Many interior designers today are not formally educated. There are some, but for interior design, I think that liking the look and liking the working style of the individual is the most important thing. Browse portfolios, ask for more examples of work, set up multiple meetings, and talk to former clients. Overall, just do your research to make sure you enjoy this person's look, and you think you could work well with them. With architecture, it's a bit of a different story, and the type of individual you're looking for will really depend on the amount/type of work you want done. The general consensus is that in order to be called an architect, you must have received an accredited degree, participated in the Internship Development Program, and passed a series of tests put out my the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. But you'll definitely want to do the same type of research with an architect that you'd do with an interior designer (looking at their portfolio in-depth, asking for client referrals, etc). The more research you do, the more prepared you'll be!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question.

I would add that to identify oneself as an architect the person has to be licensed by the state he / she practices in. Each state does its own licensing and has a directory of architects allowed to practice within its boundaries. These directories, available on the state's web site, will also indicate whether or not an architect has had any disciplinary actions taken against him / her. So it's a good place to do some research.

A personal referral from someone who shares your design aesthetic is a good way to go. We work a lot with two designers, one leans to more modern design and the other traditional and we recommend each based on the fit for the client.

Note that the acronyms behind someone's name might mean they've just paid a fee - take a look at the organizations to see if it is a true credential. There are a number of great organizations out there that are worthy of a professional's support, but membership is not a substitute for a credential.

Many organizations also provide certificates, which do demonstrate some proficiency although other venues likely provide greater education (such as a journeyman or an associate degree or a bachelor degree or even a masters or a longterm internship).

Lastly, the team you hire is what makes your project work in the end!

I know, a simple answer would have been much easier - but in this case there aren't any!

:) Rhoda

Thank you all. Rhoda we went with the personal referral for our interior decorator. Our Real Estate agent has been a real asset!