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WORKING
WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER |
Whether you want to remodel your bathroom
or your kitchen,
working with an interior designer from Westchester or Bergen County
can be an exciting and creative process that allows you to explore
the many options possible for your domestic or commercial space.
An interior designer is a trained professional (usually with some
sort of fine arts background) who brings an artistic flair coupled
with an intimate knowledge of home industry options available to
today’s consumer. A superior interior designer, however, doesn’t
just impose his or her tastes on you but collaborates with you to
fine tune your own intimate daydreams for your space before helping
to actualize them.
But working with a designer can be difficult if you don’t
know what to expect beforehand. So here are a few tips about making
you and your interior designer an effective creative team.
Know the Design Concept You Like
The bottom line is that a designer can’t help you create
your dream kitchen in Fort Lee, NJ if you’re not really sure
what you want or need yourself. So before you even talk to a designer,
take the time to think carefully and honestly about your tastes
and needs. Pick up some design magazines from your local bookstore
and bring the ideas you like to the table when you meet with your
creative professional. You may also want to keep a folder with pictures
of elements you like (and hate), as well as any fabric and color
swatches that catch your eye.
Think about how you’re going to use a room and any implications
that may have for design elements. (If your kids are messy eaters
or if you have pets, for example, you may want to choose a hardwood
or tile floor in the dining room over a plush carpet, no matter
how much you love the look.)
Communication with the Designer is Key
While you’re looking through magazines and taking notes, also
think about how you’re going to explain your ideas to the
designer. The more clearly you articulate your needs and family’s
lifestyle, the more likely the designer will be able to help translate
those ideas into a design schema that is both appealing and practical.
Once you’ve explained your ideas to the designer, be sure
to listen carefully to his or her viewpoint. He or she may suggest
a color scheme you hadn’t thought about but end up loving.
On the other hand, certain elements you adore may not be feasible
due to building and safety issues. An open and honest dialogue between
you and your designer is the only way you’ll be able to find
the perfect balance between your daydreams and what your budget
and lifestyle allow.
Budget Your Design Wisely
Be realistic about your budget. Decide beforehand what you’re
willing to compromise on and what you’re not. (Is the claw
foot tub more important than the brocade valance, or is lush fabric
your thing?) Be honest with the designer about what you are willing
to spend and what you are not. Again, an open and honest discussion
about budget will avoid misunderstandings and disappointments down
the line. It will also help the designer narrow the multitude of
choices available to create a design that truly reflects your taste
while remaining consistent with the design gestalt of your entire
house, apartment, or office.
Subcontractors & Deadlines for your
Project
Make sure you discuss with the designer the project’s timeline
as well as how you’ll deal any snafus you run into along the
way that may delay completion. He or she will communicate directly
with the subcontractors, so make sure you discuss the logistics
of the renovation process before work begins. Again, the more you
know about the process beforehand, the more smoothly things will
go.
MyHome Designer Solutions
MyHome can easily find you a designer in New York or New Jersey,
but we also have years of experience working with outside contractors.
We have created a streamlined process for working with a designer
that makes your life easier and are happy to accommodate your needs
in any way to build the dream project you desire. Please keep in
touch to find out about MyHome’s well-crafted system for working
with designers in future articles or sign
up for our newsletter to be immediately notified about all things
MyHome as soon as they transpire. |
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