work with designers if there was a total win/win. Does my designer do more homes to make the same money..probably, but she also has a large base of clients. I know I have referred her just for the fact that she has a great eye and saves me money on custom done stuff.

tgboone Is it a good or bad idea to hire a good friend to be your designer? I love her taste and we've discussed that if things don't work out for either of us then we'd terminate the design relationship so we can maintain our friendship, but I'd love to hear others' opinions/experiences with this. Thanks

Elza B. Design, Inc. I would not want to design for all my friends but have done it often and it has been a positive experience overall. You do need to have a contract, and proceed as a regular business relationship. I like to keep a very honest dialogue going.

JAN MOYER Hiring a good friend can be fine! As long as:
You remember for this period of time working on your home, she is FIRST the pro you hired.
That you arrange the exact same payment schedules, method of working that she would apply to any other client. That includes fees of every type. No good ever comes from any other method, just gonna have to trust me on that one!
That you expect no more, and no less from her as a result of the friendship, as it applies to your home.

Most designers find the second time around with a client, a bit more difficult than the first as often, a bond of sorts has been formed; many wonderful friendships have arisen between decorators and their clients! When you're working together, the professional relationship has to be front and center. It yields the best result, and it is best for both parties. But it takes a firm resolve on the part of designer, and client/friend!

liz48170 Great advice. Our last decorator came 3 times, and then we realized he just wasn't for us. He was a "furniture salesperson" focusing more on stuffing our house full of furniture than balancing what we have.....

frenchdecor Seems most discussion participants are designers, and one very upset customer. I can feel her pain. I had few contractors for a small jobs like window installation, electrical job, plumbing...Every time was upset too because I did my homework and being a bookworm learned basic requirements ahead, which means those professionals did bad job in basic level charging more than an Engineer's salary per hour. It is fare fee $50-500 per hour being second pair of eyes to help customer make a decision?
One of my friends have beautiful house, she has little design understanding, but good taste, so she choose safe monochromatic, minimalist design and money splurged for high end furniture and accessories. Gorgeous home with no hassle. Now as I am thinking of my all friends homes, don't re-call any tasteless design, not always my style (some are little busy for me or not in my budget), but pretty much flawless.

lwaggs I have a question, I'm going to be building a new home on a lake in Virginia. I presently live in Illinois, and I'm working with an architect here in designing my new home. Moving to a new area and not really knowing anyone there, how do I find a good interior designer, that meets my requirements without any kind of referral, and without seeing any of there work? I'm presently working on finding a builder for this project. The builders offer assistance in cabinet selection from there suppliers, but I feel like these people are just concerned about there own items, not an overall consistency for the whole project. I'd like to get an interior designer involved soon. How do you think I should proceed?
Leslie W

digsblues I was in the same position when I needed to hire a designer to prepare my mother's house for sale. I was in a different city and didn't know anyone. I got a recommendation from a realtor, and searched online. The designer I chose had an extensive online portfolio, and I liked her work better than any of the others I saw. I was extremely happy with my choice.

Here is her online portfolio, including before and afters, just for example.

http://www.lisalucasdesign.com/gallery.html

Mona Ives Iwaggs - you can also try the Houzz onlin directory of professionals. Most have extensive portfolios online and have referrals too. You can go to Professionals at the top of the page, and search by "interior designer" then choose your area.

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Iwaggs -- The key things I noticed in your question was that you wondered how to select a designer without any referrals and without seeing their work. Any interior designer worth working with will have a portfolio. You can look at their websites or profiles on Houzz. Often, once I talk with a prospective client, I also email them additional photos of projects that may be similar to the kind of project they have in mind. You can also ask for referrals to past clients. I find it most helpful to refer my prospective clients to past clients who have had a similar type of project and who may have a similar personality style. You can find designers in the professional listings on Houzz, or simply by doing an internet search for your new area. No matter where you find their name, you would still look at their portfolio and ask to speak to references since you don't have a personal referral. Also, it is very important to TALK to them ... I mean not email, not texting ... actually talking live on the phone. Personality and communication style is so important in this relationship. You can't get that from an email. You could see if your builder has worked with a designer in the past who they liked. It is really important that your builder and designer are able to work well together as a team. Very important.

You could also consider working with a designer in your current area. After all, we designers are in the business of visualizing and creating spaces that don't actually exist yet. There is no reason the designer has to live in Virginia. I have very successfully designed and even remodeled spaces for clients who live all the way across the country from me without ever actually meeting face to face or stepping foot in their home. Emailing photos, mailing samples, and using floor plans and my 3D programs have made that possible. So, there are lots of ways to work with the designer of your choice regardless of location.

Best of luck, and congratulations on the new house!

nellesworth @iwaggs: I am in agreement with the others who have responded to your question. You should ABSOLUTELY seek referrals and check portfolios! The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and International Interior Design Association (IIDA) list public designer referrals by area for professional members who have documented training and passed qualifying tests. You may be able to contact the local chapter and get a referral that way.

Check with the local Better Business Bureau to screen out questionable businesses with a shady history. Most cities also have referral sites online; here in Denver, we have the A-List, a publicly accessible list of companies and services that have been rated by residents to be the best in the city. Houzz is a good start. Angie's List (not to be confused with Craig's List) is a members-only referral site that may be available in Virginia.

Any designer worth hiring should have some online presence and be willing to provide a portfolio (if it's not already up on his/her website) and references from previous clients. Ask them if they typically design for their clients' taste or whether they have their own signature style, which may or may not match yours. Finally, READ THE CONTRACT before you hire someone, even the fine print!

If you're planning to remain out-of-state for the duration of the project, make sure you have found someone with whom you have a good rapport. Establish a plan for keeping each other "in the loop", perhaps mailing samples of fabric, paint chips, tiles, etc., e-mailing pictures of the site progress, and discussing design solutions over Skype? You may need to visit several times over the course of the project, but the designer should be willing to work long-distance with you if that is how you want to pursue the completion of this project.

Be wary of designers who can't/won't provide referrals or a portfolio of their work - they're surely not worth the money and time you'll spend with them. Alternately, a true professional should be happy to provide you with an extensive portfolio of past projects and openly discuss their business practice (fee structures, contracts, permitting, etc.).

lwaggs Thanks for all your input, I think I'm going to start with designers in the Chicago area, as that would be the most convenient, and as long as they can work off architectural drawings, it should work.

sfgreenberg I am using a designer from a small retail store. I had the choice of either paying $150 an hour or buying through the store. I am having one wall have built ins, purchasing a sofa, wing chair, two side chairs, a side table, roman shades for 3 windows and draw drapes for a picture window. I purchased the rug and coffee table myself. All that with delivery charges and installation and tax comes to $40,000. I know I chose expensive fabrics but this seems like a lot of money. Throw pillows are $250-$350 each. Does this sound in line with a high end designer...I think $7400 for a 74" sofa is a lot even it is really good furniture. What do you all think?

JAN MOYER sfgreenberg,
Welllllllll hard to say re the sofa. Hard to say in general, as when fabrics get in the range of 200.00 to 300.00 a yard, and you have customized carpentry...one can make a very expensive room in a single heart beat, and a simple pillow will soar in price.
I will ask you this: Do you love your result thus far? Can you pay for your result thus far?When you walk in your room do you sigh from happiness with your choices? You may have a Baker sofa with down filled cushions, and Scalamandre fabric used to fabricate your roman shades. Who knows? None of this matters, an LONG as you are very happy and can pay the tab with no angst. Expense is relative, and one person's splurge is another's "oh is THAT all!!!! It is not an answer one can provide in a forum like this. There are simply too many variables! ARE YOU HAPPY/CAN YOU PAY ? "Nuff said!

sfgreenberg Thanks Jan. I guess it does not seem out of line. I think I was just a little shocked since I have little experience. I have just bought off the floor in the past.

JAN MOYER sfgreenberg,
I will simply add one point: Know the destination. Know the final tab for your project . It is easy to go off the rails when you aren't paying attention. Yes, a pillow takes a yard when you have a repeat, then there is a down fill, then a trim maybe, and the labor, and a mark-up on all of that for "design" I am certain. As long as all is with one's means....lovely. There's an old saying. "Pretty almost always costs more, but pretty is usually worth it" As long as the pretty is worth it to you, and doesn't mean you will spend your last years in a shabby and leaky TENT.... have fun and get the room that thrills you. Thrill is the operative word. And of course that tent word... : )

digsblues I paid my designer by the hour, and it was worth every penny of her fee. She had experience and connections. She used them to get us the home we wanted. For instance, her initial consultation was only an hour and a half, and she gave us a 12 page report, including paint colors, fabrics, pictures of lights, sinks, faucets, counter tops, cabinets, etc. and where to get them.

In the long run, I think her $200. an hour fee paid for itself.

sfgreenberg Sounds like you had an excellent experience. I have confidence in my designer. She acting as the project coordinator so i don't have to deal with the cabinet maker, the electrician, etc

judet6 I went through hell trying to HIRE
a designer, one objected to seeing recycling in the house, one
wouldn't allow me to sit on furniture before purchasing it, it just got worse and worse! Finally, I decided that I am going to see what I can do on my own, tons of
pictures from houzz and Pinterest
a color scheme and a budget. If I
hit a road block, I will consult a pro, but so far it's been prima donnas!

JAN MOYER jude16,
I have no idea your area, but design is far from a prima donna job on most days! I had a not totally uncommon day yesterday...
Clients who were not supposed to return home for another week, decided on a one day notice to return early, in the midst of a master bedroom re-do. I had to hurry the painter to finish and get out, move up a couple deliveries via major begging, run to three places in an attempt to find a couple lamps, the cleaning lady was me : ) which included the bed changing, as who wants dirty sheets on arrival? I let the dogs in and out about fifty times, stopped at the hardware store, went to Bed Bath and Beyond for some new towels in coordinating color...and presto, and WHEW! by four pm it looked like a room with the last bang of a nail to hang a picture or two. One happy camper client later, she "slept like a dream". Whatever it takes!!!... and who are these other designers,( ? ) as most I know,( including me), will climb through fire for a client before we will have an unhappy client.......

Mona Ives Jude... you just have to put your feet down sometimes with designers. As for recycling I can understand the designer wanting something undesirable looking i.e. an eyesore out of the way, but you can tell them it's very important to you and if they can't design some solution that works for you functionally at your budget to hold the recycling, then recycling will just have to be visible.

As for sitting on furniture, sometimes we do have ideas about furniture that, depending on your area, is not available in person, only in catalog. You could ask them if another client of theirs has purchased it before and if you could arrange to see it there. If not, tell them well I appreciate the design work but I need to sit on it. I have taken clients to my local design center which is over an hour away for them and they had to take a day off of work to do so - but let them sit on the pieces they would buy. There were other pieces I wanted them to get but they weren't available anywhere within a 2 hour ride (can't make them go to NYC just to sit on something when it's a 4 hour drive) so we couldn't use those pieces. But I did convince them to buy a few items sight unseen like coffee tables, end tables, etc., that I knew would look fabulous. I told them I would eat the cost of returning it if they hated it once it was installed. Sometimes I have to take risks like this, but I know when it's a sofa or chair you have to sit on sometimes you just can't have the piece you want because the client has to be comfortable in it. But if everything you buy is something you can buy close by from local resources and you live in a non-metropolitan area where there is not a lot of variety - your design will sometimes be ordinary and look like everyone else's. A designer's job is to make it look special and dynamic. If you want it to look like a furniture store showroom - just go to a furniture store showroom - they even have designers there who do the job for free.

Just wanted you to know that this is a common problem that designers in less metropolitan areas do face. Lack of samples of exciting furniture options for clients to try out. If you live in New York or LA it's a lot less of a problem. Some designers I know only source from outlets where there are samples so they don't run into the issue. Just be up front the first time you meet a designer. Just say: "I won't buy it if I can't sit in it, so don't bother with something that's not available in showroom."

I've met clients who on the first time I meet them say loud and clear "I won't get rid of this, so don't even think of asking me to, because the answer will be no..." and that's that. Doesn't mean I don't try to convince them, but I know it's sort of a lost cause when I start and I move on quickly from it... hope that long lecture helped for if and when you decide to hire again. :)

sfgreenberg My designer is letting me choose some of my own pieces so I can save a bit of money. I bought the rug, side table, and coffee table on my own and it was far less than she wanted to spend. Of course, I ran it past her before I made the purchases. I have a little different situation. I am buying the furniture retail from her (all custom) and getting the design advice free. Of course, it is not really free because her time is worked into the retail prices but I'm ok with it. Next time, I think I might try a designer who gets a discount but an hourly.
It's a live and learn situation.

Mona Ives sfgreenberg if you like your current designer's advice you may want to ask her if she'd do the same - charge you hourly, because I can guarantee you it will cost you about the same. I offer both styles of packages to my clients - you want to pay me for my time and feel you are getting a discount on furnishings, great. You don't feel my time is worth $100 per hour but are willing to pay exorbitant prices for furnishings, great, you do that, I will build it into your sofa. Either way, I'm getting the same because otherwise it wouldn't be worth my while to do the work... And fact is - there are still MANY designers that charge both and get both. And if you are paying for advice only, there is a possibility you are you are getting lesser quality of furniture for the same price.

I had a client who told me she wouldn't pay a dollar over $1,200 for a sofa but had crazy requirements for it. It had to have open legs (no skirt), couldn't be higher than 34" in the back, couldn't be wider than 68", had to have a certain look, the list went on and on and this sofa didn't exist basically unless you custom made it. But to custom make it the price would be over $3k. So she paid me an hourly rate to find the sofa. I looked far and wide for this magical mystical sofa that didn't exist. I sent her option after option that she shot down for reason after reason. It was so comical as week after week I sent her bill after bill. When I totaled these bills, they added up to almost $2200. Twenty two hours! I drove and drove around the state, called manufacturer after manufacturer, trying to find this mystical sofa that met all her needs. And in the end she had to order it custom made by an upholsterer who charged her $2600 to make it. And don't for a moment think I didn't warn her that it was an impossible task and that she should get it custom to begin with. I did, but she insisted that was too expensive and wanted to buy one "off the shelf".

It cost her $4800 to get the sofa. If she had just paid the $3K (my commission included) it would've been cheaper and taken 4 less weeks and less hassle and frustration, and honestly she would've had a better quality sofa with better cushion, frame and overall quality. Oh and yeah, a warrantee. Just my two cents :) Or maybe four cents :)

sfgreenberg Mona, I agree with your input. I am getting good furniture Hickory Chair, Lee Industries and have the option for firmness, nailheads, etc. This L.R. is costing me around 40k which includes cabinetry work for an entire wall, fireplace woodwork and tile hearth, picture rail, electrical, plastering and painting. Seemed like a lot to me but when broken down, I did not see how it could be less. I am sure I will love it and at my age, this is the last time I do this room. My daughter, who is an Int. Designer in LA, said that one drawback to hourly payment is that it can add up quite quickly as you explained above RE: the sofa. Cheers.

judet6 I did the due diligence,made sure
the designers had portfolios, references, etc. I have a bad back, there is no way that any
designer can determine how a couch will support my back without me sitting on it. As for the
recyclables, yes it is something that we are working on, having very little storage space, it had NOTHING to do with the job
I was hiring her for. I have a college education and a Masters degree, I would never treat anyone the way I have been treated, there is no excuse for the
arrogant attitudes that I have encountered. So, i'll try going it on
my own

JAN MOYER There are many ways for designers to structure a fee. I can assure you a good one will in the end, have earned every penny you have "paid" . Whether the fee is hourly, a combination of that and goods purchased at discount, or simply retailed merchandise. You will save mistakes, get more excitement in the room, more function, more comfort! A good designer wants you THRILLED in the end. Yes you can get "free" design. If you believe anything free exists on the planet. A furniture store can be a way to go for those with a skill set, and who are sure of their tastes. Just remember, it is the job of the designer to work within the store's selection. So what ELSE may you be missing? What about all the finishing touches that make a room come to life? What about a great antique? What about art? Don't expect more than help in selection within the store, and a certain "eagerness" to write up a sale. As a designer, I say no to many pieces that a client may lust after. Why? Not needed, the wrong "feeling" a poor value, a million reasons including size and scale, or just staying on the desired path to a destination in look and feel. You may get "yes!" far more often in a furniture store, but ...sometimes a "no" is what you need to hear for a really great result. At a commission rate that hovers at five percent of the price you paid for whatever you selected...do the math and you can understand why twenty hours of agony over your sofa firmness or lack thereof is not an in-store designers dream. They must SELL, move on, and keep selling.

judet6 It's not about saving money, I really WANTED to hire a designer, believe me, I wanted to have someone coordinate it for me,it would have made it easier, I work
full time. I am sure there are great
designers out there,just never encountered one.

Elza B. Design, Inc. Jude brings up an interesting point: She says she never encountered a designer. How to find designers? I think there are so many great resources out there to find your dream designer. I would suggest searching via Houzz, word of mouth, magazine publications or features of designers, show houses, and reading their blogs.
You will be able to tell a lot from a designer by reading their design comments or thoughts. The resources are unlimited. Make sure you select a few you like and then interview them carefully. You must have a good vibe at the interview, feel the designer is honest, a good listener and organized. Do not work without a contract. Always check designer reviews and references on Linked In, Houzz, etc. Good luck!

judet6 Actually,most of the decorators I
interviewed WERE on houzz. They
were fine when they came to the
house. I did all the due diligence, yet I didn't even GET to the contract stage!

judet6 Encountered was not the best word. I'm a librarian, I know how
to research.

JAN MOYER I have a "joke" with perspective clients to plan two hours the first time we meet. When asked why, I say "I have no clue, it just always ends up at two hours, so lets see what happens" You guessed it. Two hours. Almost without fail, at the end of that time, we both know what is going to happen. We're either going to work together or we likely will not. That's because a lot of ideas will have been batted around, and I will know if I have a receptive, or reticent client, She will know too, if I suit her sensibilities in taste or work style. We will have walked the house, we'll have talked about kids, and "hubby", and travel, and entertaining and pilates or yoga and who knows what else, including the closet that drives her crazy. I will know if I have someone with a sense of humor, or not. Someone in control of her domain, or not. Someone whose every choice needs a "second" from a husband, or her ten year old. She will know if her wish list suits her budget, or her home. I will have a sense of if it is going to "work" or not . Sometimes... rarely... I will ignore the little inner bell that says "be too busy" and rue the day! Or I leave with a sigh, knowing she is NOT going to proceed, possibly because what she truly wants is an errand runner and I have made pretty clear that is not me, so perhaps we are better off going our own way. Design that suits you, thrills you, is about getting what you want....... and it is also very much about getting that which you never knew you wanted. Repeat that one. And all of it better than you could do on your own. It's an abstract thing....until a thrilling, comfortable, functional result happens to you, in your home. It helps if you like each other well enough to muddle through the process of getting there : )

judet6 Jan, I would truly kill for that experience that so far as eluded
me! I have gone through this process with 6 people, do have to
see that it was an hour each time.
I don't have a "showcase" home,
but had/have a good budget to
work with. I must have some
kind of decorator kryptonite that
turns them off! Whatever!

Nancy Sloop judet6, I totally understand your feelings, having been there and spent over $4,000 for pretty much nothing myself. :( I have no problem with designers, contractors, et al marking up prices for a modest profit. What I do resent is designers, contractors, et al not being willing to work with any other supplier/vendor than those they are representing, even if the client does not LIKE what is being shoved at her. After she (and her contractor of choice) pretty much abandoned me mid-renovation, I managed to muddle along to the end with the help of the really excellent contractor recommended to me by our flooring consultant. And best of all, I love the end result of my house -- which incorporates not one of her design ideas, except the size of the island in the kitchen (small).

JAN MOYER jude16,
Mmmmmmmm SIX!!!! That is disturbing to say the least! I can't speak to the Kryptonite thing... but after all these years, I can say both sides are very capable of accidentally turning the other OFF. Either intentionally, or by accident. I would say to you... here are the turn-ons for a designer:
"I am open to your ideas".
"I saw what you did at_____ and loved it".
" I don't know what I love, I just know what I hate"
" This piece is important, but yes, it could go to another less prominent spot"
" I have a budget, and it is ______$ If I go over that amount I will kill myself, or be in debtors prison, and btw , it includes YOU. Can you work with that number or am I just too optimistic? Or do I need to make a longer term plan?"
Clients tend to get excited with ideas/ possibilities that will not waste their resources, that consider their treasures, but at the same time make them think about all they might be missing..... and they most often appreciate honesty. Without it, a designer becomes the "yes" person, who leaves you unhappy when it counts. ...when you pay, and are staring at the result! You truly should HATE the "help" on a couple of days! : ) or maybe you are hearing yes a bit too often.

This will shock you, but I have done business on a handshake for well over twenty years. Is it stupid? Maybe. But here is the thing: The few times I have been scalded occurred very early in the process, and to minimal damage. I am asking someone to trust me to deliver a result. I am asking them to let go of the reins just a bit.... and for most clients...it is a scary thing indeed. I in turn, am trusting that they are grown adults, are aware of their finances, and pay their bills. I assume all good things until proven otherwise. The weird thing is simply this: If someone isn't going to pay, they will invent a reason, no matter what piece of paper they signed. If a relationship isn't going to work, it's generally apparent very early. I think the single best source of help, is to ask a friend who has had help. One who was happy with the process, and enjoys her result. Don't be misled into thinking another's style will be yours, most good designers can do any style. If they can't, they will tell you, and politely decline.

JAN MOYER @nancysloop
I can see both sides of the argument. The designer's people should be the folks who will get you the best result! I don't like to be dictatorial with regards to this, BUT. Every time I allow a client to deviate from me/my people, it is both the client, and me !! who end up in misery. Designers work with the people who best serve their clients interests in terms of quality, customer service and follow up, organization, and whatever aspect you might consider. We don't like to make problems for ourselves, or our clients. We have a shorthand with these people, and they count on US for the continual repeating business. The last thing they want to do is disappoint us, or a client we brought. I encourage people to use the resources at my disposal... and to the extent they take off in another direction? They "own" their result. Just as I would own the result from someone/ a supplier for whom i took responsibility and provided. Designers everywhere will sound off, but the nightmares go both ways, I can assure you.

judet6 Jan, I want to do over my first
floor, not worry about the tender
sensibilities of designers! My friends are educated working women who looked at me like I
was crazy when I suggested using
a designer. Designers should be
worrying about me hiring them, especially in this economy! Sure there are always empty headed trophy wives who just want to
spend hubby's money, but that is not me!

JAN MOYER jude16,
You can trust me on this: Designers have about the thickest skins on the planet. It isn't about their "tender sensibilities" as most don't have tender anything, except heart. They wear a million HATS, adjust at will to the very tender sensibilities of clients, and thus can't sweat anything but finding the best path to a great result, all the while keeping everyone happy, while holding a scale ruler, a phone, the clients dog leash or baby, and a suppliers hand who forgot to bring a pencil, and doing all for who knows how many all at the same time, many times on a moments notice, with all who have angst with regards to who knows what at any given moment, lol. And we are human too. We like the "ownership" involved in getting you to the thrill........we are willing to own the process. And it should be fun for all. Like I said.... I can't speak to the six to whom you have spoken, I simply find it......disconcerting.

JAN MOYER jude16,
And of course I am now dying to know where you live. : )

judet6 Jan, I live in Metro West MA.

judet6 I'm pretty sure that disconcerting
means what the heck is wrong with HER that nice designers will
not work with her? To me, this whole process is like speed dating . Yes, at this point I am cynical
and not trusting and I know
trust is integral to this process.

JAN MOYER jude16,
I don't know if you have tried this, but I would contact the Boston Design Center. They undoubtedly can pair you up with someone who may suit your needs! See the attached link.
http://www.bostondesign.com/consumer-access/designer-on-call.php

JAN MOYER jude16,
PS... Disconcerting means either a run of TRULY bad luck, or yes, even the possibility that after being disappointed once or twice, or three times... your lack of trust and cynicism leaked out on a perspective designer meeting. Yup....... it's possible? Honestly, if I get an immediate sense that I am the "bad guy" in the room, my first thought is " who is the bad guy here, as I know for fact and certainty it isn't me"! See what I mean? It starts from trust, and if you take that away on either side of the relationship, someone is going to end up disappointed. Or alone and lonely : ) I find very sadly, and almost without fail, that people who cannot trust, can not generally be trusted. Strange huh?

Mona Ives Jude16 you live in metrowest MA - can I ask if I might give you a free consultation? I am based in metrowest MA. Perhaps you've already ruled me out for some reason and decided not to make me one of the FAB 6... or maybe your searches just didn't turn me up. Especially since I am now aware of the issues that you are facing I would love the opportunity to meet you if only to better understand how to work with clients.

I know you have trust issues at this point. I would not advise you call the BDC for a designer unless you want to pay hourly plus markup on your furnishings because their designers are going to use that model. And they're certainly not going to be happy about you wanting to buy anything retail. I recently took a client there to look at some items in person, and she was appalled at how (these are her words) "snobby the other designers were compared to you." I find this hilarious. She had interviewed 3-4 designers before hiring me - all from the Boston area or closer to there and felt that they were interviewing HER. One gentleman told her he wouldn't be bothered to go out "there" to her residence in metrowest for such a small job (her entire first floor of 1800 square feet). Others raised their noses at her favorite ethnic coffee table that she bought from Crate & Barrel. Others yet simply didn't appreciate that she didn't want exorbitant furnishings with three young toddler boys in the house. She has been my client for 4 years and we have done almost her entire house including a full remodel of the basement.

In some ways, finding a designer is like dating. You have to find the right Chemistry. Perspective. Outlook. Working relationship. And then you have to feed and maintain it just like a marriage. That's what Jan is saying. The client needs to be open minded, but the designer does too and needs to understand what the client really wants from him or her. The customer comes first because he/she is paying the bill after all and has to live with what you've installed when you've gone away.

I'm sorry if that sounded like a shameless plug of myself, but after finding out you are in my area I feel particularly bad that you've had such a poor experience trying to hire a designer. If you want to schedule a free consult, please do contact me. If you look up my profile on Houzz, you can reach my website and contact me. Regardless of what you decide, best of luck in designing your home.

Susan Jay Design Jan Moyer, you are without a doubt, a design soul sister of mine !!....Because I've been getting emails with this ongoing dialog regarding hiring a designer and although I do not usually join in due to time constraints, I just wanted to jump in and say....thank you for all of your heart-filled and wise words. I agree with the things you've said and I too hope that, you Judet6 DO find the assistance you are looking for and end up having a great experience with what can be a most rewarding experience ! All the best to you !
and thanks again Jan !

Nancy Sloop @Jan Moyer, I have no doubt you do the best job you can do for your clients. However, what you describe was no my experience. What would you think of cabinet makers who wanted to charge me $698 for a plate rack to be made in one open shelf? And that was the 'discounted price' after I protested the original charge of $899!

When I first met with the designer, I was emphatic on wanting to work with local businesses. Our area is still reeling from the poor economy, and I wanted to pump my modest renovation budget into it. The people she worked for were not local. When I asked, she said there were no local cabinet makers thus we had to look elsewhere. I think she meant there were none locally she would work with, because the firm I ended up with were not only local, but a long-established company with a great reputation. My plate rack was added to the open shelving for $50.00. The cabinetry is exactly what I wanted, including a specially-built hall tree for the mud room built from a page torn from a magazine.

This local company used local suppliers for their wood, came in at almost half the price of the designer's out-of-state firm (who, as it turned out from a little Google- work on my part, are not only out-of-state, but owned by an overseas company). It would have eaten up most of my renovation money to use the designer's firm just for the cabinetry alone. What about the counter tops? The flooring? The paint? Not to mention the demo work my husband and I weren't able to do on our own? How is that working with a client's budget? It took forever to get prices from her, so we didn't know until $4,000 later we couldn't afford those cabinets. I didn't go looking elsewhere until forced, believe me.

And the cabinetry debacle was just one of the reasons I am not happy with my experience. There were others. Suffice it to say that now we are getting ready to start the walk-out basement renovations so my parents can move in with us, we are NOT using that designer this time. We will be using the same contractor, flooring person, and cabinet-maker however, which to me is the best recommendation of all: repeat customers.

JAN MOYER SusanJayDesign
This thread made me late for my tile excursion today and there was already too much multi-tasking going on here at the desk this morning! But this is one of those jobs you have to do, to "get" some days isn't it ?: ) Thanks "soul sister" for the kind words ; I guess we are the lucky ones who get to do for financial gain, that which we LOVE TO DO despite even the occasional blood, sweat and tears. Now if all the clients understood that.... aaaahhhhhh: )

JAN MOYER AtNancy Sloop,
Well your whole experience sounds very unfortunate indeed. I guess my two hour initial meetings have a purpose if only to explain in detail why I use the LOCAL people I do, and why I encourage clients to take advantage of both my relationship with them, and all that goes with that ongoing relationship. On behalf of all of us who strive to please, to deliver great results, who are fair and honest, and always deliver more than we promised....it's the kind of story we hate to hear, as it makes our jobs that much harder! And we have LOTS of jobs including marriage counselor, financial advisor, psychiatrist, occasional chauffeur, occasional baby sitter....a shoulder to cry on now and then...the list goes on.....
I am glad you ended well despite the 4k hiccup, and good luck with the next project.

thurling I am confused about "everyone's cut" on my extensive remodel. I worked with a designer (and since dissolved the relationship) who wanted to charge me 16% of the total cost of the flooring, cabinets, and counters. But then the contractor wanted to charge me for his 15% cut. Adding 31% to my $45,000 floors seemed ridiculous. Especially when I was also paying the designer an hourly rate plus paying retail while she pocketed the difference between retail price and her designer discount. It seemed like I was paying her in three different ways for the same item/project plus the contractor too. I am now just so confused and quite frankly skeptical and pretty gun-shy to hire another decorator. So please tell me...if the contractor adds his customary 15% to the kitchen cabinets and flooring, how does the designer get paid (without doubling it to 30%)?

jconroy It sounds a bit excessive to me. Designers charge differently depending on the scope of the project. If the designer were charging you hourly plus taking the difference of her pricing and retail, then I would agree that the 16% in addition to that is asking too much. There re also designers out there that won't charge anything, but ask that you do make your purchases through them (studio or store) because their pay would then be the commission off the sale. Which is usually a much lower percentage than what you are describing.

Mona Ives thurling this is more confusing because you're working with decorator and contractor. I've been in the position of being a decorator as well as working for a contractor doing estimates, so I have a little insight. Keep in mind, not all companies do things the same.

A decorator would not typically add a percent on top of the retail cost, but would charge you the difference between your buying price (retail) and her buying price (wholesale or at least trade priced). That difference can be anywhere between 10-40% depending on the product. But from your perspective, you should only have been paying what was "retail" price. For instance, you pay $10 per square foot for the flooring, and the decorator is buying it at $8 per square foot, meaning he/she is making $2/sq foot on the flooring. Chances are, no one would sell it to you (the customer) at less than $10. However, this is in the case that your decorator is able to be the person procuring your flooring. When working with a contractor, most likely the contractor will not allow this. They will insist upon ordering and getting the flooring. So the decorator is usually cut out of this process altogether and is left to charge you only an hourly or flat fee. Or else, the decorator can make profit on other items that the contractor will not be involved in, such as possibly lighting or window treatments or furniture.

The contractor will typically buy flooring from an outlet or manufacturer at wholesale (let's say $6 square foot) then put that in his estimate along with the cost of nails, tools, labor (hours), and anything else he/she needs to do the job, then add let's say 30% to that entire number, and that's your price for the job of getting your floors done. Some of that 30% is overhead of the cost of their running their business (keeping the lights on, insurance, yadda yadda) and some of it (a much smaller percentage) is profit to make it worth their while to do it - maybe 5-10%.

Now if your decorator felt the job was too large for just an hourly fee, he/she might have tried to ask you to pay a percentage of materials on top of what you were already paying. Or, he/she might have asked the contractor to split his/her "cut" of profit with you on the materials. These arrangements are less common but can happen. From my experience, customers are usually unwilling to pay (like yourself) and contractors are unwilling to share profit, so it just doesn't work out.

I would not be gun-shy. What I would do is, when you meet a potential decorator and like everything else about them, ask them to spell out all methods of how they receive compensation. Review their contract in detail. No two decorators are alike in this. Ask if they charge: flat fees, hourly fees, commissions on products, and commission/markup on labor. They may be uncomfortable but they should tell you. Ask them to spell this out in their contract, and do NOT work with anyone without a contract. If someone is being shady or unclear, move onto the next person.

alex511 I just asked a potential designer for references and she told me she did not need to provide me with references and had never been asked this question before. I have chosen not to meet with her.

Mona Ives alex good call. there should be others who will provide references.