I usually start my day at the Gym watching HGTV. All the “inexpensive” designs and transformations! So exciting! So easy!??
I’m always amazed when a designer comes in and starts making these elaborate arts and crafts projects using saws, glue and spray paint. Now I’m not saying that this type of thing isn’t possible. If you have the time and the energy and the know-how, this is definitely a way to approach transforming a room. The colors! The creativity! WOW!
The one thing that’s constant in all the scenarios on these shows is that the homeowner has asked for professional help. They know that they have no idea how to transform their space into something they love. Very smart! Most people don’t ask for help until it’s an emergency. I think this is because design has become so mainstream with so many how-to solutions that look so easy. Everyone thinks they’re a designer. I know when I first enrolled in Interior Design school I wondered what more there was for me to learn. It turned out to be quite a bit more than I’d imagined. In fact it was pretty humbling. Luckily, I’m one of those people who likes to know what I don’t know.
So when do you know that you might need some help with a project?
I’m often called in to fix mistakes – only to be held hostage by a decision that someone made because they weren’t willing to admit that this might be out of their skill set. You can make expensive mistakes on your own: Wrong colors, wrong couch, wrong rug. Hiring an Interior Designer or color consultant can help you avoid these mistakes. If you bring in the right person, it can be a terrific experience getting to what your actual vision is. A good designer can help you pull it all together.
If that little voice in the back of your head keeps saying this isn’t your area of expertise (the canary yellow that looked so great in your child’s room doesn’t look so good in your office), maybe it’s time to call a professional. Mistakes can be expensive!
Get the help you need to do it right the first time!