This post is not an ad. It's replying to another thread about furniture shopping.http://www.loyaukee.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=12
BiscottiGelato
I'll try to answer your questions as much as possible here. These info is for you and anyone who genuinely are interested to know.
Now that readers are aware of the diff. between a designer and decorator, I will refer myself as a decorator.
I obtain a honor's diploma of interior decorating. It's fully accredited and recognized in Canada. Training include but not limited to:
-Floor planning
-Furniture history
-Styles
-Perspective drawing
-Lighting
-Wall treatment
-Window treatment
-Floor treatment
-Color Theory
-Furniture layout
-Sourcing
-Staging
-Fabrics
-Project Management
-Redesign
-Accessorizing
-kitchen design
-Legal aspects
Charges:
Each decorator charges differently. Some have a flat fee or per room or per sq foot, others by the project or time. Some charges shopping time, gas, in additional as well. There are many variations and/or combinations of charges. I usually will work out charges in a way that's most economical to the client.
I normally conduct in the following way:
1. Free phone consult (Get the basic info of client, ie: type and size of home, budget, wishlist)
2. Chargeable On-site consult (In depth and detail interview to gather info of client's needs. Application of my observation, judgement, problem solving...). The charge will depend on the size of premise and if it will result in closing off the project.
3. Drafting of info gathered, determine what type of service the client really needs and making contract agreement.
4. On going research and sourcing (including contractors, contacts, sourcing, etc).
5. Gaining cooperation and on going visit plus follow up and suggestions to clients.
6. Managing project and overseeing craftsmanship if construction is needed.
7. Completion of project.
*During the process there are many things to be worked on such as explore and explain the pros and cons of all options, preparation time, budget allocation, phone contact, legal issues, problem solving, overcoming obstacles (ie: product out of stock, rewiring required, extra time needed due to whatever reason, clients change of mind...)* All these plus keeping in mind the available funds and time constrain.*
---So Biscotti, it's not that I don't want to publicize my charges, it's because of the individual circumstance and a client's specific needs which dictates the charges. Therefore, a personal interview over the phone/in person is necessary. I know some people give you a $ amount without know what you want/need and then tell you later that $ can't can't you want you want. Sorry, I don't like to practice this way. Client vs Decorator
In general, Decorators can choose to only specialize a specific area ie: only take on a project over $xxxx.xxx / only do kitchens / work with only a specific age group...etc. *Have the rights to choose clients they feel compatible with. Some decorators will be more strict in how they operate and insist on specific design aspects (ie: buying fr. specific source, must use certain type of paint, etc). They also have the rights to charge additional fees if the client changes mind in the middle of project regardless if it's termination or change of style. *There's no right or wrong. It's just like some prefer to sell BBQ pork but not roasted ducks in their shop.
As a client, you can choose to hire any decorators. You might prefer pork over beef. No difference than choosing where to shop for your eggs for whatever reason.
You could hire a decorator only to do a specific task. Ie, only shop for an art work, redesign using your existing furniture, over see a nursery room including paint and furniture selection. Just have to find one that will meet your needs.
A client should be:
Realistic and truthful about their budget and timeline.
Do not expect the moon on unrealistic budget or free service.
Fully understand the work involved hence the charge.
Understand the job of decorator is to give, implement ideas, recommendations, they cannot, eg: liable for accidents caused fr contractors (they have their own insurance and liability)/warrant a sofa's quality (it's the manufacturer's job).
Have the courtesy to allow unforeseen project time delay (furniture out of stock/contractor got a flu...)
I normally advise my clients to shop around for decorators. One should be able to tell during the phone and/or initial consultation if they are comfortable with each other. Ask for their qualification. Someone who claims themselves to be a decorator with experience shopping for pillows does not qualify as a decorator but maybe a pillow shopper. No decorator is perfect, because beauty is very subjective but they should be expected to have the skill, training and knowledge to work with a premise as a whole regardless if it's a room or entire house. Eq. Paint selection will need to consider: Lighting, furniture, the rest of the premise, psychology aspect, weather, trend, budget, lifestyle, activity, room purpose, etc. etc. Oh, BTW, paint consultation is a specific profession. BenMore will do a color consult of $xxx.xx/hr.
Little things to put into consideration seem very insignificant but have you ever walked into a room that you don't like/feel comfortable with but can't quite point out what's wrong?
In my opinion and experience, I do not recommend people to hire a decorator if they:
Don't have the budget
Have a closed mind and unable to trust and not agreeable
Refuse to fully understand the job of a decorator
Egocentric resulting in the need to challenge, intimate, or antagonize
Can't be honest about their expectation and needs and uncorporative
Not in agreement with their other half if he/she is involved in the decision making
Lastly, this seems to be a big concern and misunderstanding for some people.
A client is not expected to have the ability to express, identify, or even know what they want! It's in my expectation that they are unable to thus, hire me. People who feel that if you don't have the knowledge of products and don't know what you want indicates that they don't understand the role of a decorator/designer. Seriously, if you can already do the above, there's no need to hire, just go shopping on your own or pick up the phone/online to order if you're short on time. It's a part of our job and purpose of consultation to guide the clients into something for them suitable and like.
