Most of my clients are new to hiring an interior decorator. I think because I make decorating more accessible and affordable that clients feel more comfortable contacting me. However, most people who hire a decorator for the first time don't really have any idea what to expect, and this can lead to some anxiety and confusion about how best to work with a decorator. So before you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation read through my two part blog for suggestions on how to get the most out of your experience.
Let’s get real!
I absolutely love HGTV. Much to my families’ chagrin, I could spend hours watching that channel. I get great ideas for my clients’ and my own home. However, there is something that really bugs me about HGTV – most shows set completely unrealistic expectations of what it's like to work with a decorator both in terms of time and money. So let's get real for a moment.
On television we see a decorator meeting with a new client one time, and then a week later, the decorator shows up with a complete, perfected plan for that client's home, a crew of professionals that will completely overhaul the space and accomplish all this for a budget of almost nothing. That’s the magic of television.
In the real world, a beautiful, completed, artistic rendering of your room would take hours. And since many decorators charge by the hour, I’m pretty sure that you are less interested in spending your money on that than you are on significant tangibles – like furniture! Instead, your decorator will work through these decisions with you, and it will most definitely take more than a week (unless your project is very small).
Speaking of timing, on HGTV rooms are transformed within the space of 30 minutes. Which brings me to my next point – good design takes time. Decorating even one room easily takes two months and more. Why? Because first you and the decorator need to decide the scope and details of the project. Then the decorator has to research or “shop” for products, materials and work estimates. And unless you are giving complete design control to your decorator, under the best of circumstances it may take you and your decorator several weeks to really agree on materials and solidify a plan for your room. Once the decisions are made workers must be scheduled and orders must be placed. Custom or special-order furniture can take up to twelve weeks (or more!) to be delivered. Custom draperies can take six to eight weeks for completion – once the material arrives. So if you're planning on having your project completed for a special event or holiday, contact your decorator several months in advance and be sure that you are in agreement with the time frame.
And finally, and most importantly, let’s talk money. Probably the biggest issue that I face with new clients is an unrealistic, or no, budget. And again, I think we have HGTV to thank for this. Let’s be clear, while I do the best to try to pass on my discount to my clients for furniture, window treatments, lighting – all of these take my time to find which will cost some money, the items and materials themselves will still cost money and any labor that is involved will definitely cost money. Trust me when I say that $1000 isn’t going to cut it unless – again – it’s a very small project.
