What is interior design? How do you work with an interior designer? How do you find an interior designer?
More Than Meets the Eye
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling a single room, you want the finished space to be attractive, comfortable and functional. It needs to fit the way you live, as well as reflect your personal style and taste.
Interior design addresses all these concerns and more. Images of beautifully appointed and arranged rooms are usually what first come to mind when one thinks of interior design. Color, fabric, furniture, art and ornamentation are indeed important elements in the overall design. How the environments we inhabit look and feel greatly affect our mood and sense of well-being.
But interior design also involves many practical and technical considerations that affect comfort, function and safety. Among these are lighting, acoustics, space planning, organization and storage, scale, accommodation of special needs, fire safety and compliance with local building codes.
Interior projects include new construction, renovation, historic restoration and model homes. Specialty areas within the home include the kitchen, bath, home theater, home office and home health care and fitness areas.
The Professional Choice
An interior designer has aesthetic, practical, and technical expertise in all the elements that make up an interior environment. He or she understands how people use and respond to these elements, not just individually but as the elements interact with one another.
Any number of services and suppliers can provide and install items for the home. Some offer advice on selecting colors, patterns and materials or on arranging the furniture and accessories in a room. When you hire an interior designer, you get the benefit of an experienced professional who can solve problems, help you avoid costly mistakes and, most importantly, create an attractive, affordable space designed specifically to meet your lifestyle needs.
Professional interior designers can do so much more than recommend furniture, fabrics, and colors. They have a creative eye and artistic flair, but that’s only the beginning. In addition to their in-depth knowledge of products, materials, and finishes, professional designers have the training and expertise to plan, schedule, execute and manage your project from start to finish. They know and work closely with many vendors, contractors, and other service providers, coordinating and orchestrating the entire design team. Designers also provide specification and purchasing services to procure materials, furniture, accessories, and art, some of which you might not be able to find on your own.
Among the many areas of expertise a professional designer commands are:
Space planning and utilization, including organizational and storage needs;
Long-term project and lifestyle planning;
National, state, and local building codes;
Safety and accessibility;
Ergonomics;
Design for people with special needs;
Conservation and green design;
Historic restoration;
Interior detailing of background elements, such as wall and ceiling designs;
Custom design of furniture, drapery, and accessories;
Selection of appliances, plumbing fixtures, and flooring materials;
Acoustics and sound transmission;
Audiovisual and communication technology; and
Construction documents and specifications.
As with any other professional, you will want to do some investigative work before contacting designers to discuss your project. A useful approach is to follow the three steps below.
Define the Project
Before you ever speak to a designer, take some time to think about what you want, what you need, what you can afford, and what is most important to you. The designer you hire will be able to advise you on specifics, but to get the result you want, it is important to do your homework first. The time you spend will be well worth it.
Start by answering the following questions as completely and specifically as you can:
Who is going to use the space?
What activities will take place there?
How long do you plan to occupy the space?
What is your timeframe for completing your design project?
How will you finance the project? What is your budget?
What kind of look or feel do you want the space to have?
If you are modifying an existing space, what do you currently like about the space? What do you most want to change? Why?
What changes do you need to have and which would be nice to have?
Putting together an idea folder or scrapbook of your likes and dislikes, wishes and dreams is a great way to begin the design process. Look for pictures of rooms or styles that appeal to you, swatches of fabric, paint color cards, furniture catalogs or brochures, etc. These will stir your imagination and help the designer better understand your preferences and tastes. Include information and pictures of appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinet and door hardware, and flooring materials as well, if these will be elements in your project.
Investigate Licensing Requirements
Currently, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regulate interior design services. In most cases, an individual must have satisfied certain requirements for education, experience and examination to do business as an interior designer in that state. Before researching the designers you may want to work with, be sure you know what regulations, if any, apply in your state. In many states, there is a board that monitors compliance with that state’s requirements. Usually they will verify if an individual is registered, licensed, or certified in your state. For a list of states with interior design laws, along with their boards, go to the ASID Web site at www.asid.org or call ASID headquarters at (202) 546-3480.
Develop a List of Suitable Designers
Once you have a basic concept of your project, it’s time to search for designers whose work and credentials meet your needs. Ask people whose tastes and judgment you trust to suggest the names of designers you may want to interview.
The Internet is an excellent resource for this purpose, too. Many designers have Web sites that display samples of their work and describe their design philosophy and approach. Some commercial Web sites provide “directories” of designers, with or without pictures. Since they usually charge the designer a fee to be listed, they are not very comprehensive.
You can also consult the national or local referral services offered by professional organizations, like ASID, which match qualified members with your project type or location. They are an especially good source if you are looking for a designer with a particular expertise.
Home and lifestyle magazines and sections of newspapers are another good source of information about interior designers. Often these publications operate Web sites as well that include archives of past articles and images.
Not all designers have Web sites or get media coverage. The Yellow Pages and print advertising, while they usually do not provide much detail about a designer’s work, may lead you to a talented designer you might otherwise have overlooked.
Designers, like other professionals, are different from one another in their combinations of talents, skills, knowledge, experience, personalities, specialty areas and reputations. What and how they charge will vary accordingly. If you have any concerns, get bids or estimates from more than one designer so you can compare fees, costs and other expenses.
Choosing a Designer
The creative aspects of interior design can be exciting and fun, but never forget that it is also a business — and you are the one who will have to live with the finished project. Your satisfaction with an interior design project depends a great deal on the designer you select and how well you work with him or her. By following the guidelines below, you can help ensure a good working relationship and a successful outcome.
You should interview several designers — three or four at least. During each interview, explain clearly what your needs are and acquaint the designer with your project ideas. Show him or her your folder or scrapbook. Note whether the designer is attentively listening and asking questions that indicate an understanding of your needs and preferences. You will be working closely with the designer, perhaps for a number of months, so you want to select someone whom you feel has your interests at heart and will take your ideas and concerns seriously.
In addition, you should ask the designer for the following information:
Details about his or her education, training, experience (especially experience with your type of project), professional affiliations, and other credentials.
Fee structure, what it covers, and any additional charges outside the estimate that could occur. [See sidebar on Scope of Services.]
An estimate of how long the project will take and whether other commitments the designer has may affect the desired timetable. If the completion date is high on your “most important” list, be absolutely clear about your expectations.
Discuss how you will stay in communication and with what frequency you can expect project progress reports and updates.
Keep in mind that different designers have different personalities, working styles and business methods. Don’t be pressured into working with someone you are not comfortable with, regardless of reputation or recommendation.
Check References
You should always ask to see the designer’s portfolio and get the names of three or four recent references. (Make sure they are recent, preferably within the last year, depending on the type of project.) When talking with references, ask how satisfied they are with the completed project. How close did it come to their initial concept? Were there any surprises? Was the project completed by the date promised and within the budget agreed upon? Ask about the designer’s work habits and style. Was he or she accessible, attentive and responsible? Did he or she pay appropriate attention to the details throughout the project?
How do you know if you’ve found the right designer? There are no guarantees of course, but in general you want a designer with the following characteristics:
Accredited and, if applicable in your state, appropriately certified;
Experienced in the type of project you are doing;
Has demonstrated creativity, talent and resourcefulness;
Attentive, responsive and communicates well; and
Has a record of reliability and good work habits.
Discuss Fees and Budget
There is no such thing as a “typical” fee for an interior designer. Many factors influence what a designer may charge for his or her services. Most residential designers use one of the following methods, or combine methods, to set their fees and may negotiate to suit a client’s particular needs:
Fixed fee (or flat fee) — The designer identifies a specific sum to cover costs, exclusive of reimbursement for expenses. One total fee applies to the complete range of services, from conceptual development through layouts, specifications and final installation.
Hourly fee — Compensation is based on actual time expended by the designer on a project or specific service.
Cost plus — A designer purchases materials, furnishings, and services (e.g., carpentry, drapery workrooms, picture framing, etc.) at cost and sells to the client at the designer’s cost plus a specified percentage agreed to with the client to compensate for the designer’s time and effort.
In addition to the fee structures outlined above, designers may require a retainer before beginning a design project. A retainer is an amount of money paid by the client to the designer and applied to the balance due at the termination of the project. The retainer is customarily paid upon signing the contractual agreement in advance of design services.
At one time, cost plus was the most widely used fee structure for residential designers. It is becoming more common now for designers to charge an hourly rate for design services and cost plus for products and services the designer is asked to purchase or a fixed fee for the entire project.
In addition to the designer’s fees, there are other costs to consider. Only you can decide what a reasonable budget for your project is. If you have concerns about price, discuss them with the designer. Don’t be shy about asking the designer to help you optimize your budget. But be realistic, too. You may need to scale back your project or consider having the work done in stages. If you are concerned about the quoted cost of furniture or furnishings, ask the designer to provide you with a list of options.
A final word about cost: How you choose to furnish your interior and how you work with your designer will have tremendous impact on the final cost of the project. Items such as antiques or custom-made furniture, and modifications that involve altering or moving load-bearing walls or beams will significantly increase the cost of your project, as will requesting changes mid-project or making excessive demands on the designer’s time. The more planning you do before you start, the more you will be able to help keep costs down during the project.
Steps in the Design Process
Before you sign any agreements or make any payments, ask the designers you are most inclined to work with to provide a cost estimate in writing. This is not a contract and is not binding on you or the designer. The cost estimate should specify the scope of work and the type of fee structure the designer uses. (Bear in mind that the designer is not responsible for the costs of other professional services.) If the designer charges extra for other services — such as reviewing plans or attending meetings with an architect or contractor — these should be listed as well, both by type and rate.
Once you have selected a designer you want to work with, ask him or her to provide you with a letter of agreement or contract for the project.
Do not make any oral agreements, pay the designer any money, or authorize any work to be done on the project, including giving the designer permission to begin looking for furnishings or researching styles or patterns, until you have an agreement endorsed by both parties.
Working with an interior designer involves some give and take. You will share ideas, and the designer will contribute insights and advice based on his or her talents, skills and experience. You will have many details to consider and many decisions to make. Your concept may grow and change as you undergo this process.
The key to a successful project outcome is good communication. The more direct and specific you are, the easier it will be for the designer to successfully meet your needs and expectations. Never hesitate to ask questions about any aspect of the project.
Keep notes of your discussions with the designer, and confirm any and all instructions, decisions or changes before they are acted on. If you agree to make changes to the contract, always make sure to put them in writing and have them signed and dated by both parties. Maintain a folder with copies of all plans and contracts, receipts, invoices and other documents.
Practice Good “Clienthood”
Take your responsibilities as a client seriously. If you are going to be very busy or on travel during this process, consider delaying the project until later or getting someone to manage it for you. Remember, if you delegate the decision-making to the designer, you are agreeing to live with those decisions.
To avoid disappointment or unwelcome surprises, follow these guidelines:
Minimize changes to your plan. Each part of the design will affect the whole. Changes or special requests can require any number of adjustments that will add time and expenses to your project.
Consider carefully and make notes before you call your designer. Repeated calls are inefficient, expensive and can slow down progress.
Stay flexible. Decide beforehand where you are willing to compromise and where not. Trust your gut. Do not agree to a decision that does not “feel” right to you, no matter how urgent it may seem to be.
Take time to request more information, do some research or just reflect.
Avoid open-ended requests. Tell the designer up front what you are willing to pay in total for a particular item or service.
Know Your Rights
If you follow the guidelines above, you are unlikely to encounter problems with your designer. However, in the event a problem arises, there are agencies that can help. If your state has interior design regulations, you can contact the board or agency that monitors compliance. If your state currently does not regulate interior design, contact the department of consumer affairs or consumer protection.
All members of ASID agree to abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. If you believe an ASID member has behaved unethically, contact the ethics coordinator in the government and public affairs department at ASID headquarters via e-mail at gpa@asid.org or by phone at (202) 546-3480.
Used by permission, The American Society of Interior Designers
|
