Using an interior designer - where to start?! Herts/Essex area.

[doublehelpings]

Looking for an interior designer to help redecorate/renovate 6 bed house in Herts/Essex region

• where do you find one?
  
• how much should I expect to spend?
  

Any other tips on using one would be greatly appreciated. Really worried about costs spiralling or someone getting WAY too 'creative'!

Anyone used someone they'd recommend in this area of the country?

Thanks

[swooosh]

Someone I know works for this company. What I've seen is fantastic.

www.accoutergroup.com

[doublehelpings]

Thanks. Though that looks fab it's probably a bit modern for my house. Looking for more trad style without chintz!

[kayessbee]

You should contact KLC in Chelsea Harbour. Went there years ago and they have a good alumni forum where the careers team there post briefs from people wanting interior help and are willing to give a start-up graduate a chance. I worked for some good names after being there, so you'll get quality, I'm sure.

[doublehelpings]

Brilliant! Thanks I will take a look.

[kayessbee]

Hello. How did you get on finding someone??

[doublehelpings]

Hi

Thanks for the Chelsea design school link. I had a look through but the interior design alumni were all based in central or west London and I'm nervous about having to pay travel costs on top of design fees. Not having used a designer before I just imagine it all spiralling out of control with the costs!

I have however contacted someone off of Houzz. Only yesterday so waiting to hear back as well as a highly regarded local interior stylist but I'm not sure how much they'd be able to help or whether it's just accessorising the space after.

Tricky thing is that many don't really present costs up front and it's hard to get into a relationship with them when you don't know how much it will all cost!

[kayessbee]

Hi. The alumni that you can seen are just a few that they like to promote as it looks good on the public part of the website. They tend to be quite established too. The service that they offer which might work for you is where they place your request for help on the private forum where all alumni can see it, from wherever they are in the country, and they're all likely to be start-ups or grads just wanting a bit of experience. Houzz is really only for experienced professionals, to be honest, so costs might be higher than you want. The girl who looks after that part of the forum is Geeta Dhar, maybe have a chat to her as she will totally understand your concerns and what it is you're looking for. I think they can help you filter the responses too.....