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Has anybody ever hired an interior decorator?

WorkInProgress

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I can't decorate for sh!t. I can go to stores and pick out things I like pretty easily but I can't put it together right. I live in a townhouse now and plan on moving in another 1.5 to 2 years. I refuse to go out sad in my new house and I WILL hire a decorator. I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg but it is what it is.
 

kris_517

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I can't decorate for sh!t. I can go to stores and pick out things I like pretty easily but I can't put it together right. I live in a townhouse now and plan on moving in another 1.5 to 2 years. I refuse to go out sad in my new house and I WILL hire a decorator. I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg but it is what it is.
I can't blame you. If you can afford it why not have someone design a space you love. Additionally, many designers ,especially because of the pandemic, offer virtual services if you don't mind doing the leg work. It won't be as expensive and it would allow you to purchase at your own pace.
 

ALLOFTHIS

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I have, but she's my friend and did it for her portfolio. You'd be surprised how many up and coming interior decorators/stagers who would do it free of charge for their portfolio. You buy all materials, of course.

Look into local stagers and interior decorators just starting out. If you have any design schools check out there too. But the cheapest place would be Pinterest. They have pins that tell you where to buy everything. no different than a person buying the mannequin's entire look to wear.
 

msellie

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I wanted to, but ended up letting the West Elm design team tweak my ideas into a cohesive design.
 

Luv22

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you can try havenly.com, you send them a pic of ur space and they send back ideas. Also modsy.com has that service too
 

Coco Campbell

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SunnnyL

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I would like to but I grew up so poor that I physically can’t hire an interior decorator.

Google images is another great tool. It will even offer copycat versions in lower price ranges.
 

anaisnin

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The above posts are all great options but people need work right now so don’t be shy in getting quotes. Set a max budget for the design and $2k of that budget aside for the decorator. Fees usually start at $2k but people are desperate so it’s a good time to explore but keep in mind you’re not going to get the most experienced. Ask them what their fee covers and if there will be charges that are not included because you will need to adjust the design budget (it will motivate them not screw around because they really do like to shop and style so the bigger the budget the more fun a project for them. Do not get pushed into a style you don’t enjoy. Some designers only do one thing and if that’s not your thing they don’t get the job even if they’re the cheapest. Seriously, if during a consultation they start steering you somewhere very specific and ignoring your input, that relationship isn’t ever going to improve. A good designer listens and curates based in your needs, wants and taste.
 

Mademoiselle

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Yes. 3 times.
1st time was an apartment. My budget was 3-4K. Mostly accessories. I remember there were some custom barstools. I already had the big items.

2nd time and house rental.
3rd time at the pre construction stage of a condo.

You start with a budget.
They like to present custom ideas to your space.
I had to wait up to a months for completion.
 

AgnesGooch

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Every designer I looked at was way too expensive like $5k minimum. I dont even need a full design but just some help with colors and furniture pieces.
 

Ourania

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Every designer I looked at was way too expensive like $5k minimum. I dont even need a full design but just some help with colors and furniture pieces.

Have you searched for decorators instead of designers? Where I live, they're different and the former is way cheaper since they focus primarily on furniture, lighting, and fabric.
 

Ourania

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I'm stubborn and too much of a control freak to hire someone so I went on Skillshare lol. "Decorate Like a Boss" by Rose Stanek.
 

Blacladidoc

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Yes I did for my bathroom , kitchen and kids room . I gave her some pic inspiration and she did a great job . She was not very expensive- I bought all materials and her cost was minimal < 1000$ for my kids room. When I did my house remodel she worked for the construction company to help focus my design for the kitchen and bathroom . I commissioned her personally for my kids room .
 

ALLOFTHIS

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I'm stubborn and too much of a control freak to hire someone so I went on Skillshare lol. "Decorate Like a Boss" by Rose Stanek.
Same! The only reason my friend and I worked well together is because we've been friends for 25 years. Anyone else would quit on me. And I also love decorating for myself. I've already remixed her work.

By the time we finished she was calling me Todd lol as in Todd Chrisley! She said I was STILL bossy and tip toeing the line of rude with my blatant sarcasm.
 

GoldDiamonds

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I cant afford a person who does this but i will pay someone that I know has great taste. Just come to the store with me, help me pick out some great things, and put it together, and I will pay them fairly.
 

Fly2TheMoon

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Check Thumbtack. There’s a lot of people selling these types of services on there. And usually for really good prices. I’ve gotten some party decorating jobs on there.
 

Brucilla

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Yes and honestly it was a waste of money for me. Maybe it was just my decorator, but I found her styling predictable and expensive. I also tend to like things more formal than most people (like British colonial, etc).

I would definitely check out her portfolio to see if she has already done something that you like. Don't accept verbal guarantees that they are 'a professional' and "they get you".
 

CC3

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Some furniture stores offer interior design services. They come out to your place take measurements, etc. and come up with a scheme for your room. You usually have to buy furniture from their stores, though.

Maybe find an interior design student looking to get some hands on "practice" with your place.

Find rooms that like and copy them.
 

withcholookingass

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Yes I’m going to. Some designers offer phone consultation if you just need help with small things.
But I did what I could, and I’m kind of stuck. I did just move in too so there’s that.
 

CC3

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FemNoire

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Oooohhh I wanna do it!! I’ll send you my portfolio, all my sims loveee my designs. I’m an architect too sis.
 

Cleanndirty

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I contacted one was ready to go and everything!

she didn’t call me back.

Whatever. Probably for the best I guess.
 

Breuna

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I did for my condo it wasn’t that expensive depending how much you have to spend, when I moved into my house though I wanted to do everything myself so I just got ideas from Pinterest.
 

SipmyTea

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I’m an interior designer always remember space volume which are the walls, ceiling and floors. Also 60/30/10 rule. 60 percent primary color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent accent color. Grab a color wheel to help you with your color schemes and understand the difference between complimentary and primary colors. Pm me for more info
 

Femiluv

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you can try havenly.com, you send them a pic of ur space and they send back ideas. Also modsy.com has that service too
Came here to recommend these 2 options. Many designers to choose from and affordable.
 

diditonthem

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If you're moving out that quickly I wouldn't invest too much in interior design. I feel like there are untrained ppl on instagram who will do it for a couple hundred bucks.

A real interior designer costs thousands. A fancy smanchy one may have a 30k minimum per room. That's for very rich ppl though
 

JessGem18

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I've thought about it before but just couldn't wrap my head around paying someone thousands on top of dishing out thousands for the pieces they pick out.

It was much easier to just use Pinterest. It's what I used to revamp my bedroom.
 

flon25

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Yes, I did. However, her price was factored into the cost of the the furniture and other items. I’m pretty good at design, so I usually changed things myself and don’t really need one. People actually asked for my input on their homes. I would still hire one again because certain things only designers have access to.
 

Sa1825

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I hired someone fresh out of college. She had a great portfolio of things she did at her place and for family/friends, so I let her do my living room. To this day, I keep in mind with things she told me about decorating. Has helped me decorate my home throughout the years. Very worth it.
 

BLKBAMBI

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Used houzz
find a room you like
buy everything
Geez you always have valuable information to share thanks
 

Britt

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I hired someone fresh out of college. She had a great portfolio of things she did at her place and for family/friends, so I let her do my living room. To this day, I keep in mind with things she told me about decorating. Has helped me decorate my home throughout the years. Very worth it.
This is what I want when I move. I was thinking it would be cheaper to get someone fresh out of school and eager to build their portfolio. How exactly did you find the person from school?

i have an idea of the style I like but I find decorating to be overwhelming. I would rather pay someone, but I don't need a fancy expensive decorator. Just someone with a good eye and knows how to maximize spacing. My $$ will go towards the furniture.
 

The First Lady

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If you have someone whose style you like, see if they will help. I hired my mama. Lol. I know what I like but I’m too lazy to do all the leg work. My mama doesn’t mind staying out in the stores all damn day until she gets it done. She loves that crap. My best friend even flew my mama out to decorate her house.

I did have an idea of what I wanted my dining room table to look like. I went into Z gallerie and spent a couple of hours with the sales associate and I put together some ideas on the table. It really helped. The SA liked it so much that they left it up as the display.

my mama talked about my guest room like a dog. She told my sister it “made her sad” . I put no effort into that room because I never go in there. And I only have guests occasionally. She showed up at Christmas and redid the entire room. Now she says it matches the rest of my house. Best part is she didn’t ask for any money for the things she bought.
 

Lexonfiyah

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I’m a raced about interior designer. I could offer you my work on a budget, but I also have more expensive work. One of the most important things to me is knowing my clientele.

Here’s some of
B9FD8896-4D95-48A8-AC01-35CCAA9A8098.png
my work:

And I have a lot more!! You should contact me.
 

MusiKCityK

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Yes. 3 times.
1st time was an apartment. My budget was 3-4K. Mostly accessories. I remember there were some custom barstools. I already had the big items.

2nd time and house rental.
3rd time at the pre construction stage of a condo.

You start with a budget.
They like to present custom ideas to your space.
I had to wait up to a months for completion.
How did you find them, seriously considering one for my apt.
 

lilmoody

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I search through decorating ideas online. And then steal like elements from it. Like my kids hallway is almost an exact of what I saw on Pinterest. I just searched mirror, Butterfly decor, and light fixtures. Until I found something beautifully similar for my girls. And I did their rooms the same.
 

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