Hiring an Interior Designer

[Azure]

We moved into our new house 6 months ago and still haven't got round to any decoration or even putting curtains up in the sitting room. DH & I have finally admitted that we are rubbish at getting things done, but want the house to look really nice. I am interested in using an interior designer to come up with ideas and motivate us, but have absolutely no idea how or what they charge, indeed whether we could possibly afford one. Does anybody have any experience of using a professional interior designer? I would appreciate any insight.

Hi,
No direct experience, but from what I do know they will definatly want a steer as to what sort of style you like and feel comfortable with.
Flick through some magazines and get a few ideas about the look you would like.
enjoy - I love doing things like that!!

Hello , I am not selling my wares, as dont work at the mo. I do interior decor. There are several different ways we charge : Using your budget we will then add a percentage based fee against that of around 20% ish ; this will allow the designer to purchase required items and allow for labour and time spent on chasing orders,paying 3rd party contractors, paperwork etc. Or you get charged a consulatation fee and then daily charges for whatever work is required, often jobs are fluid and may take less time or more and you may ask for extra work to be done so this allows for that.

There are different types aswill : interior decorators will be able to draw up room plans, do mood boards etc, choose fabrics ,layout,colurs , but may not know about structural work or electricity. where as a designer will be more fluent in building work, structural changes, lighting, architecture and designing.

They usually charge a commission of 15% (or so) . For example, if you have decorators round to paint the walls as organised by the designer, the designer will get 15% of what the decorators charge. Or if they do the legwork on getting you a sofa, they would get 15% of the cost of the sofa. As for how much those things cost (i.e. decorating or a sofa) there is obviously a wide range depending upon what you go for.

Ooh, thanks for the info. I must admit I feel a little intimidated about the whole idea, possibly because I won't have a large budget. It's probably an interior decorator I need, as am not thinking about structural changes at the moment (although will be in a few years time, when finances allow). A fee of 15-20% would be acceptable, if they do the legwork (finding workers, etc). Melsy - are you sure you're not working at the moment? Are you in London???

If melsy is definitely not working, email me Azure and I'll give you the name of the person we used. She had a baby last summer but I think is working again. (Wouldn't it be funny if she turns out to be melsy!) She was v. good, v. professional & reliable. In London.

I dont think I am allowed to offer my wares on here Azure. I havent worked for some time , due to illness, but I could may be just do a small consultancy. That way you can get some help withought to much commitment.

I Live just outside North london, you can contact me through here may be, Im not sure if I have unticked the no emails box or not but try anyway. Also get expatkats recomendation , as you have to be comfortable with who you work with.

Hi Azure one of my best friends is an interior designer and lives in NW6 shes currently doing quite a few jobs but may be able to fit you in. Shes a mum of 2 and really really laid back but professional email me direct if you want her details.

Hi everyone - many thanks for your responses. I have sent a "contact another talker" message. I wasn't expecting to have such a good response - DH and I really need to think about what we want now!

Forgot to say, I'm in West London (Stamford Brook / Chiswick).

azure, go and speak to suzanne at chiswick interiors (on chiswick high street, near gunnersbury tube end). she is great, will come around to your house, have a look at everything, come up with a plan etc. She won't charge you anything if you buy the materials through her and get her to make up curtains etc. She has a good eye, knows exactly what is in all the 100,000 fabric books in her showrooms, and has lots of patience. I used her for a drawing room and a few other bits and pieces and am really pleased with both how it looks and how well eg curtains are made.
hth!

I worked in interior design and we drew up complete plans etc found all tradesmen and furniture etc and charged 15% on top.I would always give the client a form to fill out re definite likes and dislikes and ask them for vague colours although it often depends on the room which colours work.I live in Brighton and am not working at the mo but if you sent me a picture of the room I could work you out a scheme if hiring a designer is too much!I would need a scale drawing to produce a scheme based solely on redecoration but would need to see the room if structural changes are needed.Most good designers would know basics of plumbing electrics and structure but would hire professionals to carry out the work hth

I'll try to get to Chiswick Interiors this weekend - thanks Princesspeahead. Many thanks Noddy5 for your offer - how wonderful to have a talent like that. DH & I need to have a good think about what we want, in particular which rooms to do and how much we are prepared to spend. We may call on your services at a later date, if that's alright

Along the same lines, I am looking for someone to advise me on lighting. Would an interior designer be the person for that. Am opening whole ground floor of house up and want to demarcate the areas with good lighting that is flexible, ie can make dining area seem part of kitchen or living room depending on the lighting.

Noddy5 maybe you could help?

countess dracula, the woman you need is sally storey at john cullen lighting.... she is a maestro. and if you don't need the maestro herself, anyone at john cullen will be able to talk through the options with you - that is what they do.

anyone want anything else?!

ps drac I have a book on lighting by sally storey that I can lend you if you want... don't need it any more!

PPH fanny bloody tastic would love it.

Where is John Cullen lighting?

johncullenlighting.co.uk has all the details!

I'm coming into london tomorrow if you want a formal handover of said book over a double decaff skinny latte (can you see I'm getting excited about my trip to the big smoke?!), otherwise email me your address and I'll stick it in the post?

Defo, I'm around. Are you coming 2 chiswick? I could nip over.

Have emailed you with my phone no - have to go and watch footie now! Give me a call...

will do!

Agree about John Cullen ,they create magic with light, very pricey as well but definitively great!

Oh I can't wait to transform new house from dump to heaven!

Well if any of you ladies decide to go a little further and take some walls out, the architectural practice I work for is based in chiswick. Architects are traditionally not too good at interior design, though personally it's one of my fav things, but i'm too busy with kids and work to take on outside work. Group B on the Uxbridge Road (heading towards shepherds bush) are very good with lighting advice (ask for Martin) and have really good prices and lots of great knock-off alternatives to the super expensive italian stuff.
I would recommend getting an interior designer who has kids and will therefore understand making things childfriendly as well as beautiful.

useful to know about the uxbridge road place, sa, thanks. wish I knew that when I was gutting/refurbing in brook green! darn.

completely agree about kids too. suzanne at chiswick interiors has a 14mth old so should be OK on that score...

PPH sorry about today, prob good job didn't come as had vile headache all afternoon too

Did you get anything else. Am DYING for lovely long shopping trip spending lots of cash on mememe.