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Decorating |
Hiring a Decorator
Many people can furnish a room to meet their
basic needs, but to really create a look
with taste and polish, even many do-it-yourselfers
may need the services of a decorator. A good
decorator can help you pick appropriate flooring,
choose wall finishes that sooth or add drama,
devise workable and attractive window treatments,
and maximize the floor space and storage
possibilities. Professional decorators have
access to showrooms that carry materials
not available on the regular retail market,
and they usually are aware of craftsmen and
fabricators that are normally hard to find.
Hiring a decorator can save you a great deal
of time and can keep you from making costly
mistakes.
If you are thinking of hiring
a decorator,
consider the following:
- Professionals can title themselves either
decorators or designers. Designers usually
have a degree awarded by a credited teaching
institution. They are frequently members
of professional associations such as the
American Society of Interior Designers. Keep
in mind, though, that many of the most famous
and successful decorators have had no classroom
training but rather are often individuals
with a natural flair and eye. So don’t let
a lack of academic credentials stop you from
using someone whose work you admire.
- The best way to find a decorator is first
hand experience. There is no replacement
for viewing a decorator’s completed rooms
in the homes of friends or family. Word of
mouth is another good approach, since it
is reassuring to know that a decorator has
pleased customers. Decorating and furniture
stores often make recommendations or have
designers on staff. Websites are another
resource. Collect magazine pictures of rooms
you want to emulate and show them to a decorator
you are interviewing, so that you can determine
if that person can successfully work in your
desired style. As when working with any artist,
you should see the decorator’s portfolio
and get references from former clients.
- Make sure you know exactly how you will be
billed. Some decorators charge a flat fee
for a particular project and others bill
by the hour. Be aware that the decorator
usually gets a markup on the services of
tradesmen such as upholsterers and those
who make window treatments and from the sale
of fabrics, wallpapers, rugs, furniture,
and accessories. As a result, decorators
have a preference for the expensive.
The best way to guarantee that you are hiring
a decorator you will be happy with is to
take the time to define your own goals for
the project first. That way, no matter what
approach the designer takes, you will be
in agreement with the end result. |
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