Interior Redesign: What You Need to Know About Hiring a
One-Day Decorator...
By: Peggy Berk, Area Aesthetics
http://www.AreaAesthetics.com
Interior redesigners - also known as interior refiners, redecorators,
interior arrangers, one day decorators, room makeover specialists and
home stylists - bring a unique perspective to their clients' decorating
dilemmas. While the business model of traditional interior design
services is largely based on profits from the markup of furnishings and
contract services which are resold to the client, interior redesigners
are overwhelmingly service oriented. Charging flat rates per room or
hourly fees which make their services accessible to those who aren't
interested in major purchases, interior redesigners provide creative
services to transform your rooms using what you already own and
limiting, or even eliminating, the need for new investment.
The interior redesign segment of the decorating and design industry is
growing every day. Yet, while just about all of the professionals in the
field are service, rather than sales, oriented, there are important
differences in the approaches of interior redesigners, even among those
using the same professional designation.
Some interior redesigners will interview you in advance and then
politely request that you absent yourself from your home during the room
redesign. While all the furnishings that will be used are already in
your home, you will be coming home to a surprise redesign and possibly
other rooms that have been substantially changed by the relocation of
furnishings to the redesigned room. Other redesigners will insist on
your presence, however, the degree of collaboration will vary from those
who will give you advice and leave it at that to those who focus on
bringing your personal preferences into the design scheme.
Some interior redesigners will physically rearrange your furnishings,
accessorize your room and hang your artwork on the day of the redesign,
while others will only give you a written plan. Still others will both
rearrange your rooms and provide you with written plans to take your
rooms to the next level. Some will only work with what you already own,
while others are willing to develop design plans for partially furnished
and even empty rooms. Some will include paint, window treatment and
lighting consultations in the plan, and may offer a range of follow-up
services, while others will not go beyond what is possible to physically
accomplish on the day of the redesign.
Questions You Need to Ask
It is important that you take the time to decide what it is that you
want from an interior redesigner before you shop for professional help.
Once you are clear about your own goals and expectations, you can start
asking the questions that will enable you to match your needs with a
particular redesigner's services:
1. What is the scope of services included in the interior redesign?
2. Will the rooms actually be rearranged on the day of the redesign? If
so, is there an additional cost for movers or moving assistants?
3. Will you be given a written design plan and, if so, what will it
include?
4. If you have a budget to go beyond the one day decorating, will the
redesigner provide specific ideas to further enhance your room?
5. Will you be expected to be present to work collaboratively with the
redesigner or will you be asked leave your home?
Whether you choose to collaborate with an interior redesigner or leave
your home, it is important that you have a good rapport with the
professional you choose - after all, a successful room redesign should
reflect your personality and vision for your home, not the designer's.
You should feel that the interior redesigner is approachable, would
value your ideas and is willing to take the time to understand what you
want and answer all of your concerns. Be wary of anyone who promises to
do so, but won't take the time to listen and respond to you when you
call to inquire about services.
Also, be wary of anyone who promises that a room makeover can be done in
"as little as an hour" in order to get the appointment. A good interior
redesign can take many hours, and while there are rooms that can be
completed in an hour, no honest interior redesigner will tell you so
without first seeing the room and speaking with you about your needs and
expectations.
If the redesigner offers flat rates based on the size of the room, ask
for a rate card or other written documentation. If hourly charges are
involved, ask for an estimate of hours based on the size and complexity
of your project.
Companies marketing interior redesign services vary greatly, from the
independent redesigner to design agencies, referral operations and even
franchises. Before you book an appointment, insist upon speaking
directly with the interior redesigner who would be handling your project
and assess that person's experience and training independently from the
company marketing the services. Ideally you always want the principal of
the firm on your project, after all the firm's reputation - not to
mention all those before and after photos on the Web site - reflect the
abilities of the principal, not its lower level staff. Check whether
this would involve additional unadvertised fees, as is often the case.
If you take the time to find a great interior redesigner, you will find
Interior redesign to be a great decorating solution, offering an
affordable means to a dramatic transformation of your home in one day
with little or no additional investment.
Read another interior redesign article...
Should I Hire A Professional Re-designer?
Hiring a professional re-designer depends on you and your available free
time, patience, creativity and much more.
