ResalesInterior Design: From Free To Fancy
Getting help to spruce up the inside of your home is as close as the phone, mouse or remote control.
Today"s homeowners have lots of options when it comes to interior design. While hiring a professional to turn your house into a dream home is certainly one way to go, there are lots of other places you can turn for help that won"t cost a penny.
With enough time and effort, anyone can become a Martha Stewart by turning to Martha Stewart herself. Through magazines, television shows and the Martha Stewart web site, you can get lots of tips not only for decorating your home, but also for entertaining when you want to show off your accomplishments.
Specialty channels such as Home and Garden Television and The Discovery Channel offer a variety of programs targeted at the do-it-yourself designer.
Discovery programs such as The Christopher Lowell Show, Lynette Jennings Design, Your New House with Michael Holigan, and Home Matters offer advice on elements such as furnishings, carpeting, paint, window treatments and linens. On HGTV, you can see what other people have done on shows such as Awesome Interiors, Extreme Homes, Homes Across America or This Small Space. Details on all of the shows" subject matter can be found online.
Don"t overlook the web sites of home improvement stores. Lowes and Home Depot offer decorating tips by the click of a mouse.
To get a glimpse of what the professionals are studying, The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) provides a list of noncommercial informational and educational Web sites about and for interior designers.
Should you choose to phone a professional, it still won"t hurt to invest a little time scanning the web, thumbing through magazines, watching home shows or browsing through furniture stores to get a better idea of what look you want to achieve.
If you have no idea where to begin, some designers recommend taking a good look inside your closet. What hangs on you may be a good indication of what you want hanging around your home. Look at your clothes and gauge how formal your style is and what colors you find most appealing.
Before you hire a professional, be sure you understand the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. ASID says designers are professionally trained in space planning, and in 18 states, they must pass a strict exam and be licensed. A designer"s training can include study of fire rating classifications, government building codes, ergonomics, lighting quality and acoustics. ASID says a decorator works only with surface decoration, and because no license is required, tradespeople such as upholsterers and house painters may also call themselves decorators.
Before contacting an interior designer, ASID recommends you think about the answers to questions designers frequently ask.
*For whom is the space being designed?
*What activities will take place there?
*How long do you plan to occupy the space?
*What is your time frame?
*What is your budget?
*Are you relocating or remodeling?
*What image do you want to project?
When the time comes to interview prospective designers, ASID recommends you contact several to become familiar with differences in personality, style and business methods. After all, this is the person who will learn where all your dust bunnies are buried. Find someone with whom you are comfortable. ASID suggests you:
*Inquire about the designer"s education, training, experience, professional affiliations and other credentials.
*Ask about other services the designer can provide and what can be done to help your understanding of the cost of the project.
*Discuss the project"s time frame and the designer"s availability.
*Discuss the designer"s fee structure.
Designers charge in a number of ways, including a fixed fee, hourly fee, percentage fee, or per square foot. While the bottom line is certainly important, ASID recommends you don"t base your choice of a designer on price alone. Price quotes can indicate differences in the level of service and quality of merchandise.
Finally, be sure you get everything in writing. ASID says it"s in your best interest to make sure you have a signed contract before work begins or any money changes hands.
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Carol Ochs is a Washington-based reporter who covers new home trends.