DIY or Not – Do I need to hire a Designer or Decorator?

by Lucy Campos-Gentile, TO DESIGN CO

When I was growing up in South America, I remember having fun overhearing some conversations. It was incredible how people always had a suggestion for a “medication” or a superstition to cure an illness or help someone in trouble. At the time, I thought in the back of my mind, if people knew so much about all that stuff why did doctors even exist? The same seems to apply to home décor. Comments would flow and blow like the wind even before you officially opened your door to show off what you’ve done. There was always Ms. Somebody telling you that the sofa was “nice”, but maybe it was “too big”. Or perhaps, it was okay but the carpet could be another colour. The trends were dictated by tough fashion rulers – Hollywood! Cookie cutter décor from overseas made interiors look so alike…and people so sure everybody could be an Interior Designer!

You may think that people today have more access to information and can do a lot more by themselves. But the fact is that much more money ends up being spent when do-it-yourselfers decide to tackle unfamiliar fields of knowledge with little or no experience. In terms of Design & Décor, it could mean failing to achieve the desired look on time and on budget. Homeowners often end up hiring a Designer later on to fix the problems they created by not seeking professional help in the first place. Those DIY projects are the reason why we hear so many people justifying and explaining to guests that their space, after 2 years of work, is still “not finished yet”. Maybe they will say that they are just waiting to find the right piece for that corner. When it comes to redecorating, redesigning and renovation, DIY experimentation can be very pricey and very frustrating as well.

Hiring a professional is the best way to go when taking on such projects. I agree it can be quite educational to watch design shows on TV but even if you do it 24/7 for months, it doesn’t really make you an expert. There is much more than meets the eye and it can never actually be covered under the limited time and scope of a TV show. I have experienced that firsthand when I had to plan and prepare what I would be showing viewers when I made on air appearances. TV is not real life! When creating a custom design concept for an actual client, there is a great deal of planning, implementing and managing. Here are some tips on preparation:

• Have an overall budget in mind and be realistic in assessing your finances

• Try and leave some flexibility as unexpected situations during the project may cause you to incur extra expenses

• Define a reasonable timeframe for completion

• Give yourself some time to do your research in order to find and hire and your Designer / Decorator, contractor, and all other the necessary workers

• Establish a list of priorities and discuss it openly with your Designer and all the trades people involved

• Be available and be consistent in every step of the process

• Participate actively in the decision making

• Avoid delays that can become costly and affect deadlines

• When planning a renovation, consult with a real estate agent to ensure that your investment will have a return

A space feels and looks good when there is balance and harmony. The Design Concept is a plan created by a professional that includes the following:

• Enhances the architectural features of the space

• Has a well-thought colour palette that goes well with the shapes, layout and placement of the furniture as well as the textures

• Incorporates sufficient lighting as surfaces have to be both beautiful and functional.

All the above items should be based on the taste, lifestyle and budget of the client. It is not a template; it is customized! To make all these components work together takes a huge amount of work requiring talent, skills, and experience. A good Designer will offer clients some visuals and samples to try and help them foresee his or her plan for the space.

Do your homework to find and hire the right professional for you. Then ask questions and communicate freely with him or her. Lastly, there will be moments when you will simply just have to trust your Designer. Dare to give them some latitude and establish a relationship of exchange, flexibility and mutual understanding.

After all, you and your professional are building something special which in the end will be well worth all the effort.

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