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Original poster

Interior Designer - would you?

34 replies

HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 21:48

Dh has booked one to come over on Friday. Am not hugely keen or open to it. His rationale is that left to our own devices and with precious little time, we still have the magnolia (unadorned) walls that were there when we moved in 4 years ago...

I don't know. Will I find myself steered in a direction I don't like... Isn't it also rather profligate (I am sure she will take quite a high percentage for her 'artistic input')

Do you think Interior designers are worth it?

OP posts:
Original poster
HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 22:00

Bump before it drops off active convo's despite being enormously fascinating dilemma (obviously)

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aitch71 · 23/08/2006 22:03

well, they get discounts and good deals from shops etc so you can ask them about that. have a think about what you do and don't liek before they come... we just entirely re-did our flat and it was very interesting to have to put your taste on the line, so to speak. i know what i don't like, but what i do like... well that was more tricky.
i'd have thought an interior designer would be very helpful in that regard.

hairymclary · 23/08/2006 22:04

if I had the money i'd certainly consider it. I have lots of idea, but no idea how to make it all come together and look lovely.
I think an interior designer should listen to what you want, and design something that you're happy with

Original poster
HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 22:06

Ummm - probably should keep open mind then. Thanks ladies

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sunchowder · 23/08/2006 22:06

Sounds like a lot of fun to be honest, if you can afford it. He/She will listen to what you like--you don't have to accept a design that you won't be happy living with.

KristinaM · 23/08/2006 22:07

I'd consider it too if i had the money. i suspect that you need to brief them well to get what you want. After all they are not psychic . Why dont you cut pics out of magazines - things you like / dislike?

KristinaM · 23/08/2006 22:08

oh and most important - work out your budget, then deduct 10%. Gives you soemthing for contingencies

MaloryTowersIsSlimAndChic · 23/08/2006 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CountessDracula · 23/08/2006 22:10

no way

want my own taste not that of someone else!

Original poster
HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 22:10

I'm sure you walls are lovely Malory

That's a great idea re cutting out bits and pieces that appeal from an Interiors mag. Excellent - will do

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UnquietDad · 23/08/2006 22:11

as long as you can put up with the
oh my God what have you done in HERE!? .

Original poster
HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 22:12

lol

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MaloryTowersIsSlimAndChic · 23/08/2006 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aitch71 · 23/08/2006 22:25

it's not about getting soemone else's taste, well, not unless they are a very bad interior designer.
the idea is that you use them as an interpreter. you say 'i want the room to feel warm/stylish, i like art deco/bauhaus/arts and crafts, i listen to lily allen/lambchop/the damned and i want the room to fulfil x and y and z purposes... then the interior designer will come up with a few interpretations of those concepts.

we just knocked down two walls in our flat and put holes in the rest, moved the kitchen and bathroom (new designs in both) and put a mezzanine and a loft space in as well. we had an architect who drew up my plans and i did everything else, layout-wise.

it all seemed terribly obvious to me, i would show people round the flat as it was and say 'so there won't be a wall here, here's where the bedroom will be (pointing to the kitchen and bathroom) and we'll put stairs up there to the mezzanine' etc etc. and as i spoke, i could actually see it happening in front of my eyes.

however, i reckon that of the people i told, about one in fifteen had a clue what i was talking about and one in ten could properly visualise it. the rest simply could not see it, because their brains work differently to mine. my dh, for example, could not work it out at all and just needed to trust me while i demolished his home.

given my experience, i think a lot of people could benefit from an interior designer, while there are some who just don't need the input as they can see it themselves.

but if you've got bare magnolia walls after four years, HyacinthB, you sound to me like someone who might enjoy using a designer. (and remember to get them to tell you about their discounts and see if they can pass some of them on... and definitely buy some interiors mags.)

Original poster
HyacinthB · 23/08/2006 22:59

Thanks aitch - I do kind of know what I like (when I see it), but have a problem conceptualising it (is that a word?) for myself. I can't do the blank canvas thing and think "I'll do that there and this here..."

So it probably will be really quite helpful. Thanks for turning me around on it - I was initially quite defensive when dh said that he had appointed someone

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aitch71 · 23/08/2006 23:11

good luck, it's great fun. our entire kitchen was designed from a line in an advert in an interiors mad. literally a line. i don't like curves so i showed the company the lines of this kitchen ad and said 'd'you see how this corner unit is constructed, all edges and sharp lines? THAT's what my kitchen needs to be.' and it is...

babywhiting · 23/08/2006 23:20

i wouldn't but thats cos i am a qualified interior designer!!!! hey we're not so bad!!! just let them know what you doa nd don't like that way you won't have any disasters!!!! good luck x

CountessDracula · 23/08/2006 23:24

I feel that any room or house put together in a short space of time will inevitably feel like a show home

You have to live with a house, feel what it needs

You have to buy bits and pieces as you see them and they say to you that they are right for your room

moondog · 23/08/2006 23:28

Wot,asopposed to an unqualified one BW???

Wouldnever get an interior decorator.
Flatter myself that I have a modicum of taste and style.

Anyway,would worry that they would purchase crap for sole purpose of displaying it.Nomemeories,no love,no evocation of past times.

Creepy.

(CD,they'd have that doggy portrait out the door faster than you could say 'Bone anyone?')

CountessDracula · 23/08/2006 23:28

precisely why I wouldn't employ one

moondog · 23/08/2006 23:30

I'm sure they would Have Words re my huge bright orange metal cupboard gracing my hall that I ...ahem liberated from place of work.

Ditto mad Russian doll collection.

CountessDracula · 23/08/2006 23:31

ooh I have russian dolls
the presidents ones are the best

moondog · 23/08/2006 23:34

None of those where I lived.

Chandra · 23/08/2006 23:39

I agree with those who said that a good interior designer will not force her/his taste on you, but will work from your ideas to produce something that you like and can live with. Now, choose one that has a style you like, no chance of getting from Nina Campbell what you can only wish from Tricia Guild.

In terms of cost, if you are planning to use good quality materials and furniture, a designer can save you a lot of money. Good designers are paid a huge amount in comission, but you still get the same suggested retail price, so if you have a large/complex project having a designer may end up being a money saving option (you get a designer and materials, for the price of the materials).

Now, as in any profession there are good designers and bad designers, or even some who had no talent and even less schooling, so have a good look at their portfolios. Don't even think of hiring one without checking what they have done before.

aitch71 · 24/08/2006 00:32

tbh i wouldn't want a 'complete look' from an interior designer. if i was going to work with one i'd want them to look at, for example, my prized russian dolls, and include them in the overall design. after all, if you feel strongly about displaying them then they should be part of the concept. don't know why people seem to think they'd be forced to throw out things that are special to them...