I have already tired that and did not get people I was looking for. So thought I'd ask others who've had personal experience. :)

I put in Huntington, NY nd got over 1500 recommendations. you couldn't find a match??

https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/s/Kitchen-%26-Bath-Designers/c/Huntington%2C-NY

"Did not get what I was looking for"

What IS that, exactly? A few hours of "brain picking" or true professional help from start to finish of project, and considering all the phases involved.? It will be much harder to find someone who signs up for the limited brain picking.

What is your style? Most talented designers do a multiple !!! of styles very very well. When you look at portfolios, you should be looking at execution of any given style, not just whether it is exactly a match to your style. If ALL you see is urban modern and seek, and you are a farmhouse gal? That is perhaps not your match.

What is your budget?What is the timeline etc??

You need a kitchen designer for sure and very often they will have the skills to help with the rest. If you cannot find someone out of 150 choices there is a problem with waht you are asking for.

You are not going to pick a good designer’s brain for nothing. End of problem

A really large project like that does need multiple professionals involved. Your architect and GC have probably worked with many local designers and could recommend one or two of them for you to interview. They also probably have an established relationship with a good Kitchen and bath designer, which you will need also.

It’s going to be a team effort, led by your architect. Have you asked her for referrals?

I am not a design professional and I totally agree with you it is not easy to find a designer that is a good fit for a project. Those of us who are not professionals don’t know what kind of help to ask for (pick someone’s brain for $$$ - not for free - sounds like an absolutely perfect start to me...); don’t know a lot about the process; what kind of help we need or should ask for or what constitutes a reasonable price for that help. Obviously we have to get educated, but that isn’t necessarily quick or easy. Design is career - we can’t learn it in a day or a week (and maybe we need help because our spare time is limited). I am an attorney and I don’t expect clients to know anything about the law - I am there to help. I’m not sure why some designers - not all - seem to think we should know about the design process. You can find the right person, but unless you are lucky my experience is that it will take some time and effort. Good luck.

100% agree with you!!!! Everyone here always bashes the homeowner for not knowing what they want, not knowing about design, not knowing about building. That is why we are hiring supposed professionals. They should be guiding and helping us. Our experience with interior design was that budget was a bad word and figuring out how to stay within one unheard of. It was a trying experience and one that left us feeling sour about the whole field. To be honest.

Referrals are everything. A million dollar plus project like this needs to start with the architectural plans for the space and grow from there. Find the right architect, and you will find everyone.

Ask the guys who know stuff. As in, if you’ve used a great electrician, ask him about a great GC. Ask the GC about an architect. Ask neighbors who have done projects of a similar scope. But bear in mind that they may have zero knowledge of actual quality, do you still need to vet licenses, insurance, references, portfolio.

It takes work if you are new to the area. But once you find the first link in the chain, the rest will come. Good guys know good guys, and like working with them. They hate hacks that mess up their timing or that give them a bad name for referring them, The corollary is true too. Fly by nights without the proper licenses and insurance and the usual meth mouth probably know lots more hacks.

On a million dollar project, the interior budget could be 200-700K. It depends on the rooms furnished, and what exists that is being kept. If you start adding art too, there is no ceiling.

It is difficult to know where to start. It does take some research. Make sure any person you hire has great reviews. You can get referrals, but I'd get them only from someone who has done excellent work for you and whom you trust. At this point, have you hired any professionals for the project already, like a contractor, architect, etc?

A lot of names for services in Huntington yielded companies more than 50 to 100 miles away. In addition many were repeat ads. Check phone area codes to find someone in the Huntington area and you will find there are many less than the amount Beth H. posted.

I used a designer that was recommended to me although I had never seen any of her projects. She was next to useless and seemed to only want me to buy things through her so she got a cut and also use her contractors. I blindly went along with it until I decided enough was enough. I am still looking for a good decorator. There is a "Decorating and Remodeling" Facebook page for my community and I have gotten leads there. Perhaps there is one for your neighborhood, too. I will only consider those whose work I have seen, preferably when a client posts pictures of work they have done. Web sites are also helpful. One designer I like has her fees spelled out on the site and what that includes. It truly takes some investigation. Be sure you like their style. I agree an interview first is important.

Our experience has actually been that referrals aren't always as good as they seem. The relationship between interior designer and homeowner is so different than interior designer and GC/builder. The GC/builder will be pleased with a spec book, clear drawings and communication. The homeowner needs all this plus within budget, plus designs that fit their vision, plus confidence that the designer is working for them and putting their best interests at heart and more. While it is wonderful if different trades have experience working with one another and definitely helps to shorten the list of people to potentially meet with it can be deceiving as the relationships are quite different.

You won't believe it but go to the MOST expensive florist in Huntington ..... you won't believe how much and WHO they know! Do the same at the best and coolest $$$$$ hair salon! Same thing! The best places to eat, $$$$$ and stay clear of those frequented by twenty somethings. ....

Ppint is designers eat, send flowers .... Etc. A lot of talent is out there if you ask

I'd look (google) for an Interior Designer near you. You can then look on their website to see their style. call several to interview. As you move through the process it will become easier. At this time I'd only hire a designer, you may not need or use an architect. If you want to remodel your interior rooms concentrate on those rooms. As you move through the process your designer may suggest changes requiring an architect and know a good one to recommend. Start planning what you want to change, save pictures you like, plan your budget. Best wishes for a beautiful home.

Do you have an architect already?

Jan Moyer's advice is brilliant! Don't limit your search to Huntington, though. Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, Glen Cove, look for someone with your sensibilities. The woman from The Enchanted Home is in Glen Cove, I think, and does eConsults. Maybe she could help direct you if you like her style at all. Good luck.

ETA The Enchanted Home blogger, Tina, may be able to direct you to a designer. I was not suggesting use her, per se.

Thank you shivece and some others for your understanding. I really appreciate it. Didn't realise posting on Houzz would be so brutal and insight some rude interrogation and judgement. All this is so new to me and it is a huge learning curve. Thought it would be more of a supportive community, especially by the "pros".

Anyways, thanks for everyone's comments. All the best.

pauso81, I would be happy to answer any questions for you and totally understand it can be a confusing process. I hope I did not say anything that came across as rude as I never intend that.

Please feel free to reach out me through houzz or email me at clare@cdrdesign.com. I would be happy to answer any of your questions, including ways to get started.

If you just want to throw around some ideas and want a partner, who can talk you through idea, I would recommend contacting 3 designers with great reviews. If there are no reviews, I would be concerned. Many will not charge for a one hour introduction consultation. That will give you time to get to know the person.

Look for a good listener and someone who wants to put your ideas into play, yet gives you some ideas that you may never have considered.

You can also consider e-designers (since you are not in an area with a lot of designers), some of whom are very talented. I happen to be one, but there are many more. This is the future of design. Clients want to see what their final vision will look like.

Know that designers charge differently. Some hourly, some by the job, some flat rate. Also, some take a cut of items they sell you at discount. Nothing wrong with that, as long as they are upfront about it. I personally don't resell items. I give my discount to the client. The reason is that I want 100% transparency and never want my client to think I am suggesting a product for a cut of it. Again, not unethical. Just the way I feel about it.

CDR. The OP is in suburban NYC. Her problem is how to choose from among a great many designers, not a lack of designers.

Oh, I did not read it that way. I thought she stated that she tried searching and did not get the people she was looking for.

It seemed to me, she was not familiar with the process and she wanted someone who could help her through it. I may be wrong. That is how I read it.

Rita she didn’t sag her problem was sorting through so many great designers...

Alison, not to be picky but I said, "a great many designers" not "many great designers" ;-) The placement of the qualifier makes all the difference, doesn't it?

Ha ha yes it does! Thanks for clarifying.