Hiring an interior designer - cost?

[EyesDoMoreThanSee]

We bought a fantastic 1930s semi a month ago, having lived here a while I know that some rooms are great and need no change in colour (the hall and bathroom) and other rooms are just horrendous colours! Like orange, purple and bright pink!

However I though I know what I wanted to do with the colour scheme but cannot get my head around it. I would usually wait a while until inspiration comes to me but I have invited a great deal of people over for various events throughout Christmas and I would terribly vain I know like the downstairs finished.

I have looked on various websites and I have bought magazines - but we are working with an existing colour scheme to a certain degree, and also the magazines do have a tendency to focus on decor that is 'one trend' whereas I want to be able to use pieces we already have.

So. I am considering hiring an interior designer to give me colour advice, has anyone done this? We are East of England some way from London, I have no idea about costs! DH thinks I am bonkers but right now he owes me bigtime so I might be able to persuade him.

TIA

Have you considered using an online colour consultant? I have been considering using this one as price is v reasonable and I do not have the patience or inclination to pore over colour charts with 50 shades of white myself. Haven't actually used her yet though.

My, this really escalated quickly

DP is an interior designer who has worked for Conran and Kelly Hoppen; he's just started his own business. He's in London, but happy to give no-commitment consultations.

OP, you asked about costs, and as you can see there isn't a set answer. If you do ask some designers to help you, you could check the following:

Do they do a free initial consultation (most do) - don't expect too much from this as they won't want to give away their ideas, but you should be able to get an idea whether they know what they're talking about.

Have a look at their portfolio. If all of their work is the same, ask why. If it's varied, ask them to talk about a couple of projects and explain the differences.

Ask if they'll provide you with large (at least A3) swatches of the colours they propose within the fee they quote you.

Ask how they're going to ensure that the colours they choose go with the items you're keeping.

Ask if they only recommend certain brands, and if so why. (If they only have a trade account with F&B or Little Greene, that's what you'll get whether you like it or not).

Can they supply paint directly to you? And will they pass on the delivery charges to you?

Do they have public liability insurance (in case they fall through your glass coffee table for instance - unlikely but it does show they're pukka).

KensingtonKat presumably when you do your own refurbishment you'll be setting up your own company to get your across-the-board 30% discounts. Do let us know how that goes.

Thanks for your concern Fresh.

I already have a limited company and a VAT listing, which is how I do know about the margins I mentioned. I am in a different line of work, yes, but as interior design isn't exactly brain surgery, I'm sure I'll manage.

Thanks fresh for backing me up.

Fishfingers I think your sister and I have a lot in common, I totally relate to what you say about a "constant muddle of beautiful impracticality".

If you are anywhere near Norfolk I'll happily swap you some colour advice for storage tips!

for storage tips I use Pintrestl Its fanbloodytastic :)

Pinterest is good I agree but its how to apply the storage tips to your own house and stick with it, esp when you share living space with three messy males....
Btw have Pm-ed you Eyes.

Does anyone know a reasonable Interior Designer who charges by the hour in London?

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Might an online interior designer work? There are a few of them now, like homewings.co.uk/.

For Melbourne & Sydney location, i recommend www.spaceworks.com.au for interior design. I hope you will get help from here!