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Serena A. McIlwain, CID
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Have you ever thought, “Why should I hire an interior decorator when I have good taste and do a fairly decent job in decorating myself?” Have you ever wondered about the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a professional decorator to help you? Ever thought it was just a waste of money? Or, do you simply think that only the rich and famous hire Interior Decorators? With so many “do it yourself” decorating shows on television now telling you just how easy it is to decorate, you probably feel that you can do most of it yourself. Think again. Some of these shows make it look so easy that the homeowner is unaware of all the planning that really goes into decorating. Trust me; it is not easy as it looks. Make no mistake that you can really get great tips from these shows and if you are creative and good with your hands, they can even show you how to save money by building your own furniture and sewing your own curtains.
But let's face it; the majority of us simply do not have the time that is required to do all of those things. Although it appears that it can be done in 30 minutes (the duration of the show), that is simply not realistic. The truth of the matter is that some people are truly gifted and talented and can actually decorate their home without the assistance of an Interior Decorator. I am certain there have been homes you visited, such as family and friends, and you were astonished with how beautiful their homes were decorated. So the question remains, “Should I hire an interior decorator, although I am really good at decorating?” Absolutely. There are many reasons why you should consider hiring a professional decorator to assist you with your home planning needs, even if you are very good at doing the project yourself. A decorator will provide great design ideas, product selections, and other services you may not know about.
Below are four reasons why choosing an Interior Decorator is well worth the time and money:
Decorators have access to things you do not
That is correct. Decorators will expose you to all kinds of furnishings that are not open to the general public. And. you can get some furniture at wholesale prices, saving you bundles of money. In addition, everything you purchase can be custom-ordered, from your furniture selection to the window treatments. Last, Interior Decorators can offer you discounts on most things you would buy in retail stores, saving you between 20% and 40% off regular items. No more going to just your local furniture stores where everything is bought at retail.
The art of color
The art of using color is one of the most important elements of design. An Interior Decorator will show you how to create a winning color combination that can be applied to your interior space. For example, red colors are cheerful, while orange colors are warm. Also, pulling together colors from different spectrums of the color wheel requires skill and training. A common mistake made is the choosing of colors without regard to the kinds of light (natural and artificial) that enters a room.
Saves you time
Let's face it- most of us do not have time to do all that is required in decorating. You have to select furniture which requires visiting lots of stores (including on-line research), choosing paint colors, selecting lighting, hiring different kinds of contractors, supervising work, and following up to ensure that everything is completed accurately and on time. This is where an Interior Decorator saves you time. Decorators do it all. All you have to do is come home and enjoy your new space.
Avoid costly mistakes
How many times have you ordered the wrong item because the piece of furniture would not fit in your doorway? What about the time you order furniture that was simply too big (or small) for your space? I am sure you were not pleased to find out that you had to pay a restocking fee because of your error. Hiring the right Interior Decorator will minimize all of those costly mistakes. We are trained and skilled in measuring space, drawing floor plans, sketching designs, and ensuring that everything fits in the space perfectly. We get it right the first time.
In conclusion, hiring an Interior Decorator is always a great idea, and you will surely enjoy the professional benefits it brings. We will guide you through your design process, with personal attention to all the details involved.