Hiring an interior decorator can be overwhelming. After all, trusting someone with the responsibility of changing the look of your home is an important decision and it sometimes represents a large monetary investment.

You want to create a look you can be proud of and enjoy for a long time. So, how do you match up with a person who can fulfill your dreams?

Step 1
Do Your Own Homework
Decide what room you want to tackle first and exactly what job you have to offer them. Identify your preferences that pertain to the changes you want to make. Write down the budget you expect to pay for these changes. And identify the time frame you desire the project to be completed.

Spend time going through decorating magazines and shopping for styles you love, to be able to communicate your preferences.

Step 2
Meet with potential decorator
In this meeting, the decorator and client will interview each other. You will find out if the decorator’s experience matches the project you have in mind. You will ask for references and fees and if there are time constraints, if they can be met.

The decorator will interview about exact details of desired changes, measurements, budget, any time constraints and extensively about uses of rooms and personality preferences. They will also find out the client’s best way to be communicated with for updates and decisions.

Of course, one of the most important aspects of matching up with an interior decorator is personality. Do you click? Are you comfortable with this person? Will you be able to communicate your likes and dislikes? Don’t forget, the decorator gets to make this decision about you too!

Step 3
Hire the decorator!
Once you’ve found the decorator you want to work with and they agree they would like to work with you, give them the job!

At this point, the decorator should have a contract ready that you can both sign. Written contracts do not mean you don’t trust that person, it means that you value the relationship enough to solidify it and make it official. It also provides a written ‘communication’ form that can be drawn on if either party forgets the original plan and agreement.

Once the prices are agreed upon, the job detailed and stated in writing- the work can begin!

Now…here’s my personal fees and procedure with all this:

During the interview, I gather facts, fill out worksheets, collect photos and magazine pictures of preferences. After the contract is signed, my first task is to start a notebook with the completed worksheets, measurements, pages of furniture, room arrangements, fabric swatches, colors and styles that are attractive to you. These pages will be our ‘plumb line’ as we move through the project. Together, we can refer back to it and make further decisions along the way.

While the business model of traditional interior design services is largely based on profits from the markup of furnishings and contract services which are resold to the client, I am mainly service oriented.

I simply charge an *hourly fee of $25/hour, which makes my services accessible to those of you who aren’t interested in paying extra fees for the spaces you have in mind. I will also attempt to transform your space, using what you already own and limiting the need for high budget furnishing purchases.

As I formulate the estimated costs for supplies, fabric, accessories and get bids on needed trades, together we can make decisions on specific selections to fit our pre-set guidelines. For instance, if you set a budget for a moderate bedroom makeover at $1000 but see a chandelier in the final stages that you feel you must have for $249 and we are already at $911 on our expense chart, you can make the decision whether to go with a $89 lighting fixture or your dream chandelier.

I offer 1/2 hour FREE decorating consulting for those debating a new project or use of my services.

* My hourly fee will of course increase after I complete my interior decorator certification. Right now, you get the bargain of good design and experience for a reduced rate. What a deal!

Note: I reserve the right to award myself any trade contract that I feel I can accomplish myself professionally – based on the lowest bid.