interior design service from JL or Heal's?

[theory]

Anyone used them? We're hoping to re-do our living room -- the front and back (connected) sitting rooms in a small terraced house- but feel like we could use some experienced input.

The space is northern facing, so dark, narrow, on the drafty side the front door opens directly into the front room....The furniture and rugs we have from before we moved in are all wrong also dark and the wrong dimensions- and we're thinking of replacing it all, or as much as we can afford! It wouldn't be a Heal's prices, but our "aesthetic", insofar as we have one, is more in the Heal's than the John Lewis camp. Was thinking of just using an interior design service for ideas and then sourcing stuff on our own. Has anyone does this?

Yes, we did that (JL). It worked out really very well - we used JL for our curtains and a couple of armchairs, and then have bought other things ourselves as and when. The designer was very good, came up with an excellent aesthetic for us and the house that blends DH's love of Heal's-type look and my antiques.

That sounds perfect GrendelsMum. Do you have them come to the house then, or did you do the in-store consultation?

No, we had them come to the house (costs around £250 or so, which you get back if you subsequently order from JL) for an initial meeting, and then and the following up meeting in store to review all her choices.

I have to say, I'm getting increasingly keen on JL rather than Heals (and there are some products which are identical, particular in the lighting dept) - I think Heals has been getting a little samey lately, while JL have been forging ahead. They've had some great displays in our local store lately.

This might give you some ideas:
www.johnlewis.com/Magazine/Feature.aspx?Id=1080