Posted by jsexton – October 29, 2006 12:08 PM
Hi, this is Angelique Medow, architectural and interior designer for the Sexton home.
If you are looking for a designer to help you create a new look in your home or business, it's important to know two things: how you want your space to FEEL (they can help you with the look) and what you want your designer to do.
This can be as vague as knowing, "I want this room to feel bigger, lighter, more open, etc., but I need a designer to help me figure out how" or as specific as knowing, "I want to make this room feel bigger by taking out this wall and I need a designer's help to select cabinetry to go with this flooring that I love."
Next, I recommend that you become a detective. This is a thorough process, and is more intensive than just looking in the Yellow Pages or online, but most people find the results to be well worth the effort.
Go to places that look fabulous (maybe your favorite restaurant or spa) and ask who designed their space. Ask friends and colleagues. Look at their homes and check the quality, but not necessarily the style, as designers are limited by the tendencies and styles of their clientele. Ask yourself, does the space feel comfortable? Does it suit the homeowners and how they live?
Next, call and arrange a meeting with the designer, you and your significant housemate(s). Everyone's opinion will be important at some point in this process, and it's best to get everybody involved, right away. This will save you from potentially heated discussions down the road.
Some designers charge an initial consultation fee. If this is the case, simply ask to meet with them to see their portfolio. Assure them that you won't be asking for their advice or opinion about your project. They should be willing to meet with you for free. Ask them to bring a list of references (for you to call later).
At the meeting, ask them about each of the names on the reference list. What did they do for these people? How long did the project take? What do they feel they accomplished on this project? Who was the contractor, builder etc., (whom you may call to see how they liked working with this designer)? What are some of their most and least favorite things about being a designer? May you visit one of their design creations?
Notice everything about them. Do they include everyone in the conversation? Do they look you in the eye? Do they love what they do? Do they ask you good questions about your needs and desires? Do they listen to what you say? Are they interested in what is best for YOU, or are they pursuing their ideal for you? Is their appearance suitable?
After meeting the designer and calling some of their references, you will know if you would like this person in your home and in your life for the next few months. Good luck and have fun!
angeliquemedow@aim.com
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I have had one experience working with an interior designer. I felt that she imposed her style on us. I had to live with curtains that I hated for years because of that. So I never worked with one again. But I would like to try it the next time we do some major remodeling. I'm wondering how to avoid this problem the next time.
Posted by Joan – November 1, 2006 5:45 PM
Hello, Joan with the dreaded drapes.
In general, no matter what you remodel or create, the best way to get what you want is to have a visual. For example, if you know you like a certain drape shape, then find a picture of the shape in a magazine or pattern book and give it to your designer. Same goes for color. Color swatches are available at any home improvement store. Also, tell your designer how you want the drapes to "feel" when you look at them. Do you want breezy, sheer, weighty? When you walk into the room, do you want to notice them, or have them blend in with their surroundings?
If, on the other hand, you'd like the designer to show you some ideas so you can decide what you like, then have the designer give you the visual. Ask them to imagine two or three ideas for drapes and give you an accompanying visual. They can show you photos from other projects, etc. without additional charge or they can have the exact shape and color of the drape drawn for you in a rendering. This will come with a fee, but if this had been done on your project before the drapes were created, you might have known that you wouldn't like them before they were made.
As a cost comparison, you might opt to have one panel of your drape created from the actual fabric, install it and then decide if you'd like to have the rest made. Depending upon your fabric choice, it may cost as much to make a panel as it would to get a rendering.
Having a visual eliminates the potential "hate" factor in any finished product because both you and the designer know exactly what your drapes are supposed to look like when finished, so there should be no surprizes.
Also, if you want to improve the look of your room with the dreaded drapes, make sure that you know what you "hate." Is it really the drapes, or is it the drapes against a clashing wall color or upholstery? Maybe changing a thing or two might make the drapes look better.
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – November 1, 2006 8:04 PM
Thanks so much for the information. I moved into a new home a year ago and I wanted to start getting ideas. NO, I did not do homework like Angelque stated and am now out 500 dollars. Nothing was done to my house nor was I given any type of design. I am so digusted, I want to move and live in a bread box. This is stressful and overwhelming at the same time. The only thing that I wanted to do was create a santuary for my family.
If I can re-emphasize PLEASE LISTEN TO ANGELIQUE!!!!!!!
Knowledge is Power
Posted by Monica – November 2, 2006 8:59 AM
We have a middle room, yes in the middle of our home, right off our master, we'd like to take this room and make it a walk-in/walk-thru closet. Everyone is laughing at us, why? Cos we think out of the box? Cos, who has a walk-in closet before going into the master, etc? THis room has no windows, and we like this idea of utilising the space in this way. ??? Why should we not convert this 10' x 11' into a closet?
Posted by Alberta James – November 3, 2006 9:50 AM
Hello Alberta,
Without seeing your floor plan and knowing the location and size of your surrounding rooms, it is difficult to know what might work best for you.
The bottom line is, this is your house, and you should have exactly what you want, regardless of what your neighbors or friends think about the idea. Don't let a crowd get you down; Much crazier things have been done.
Personally, I would not recommend limiting accessibility to rooms by requiring people to pass through "privacy required" rooms (bathrooms, closets, bedrooms, laundry rooms) in order to get into them. This is why:
1. It will decrease your home's resale value.
2. What if there is someone in your bedroom who wants to get into the rest of your house when you have your closet doors locked because you're changing? Does he/she have to wait until you are dressed? What if he/she needs to use the toilet? Must he/she go outside and hope that your exterior doors aren't locked so they can get back into the house and access your restroom?
Suggestions: If you need more closet space, create a floor-to-ceiling 3" x 11" closet that runs along one interior wall so you can get a closet and retain a 7' x 11" hallway -OR- find a better location to build your walk-in closet in/off the master bedroom or master bath, and incorporate the 10" x 11" space into your master bedroom.
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – November 3, 2006 8:54 PM
I just retired from the Navy after 21 years (41 and retired..yay!) and am ready to build a house here in E. Tennessee...after seeing you in that mermaid outfit in the paper I would DEFINITELY pick you as my designer...and you could "impose" your style on me. ha ha Nice picture WOW
Posted by Mike Jackson – November 7, 2006 12:09 PM
Gracious thanks to you, Mike.
I believe that each of our lives is a creative canvas. Choosing to express our creativity can be very cathartic, allowing us release some of the repression felt from living within a world that maintains so many daily rules (even for what we do and don't wear!).
After 21 years of working for the government (my dad was also a Navy Man), a little creative play might be just your ticket to mentally regaining civilian freedom. Allow yourself to look at your house from the perspective of a canvas where you may create what you've always dreamed. One day, I'm going to have a house with a secret door from the second storey that opens to a slide that I can ride down into the swimming pool. It's fun & dreamy things like that that make a home become more than just a lovely place to rest your head. Enjoy thinking creatively!
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – November 8, 2006 7:05 AM
Monica,
Sorry to hear that you had a less than enjoyable experience with your first designer. Don't be too hard on yourself. You learned from your experience and now you never have to do that again!
Don't worry. You can still create that peaceful, home-sanctuary. If you are ready to think about this again, I suggest that you begin by imagining that your sanctuary is simply "in waiting" for you, you just don't live there yet. Allow yourself to acknowledge that the physical state of your home is only temporary. Cultivate thankfulness for the current state of your home, as it provides you shelter until your sanctuary is ready.
This change in your state of mind can work wonders, because your frustration stems from feeling like you are stuck and nothing is changing. You are not stuck where you are, you just haven't found what (or whom) you are looking for yet. This sounds like a small difference in perspective, but it can feel huge. If you are willing, try this idea (some people try for five minutes, others during the entire process of design and remodeling) and let me know how it works for you.
Posted by ANGELIQUE MEDOW – November 11, 2006 11:09 PM
Here it is April, 07. I hope someone reads my post. We live in a early '70's home with a tiny kitchen, tiny dining area with a nice family room attached. A huge living room. My wife wants to remodel the kitchen, but does not want to lose any rooms. I want help with the design, but I want to do the work myself. Where would I begin to look? When I ask around, all I get is check with the local Lowe's or Home Depot. They don't have any designers. Any thoughts? Thanks
Posted by daniel – April 20, 2007 3:37 PM
