Can anyone tell me how to hire an Interior Designer?

[millingtonsmummy]

Hi there,

I need help furnishing, and adding style and colour to a brand new home. To be honest I'm totally daunted and have no clue where to start. I have a toddler and am 36 weeks pregnant and am just not finding time to do anything other than basic jobs. I really want to get some help from an interior designer but have no clue where to start.

Can any of you advise how the process works? How do I get charged for the services? How do I find the right person for the job?!

Thank you!!

We have just used a local interior designer from a shop near where we live. We had the basic service which is where she came round, checked out the room we were wanting to redecorate, looked at our other rooms to get a feel for the house in general, looked at our furniture, asked us if we were going to be buying any new furniture. We discussed what we would be using the room for, wheat feel we wear after. She then came back with a board showing pictures of the sofa style she recommends for the room, fabric for blinds and fabric for cushions, wallpaper for the chimney breast and two paint options for the walls. She also left us a fairly large sample of the wallpaper and two paint sample pots for us to try out. That service cost £75. If we'd not had the soft furnishings it would have been £50. and that's the fee per room.

Years ago though we used a lady to do about 3 rooms of our old house and she worked differently. I think the initial stages were the same, ie consulation, idea boards etc but then she bought in the decorators, curtain makers etc and we paid her for everything and she then paid the workmen. She also got us the fabric and wallpaper etc which was good as we then got them at trade price which if i remember correctly negated her charges.

and as for finding the right person, start with the local paper or telephone book and speak to as many people as possible and have as many initial free chats as possible and you'll find someone (hopefully) that you gel with or warm to.
Good luck.