Even here in the Los Angeles area I was never charged for the initial one hour meeting. At a first meeting there is no discussion of actual choices. You should be telling and showing the designer the house and what you would like to change. The designer should show a portfolio, explain how they work, give references, explain their fees and contracts, etc. There should also be a rough budget discussion.

How did you select the designer? Had you seen her work in person, at a friend's house? Or pictures of her work in a magazine or online portfolio?

Are there any designers in your idea books who live nearby? Or if they're not nearby but you really like their work, are available for an online consultation? I've never worked with a designer, though I'm a fan of many, and I'm considering hiring a garden designer later this year. I chose her because I love her style, aesthetic, previous projects, and design philosophy.

I think if they come to your house, their time is worth something, as is the opportunity for them to see the house in person rather than through pictures.

i wouldn't pay for an interview/quote either! it would be the same as for hiring a contractor i think- you have different people out to talk to and get a quote and then you choose which you want to work with...

I actually was in her home when it was on a House Walk a few years back. I found out she was a decorator from a friend and got her phone number. Filed it away.

When I set out on this project, I realized i needed some help, so reached out to her.

I think our meeting should have gone as cmarlin said. However, as I told her my plans, she started to make suggestions right then and there.

I plan to meet with someone else next week - so I guess I should just confirm that the first meeting is purely and interview and info gathering session.

A designer should be willing to give you a broad idea of her vision for your room, enough for you to know if you are on the same page.

BTW, the designers I've worked with would not like being called a decorator, If they are professionally trained and passed interior design certification, they want to be called designers.

It depends on the designer/decorator. One of my favorites is Lauren Liess and she's careful to call herself a decorator because, as she wrote five years ago,

"In some states it's illegal to call yourself an 'interior designer' if you haven't passed the NCIDQ exam. In some states, you can't even specify a fabric to use for curtains in someone's living room. Again, this could be a whole new post, but check out [Cote de Texas blogger] Joni [Webb]'s post on the issue here If I lived in one of the states mentioned, I would have to shut down my business, go back to school to get a bachelor's in interior design (my diploma program would not count) and work for someone else for 4 or so years, then sit for the exam (costs around $1,000 with a low first-time pass-rate) in order to practice design. All of the states have different laws with different verbage, so it's really important to do your research."

By the way, Lauren has a helpful post called "How to Hire the Right Designer", and also gives an overview of the design process with new clients.

Great article by Lauren Leiss.

My project is not very large in scope. (certainly not a Lauren Leiss type)

Kitchen -- Painting cabs, new counter, new backsplash new lighting, hardware and bar stools. To me this is actually easy, as I know what I like and have lots of samples in my idea book.

The harder part for me is updating some elements of the surrounding rooms so everything flows - on a strict budget

Rug in DR, painting a sideboard, chandelier in DR -- and accessorizing.

Furniture placement in LR (tough room due to a grand piano) new side table, and possible new paint on walls. Accessorizing.

Perhaps I should email her ahead of time and see if I can email her my list of what I'm looking to do?

It sounds like a project you could always outsource here, to GardenWebbers : )

Becky -- Indeed!

I have a feeling that some decorators might feel this would not be very profitable for them since you are not going to be buying a lot of furniture, off which many decorators make their profit. There are some decorators who bill by the hour and they will come in and analyze your areas and assist you in placing furniture the most advantageous way and suggest accessories and paint colors.