Choosing the Interior Decorator or Designer that is right for you!   Decorating or Designing is a creative, artistic expression.  Experience and expertise are also factors that come into play. Therefore, artistic expression and the range of experience is an important parameter to be aware of when selecting the right professional to suit your project.  The #1 priority of an interior decorator or designer is to simplify your involvement in the process. He or she will consult with you, devise a plan, and manage the entire process( should you choose to engage them on this level) which includes purchasing, ordering, supervising contractors, and overseeing budget in a way that can save you valuable dollars.   Your choice of a talented professional can shed light on your project and make the experience less stressful by approaching it skillfully with a plan, helping you balance your aspirations, functional needs, and budget.  It is important to realize that there is a difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. If you are about to embark on  a project and feel you do not want to hire a pro to work with you throughout the extent of your endeavor, a valuable investment would be to engage a professional for a simple consult.   This is so valuable because the well seasoned professional can point out matters that you may be overlooking, and even uncover simple design or decorating solutions that can have high impact for low budget. An initial consultation with professional can get you on track and provide you with the guidelines for success until the end. An investment that really is minimal for results that will last  a lifetime.    The definitions and the roles of these professionals according  to the masses:   An Interior Decorator is someone who has the ability and expertise to transform an interior by use of creativity, color, paint, wallpapers, fauxs finishes, lighting, furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The decorator deals with these transformations on an aesthetic level only. This field is not governed by any agencies, however, there are a number of certification courses that focus on implementing some form of exposure to the different components involved in making  the most knowledgeable decisions when presenting and working with clients.   DSA Certified Professional  Decorators are required to do a yearly continuing education process  in order to exercise and improve upon their knowledge base, bringing their clients the most beneficial results that can be offered within the field of Interior Décor.   An Interior Designer offers a formal education in the field and is required in appx. 19 states to obtain licensure. They are trained to read architectural blueprints and have a knowledge of structural concepts. The interior designer differs from the interior decorator in respect to the extent of their knowledge base, focusing on building and barrier free design with license renewal and CEU courses as a requirement to maintain educational standards.  Therefore, if you are needing to implement structural changes within your project we strongly suggest hiring an interior designer.    The Steps that should be taken or considered to finding the right pro.   Let me just say that there are many styles of decorating professionals out there and some have adopted different practices that suit their individual preferences, but  this is a general list of standards the accomplished professional should leave you with after the initial consult? A true professional should screen your project with you at the initial meeting to be certain that you are a good match for one another: It may be acceptable to do a brief  initial meeting at the design or decorating professionals office or studio.  If they have a home office, which is quite the norm for this profession, it allows much more flexibility for them as individuals. When they come out to the job site, they should listen attentively and do a walk through. They should be documenting some of the parameters of your project on what perhaps may be called  a project scope. Budget should be discussed.  The optimal method would be to present a breakdown sheet so that the client can grasp the overall picture as numbers start getting thrown out there. Years of experience has shown that often times the prospective client does not factor in a lot of hidden costs. And a good pro will present the preliminary budgeting phase to you to help comprehend the overall  scope of your project and establish a realistic budget. Many prefer to take photos to have a mental record of the area. If this could be the professional for you, then discuss the next Course of Action; as well as the points involved in protecting and respecting one another’s rights from a legal standpoint. The possibility of the presentation of  a Commitment Letter or  Letter of Intent could occur at this time. Consider this persons regard to time. Were they on time, did they call you to confirm the appointment , this will tell you something about their business practices. There is the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” However, in this instance this rule may not apply.  If you don’t like the way this person conveys their appearance in terms of style, this will have some effect in the way they are able to decorate & design an  interior. As an educated consumer, you need to realize that, as in every field, the value of a  professional is recognized not only for the invaluable insight they offer but also for level of accessibility to products and services to offer their client base in their respective fields.              A FEW KEY QUESTIONS: This pro, regardless of credentials, has to possess the right people skills. Are they a good listener? Do you feel a connection with this person and trust them enough to make the right choices for the out come of the project at hand? Do you feel that this person is honest and will look after your best interests and not make biased decisions concerning your project? Are their designs similar in all the projects that they do? Ask for references. And call them. The worse that can happen is you end up with  a name of who not to use. Ask to see a portfolio. However, this should not be the only criteria to base your decision on.  If using a decorator/ designer service from a retail store, be sure they are not committed only to the variety of products being offered in that store.  In other words, can they use outside sources and spend time out of the office working on your project? A savy pro will want to be out in the field unlocking great possibilities for your project that may not seem conventional but are very creative. If consulting with too many decorators/designers that offer free advice, BEWARE! To many chefs spoil the soup. This  may become a cause for confusion.     FEES: The range varies depending on the type of services  and  primary focus of their practice. Examples are  Residential, High- End, Commercial, Nautical, Some pros may base their fee on the total square footage of the project. This sometimes ranges between $1.50-$6.50 per square foot and depends on how your design pro calculates their projects.   Be Clear , Ask how the decorator or designer charges for there services: The most common methods: Hourly :  can vary from $35.00-$250.00  per hour; this rate may be used for consultations, rearranging furniture, placing accessories, etc. Fixed- Also known as Flat Fee and may include a cap on hours included under the fee. And sometimes just encompasses a fixed number so that you know what you are in for. Percentage above cost- Also referred  to as cost plus, is calculated somewhere between 15% - 35% above cost usually not including delivery and sales tax Retail: list price or price presented which means the pro. is presenting selections to you and calculating their mark-up on an individual basis, though still  often saving you from the normal 2.2 x’s that regular mark-up is calculated. Retail less percentage: list price minus 10-20% A combination your design pro may have a creative method of enhancing there income depending if they are avid shoppers or not. A client would have to realize that a fee alone when someone is providing selections  and products is not the only method of compensation that would prove lucrative for a design professional. But each person has there own way of doing things. Get this  Clear from the beginning so that everyone knows were they stand.