After you have made the decision to hire an Interior Decorator for
whatever project you are undertaking, you will now be asking yourself and the
decorator – what now?
There
are many different approaches to working with a decorator. You, the client, should have continuous input
and, in the end, the final say.
Usually
when you first contact a decorator there are questions asked about the type of
project you are undertaking, the scope of it, with discussion relating to your
preferences, lifestyle, and ultimately the cost involved along the way.
Your
decorator will discuss their fee, which is usually an hourly rate or depending
on the type of undertaking, could be a total project rate. For example, if you were having an entire
basement renovation and finishing, there could be a project fee based on the
total amount of work involved. For
obvious reasons, this is best discussed at your home when outlining the scope
of the project. Having discussed fee, the next step is an in home consultation
for which payment of said fee is due at the end of the consult.
Now
comes setting up a meeting at your home with the decorator. Many decorators offer the flexibility of evenings
and weekends, however you may be required to meet during the daytime, much as
you would if you had a repair person coming in or if you were going to the
dentist. This is something based
entirely on your decorator’s schedule and method of work.
At the
time of the consultation the decorator will sit down in your home with you and
discuss your plans. If you have ideas,
these will be noted along with a brief outline of what ideas the decorator may
be able to put forth at this initial meeting.
Depending on how much work is to be done now or in the future, the
decorator should also be taking a walk through your home to get a feel for your
lifestyle and how you use your space.
This is particularly important so as to be able to mesh the newly
decorated space with the current surrounding spaces.
Ultimately
an Interior Decorator can take you from discussion and ideas through space
planning, sourcing furniture, fabric, floor and window coverings, accessories
and art, paint selection, kitchen and bath plans & renovation ideas,
appropriate lighting, contracting trades, to managing the project. You have the choice as to which part of their
expertise you can utilize!
Your
decorator will give you ideas of their own on how to approach any project. Depending on your budget you do have much
flexibility here. Some of the different
methods of working with a decorator are as follows –
- The decorator can take over
the entire project from start to finish.
They will do up a floor plan, source furnishings, fabrics, window
coverings, paint samples, arrange for trades to do any work involved and
present this to you for your input and approval. It will also be the responsibility of
the decorator to act as the project manager. This method works well for those who do
not have the time to go about the business of “sourcing” and “managing the
project with trades”.
- Another method of working
with a decorator is more hands on for the client. If you have the time and
wish to be involved in the sourcing, etc. you can pay your decorator for
their time to take you to different suppliers, especially those which are
“trades only”, where you are able to find items which are not available
through retail available to you the consumer. Your decorator can either arrange for
trades or offer you some options, or you may in fact have someone you wish
to use.
- A third alternative is to
have the decorator compile a selection of ideas for the space along with
some samples and retail sources available to you, and then you can in
turn, take it from there. This method works especially well with
the “Do-it-Yourself” type client; someone who enjoys the entire project
and wants to tackle it themselves, however they may require a little
professional guidance from the decorator.
The above are only three ways of working with an Interior Decorator. Everyone has their own business style. The most important part of this entire
process is to find someone you feel comfortable with; someone who listens to
you and your ideas; someone who respects what you have to say; and can
understand the type of look you would like, even if you cannot actually
verbalize it in “design speak”; and ultimately someone who can offer cost
effective alternatives to décor solutions.
After all, this person will be re-creating your personal space, which will be a reflection of you, so it
really is essential to have a “good fit”.
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