What makes you hire an Interior Designer?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hello Houzzers!

I'm an Interior Designer and I would love to hear from you to get a better insight into people psyche to see where I can help and to also dispel any preconceived ideas.

If you have a minute I would love it to hear your answers!

1. At what point in your project would you hire an Interior Designer?

2. How do you think an interior designer can help you?

3. How long do you think an interior design project lasts for and what kind of work do you think is involved?

In return I am happy to answer your Houzz query on the forum if you have one, just let me know the name of the topic.

Thanks

Rukmini

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Comments (2)

Ribena Drinker
5 years ago
Interesting that you should ask this question as I have been thinking about this very thing over the last couple of week, when I've been reading various posts and stories on Houzz

I concluded that, I would like to think I'm confident enough and understand my style well enough, to design my own interiors, to my own taste. I have a very particular style, which I guess not everyone would but it's what my OH and I like.

I have things around me in my house which I have chosen because I like/love them. I choose colours in my house not based on the current fad or what's popular, but because of the image I have in my mind of what I want a room to look like.

I choose objects or art, either because they appeal to me or I have an attachment to them. If someone were to style a room for me, it would just be a room full of "stuff", which may look ok, but don't mean anything to me, except perhaps as dust collectors.

And whilst I see that a lot of people don't have the time, energy or creativity to do it themselves and they are happy to walk into a "done" room, I personally would hate it, even if I were consulted on some level. I want to live in a home which is personal to me, not a page in a magazine, staged beautifully but with no sense of me.

Besides, I love creating rooms and everything that goes with it. Sourcing furniture, soft furnishings and lovely accessories. Working out colours, moods and lighting. I can't imagine just handing it all over to someone else.
PRO
Rukmini Patel Interior Design
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi - thanks for taking the time out and providing an interesting response. I think its great that you are confident in your own style enough to implement them in your interiors. A lot of the clients I come across don't necessarily know what their style is and tend to stick to safe items and colours. Basically whites and IKEA!

I totally agree with you on having items which appeal to you and I proactively practice this in my designs, that they need to be about you. Collecting items, art, memorabilia are all things I take into consideration and give ideas to my clients as how and where to buy them if they don't have them already. For example, a recent client of mine was French however his home had no French art work whatsoever, in my designs I suggested a few French prints and where to get them from.

I too wouldn't like it if someone were to tell me what to buy especially if it was not to my taste. I always provide my client with at least 2-3 floor layout options, so the choice is always theres - my job is to use my design skills to create the best design that suits them and their lifestyle. Not to mention the 3D renderings which I love to create and are loved by my clients. They give ideas how a room can look and never forced upon.

I always provide several furniture options sometimes 4 if I get carried away and again the point of it is to give the client the ideas to help achieve their goal, not to dictate to them. Plus I get up to 20% off trade stores like John Lewis, West Elm, Habitat even on paint! So clients see the huge savings they are making just by hiring a designer who provides them with not only designs but trade discounts too!

Thank you so much for your question, it's so interesting to see how other people view Interior Designers.
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What makes you hire an Interior Designer?

Comments (2)

Ribena Drinker

Rukmini Patel Interior Design
Original Author

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What makes you hire an Interior Designer?

Comments (2)

Ribena Drinker

Rukmini Patel Interior DesignOriginal Author

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Rukmini Patel Interior Design
Original Author