All clients have the ability to define the scope and level of involvement of a hired interior designer. From a consultant role to full service, the vision, education, and expertise of a designer can be valuable to every homeowner. Find one who understands and shares your tastes and passions.
I believe design is best as a collaboration between homeowner and professional. So even though you and your spouse are creative and have a clear sense of your style, having another set of ears and eyes could elevate your home to something beyond your vision.
It is never too early to hire a designer. Floor plans, furniture layouts, electrical layouts, window placement and size, among others, all are interrelated. For example, a furniture layout floating in the center of a large room. A console table behind the sofa has a lamp so an outlet in the floor should be specified.
Good luck to you!

I agree w/Chroma Design on everything, including the point that it is never too early to hire a designer. If you look at some of the design dilemmas here on Houzz, you'll see homes that are gorgeous but challenging to decorate once they are done. Here is just one example - https://www.houzz.com/discussions/please-help-with-the-design-of-my-family-room-dsvw-vd~259935 Love this house but you see it presents some decorating challenges.

You'll have no trouble finding a great designer here on Houzz. Good luck!

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

Thanks for the advice! We've been doing a bit of research and checking out some websites of local designers, but from what we've seen the process starts with a consultation and walk through of the space - but being that right now all we have is a whole in the ground we weren't really sure how things would work. Would we just start on paper with the drawings we have or should we wait until the structure is framed so we can at least do a walk through to gauge the scale of the house?

Carolyn definitely knows what she is talking about -- too bad she's not in Ontario.

I know a designer who is in Ontario but I don't know if she does residential clients. I tweeted her to ask. Here is her site -- http://www.lynneknowlton.com.

Don't be afraid to interview a bunch of designers. You - and the designer - will want the right fit since you're going to be working together for a while.

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

Wow, thanks for all the great advice everyone - and thanks so much for the lead Lyvonne!! We'll definitely check her out - as well as a few others in the area. I guess we should get cracking on finding someone! :)

You should not wait until framing is completed to engage a designer. Many talented designers can work very effectively just from architectural drawings. It is a matter of possessing keen spatial intelligence. The ability to organize, relate, and conceptualize a space.
For example, a designer would be able to identify a potential concern with a large open space. Perhaps they feel it is too open and warehouse like and offer solutions such as changing elevations in ceiling height to define certain areas. Maybe lowering the ceiling height in the dining area to give it intimacy and scale and decide the parameters of the lowered ceiling based on your dining furniture footprint. Addressing it in the development stage will save costly changes.
Expand your search for a designer beyond their having a portfolio identical to your dream house. And look for reviews or referrals based on the designer's ability to listen and understand, make insightful suggestions and ideas, and one who is highly creative.

You're welcome @thedreamhouseproject but bad news, she said she's not taking on any new clients now - she's concentrating on blogging. But her blog is really good & she's got some great ideas so that might at least help a little.

I'm sure you'll find a great one! Let us know.

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

Thanks anyway Lyvonne! We'll keep you posted on our search. :-)

You're welcome! I look forward to seeing how the project goes.

Your blog looks great - very nicely done! You might think about adding a newsletter signup to it. It could go on the top right of the page, under the search bar. I don't know if you plan on monetizing your blog but if you are, you should definitely take a look at www.smartpassiveincome.com by Pat Flynn (if you haven't already).

Good luck w/everything!

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

P.S. I love Hooked on Houses too!

Thanks Lyvonne!!

It's so great to hear that people enjoy our blog. Honestly I hadn't really thought about monetising it - at least not yet. At this point I'm just happy that someone other than my mom is reading! Lol!

Thanks for the tip though. Will definitely check out smartpassiveincome. :-)

I'm in Ontario! Whereabouts are you? I think a huge benefit of working with a design professional is that we have terrific sources for all the components that go into your home. We work directly with manufacturers so we can tweak their products to be customized exactly to suit your needs.

For instance, I work with a company in Quebec that makes solid wood dining furniture with a baked on finish that's the most durable finish on wood that you can get. I start by deciding how big the table needs to be, what shape, how many leaves, self-storing or not, apron style or none, leg style (many choices + custom) or pedestal (many choices + custom), and then what finish it should be, or two finishes, or baked on paint finish in unlimited colours, and it can be distressed or not. Then I choose chairs and can get soooo many options including a sprung seat that offers the ultimate in comfort. And that's just one item!

I also work directly with a company that will make custom area rugs, either hand-tufted or hand-knotted, 100% New Zealand wool in any size or shape (within some limits) in a myriad of colours. I give them a drawing, tell them what colours it should be, should it be pile or loop or a combination, and that's it. It's the perfect solution for odd shaped rooms, especially those with a corner fireplace which makes it very awkward to accommodate a traditional rectangular rug.

I could go on for pages about all the special attention that a professional can give you. You can visualize what you want, but can you, on your own, achieve your vision? That's what we do. We take your requirements and make them happen, in a way that takes the burden off you.

I would love to help you out, if that's possible.

Cynthia
www.ctaylor-luce.com
ctaylorluce@cogeco.ca

Many clients I work for have multiple homes. I have because of this worked all over the states as well as Canada and a couple other countries. I do a lot of the project using the internet. I do a face to face consultation to start the project. Then we work with the plans via email and phone calls. I also work with the contractor and stay in touch with the project. I of coarse visit the construction site at crucial points. While the construction is underway we would also b working on interior finishes and furniture selections. The Chicago Merchandize Mart is a great resource to use. Although We catty many lines ourselves. I would love to talk to you about your project and working together to make your dream house come true. It should be a fun and exciting experience. Please contact me at jiiceo@aol.com My website is idesignintl.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hey Johnathan, we Canadians don't have to go to Chicago to get great furnishings! We have oodles of showrooms right here in Toronto, for instance, including Designers' Walk and S.O.F.A. at the International Centre among hundreds of others. In fact, the Trade Only Resource Centre I work out of is the largest of its kind in North America, with more fabrics represented there than anywhere else in Canada.

Because of the number of orders they place, my resource centre has preferred relationships with many manufacturers which allows us to offer many features that would be upgrades through any retailer or designer working on their own, and all of these are included with no upcharge.

Yes, I've worked over the internet before, and that's how I keep in touch with existing clients all the time, but I also think there are huge advantages to hiring someone closer to the location of the project!

I'm blown away by some of the fabulous project I see coming out of Canada! The contemporary design done there seems way ahead of what we're doing in the States.

Yes Cynthia I realize you do have great showrooms in Toronto. I have an office in MI and one in MN. So I pass through Chicago often. I meant for me to find things that then My clients can look at in Canada. It save money on me having to go to Toronto quite as often. One of my favorite leather company is Pallisar who are a Canadian company. So please don't think I'm dissing your Country. I love it there. I lived in Montreal for a bit. I wish I could have stayed longer. I also would love to spend more time in Toronto. If I get a few clients there I will open an office there. Would you consider working together we have so much in common? It really could be fun. We have a lot of Canadians here in FL. for the winter. It could be a good fit. Talk soon, Johnathan

Hi Johnathan, that's the best offer I've had all day! Do keep me in mind, and who knows what the future may bring :)

@Cynthia Taylor-Luce your a bit hard to forget. Every time I sign in to this site your always right above me on the discussion top 20 ;-) You type faster than I do. lol

Many years ago I took a typing test at an employment agency and got 120 wpm :)

Face it Johnathan, I'm a force to be reckoned with! LOL (tapping madly)

I well remember those typing tests and I did pretty well at them!

I also used to type very well...until I figured out I needed to "forget" how so I could focus on the hands on work I wanted to do.

Thanks Cynthia/Jonathan for the info. You two are too funny, lol!

Ok that's totally not a fair competition. fitst of all I have 2 profiles that I try to keep in the top 10. and 2nd I can only type with one hand (well one finger) I lost the fine motor skills if my left. So it is only good to use on the capitalization key. But HA! I still manage to do it. I guess I'm quite a force too! LOL!

I can't wait to make it to Canada, especially Designers' Walk!

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

IDS (Interior Design Show) is January 23 to the 27th in Toronto and it's a decent show. You should time your visit to take that in, or the IIDEX show September 26-27 this year. Actually the CHFM (Canadian Home Furnishing Market) starts tomorrow and goes to the 15th... Lots happening here! All members of the Trade are welcome to attend. :)

Thanks Cynthia!

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

Hi all! Forgot to update this discussion but thanks again for all the fantastic advice! For those of you not following the blog we did end up opting to hire an interior designer and so far she's been amazing!! For more info on our choice check out our post all about it here: http://wp.me/p2ykeB-wf