1. What is interior design? 

 

Interior design is a profession that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and business skills. Interior designers work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are safe, functional, and attractive while meeting the needs of the people using the space.

 

2. What is interior decorating? 

 

Interior decorating refers to the decorating and furnishing of interior spaces in homes, offices, schools, and public spaces. It deals with all aspects of lighting, color, texture, paint, furniture purchase and placement, flooring selection and installation, fabric installations, window treatments, and accessories. An interior decorator is charged with applying or updating the finishes and elements that will be included within a room space.

 

3. What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?

 

Designer: An interior designer creates interior living or work spaces to accommodate people’s needs. Interior designers must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, encouraging environmental sustainability. An interior designer researches, analyzes and plans interior layouts to make them physically, socially and aesthetically functional. Decorator: Interior decorators don’t create interior spaces; they embellish interior spaces that already exist. An interior decorator often selects paint and wallpaper, selects and places furniture, installs window treatments, and adds home décor accessories such as throw rugs, lamps, throw pillows, and wall art to a room. An interior decorator doesn’t knock out walls or structurally change the layout of an interior space. An interior decorator often uses her/his skills to adorn a living space once an interior designer has made necessary structural or functional changes.

 

4. How do I get interior design or home decorating ideas? 

 

A great way to stay current on new trends and get home decorating is to read décor magazines and online publications. Some examples include: ELLE Décor, Veranda, Traditional Home, Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful and Dwell just to name a few. 

 

5. What are the basic principles of design and decorating?

 

• Balance is needed to keep the room from being monotonous. It’s important to have a balance of textures and color.

• Depending on how the room will be used that you are decorating, comfort should always be a factor. For example, although a very rough fabric might wear well and look good on a sofa, its hard rough texture may be uncomfortable to sit on.

• Style: Your house is your home, and the style should match your personality and who you are.

• Practicality: When decorating a room, think about how the room will actually be used. For example, if you have small children who tend to spill things or make a mess, placing an all-white couch in their playroom might not be the most practical solution. Think of furniture styles, fabrics, and textures that will provide you with the functionality and look that you are trying to achieve.

 

6. What are some resources to help me with ideas on my home décor?  

 

Some great online resources include Houzz, and Pinterest. Visit our online catalogs at:
                   a. Houzz:

                   b. Pinterest:

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7. What are the biggest investment areas in my home?

 

Transforming your kitchen and bathrooms are where you'll get your biggest resale value in your home. We consult with our clients on a full design plan that includes layout, RCP (reflected ceiling plan), finishes, appliances, fixtures and overall accessories. Although we typically provide turn-key services, we can also recommend vendors to work with for these installations if needed. Our main job is to help you work through the design process to ensure that the kitchen and bath is functional and aesthetically pleasing to the client. All labor-intensive restructuring would be outsourced.

 

8. What are the top 10 reasons why you should hire an interior designer?

 

• Save Money—It might sound strange to say that hiring someone to design/decorate your home would save you money since you have the additional fee of the designer. However, the truth of the matter is hiring a designer can help you to avoid costly mistakes that will not only help you save money but can increase the value of your home.

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• Professional Assessment—A designer can give you a professional assessment of your situation, which will lead to a solid plan of action. The order of things in a design plan is key in determining what can be repurposed or should be edited. This will not only affect the budget but help you to spend it more efficiently. A designer offers an extra set of eyes, but these eyes are trained to see and notice things that you may not.

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• Budgeting and Planning—A designer can keep you with your budget and save you time and effort. A designer knows where to go for resources for everything related to your home. This will save you endless amounts of time researching products, brands, and prices. A designer will have all of this readily on hand and for whatever is not readily available will spend the time researching so that you don’t have to.

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• Liaison—A designer will be able to build a stronger bridge between you and your architect or contractor early on and can head off design misses in your overall plan. This is crucial in managing time and money. Also, designers are trained to think about things we as consumers may overlook. It’s so important that the lighting and furnishing needs are addressed before construction.  For example, if your living room sofa is floating in the middle of the room, you want to make sure you have the proper placement for floor outlets.

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• Wide Availability of Resources—There are things available to designers that are not available to the general public in terms of connections, resources, and general merchandise. By culminating these resources, designers can help to make your space look more collected, unique and pulled together.

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• Contacts—In addition to vendor resources, designers have many home improvement industry contacts. They can save homeowners time and headaches trying to identify reliable, contractors, plumbers, and electricians for their projects.

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• WOW Factor—Home designers can help to give you the “WOW” factor you’ve been looking for. They are trained to think differently, know how to analyze a room spatially, and see an overall picture that clients often cannot. Thinking outside of the box is what decorators do all day long.

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• Home Sale—A designer can potentially add a great deal to the aesthetic of your home, which in turn can increase showings and sales. This increased appeal can exponentially speed up the amount of time your home sits on the market before it is sold. The benefit here is two-fold: a faster turnaround time and more money in your pocket.

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• A Trained Eye—A designer is a professional with a trained eye who can automatically tell you if there is something wrong or right with a space. Having that immediate consult is a major advantage when making aesthetic decisions. It is the result of years of experience.

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• Visual Storyteller—Interior design is a skill and an art that will only enhance the space and the quality of your life in the space. Hiring a pro raises the level of that experience and makes your house a home. A designer can help you tell your visual story. 

 

9. How much would it cost to decorate my home?

 

It depends on a number of factors, including: the number of rooms, the design style you desire, furniture desires, and whether you are starting from scratch or just remodeling a few things. Schedule a consultation today, and we’d be happy to provide a quote for your home decorating project. Contact us to schedule a consultation Here.

 

10. How long does it take to design/decorate a home?

 

It can take anywhere from one month to a few years. It all depends on the number of rooms, the budget, and the pace you want to work at with your decorator. The great thing about decorating/designing is that you can set your own budget and timeline. If you want to take your time and complete one room at a time, you can. Or if you want everything done all at one time (recommended due to lower costs on shipping and bulk discounts) you can do that as well.

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Still have Questions?  Contact us today or you can click the button below to schedule your low-cost, comprehensive consultation.

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