Have you ever used an interior decorator?

[missypie]

Our house was built in 1986 and all of the bathrooms are looking very dated. Part of me wants to hire a decorator to help, but I'm so controlling, I fear I might hate the process. I watch all those shows on HGTV, and I cringe whenever the designer says "I'm going to do this...I've chosen that..." They make it sound like their word is law.

Have any fellow control freaks successfully used a decorator?

 

[Pop Daddy]

how nice does it have to look when your pooping

 

[missypie]

how nice does it have to look when your pooping

Very.

 

[Lucky Lucy]

how nice does it have to look when your pooping

 

[Christine]

Yes, I hired one just for a consultation. I really wasn't having any major work done in my house, but I was just have immense trouble visualizing what colors to use in certain areas (ones that would go with certain wood tones, etc). I also didn't have an idea with what to do with some of windows because they were odd shaped.

The decorator came over for about 2 hours and gave me some great ideas--just enough to get me out of my rut and get over my fears.

 

[ducklite]

I did. The one I used didn't push his tastes on me, but guided me to develop my space to fit with my tastes, and mostly halped me not make mistakes.

He suggested things like using a large picture, but didn't tell me what picture to use. Suggested the rug size, but not the rug. A couple times he flat out stopped me and said no, that I would be making a huge mistake to do what I was thinking about doing. A few times he suggested things that weren't really my taste as a stand alone item, but he was right, they did work with the room and I loved them.

The key is to find someone you feel comfortable with.

Anne

 

[Skywalker]

Just make sure you find one with the right fit for you.

My neighbour hired one and took all of her advice...she wound up hating just about everything and has since re-done it all on her own.

My aunt also tried one, and this one was the exact opposite, wanted to leave everything up to my aunt's taste. In the end my aunt was saying "what the heck am I paying you for??"

I guess if you find the right one for you, the result could be bliss.

 

[Christine]

My decorator was a lot like ducklite's. She told me that, say, on a certain wall, I should use a big picture, where most people would be *afraid* to go for a size like that. She also told me what size rugs were best for my room and how to place things properly on my fireplace mantle. Just general good advice.

 

[barkley]

no but you might be able to do what we did when it came to landscaping.

we knew what type of look we wanted but were not comfortable figuring out which plants where, the color scheme...we contacted a local college with a landscape architecture degree program and were in contact with a few advance level students more than willing to come in and draw up designs based on our input. they got the opportunity to design a "real yard" for a grade, and we got some very nice landscape designs at no cost.

if you have a local design school or college you could contact them and save some $$$.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

So, can I ask what you spent for a 2 hour consult with a decorator? Sounds just like what I need, someone to help with colors and placement.
Thanks!

 

[castleview]

how nice does it have to look when your pooping

I'll put down my food now, thankyou.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had a friend who did something sort of like interior decorating.

She'd come, evaluate the space and then make suggestions. I could hire here to do the work or she would just tell me what I needed to buy so that I could do it myself.

Less expensive than an interior decorator--but gives you the input you need.

 

[castleview]

I had a friend who did something sort of like interior decorating.

She'd come, evaluate the space and then make suggestions. I could hire here to do the work or she would just tell me what I needed to buy so that I could do it myself.

Less expensive than an interior decorator--but gives you the input you need.

I use my sis who should be an interior decorator. I have a new house that I want to make look old.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use my sis who should be an interior decorator. I have a new house that I want to make look old.

I used my mom recently .

My LR & DR look better than ever .

And for Christmas she bought new bedding for my room.

Relatives with good taste are ALWAYS a good source of ideas.

 

[Christine]

So, can I ask what you spent for a 2 hour consult with a decorator? Sounds just like what I need, someone to help with colors and placement.
Thanks!

About $125.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My friend charged $50 an hour and that included a furniture placement consult as well (to make a room look redecorated but the furniture had just been moved around and made more aestetic while still functional for the space).

 

[Zurealsoon]

So, can I ask what you spent for a 2 hour consult with a decorator? Sounds just like what I need, someone to help with colors and placement.
Thanks!

Depending where you live, most charge $50-75 an hour.

 

[Sandcass]

no but you might be able to do what we did when it came to landscaping.

we knew what type of look we wanted but were not comfortable figuring out which plants where, the color scheme...we contacted a local college with a landscape architecture degree program and were in contact with a few advance level students more than willing to come in and draw up designs based on our input. they got the opportunity to design a "real yard" for a grade, and we got some very nice landscape designs at no cost.

if you have a local design school or college you could contact them and save some $$$.

Very good idea! We're so clueless when it comes to landscaping.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Thanks for the reply, I think I'll call for an appointment!

 

[golfgal]

I used one when we bought this house. We were redoing the whole house and I wanted guidance. The first one I tried really didn't listen well and kept trying to get me to do things I really didn't like (big flowery things that just isn't me). The woman I did go with I LOVE her ideas.

Do you know anyone that has used a decorator? If you like their homes, ask for a recommendation. Chances are if you see her work and like it, you will be happy with her.

The decorators her charge a $50/hour consulting fee but if you buy things from them, there is no fee. We were purchasing new furniture and accessories so we got the decorating "free".