All of the designers I have worked with charge an hourly rate ($80 is very reasonable) plus a percentage of the cost of goods ordered through them. Actually, it can save you money because professional designers get a huge discount from their vendors that they pass on to you, so the price you pay will still be well under retail. This does not mean that you can't look on your own too. Most of the time, a designer can still obtain a discount for you. Something else to consider is that a designer has access to resources that are not available outside of the trade, not to mention all of the time and aggravation it saves.

nlcf2 Thanks. Having never worked with a designer I'm not sure what to expect.

Iris, have you seen her work? I find that decorators fall into a few main catergories:
1) ones whose decorating style is very predictable, although nice. They tend to shove every client into the same mold. You use them if you truly like their style.
2) ones that are good enough but don't have the vision to think outside the box. When I was looking at the portfolios of various kitchen designers, I saw many of these: very boring and traditional, but nice enough. Nothing outstanding, though.
3) the decorators that will create the perfect room for you and your needs . . . on your budget and using accessories that mean a lot to you. These are the great ones. You look at a room they've done and each looks different and outstanding; it's pulled together, works with the rest of the home, is practical and reflects the owners tastes, not their own.

You sound like someone who's not comfortable making big decorating decisions on your own. When you ask for advice here or over on the Kitchens Forum ( a great place for ideas!), can you read through the suggestions, decide which you think will work best for you and go for it? Or, are you still afraid to decide? There are lots and lots of people, including a couple of my own sisters and my bestfriend, who are like that. For these kinds of people, I think a decorator is the best choice.
If you're one of these people, I'd suggest that you initially go for her hourly rate and decide after, if her prices and ability to have her people get the job done quickly and well will fit into your budget.
Lynn

Lynn, thank you for the thoughtful advice. I do think I hesitate on making decorating decisions because "I don't want to get it wrong". I find it hard to visualize how things would look in my space. I can usually tell if I like something or not when I see it in place but pulling a room together takes me forever.
I'm thinking I'll ask to see a portfolio of her work and try using her hourly first. Thanks.

Iris, the comments that Lynninnewmexico made are so relevant! The most important factor is finding someone who is able to reflect your style and help you to define and refine it. Before I married DH, he hired a designer to furnish a new home. He dragged me along to consultations, but I could not say a word (other than gentle suggestions) because we were not yet committed. She was a nightmare...very bossy and controlling. So when we did eventually marry, I inherited a schizophrenic decor that emerged from elements of her taste in conflict with his. I was able to rescue it with the help of a lovely designer who was concerned about WHAT WE WANTED and knew how to work it out.

Get and check references. I have never worked with a designer or decorator but I have heard some horror stories. Make sure they work to your taste not theirs.

It's also fun to let yourself be open to the decorator's taste; what if it's better than yours ? you might discover different things that you would not have thought of.

Mitch I hadn't thought of that. Good point.

any updates Iris; have you found someone to help you ?

Decorating a home can be exhausting and if you don't have the skills and abilities in your back pocket you need some decorating help. Professional interior designers and decorators typically have decorating tips, tricks and ideas to get your end result faster and with less cost and frustration. I think good interior designer is necessary for a good decorative house. I decorate my house through Nina and i found them very economical and professional