Most homeowners would never think about installing plumbing without having a very skilled plumber do the work. Others would never consider doing a wall papering job without the skills of an experienced wallpaper hanger. In short, we turn to experts to help us in areas where we don’t have the skills and expertise to get the job done.

One overlooked area for home improvement planning is the use of an interior decorator. By securing the skills of someone who knows colors, textures, spacial planning, various products, and design basics, you may be able to get your dream renovation project completed efficiently, on time and within budget.

“It’s important to keep in mind that an experienced interior designer will provide valuable professional guidance to establish a budget and develop a work plan for a space to be functional and aesthetically pleasing,” said Patricia Fortunato, an interior decorator with Fortunato Inc, which has offices in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and Hollywood, Florida. “They also prevent the client from making costly mistakes.”

Lynne Maxfield-Cole is a full service interior/exterior designer who established Decorating Plus in Auburn in 1984. She’s served homes all over the state of Maine and her work has been featured in Better Homes and Garden, Down East, and Traditional Home magazines.

“The role of an interior decorator is to facilitate the process of altering the client’s home,” said Maxfield-Cole. “I see my role as the following … I suggest concepts and products and educate my client on the features and benefits of these items. Then, it is up to the client to make a decision [about the project].”

Maxfield-Cole notes that an interior decorator is trained to remain neutral to all the decision-making that needs to take place. She stresses that when working in homes where there are different personalities to consider, it takes an experienced individual to aid the client in decision making.

When the client has decided on a plan, Maxfield-Cole sees that the correct product/concepts are moved into place. The interior decorator’s work might vary from simply acting as a sounding board for your ideas to undertaking more involved work, like buying paint and fabric, scheduling an installation and even supervising the job. 

A quick look at www.thisoldhouse.com shows basically three fee structures for the work done by a decorating professional: free, flat fee, and hourly. Each one is perfectly acceptable as long as the consumer knows the arrangement up front.

A decorator who offers free services is usually a manufacturer’s rep who pushes certain lines of products. While this might limit your selection options, it works for many consumers who don’t want to pay out-of-pocket fees for decorator services.

A flat-fee decorator charges one fee for the entire project. While this may be attractive to some, be careful to know that the decorator might steer you toward products that are marked up price-wise or which might pay a commission to the decorator.

The third option is an independent decorator who charges by the hour. You’ll usually pay from $30 to $75 per hour depending on the level of service. But the per-hour arrangement easily lets you control the amount of consultation services.

Working with an interior decorator is clearly a partnership between the consumer and design professional. Maxfield-Cole has some recommendations for a successful venture.

Have a reasonable budget in mind — it may take working with an interior decorator to provide this initial budget, but know that the most difficult part of any project is an unrealistic budget.

Be understanding of the sometimes long lead times to acquire goods. With so many products being manufactured outside of the U.S., lead times must be noted and can delay a project.

Do not start the project until the most significant items are received and in good order. A disrupted home can be a very stressful one when waiting for backorders to arrive.

And where can homeowners secure the best return on investment in their home improvement projects?

“With our aging public, universally designed homes are a must,” said Maxfield-Cole, noting that the concept has been around for years, but is finally gaining recognition in the Northeast.

“Homes need to be accessible especially with bathrooms and kitchens being barrier-free,” said Maxfield-Cole, reflecting the concept of universal design homes, accessible to all people with and without disabilities.

“Keeping your home well-maintained will improve the largest investment that most families make … their home.”

www.Homeguide123.com

The American Society of Interior Decorators (www.asid.org) suggests putting together an idea folder or scrapbook of your likes and dislikes, wishes and dreams as a great way to consult with a designer. Look for pictures of rooms or styles that appeal to you, swatches of fabric, paint color cards, furniture catalogs or brochures, etc. These will stir your imagination and help the designer better understand your preferences and tastes. Include information and pictures of appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, cabinet and door hardware, and flooring materials as well, if these will be elements in your project.

Copy the Story Link