HI -- Ok , to be fair to the designer , what you were asking of her about what you wanted sounds very out dated and heavy . You say you were open to change but it sounds like you really were not ,totally . Yes ,your colors and furniture style is sort of Tuscan but still doable in a toned down way . Some times it takes a few visits with the designer to work out what you want . So this designer only gets one try ??? And every designer has their own method of doing a design plan . But you kind of hobbled her with too many must haves . On her part , if she didn't like or could not get you what you wanted , then she really should have declined the job and said she was not the kind of designer for that job. I would have declined this job too. Not a style I would enjoy doing and probably could not put my heart into it . The designer has her reputation on this as well .The furniture you want is not very gorgeous looking and will not ever be . It is really family room furniture and not for the gorgeous living room you want . So either work with her to see what she can do for you or ask her if she can work in your style . Perhaps you would be better off to work with the in house designer at the furniture store you plan to shop in. At least give the designer a chance to show you what they can do without your must haves . It is a designers job to help you with change to help your space look currant and up dated and in style and still keep you happy . If you have already decided on the way things have to be , then you don't need a designer .

Your money, your house, your wish list. Do your best to get what you want. Maybe she wasn't the right decorator for you. Did she show you here "style" before taking your $1K?

Sometimes clients just want to buy furniture and they aren't really interested in buying ideas or solutions. I am not sure if you are just having discomfort at being pushed outside your comfort zone or if she is really not listening to you. You have asked her to create a "gorgeous room" with a dated color scheme on too much furniture (including 5 recliners!!) in an extremely unbalanced room where 50% of the furniture is not changing. I would argue that if she had presented ideas that didn't change something major, she wouldn't be a very good designer.

I don't know what she showed you, but incorporating your fall colors as accents against green-grey and greige neutrals would be a very nice solution that would make the space feel more contemporary, lighter, and balanced while still giving you the warmth you seem drawn to.

I would have a heart to heart with your designer. Trust and communication are vital to the designer-client relationship and you just may not be able to get there.

Best of luck with your project.

I agree with Lisa Quale Interiors. You were very honest about your "likes" but she should have been equally honest right upfront and said, " I fear I can't really help you, unless we find some middle ground". That said, your room will be very heavy, very crowded, and dated if you cling to the concept of a reclining fabric loveseat and sofa, and you'll have spent money to get that result.. Perhaps, your two chairs could be recliners in a newer iteration with less bulk and the reclining feature very well disguised? These are far more abundant!

Perhaps as Lisa stated, the addition of your favorite colors in smaller doses on a lighter and neutral base, and the addition of your abundant pottery and accessories?

I will add, that a fabric "reclining" sofa or loveseat will by definition imply lesser quality in most cases. It's simply not a highly desired upholstery category in better construction and styling. I'd try to listen to the designer just a bit. ..... and consider that middle meeting point. You were getting some very good advice : ) even though she may not have been too adept at transmitting same, or providing alternate solutions you'd probably love.

Failing that, buy out your deposit, and move on to a "designer" from a furniture store. In most cases, they will sell you whatever your heart desires. Unfortunately.

A good designer should be able to help you achieve your goals. I am a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. It is my goal to create a space for my customers that reflects their taste and they will love. I do not live there, so I guide my clients to good choices for their lifestyle. Timeless style and design is tastefull and never goes out of style. Sometimes a designer is not listening to what you want, It is your home. There are plenty of designers and you can find one that will work with your lifestyle, needs and colors and do a great job.

You have two issues going on. One is that the seating is not what you asked for. That, for me, would be the biggest problem. The room needs to function for you, and she should have discussed with you, up front, ideas about what you need. For this alone I'd be wary of continuing to work with her.

The color issue is one that you may be able to resolve. You want a setting that where your warm-colored accessories look attractive. That doesn't mean that the sofas, rugs etc. need to be those same colors. So beige-gray tones might work well to show off your accessories. But I'm having trouble seeing the gray rug in this scheme.

We started to work with a decorator who came in with the standard colors and styles that she was probably giving everyone. This was 20 years ago and it was all turquoise, including a large area of floor tiles. And she pushed hard for us to get a "baker's rack" for our front hall to display our (non-existent) collections of pottery. Thank goodness we replaced her with someone who listened and gave us a neutral base that still works well for us today.

You're under no obligation to continue working with a designer who can't meet your needs. It's good for designers to keep up with current trends. But I think it's ridiculous to tell a customer you can't design a room the way they want because it's "out". A good designer should be able to work within the customer's demands, AND make the room look good. You're not asking for anything complicated. If this person can't do it, I'm sure there's someone else who can.

HI -- Those look very nice to me but .... if you don't like them then say so ... that is how things are done . But keep your mind open to possibilities . It is your house and you have to live with the choices for a long time .

I can see why you don't like those color choices with your warm-toned accessories.

I understand your need for a recliner. But your space is limited and I can't see this space comfortably accommodating a sofa recliner, love seat recliner, two chairs and the furniture you say has to stay. Could you get away with just one recliner to leave some breathing space? New chairs could be slipper chairs to have some more elbow room.

She should be able to work with your color palette. The samples she showed you are not. How did your heart to heart go? Yes, it should be fun!

Please try a very good reclining CHAIR. There are so many that are super comfy,,eliminate the bulky look, and are very stylish. And you'll get two arms to yourself! I appreciate the leg syndrome issue, but your room will be jammed, It will not look pretty , and then you will say, "she should have TOLD !!! me". Trust me on that. Needless to say, this isn't your old house. Don't attempt sticking square pegs in round holes....you'll be very disappointed

Yes, a good designer must listen and hear you well,, but a very, very good designer is one who does that, and then interprets your desires into what will work best in your space. It should feel current, be supremely comfortable, wring the most quality and style from your budget and result in something you love more than you ever imagined you could.. They're not errand runners or personal shoppers. And you don't want a designer who is.

You might as well buy the items from her to use your money. If the items do not total the entire 1K, then that is fine, you'd then cut your losses with her. Make sure that you get your recent discussions with her in writing.

A "designer" showing you Wayfair ANYTHING at the start of a project is not one. Were it me, since there was no very clear contract outlining the What If' of a bad fit, I would simply suggest a letter saying it was clearly such, split the difference and send 500.00 and make her go away. Both of you will have learned a valuable lesson.

I WILL add that a 10k budget,for two reclining sofas regardless of size, two additional chairs, help with accessorizing, a rug......paint colors...et al, is unfortunately in most cases going to get you what you got in skill and communication from her . I'm not diminishing 10k, or excusing her lack of forthright communications - it just isn't enough for what you asked for, or "required", or would expect in a beautiful result. A 1 K retainer on a budget of 10K applicable to either a purchase of goods, or hours is also reasonable, but she apparently didn't explain, or state it, or print it out. This is often a non refundable deposit towards "design"and is why it is called a retainer. Please do not shoot the messenger (me). You expected too much, and she gave too little, in every single respect. The first huge error being not to gently say......".I can't help you, it's not a good fit, our styles are a mismatch'.

Also, faced with your room and your needs, I'd put the sofa in front of the windows with the sofa table behind it, replace/fill the leather sofa spot with two UN bulky reclining ( fabric ) chairs, and add no more than one other accent chair, with an ottoman. Measure your room, and go to furniture store that offers design help. Choose a rug only when your seating PLAN and fabrics are selected, and appropriately scaled to the size of your room. Then choose paint. Take your time. Seating should invite one INTO the space, not "wall" you out.

One last thought:

When your favorite "look" fades in popularity, so do all the selections that make up the look. This means in most cases, a bigger budget, and longer search for fabrics, rugs, even lamps. Designers aren't manufacturers. Remember too, that if there is no demand for your need it is harder to find and that could be a twelve slot TOASTER.

Your "colors" can come from paint on the walls, from your accessories, even from a rug. You can have "your" chair. And forgive me for being blunt, but you have to loosen the restraints on ANY designer you will work with, or be willing to shell out very large dollars for customization, meaning I suggest you quadruple the 10k budget.. Listening is not just his or her job. It is also your job, as is being open to alternative solutions you may well love. : )

Messenger just got shot. Messenger told the truth.

Your colours, terracotta, dark green and mustard, are coming into fashion. The US is slow to adopt fashions in decor, but it is certainly coming. Some of the designers on Houzz are showing these colours already in their photos.

As for the recliners, get one and forget the others. Whatever you do, don't buy big and squishy furniture. It's inelegant and space hogging.

Want my advice? Start over. Go to the best furniture store near you. Go also to the best upholstery store near you.

First, choose two leather recliners, and choose the least bulky,un lumpy, comfy one you can find, yes, in leather. That's going to be your "spot" and they will match so you can rotate the usage as well. About the tone of a very good Coach handbag, not too dark please!!

Recover your one existing large sofa. Yes, go to the shop, and have them come and look at your sofa. Recover it in something solid, firm up the cushions etc, it will look brand new. That isn't "Your" seat, the sofa is for other folks. There are lovely "velvets" in colors that are performance strength, and beautiful.You need no more than 20 yards.

Now, begin looking at rugs, perhaps a pattern, or even a sisal. Once selected to blend with your warm neutral pieces, you can pull a color for the additional chair and ottoman from the rug. Another for pillows, accent etc.

To do all above very well? Add at least 7k to your budget, or you'll be getting less than quality. Everything, and anything else can wait.

You'll be a lot closer to the feel of the room you want, and the colors. This room, began with the rug, created custom size from broadloom. It has more seating than I'd normally do in the space, but.......its the only room to sit in and the family is large : )

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/interior-design-work-family-room-new-york-phvw-vp~13393477[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/interior-design-work-family-room-new-york-phvw-vp~13393477)

All good advice here. This woman's approach is infuriating. First, the idea that she wanted to order furniture without having done a floor plan is ridiculous. The floor (furniture) plan is the roadmap for the entire design scheme--it's like trying to get from NY to California without a map or itinerary, you're just flying blind. It's time to end your relationship with her, as Jan said you can go to a nice furniture store and make use of their in-house designers.

Also, she took your money and there was no written agreement? No scope of project, no details on how she was to be compensated? Very unprofessional, even for an unlicensed decorator.

Lastly, I would NOT let her keep that $1,000 without getting something
for it! Try to find something basic you can work the room around (sofa,
chair, rug) and move on from there.

Well that's good news, Sparklesome, your "lesson learned" take on it is a wise one. I sincerely hope that you don't think that she is indicative of all decorators or designers.

Good luck going forward with your project!

The designer/client relationship is extremely intimate- I don't mean that in a weird way. You need to have chemistry. Pour all your likes and dislikes out in the open first. Look at the designers work. If you're styles are really different you might have issues. Go through an interview, start small. See how you flow together. Clients are always hiring me after the first relationship goes bad. Be honest and direct. You should never feel pressured to buy anything you don't like. I do not have traditional interior training (long design background though) but have experienced much success in the field. The degree doesn't always guarantee talent either. Sending you warm thoughts, you will get this.

I agree with screenhof about the recliners. If you have two living spaces, set one up as a media room, media room couches can be bought with cup holders and reclining, that all face the same direction, like a cinema.

Set up the other living area with only one recliner.

A practicing Interior Designer always starts with the client's "brief" as we call it.

Buying furniture and installation is the final step!

Established Designers that have experience in servicing clients, know better than to throw "OUT" the clients brief!

I have been practicing for over ten years. Most of my practice is through word of mouth and I cant afford to have even one unhappy client in my business. While it is part of my job to share my expertise and experience, suggest to them what to get and what to stay away from, in the end it is important to remind oneself that the client is the end user. It is the client's home, not mine.

The result of that tiny reminder to myself has been that I have been published in magazines and won a couple of awards.

Sometimes a newbie fresh out of design school aims to survive on the assumption that "throwing out" a client's brief and replacing it with technical jargon is the job of a Designer. It is not !

Was it a Designer you chose from Houzz? They have a roster of established designers you could choose from in your neighborhood.

FYI I have launched an Online Design Service which provides all the advantages - expertise and input - of our Full Service Design except this one is completed ONLINE from start to finish - for half the cost.

I provide first a Style Board then a Scaled Floor Plan along with a color scheme and a Furniture and Accessory list for the client to purchase themselves as per clients' budget.

See images from an online project, below. The first one was the initial style board which then underwent adjustments based on client's feedback. the process continued until they were full satisfied. Only then did I compile the list of items to order.

If this seems like something you might be interested in, please feel free to contact me for more details.

Take care,

Tori

TORI BLACK HOME

Los Angeles, CA

You are spending a lot fast. Getting ready for the holidays is a lot of stress. You will do better to scale down your goals for the time being and let your guests know this year will not be the usual. You don't want to waste thousands of dollars on poor choices. Most to order furniture takes time to select and then more time to order.

You have a lot of good advice above. Reread it.

Houzz can be an invaluable resource, but most people aren't on a tight timeline and a short budget. I've been working for over two years and I am not going to finish this year because I am short on dollars and very picky.

But even I am finally making progress as my sofa arrives very, very soon.

Refining your taste takes time.