 | Linda Warrington
has been in sales and interior design for 25 years, and employed by Horton's Furniture for l8 years. Linda has designed furnishings and murals for the Eaton Place in Wichita's Old Town business district as well as Chaucer Estates, Park Plaza West and Via Christi Executive Suites. Linda also owns her own mural painting business called 'Just You'. She can be reached by phone at (3l6) 722-5090, by fax at (3l6) 722-596l, or by mail at l09l5 W. Kellogg, Wichita, Ks., 67209. |
Interior Decorating
2001-12-01 14:37:00
Hiring a decorator
Question: We are re-doing many of the furnishings in our home. It is a rather expensive process. Do you think we need to hire an interior decorator, or can we depend upon the furniture store (s) personnel to provide this help? How extensively will they get involved? How much will one cost? How do you find a good one?
Answer: An interior decorator is a good idea and in the long run should save you money in costly mistakes. You might be surprised to learn that many store decorators are ASID certified. Also, many in-store decorators are free, or charge a nominal fee for their service. Whether or not you choose an ASID certified decorator, ask questions and make sure you are compatible. After all, you want the end result to mirror your taste, not the taste of the decorator.A good decorator should ask lots of questions. What is the family lifestyle? How do you entertain? In what rooms do you gather? How important is the TV? What are the hobbies of family members? With what styles do you feel most comfortable? What about color preferences? You may want your decorator to do a floor plan for you to help you make the decision about furniture placement if you are unsure about this aspect of designing your room or rooms. Be sure you tell the decorator what pieces you want to keep and use in the "new" room so they can be woven into the "story" of the room.If you are unsure of your decorator's talents, ask for references. A few phone calls should put your mind at ease and promote confidence in yourself and in your designer. If not, move on to another decorator.Thomas Jefferson once stated, "taste cannot be controlled by law." Well, thank goodness for that one, because we all have different tastes, likes, and dislikes. Your home is the place to express your own taste and creative vision. Any good designer can guide you to proper balance and design, but the ultimate decision must be yours.
