What Can a Designer Do That You Can't?
There are different ways to use a designer. The first is a detailed project, as the one below.
A designer should start with an interview and/or a lifestyle survey. This allows her to get to know you and your family. The interview gives insights into everything from your hobbies, task requirements (like a home office, game area, etc.), what areas you use most, how you entertain and your priorities. This information will be used to understand your dreams and goals for your home. It will also reveal your budget, what you want to keep, need to add and the scope of your project.
Once the project is established and the budget is known, the designer will be able to prioritize the plans and know where look for your furniture based on your budget.
A master plan can involve construction, replacing flooring, painting, window treatments, lighting, and furnishings selected to compliment your space. A detailed blue print, and on occasion elevations, will be done.
Some designers use a computer generated design program that will give you a "picture" of your finished project.
A computer presentation may be used, but I like board presentations. The boards allow you to see the full scope at one time. It will have the floor plan to scale, memos of fabric (cut samples), pictures of selected furniture and accessories. It will also include paint chips, carpet samples and wood finishes.
These presentation boards give a very clear idea of what this finished project will look like. They represent three rooms.
This makes it easy, at this point, to tweak the floor plan or make changes in the furniture selected.
This also assures that everything will fit in the space.
Designers are not an expense, they are an investment. They will keep you from making expensive mistakes. They will know the right fabrics for you. Will the fabric fade and hold up with kids and animals. Is that sofa really a good bargain? Is it going to fit your room? It is your best choice considering your other furnishings? What about carpeting? Two pieces may look the same but is the cheaper one going to save money in the long run? What makes a carpeting good? Do you want skein dyed, solution dyed, heat set, nylon, wool or polypropylene?
If you like a certain look but your budget doesn't match your style, how can you achieve that look? A designer can make it happen. Remember that designers have resources that you don't and can find perfect pieces.
You can buy beautiful furniture and put it in your room, and it may not look "right." A designer makes it come together and look finished.
I have seen some homes that had designers do everything and they looked like model homes. Homes need to reflect those who live there. A good designer will do that for you.
My philosophy is "A home should be a haven to those who live there and a joy to those who visit."
Your home should be a reflection of those who live there. What does your home say about you?
Next blog: Don't need this much help? In the next blog you will find out how to use a designer for guidance, to help you shop and pick out and place accessories.
Almost everyone wants a home that reflects their personality and lifestyle. They want a home they can be proud of and share with their friends. A good designer will help you acheive that.
A designer should start with an interview and/or a lifestyle survey. This allows her to get to know you and your family. The interview gives insights into everything from your hobbies, task requirements (like a home office, game area, etc.), what areas you use most, how you entertain and your priorities. This information will be used to understand your dreams and goals for your home. It will also reveal your budget, what you want to keep, need to add and the scope of your project.
Once the project is established and the budget is known, the designer will be able to prioritize the plans and know where look for your furniture based on your budget.
A master plan can involve construction, replacing flooring, painting, window treatments, lighting, and furnishings selected to compliment your space. A detailed blue print, and on occasion elevations, will be done.
Some designers use a computer generated design program that will give you a "picture" of your finished project.
A computer presentation may be used, but I like board presentations. The boards allow you to see the full scope at one time. It will have the floor plan to scale, memos of fabric (cut samples), pictures of selected furniture and accessories. It will also include paint chips, carpet samples and wood finishes.
These presentation boards give a very clear idea of what this finished project will look like. They represent three rooms.
This makes it easy, at this point, to tweak the floor plan or make changes in the furniture selected.
This also assures that everything will fit in the space.
Designers are not an expense, they are an investment. They will keep you from making expensive mistakes. They will know the right fabrics for you. Will the fabric fade and hold up with kids and animals. Is that sofa really a good bargain? Is it going to fit your room? It is your best choice considering your other furnishings? What about carpeting? Two pieces may look the same but is the cheaper one going to save money in the long run? What makes a carpeting good? Do you want skein dyed, solution dyed, heat set, nylon, wool or polypropylene?
If you like a certain look but your budget doesn't match your style, how can you achieve that look? A designer can make it happen. Remember that designers have resources that you don't and can find perfect pieces.
You can buy beautiful furniture and put it in your room, and it may not look "right." A designer makes it come together and look finished.
I have seen some homes that had designers do everything and they looked like model homes. Homes need to reflect those who live there. A good designer will do that for you.
My philosophy is "A home should be a haven to those who live there and a joy to those who visit."
Your home should be a reflection of those who live there. What does your home say about you?
Next blog: Don't need this much help? In the next blog you will find out how to use a designer for guidance, to help you shop and pick out and place accessories.
Almost everyone wants a home that reflects their personality and lifestyle. They want a home they can be proud of and share with their friends. A good designer will help you acheive that.
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