Interior Design Minimalist

What types of professional interior designers are available?

Have you heard of Interior redecorators? These professional interior decorators transform your home using things you have accumulated over the years. The end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it. Many interior designers have added this service to their repertoire. Alternate terms for professional interior designers specializing in interior redecorating are interior redesigners, interior arrangers, interior stylists, one day decorators, visual coordinators or interior refiners.

What is a Certified Interior Designer? (from B&P Code Section 5800,5538)

A Certified interior designer is a competent design professional who is qualified to design, prepare, and submit any type of nonstructural, non-seismic interior construction plans and specifications to local building departments. Certified interior designers have demonstrated through education, experience, and examination their knowledge of the Uniform Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability, and disabled access code issues. Most interior designers have a minimum four-year education. Many have Master of Interior Design degrees or other additional education in architecture or interior design. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have many years of qualified experience. All qualified interior designers will indicate that they have passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Certification) examination and/or are registered/ certified/ licensed in their state.

How do Interior Decorators charge for their services?

Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer's services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.

Hourly Rate: The interior decorator bills a negotiated rate per hour.

Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen's services rendered.

Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.

Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.

What to ask at the first meeting:

• Ask to see the interior designer's portfolio, but remember that the designs reflect other people's tastes,¬ not necessarily the interior decorator's, and possibly not your own.
• Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range.
• Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.
• Ask about the types of services the designer can provide.
• Ask for a list of references.

How To Choose An Interior Designer Or Redecorator?

What types of professional interior designers are available?

Have you heard of Interior redecorators? These professional interior decorators transform your home using things you have accumulated over the years. The end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it. Many interior designers have added this service to their repertoire. Alternate terms for professional interior designers specializing in interior redecorating are interior redesigners, interior arrangers, interior stylists, one day decorators, visual coordinators or interior refiners.

What is a Certified Interior Designer? (from B&P Code Section 5800,5538)

A Certified interior designer is a competent design professional who is qualified to design, prepare, and submit any type of nonstructural, non-seismic interior construction plans and specifications to local building departments. Certified interior designers have demonstrated through education, experience, and examination their knowledge of the Uniform Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability, and disabled access code issues. Most interior designers have a minimum four-year education. Many have Master of Interior Design degrees or other additional education in architecture or interior design. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have many years of qualified experience. All qualified interior designers will indicate that they have passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Certification) examination and/or are registered/ certified/ licensed in their state.

How do Interior Decorators charge for their services?



Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer's services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.

Hourly Rate: The interior decorator bills a negotiated rate per hour.

Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen's services rendered.

Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.

Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.
What to ask at the first meeting:

• Ask to see the interior designer's portfolio, but remember that the designs reflect other people's tastes,¬ not necessarily the interior decorator's, and possibly not your own.
• Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range.
• Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.
• Ask about the types of services the designer can provide.
• Ask for a list of references.

While some people like to do all home decorating themselves, others have learned that there are often benefits to enlisting the help of a professional. Interior designers can help you make the most of your space, take full advantage of natural light and architectural details and help you make choices that will fit both your taste and your lifestyle.

If you’ve never used the services of an interior designer, the process of selecting one can be a little daunting. Not everyone who considers themselves a professional designer actually is one. Professionals should have some kind of certification, either from a national organization or a state group. Check that all certifications claimed by the designer are current.

Also, it’s always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau before hiring any design professionals. An unscrupulous “designer” is likely to have multiple complaints, but you won’t know that if you don’t check.
Here are some more tips to help you choose a designer that will give your home a look that you can live with.

1. Check the Book

As you are interviewing potential designers, pay close attention to their portfolios. By seeing examples of past work, you will be able to get a feel for their style and see whether it is a good match for yours. Browsing through the portfolios is also a good way to see if the designer has tackled projects similar to the one you need completed.

2. Ask Around

If you have friends or neighbors who have fabulously decorated homes, ask if they used a professional. By getting referred by someone you know, you’ll have had the chance to see – up close and personal – examples of the designer’s work. Also, you’ll be able to ask your friend what working with designer was like, and if all promises were kept.

3. References

Once you find a designer that you may be interested in working with, ask for a list of past clients. Call several of the provided references. Ask not only if they were happy with the finished product, but also if deadlines and budgets were met and if the designer consulted with them on all major decisions. In addition to checking client references, ask for professional references as well.

I just wanted to send a warm welcome to a dear colleague and friend, Tanya Schoenroth, who recently launched her new website. I'm looking forward to collaborating with an amazing talent in the coming year to help bring fresh new modern ideas to a growing market of sophisticated buyers and home owners. Like me a modern dog lover, we send our best to all of you for the holidays!