I'm pretty sure there already is a way to do this.

Well no actually smiley, this was Emily's answer when i enquired " Hi there, The message box you are seeing on your profile is where you would find messages exchanged with pros on the Houzz site. If you go to a professional profile, you will usually see a big "Contact me" button there to allow you to message them privately. At this time, that functionality is not offered between non-professional users. "

oh ok, that explains it. I have communicated with pros, but not with non-pros.

I'd like it, but only if it's used for good and not evil. lol :)

There have been two occasions where I wished for this feature. Once when I was actively involved in helping someone plan their entertainment/man cave and actually had a piece of equipment I was going to sell on eBay that they needed and wanted to contact them privately to give them first chance to make an offer. Second when I saw a discussion that was old enough I didn't want to respond on the discussion and resurrect it but had a suggestion I wanted to submit in case the original poster was still having the problem which it appeared they were from info on their page. Finally there have been a half dozen times where I have seen someone that I was having fun bouncing ideas off and then realized they were locals and would love to contact them to see if they'd like to go for coffee and talk design sometime.

Great update Emily. I'm sure it will be well utilised.

Oh no..... where is this new feature? I think I should avoid that. Lol :) Emily ...Thanks for the heads up. :)

Thanks for the heads up Emily :)

@zaz: as far as i can see two users need to be both following each other for it to work.
It could also be useful to quickly resolve any misunderstandings ? ^^

@magada, thanks for letting me know I need misunderstandings resolution. Lol :) I'd just prefer....no misunderstandings to begin with. :) Hope you are doing well Magada. :) Btw, what actually happens when you follow someone? On Houzz? I'm not on Facebook or anything...so I'm out of the loop. Lol :) Do you mind explaining it? Even in short? If not, that's okay and have a great day/night. ;)

Gosh zaz, you're far from being the only one who needs misunderstanding resolutions i.e. i can have a somewhat dry sense of humor and use it on the wrong person so would be good to be able to send them a quick note if i see them taking it seriously and say i was really joking.
When you follow someone what happens ? well nothing really, they just show up on your following list lol. I use it mostly to keep track of the PROs of whom i appreciate the work but try not to have too many as it clogs up the activity reports, as does following certain users ...(AHEM :D) .
As for FB, i i haven't linked in either as i hardly ever use my account, i'm just NOT interested really.
Thanks, i'll try have a good day and nini to you, have a good zzzzzzzzz :)

@Magada, thanks....that was nice of you. :) Btw, never meant to cause your clog! Lol ;D Haha J/K Really, it's always a pleasure speaking with you. :) And you have a great sense of humor. Goodnight Zzzzzzzz :)

YES.....you can only message someone if they are following you and you are following them

Thanks zaz, and whatever you do NEVER activate your Email notifications, you'll probably break the internet ;)

Magada, LOL :D You are so funny! Haha..... Thanks for the laugh. ;)

Why only for the followers & following?? Why not just make it available to everyone?

By requiring that you must be following someone in order for them to message you directly, you are essentially opting into receiving messages from the group of people you choose to follow. It is a way of curbing spam (in addition to the various other methods we use) that can happen on platform with a community as large as this one.

@Emily, that makes a lot of sense. Very wise decision on Houzz's part. Definitely. :)

Emily, after seeing here that it can be done, can you specifically explain how to send the private message and where to find one. Do I need to do something to my settings myself. I still need to contact with a follower/followee.
Thank you.

Emily, btw...where would you actually receive these messages? In your Houzz? A little info please if/when you have time?