Read This Before Hiring An Interior Designer

by Ellen Garcia 09/13/2018

Hiring an interior designer is a great way to create a chic, stylish home that matches your families’ personality and unique needs. You won’t need to worry about shopping for new pieces to complete a look and worry that it will look out of place. Because don’t we all?

Decorating can be fun. But creating a cohesive look isn’t easy and it’s certainly not everyone’s talent. How many times have you brought a new piece of decor home only to realize there’ something about that just isn’t quite right?

Hiring an interior designer is a great way to skip past awkward trial and error growing pains in a room you love.

Here’s what you need to know about hiring an interior designer:

Know your budget. You will need not only need to plan for your designers time and expertise but also for the decor they have chosen for you. You’ll also want to know how they source their furniture selections. Aka are they choosing pricey one of a kind custom pieces? Know what your preferred designers pay structure is and if you’ll need to invest upfront or make payments throughout your time together.

What services are you expecting to receive? Not all designers work in the same way or offer the same services. And not everyone expects the same services either! Decide if you would like a consultation, design concepts drawn up or for them to manage the project from beginning to end. Think of it this way - how much time do you want to personally spend on this project?

Take time going over different designer’s portfolios to get a feel for their style. You should work with a designer whose style jives with your own. So with that said, you should have a good idea of your own style and that of your household. You might be fine with mid-century modern furniture, but maybe your partner can’t stand it.

Have a Pinterest board of your inspiration ready to share with your designer. Even if you don’t see a cohesive theme across your board, a designer will. Which is why you are hiring them! While it is possible to be all over the place, if you the pins you’ve chosen intuitively feel good together you are probably on to something!

Communicate openly about what current pieces in your home are important to you. What has to stay, no question? And what are you willing to part ways with? This is really important to know ahead of time. You don’t want to realize your favorite piece is missing from the blueprint while your designer is presenting it. Instead, be upfront about it and your designer can work the whole room around that item.

About the Author
Author

Ellen Garcia

Ellen Garcia Broker, GRI, SRS, ABR, RSPS, SRES, RENE, MRP, LRS, LSE, LSS, AHWD, e-PROÒ Ellen believes that listening and understanding her clients' needs are the foundation of a successful business partnership. Her knowledge of the many unique communities in Fairfield County is an invaluable asset to clients new to the area, and she is able to help anyone moving to, from or within Fairfield County make an easier transition into a new home and community. For clients who are preparing to sell their homes, Ellen offers her first-hand knowledge of how to leverage the strength of a "brand" in showcasing and marketing their properties. Ellen offers a powerful advantage in bringing her skills and resources to work for her clients. With over 10 years, of full-time experience in the real estate industry, she is well-versed in the Fairfield County real estate market. Ellen has successfully completed: · Over 130 closed sales and rental transactions · Representing a dollar volume of over $65 million Ellen’s people skills lead the way in building a strong network to assist and support her clients in achieving their goals through every step of the real estate process: · Negotiations both local and global · New business development (sales & marketing) · Creative problem solving · Building partnerships · Tapping into Halstead Property’s network of 1100 agents in NYC and Lower Fairfield County Her career in Real Estate has been recognized with many awards including: "Agent of the Year” for Halstead Property Wilton and "Most Closed Sale and Listing Transactions” numerous times. Within Connecticut, Ellen has been recognized over the past several years as a "Connecticut Magazine 5 Star Realtor”. Awards 2016 & 2014 AGENT OF THE YEAR – HALSTEAD WILTON – HIGHEST GROSS SALES 2016 - 2011 CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE 5-STAR REALTOR AWARD 2016 - 2013 MOST CLOSED LISTINGS – Wilton Office 2016, 2014 - 2012 MOST CLOSED SALES – Wilton Office 2016, 2015, 2014 HALSTEAD PROPERTY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL 2013, 2012 & 2011 HALSTEAD PROPERTY DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL 2014 HALSTEAD – PLATINUM CIRCLE 2016 HALSTEAD - GOLD CIRCEL 2015, 2013 HALSTEAD – SILVER CIRCLE 2007 COUNTRY LIVING ASSOCIATES OUTSTANDING RELOCATION SPECIALIST PRESIDENT'S AWARD (2005, 2006 & 2007). Leading Real Estate Companies of the World PREMIER CLUB – SILVER AWARD FOR REFERRAL ACHIEVEMENT (2006) Sales Associates Recognition Program Professional Associations: · Connecticut Association of Realtors (CAR) · National Association of Realtors (NAR) · Consolidated Multiple Listing Service (CMLS) · Connecticut State-wide MLS (CTMLS) · Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors (MFCAR) · Senior Advantage Real Estate Council (SAREC) · Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) · Seller’s Representative Specialist Council (SRS) · e-PRO Professional Designations: · BROKER · ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) · SRS (Seller’s Representative Specialist) · RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) · GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) · RSPS (Resort and Second Property Specialist) · MRP (Military Relocation Professional) · SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) · LRS (LeadingRE Relocation Specialist) · LSS (LeadingRE Sales Specialist) · LSE (LeadingRE Service Expert) · AHWD (At Home with Diversity: One America) · REALTOR e-PRO · CONNECTICUT TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION