Have you hired an interior designer?

[janegold]

If so, did you find it to be money well-spent?

We don't need help with furnishings.  Rather, we need some assistance with a floorplan. We live in a completely open-layout loft and want to put up a few walls to create a bedroom and nursery/office.  I have a couple ideas but am having a hard time visualizing the finished product; we have sort of a weird layout and it's hard to know where will be the best place for the new rooms.  I'm hoping a designer could help give some insight, and also provide computer mock-ups of the various options.  Or perhaps there is software available that would allow me to do this myself?  If we hired a designer, we'd probably also use them for industry connections for lighting, doors and closet fixtures.

I'd love to hear about anyone's experience.

[CurlyQ284]

I haven't but my aunt is an interior designer. My mom renovated her kitchen and aunt helped. It is 2000% better than whatever my mom would have come up with.

[janegold]

Oh, and another question. If you've worked with a designer, do they offer free or discounted consultations? If so, are those consultations helpful in and of themselves? Did you go on to hire the designer to oversee the work? (We don't really need a full-fledged GC; just a carpenter and electrician.)

[janegold]

Feb 28, 2014 13:12:02 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Following.
We just hired one and she's coming march 8 to give me design/decor ideas (computerized) and give suggestions about colors and stuff. Can't wait! 2 of my neighbors did this and are SO happy with the results and I agree it looks awesome. She is $100 an hour with a minimum of 10 hours.

That sounds great!  Do you think you'll have her help purchase furnishings, too?

[HiC]

I did to help me with my kitchen in our last apartment in NYC. We blew it out from a galley to an open kitchen and I needed somebody to help me completely reconfigure it. It was definitely worth it, but now we would just do it on our own.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Nope, but I teach them. You should totally give them jobs

[rubysapphire]

I hired one last spring and it was a complete waste of money. We talked a lot about what I was looking for, what I liked and it was as though we had never talked. I hated all of her suggestions, and then she sent me a $2000 bill. So now I'm meeting with another designer that works for a local furniture store. For $120 he consults with me, and I have to commit to spend $2000 at the store (I have a whole house to furnish). He will make suggestions for pieces outside of his store as well. I feel much better with this arrangement because the last designer seemed to just run up a bill and I got nothing out of it.

[Moe]

Feb 28, 2014 13:20:49 GMT -5 HiC said:

I did to help me with my kitchen in our last apartment in NYC. We blew it out from a galley to an open kitchen and I needed somebody to help me completely reconfigure it. It was definitely worth it, but now we would just do it on our own.

I'd hire you in a heartbeat.

Wait, I still have to send you a pic of my living room for advice on the chair!

You and Que?

[pantsparty]

Feb 28, 2014 13:12:02 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Following.
We just hired one and she's coming march 8 to give me design/decor ideas (computerized) and give suggestions about colors and stuff. Can't wait! 2 of my neighbors did this and are SO happy with the results and I agree it looks awesome. She is $100 an hour with a minimum of 10 hours.

What will you be doing? Sounds fun!

[Deleted]

We are hiring one to help us with our new build.

[DotAndBuzz]

We decided to furnish some rooms from Ethan Allen, and have appreciated the design services that come with your purchase there. There wasn't much to fiddle with in terms of floor plan for the dining room, but we're just starting on the living room. She gave use a number of floor plans to pick from after we met with her to see the space and light, and explain our needs, budget, traffic flow, etc. I know for some people this stuff is easy, but I have zero confidence in my ability to pick something that will be proportionally appropriate for the space, and not look totally fug. We didn't buy everything she suggested, but definitely appreciated it for the basic layout and starting point.

[Deleted]

I started off with one, but then, after a few sessions, I decided I didn't need him and started picking things myself.

[Deleted]

H used to work in a related industry and we knew a lot of people who did design work. Be careful about IDs. There are so many people out there who fancy themselves interior designers but don't have the training and professional recognition. This is really prevalent in south end, back bay and beacon hill areas. Lots of bored rich ladies. H used to call them "designaires"

I can give you some references to legit designers if you end up wanting to hire one.

[pantsparty]

Feb 28, 2014 16:21:37 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Feb 28, 2014 14:46:13 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

What will you be doing? Sounds fun!

Having her design a master bedroom (bedding, curtains, rug, lamps, paint color)
help with kitchen textiles/design
having her design a living room/library, all we have in there is a sofa and rug, so we need all the decor
same for family room and dining room.

Man this will get expensive. Don't care. I'm sick of looking around my house and saying "MEHHHHH"

Oooh, cool! You'll have to keep us updated. I have trouble pulling rooms together, too. I'm sure she'll be a great help.

[FloFTW]

It would be totally great to hire an interior designer, and yes, most do free consultations, and then give you an estimate.

But, there is a good program that you could try as well.

www.sketchup.com/

[sergey]

Speaking as an interior designer, yes, they should definitely be able to help you with the layout and I think it's worthwhile to hire one since they specialize in visualizing a 2d plan into a 3d space which can be more difficult than you'd think. Depending on how involved your project is and your state's requirements they may need to contract out to an architect for the construction documents but they should be able to tell you whether or not that will be necessary during a consultation.

[janegold]

Feb 28, 2014 19:21:16 GMT -5 sergey said:

Speaking as an interior designer, yes, they should definitely be able to help you with the layout and I think it's worthwhile to hire one since they specialize in visualizing a 2d plan into a 3d space which can be more difficult than you'd think. Depending on how involved your project is and your state's requirements they may need to contract out to an architect for the construction documents but they should be able to tell you whether or not that will be necessary during a consultation.

Yes, this is why I think we may need one.  I've been drawing all over copies of our floorplans for months but actually trying to imagine how space, light flow, etc. will be affected is proving challenging.

Not to put you on the spot, but as an interior designer, is this something you think a designer could do in a couple hours and hand the plans off to the client (assuming no architect involvement is required)?  I don't think we are going to have a ton of extra money to pay a designer for ongoing consultation.  (Obviously I know every designer is different, I need to set up meetings, yada yada.  Just curious what your impression of the norm is.)

[janegold]

Feb 28, 2014 19:11:05 GMT -5 Que? said:

Feb 28, 2014 13:10:29 GMT -5 janegold said:

If so, did you find it to be money well-spent?

We don't need help with furnishings.  Rather, we need some assistance with a floorplan. We live in a completely open-layout loft and want to put up a few walls to create a bedroom and nursery/office.  I have a couple ideas but am having a hard time visualizing the finished product; we have sort of a weird layout and it's hard to know where will be the best place for the new rooms.  I'm hoping a designer could help give some insight, and also provide computer mock-ups of the various options.  Or perhaps there is software available that would allow me to do this myself?  If we hired a designer, we'd probably also use them for industry connections for lighting, doors and closet fixtures.

I'd love to hear about anyone's experience.

A designer could absolutely do this for you, but so could a good contactor, and they might not charge for plans. They would also have access to wholesale product, you would be cutting out the middle man. Getting plans done would benefit you in the long run if you plan to make other changes down the road; you could incorporate them now.

Good point, and definitely something to consider.  I would like a designer's aesthetic opinion but I'm sure there are plenty of experienced contractors who could also be good resources on that front.

[janegold]

Feb 28, 2014 16:27:51 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

H used to work in a related industry and we knew a lot of people who did design work. Be careful about IDs. There are so many people out there who fancy themselves interior designers but don't have the training and professional recognition. This is really prevalent in south end, back bay and beacon hill areas. Lots of bored rich ladies. H used to call them "designaires"

I can give you some references to legit designers if you end up wanting to hire one.

Thanks!  May take you up on that!  One of my BFFs is an architect and has been doing some work on interiors.  She said she would help for free but she's out of state and she hasn't been that responsive, so I may need to start evaluating my local options.

[sergey]

Feb 28, 2014 19:34:15 GMT -5 janegold said:

Feb 28, 2014 19:21:16 GMT -5 sergey said:

Speaking as an interior designer, yes, they should definitely be able to help you with the layout and I think it's worthwhile to hire one since they specialize in visualizing a 2d plan into a 3d space which can be more difficult than you'd think. Depending on how involved your project is and your state's requirements they may need to contract out to an architect for the construction documents but they should be able to tell you whether or not that will be necessary during a consultation.

Yes, this is why I think we may need one.  I've been drawing all over copies of our floorplans for months but actually trying to imagine how space, light flow, etc. will be affected is proving challenging.

Not to put you on the spot, but as an interior designer, is this something you think a designer could do in a couple hours and hand the plans off to the client (assuming no architect involvement is required)?  I don't think we are going to have a ton of extra money to pay a designer for ongoing consultation.  (Obviously I know every designer is different, I need to set up meetings, yada yada.  Just curious what your impression of the norm is.)

Yes, I think an independent designer (rather than a firm) would take on a small job like this and could probably turn it around in a few days with a fairly minimum amount of billable hours or a flat fee.

[blondemoment123]

Not for my home, but for an amenity center in a community I manage. I don't think it was worth the money at all.

[janegold]

Feb 28, 2014 16:33:41 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

It would be totally great to hire an interior designer, and yes, most do free consultations, and then give you an estimate.

But, there is a good program that you could try as well.

www.sketchup.com/

Will definitely check this out, thank you!

[Deleted]

Yes. We have been working with one since we moved in, and had our prior two houses done professionally. She is great, and worth the money.

[janegold]

farmvillelover, thanks for the update.  That is disappointing that she wasn't more helpful.  We aren't looking for help with furnishings, but if we were, I would definitely hope for more than an online shopping buddy. I'd want mockups, design boards, etc.  One thing that I feel like a really good interior designer should be able to do is help with textiles; I think those really make rooms look professionally "done" and, in my experience, it's the hardest thing to do on your own.

@sfgal530, thanks for your feedback. It sounds like you used a designer for needs similar to ours.  I'm glad to hear it was so worthwhile!

[emjacobs]

Mar 8, 2014 22:18:56 GMT -5 squirrelymom said:

I let emjacobs and @fucksticklegit design my office. Best.decision.ever.

Holy shit I love the way it came out.

(heart) You! 

If you want to post pictures, I'm always willing to look at things and give my suggestions. 

[imojoebunny]

We used one the new build house we are buying. She was very helpful for things like tile, countertops, and flooring. I don't think I would use one for furnishings, unless I just had no time to shop. For tile, cabinets and things, they can add a lot of value in both time saving and cost, since they have relationships with vendors.