Hiring an interior designer or DIY?

Fun days lie ahead because you have a design or re-design project you are ready to get started with. That's always good news when clients call me on the phone, and I hear, "We're ready to begin". I'm always eager to make an in-home appointment where the project will be underway! Since you are ready to proceed with your project, as a designer, I would suggest you do the following before choosing an interior designer to speak and meet with.

Number One, talk with your spouse and come to an agreement of the general plan to have in mind. It's okay to have differences or specific preferences or wants, but at least those differences will have been discussed prior to meeting with the designer and not a surprise to the other spouse at a meeting with someone new in the room. The major item is to discuss beforehand is budget. Make sure you both have a reasonable understanding and agreement on what you want to spend on your design project, and vow to work together to stay within that budget if at all possible.

Number Two, while talking with each other beforehand, you should jot down your questions you want clarity on. That could be regarding the designer herself or himself and her/his experience, or how the designer will be handling delays due to events that suddenly happen in your life that might halt the project or with delays in ordering and shipping supplies from the designer's resource end. Be ready to discuss a proposed finish date and how you expect your project to look at that time. Sometimes, due to seasonal reasons, some aspects of a project may have to wait until it's appropriate to begin a part of it. Ask questions about a project retaining deposit, or deposits for ordering supplies and special design features, any proposed payment dates for remaining deposits to keep the project running smoothly and seamlessly.

Also, be sure to discuss the contractors that the designer may recommend working on your project. You may have some suggestions yourself that the designer would be happy to work with.

Number Three, before meeting with your designer, gather samples of favorite colors, fabrics, patterns, wood stain, and if you're inclined to do so, a color palette detailed on paper. This is ever so helpful as there is no misinterpretation of what's desired for your project. And should you find out a preferred fabric or color won't work or is no longer available, the designer can work to find and match as closely as possible to your original preference by using the samples you provide.

If you know ahead of time, and if appliances or furniture will be involved in the project, bring pictures of your favorite appliance brand selections and/or furniture style and preferred items, such as kitchen table and chair styles, rugs, light fixtures, for example.

Number Four, keep an open mind and give the designer some design discretion if she sees conflicts in style or color palette. Or if you and your spouse are on opposite ends of the spectrum, let the designer weigh in with her professional opinion and help mediate to come to an agreeable middle ground. The designer is working for you and will represent you to all other participants in the project as well. He or she will see to the daily details of keeping the project running smoothly and on time and knowing as much detail as possible enables her to make that happen.

So now, after going through all of the above, what if you decide you both can handle this DIY after all? Meaning, you know the project, the contractors, the timeline, the budget, and have gathered the specific items such as flooring, backsplash tile, and paint colors. Would you be comfortable in managing the project yourself, the project deposits? Then by all means, go right ahead. I can't tell you the number of times I've arrived at a client's home to have everything decided, ordered, and samples on the table. I just need to give my professional opinion as to whether it works in that room and answer a few questions! Haha...I love it though. I've had some very discerning clients who have created incredible looking rooms all on their own! I know it can be done DIY!

So, do you go with a designer or do it yourself?? I have to say, in my line of work, that always remains the question!