The Showcase of Services with Lark Williams

How to hire an interior designer:

Before starting to look for an interior designer ask yourself a few questions about what it is you want to accomplish and the budget you have to work within. Many of the questions a designer will ask you will center around these ideas. First off you may want to cut out pictures from a magazine of looks that you like. This will give the designer you are working with a head start of certain looks that you like. For example: A client may say they like the contemporary look and after looking at the pictures it is really more of a different style than they are verbalizing. If the designer were to go off of the "contemporary" look the client said they wanted they wouldn't like the final design. This exercise just gets you a little more prepared and can really help the designer out a lot.

Another consideration to have worked out is the budgeted amount of money that you want to spend. This will then tell the designer where she/he is able to shop as well as exactly what can and can not be done. Also the time frame that you would like it done it is important. For example when working with furniture, somtimes it can take 8-12 weeks to have it ordered, made and delivered. So if you looking in Novemeber to finish the house for a Christmas party it may not happen on time.

There are several other issues that you might want to consider; how long you are going to stay in the home, what your lifestyle is and what the feel of the space/room should be for you. Now at this point if you are feeling a little overwhelmed....not to worry. The designer that you choose to work with will help you through all of these issues and more.

In choosing your designer consider some of these things:

Inquire about the designers education and experience.
Does the designer call back within reasonable time frames.
Ask about the designers fees and how they charge. (hourly, per job, base plus percentage etc.)
Ask about the designers affiliations with ASID or other design credentials.

You may want to interview with a few designers before hiring one. Make sure that you pay attention to personality, style and the way they conduct business. You will be working very closely with this person and want to know they will listen to you needs and desires to make the right choices for you. You may also want to ask for references of previous clients and/or ask to see a portfolio of some of their work

As an overview, look for someone that is educated,accredited and who will demonstrate the creativity and function that you works for you! Happy Designing........