Where should you look for an interior designer for your project? There are many strategies for going about this, but each has their own advantages and disadvantages:
Who’s the “best” in town? The most prominent decorators in your town are well known to the stores and craftsmen who support the trade. They are well known due to the large budgets that they spend on behalf of their clients. They are well known for the social prominence of their clients. And they are well known for the local strength of their brand (e.g. a “Camille” decorated home may get a 10% premium when sold). But are they the “best”?
If your budget is practically unlimited – or you are undoubtedly socially prominent – this designer may be the one for you. If you are neither, then this decorator may very well decline to accept you as a client.
Contact Julie Risman to discuss your San Antonio remodeling needs.
Even if you are taken on by your local decorating maven, the experience could be a frustrating one as you and your project get short shrift compared to others with larger budgets and more elevated social status. Few things in life are more infuriating than having to beg for the privilege of spending money with someone. If you’ve ever had to struggle to get your attorney or builder to return your phone call, you know the feeling…
Who’s the “cheapest” in town? This is almost always the wrong question to ask, as there is usually a very good reason for a low cost. Since interior design is in many ways a talent and knowledge business, Economics 101 tells us that the cheapest source is also probably the least talented or least experienced.
Who’s recommended? Friends and neighbors can be a great source of recommendations, but take them with a grain of salt. Just because easy-going, thoroughly-modern Sylvia got along famously with a certain designer doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she will be a good fit with your traditional, no-nonsense personality. Chemistry matters just as much as creativity and a common artistic taste.
Ask yourself this question – who spends most of their working day viewing people’s homes with a critical eye?
Real estate agents.
If anyone would know the names of decorators in your area with proven interior decorating skills, they would. Ask your Realtor friends which designers they call when an interior needs to be “refreshed”. Find out which decorators consistently have the greatest impact on the “wow” factor of a home.
<< Doing your Interior Design Homework
>> Interviewing Interior Designers
>> contact Julie Risman to discuss your San Antonio home remodeling needs.
