What is Interior Design and what does an Interior Designer do?
Good Interior Design is about defining the space in which you live and work. Since our surroundings affect our moods, it’s important to decide how a space will function in your life and then to create an environment that accomplishes that goal. Do you need a haven for relaxation, an inviting room that welcomes family and friends or an energizing space that helps you keep on track for work?
Since we are sensory beings, the elements of Interior Design focus on the visual, tactile and auditory. Interior Design takes into account how people use and respond to these elements, not just individually, but also as they interact with one another.
At Art & Interiors, it is our goal to help you balance your aspirations, functional needs and budget. While being sensitive to both esthetics and practicality our role is to help facilitate the project by listening to your ideas, dreams and problems, and then to create a plan that accomplishes your objective while managing resources and trades people to achieve the finished vision. Working within a budget and on a set schedule, our purpose is to design an environment that satisfies your needs.
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How to select an Interior Designer
Working with an Interior Designer is a very intimate relationship. By welcoming a designer into your home, you naturally expose him or her to many personal aspects of your life, as well as aspects of the lives of your family. This is why it is important to choose a reputable designer who will respect your privacy, working with discretion and integrity.
It is also crucial to find a designer who has a broad background of experience. Since the project is about your needs, finding a designer who listens, interprets and leads you in making the right choices to create your goals is paramount. The more experience a designer has, the more likely they are to be open to your expectations. A seasoned designer will also have the resources and connections to get your project completed on time and on budget and will be knowledgeable about a variety of material and style possibilities.
As always, a qualified Interior Designer should have an Interior Design degree from an accredited university or Interior Design program and should also have professional accreditation and state registration. It’s a good idea to ask for references and spend the time to call them.
With over 30 years in business, we have discovered that the best way to choose an Interior Designer is to schedule an in-studio appointment. This meeting allows you to learn about our vast experience, our resources and our processes. But more importantly, it is a wonderful time to establish a personal connection so that we can truly meet your goals. A follow-up meeting at the site allows us to learn more about the project itself and helps us to begin developing a plan.
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How much is this going to cost?
The cost of a project is always an important aspect for both the client and the designer. By developing and adhering to a budget, the decision making process and the project itself will go much more smoothly.
In order to establish a realistic budget, a good designer will need to visit your home or office to determine the scope of the project and the goals for the space. Several factors effect the cost of a job including whether or not the designer is to work in conjunction with an architect or contractor, the need for hourly rate construction, or how much new product may be needed to create the desired look. Therefore, developing a budget becomes a partnership between the client and the designer, and it should be realistic for both.
By being sensitive to budget constraints, a designer can also help you determine where to spend and where to save by prioritizing expenditures. At Art & Interiors, we have found that it’s a good idea to develop a master plan so that if the project need be completed in phases, it will culminate in the ultimate goal of a finished product.
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Are contracts important?
Contracts are very important. A written proposal details the specific products that are being ordered for the project along with their costs as well as the responsibilities of both the client and the designer.
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