Finding the Right Designer
There are three main types of designers you can look for when renovating a space.
- Interior Decorator. If you just need helping coordinating floors, tile, paint colors and fixtures, a decorator might be a good, less expensive option. This person is generally good at putting together colors, patterns and furniture pieces – primarily anything that’s not affixed to your house, but sometimes they will help with more permanent material choices. A decorator will help chose the materials, but will not be hands on in the installation process.
- Interior Designer with a focus on Remodeling or New Build– A designer who specializes in new build and renovating is going to cost more, but they are well worth it, especially if you are reconfiguring a space. This type of designer has an understanding of construction and basic understanding of architecture and engineering of a house. In some cases, they might also be an architect or engineer. This designer will help you redesign the space, work with an architect or engineer if needed and help choose materials, but won’t help in managing the actual installation.
- Renovation Designer and PM – This person is part designer, part renovation manager. They have more construction knowledge and can guide you not only through the design, but the installation of the project. This type of designer can take you from design through to installation.
Decorating and renovation design come from very different head spaces. A designer who is good at decorating an already renovated house might not be good at choosing the materials needed to build the foundation of the design and vice versa.
When Amy and I consult on a project, I come in looking at the structure, and the more permanent aspects of the design and she’s looking at furniture and accessory design and placement. Together, we provide a full picture for a homeowner.
There are so many avenues a designer can take and specialize in that it’s important to find the decorator or designer that best fits your needs.
