My husband is a registered residential architect AND a registered interior designer. They can do both very well, and if you have a general knowledge of where you want to head with the design it helps move along faster. Sample pictures out of magazines, books, internet, for ideas do help a lot. Good luck

I think it's nice to hire an interior designer who is independent of the architect. That way if you question something the architect has done, you have your designer to give you another opinion. And likewise, you can ask the architect about that silly thing the designer advised! As an interior designer myself, I prefer to be involved in the project very early on, before the plan is finalized.

I would inventory your furnishings and discuss what needs to be acquired. Sometimes architects give general lighting to rooms, not knowing what furnishings will go where. By determining early on what will go where, the proper lighting can be better determined and money can perhaps be saved by eliminating unneeded fixtures.

Hi Tracy. Sometimes architects can be very detailed and design interior finishes as well as the structure itself. Other times, it's nice to have an interior designer early in the process to help design interior details. I think it's important to think about furniture floorplans during the drawing phase because it's all so relative to how the overall structure is designed and used. Just my two cents, good luck with your project. Charmean Neithart

Charmean is so right about thinking about furniture floorplans early on in the project. I can't count how many times we really just needed 2 extra feet!

A working relationship between a designer and architect can be quite daunting if they don't know each other and if they have not been privy to each other's work. Now that you have already hired an architect, I would ask her/him if they have several designers with whom they've worked and whom they can recommend. I also would look for a designer on my own and have the designer and architect interview one another for your project. For future reference, you always want to first interview and vet your interior designer and then have the designer invite an architect with whom they have worked at great length on projects similar to yours. There is nothing worse than the battles that ensure between architect and designer when each is trying to either establish or win turf. It is not a pretty picture and the client loses in the end. The relationship between these two must be absolutely simpatico in order for you to get the most bang for your buck and for you to get exactly what you and your designer want.

"...you always want to first interview and vet your interior designer and then have the designer invite an architect..." Oh, come on--such nonsense isn't needed or helpful here.

I'd like the think of an architect provides the shell of a home, while an interior designer finishes the interior spaces.

It's never too early to get an interior designer and kitchen and bath designer to help you. Planning before you build it is much better than building it and having regrets or making changes, changes cost time, money and frustrations for everybody involved. I could go on and on about the benefits, just remember that each profession has a different focus and each can bring to you their own experiences and ideas. Some of our best projects have been completed when all 3 work with the customer and in most cases we have not previously worked together on projects. Of course cost will play a role, in our case we don't charge for the design aspect because we build and provide the cabinets but everyone is different so doing good research will pay off!

Well stated and well explained, WW!

A lake home is different from other homes in that you want the lake view a priority! Having designers who are accustomed to working with lake homes would be preferred.

There is some crossover between interior design and architecture. Sometimes the interior designer has more experience with intricate spacial relationships that architects don't get to perfect because they are rarely involved in the back end of a project. I believe it's always better to have an interior designer involved early.

It should be recognized that 80 to 90 % of new home construction doesn't get design or architectural integration with the buyer before they are built. That in part is why Houzz is needed. I always recommend clients take my floor plan and elevation out for review with friends, relatives and designer/architects for outside input. Professional reviews may cost a couple of hundred each but can save thousands of dollars and future headaches.

I think it is really important to have a designer early in on the process. There are certain things that a designer might pick up that the architect hasn't thought of. Furniture placement on the inside is just as important as window placement on the outside. I cannot tell you how many homes I have done where there is a beautiful great room with lots of windows, fireplace, etc. and not one place to put the tv. Have them work together with you to find out your individual needs and how your family lives.

A screened in porch is a necessity (because of mosquitoes) if you want to extend the season. I live at a lake year round and because I live on a hill overlooking the lake, I haven't had any issues with flooding in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. I don't know if that is something you would have to take into consideration. Because of this the boathouses here have done wonderful things with developing the upper stories and putting on party decks. A wood stove or working fireplace is also extremely useful in case of inclement weather and power outages. A professional review of your plans would be invaluable. Careful planning would combine seasonal practicality with expert design to fulfill your dream to the fullest extent.

Here is a must read: discussion - Building a custom home.... Any "must" haves/cool ideas you have come across? For example - Outlets on both... debbie98569

Thank you all so much for taking the time to lend your helpful advice :).