Choosing an interior designer can be a daunting task. Trusting someone to tell your family’s story through your home and decor is something you do not want to take lightly. We at Three French Hens have worked with so many different clients and have worked on so many different homes. So, we’ve learned a few things about compatibility!
I am going to give you guys a few helpful tips (because we love youuuu) for choosing a designer that will truly have your best interests at heart!
Photo by: shelbyfoley.com
If you have friends or neighbors whose home you love, ask them who they use as their interior designer!
If someone’s house speaks to their personality and you can see their experiences shining through their decor, chances are whoever helped them with their design truly took the time to get to know them for who they are. You want your home to be a museum of experiences and personality. It needs to tell your guests your story and your journey.
Photo by: shelbyfoley.com
Interview multiple interior designers.
Don’t be afraid to interview a potential designer. In fact, don’t be afraid to interview multiple designers! You want your personality to click with your designers and, like I said before, you want your designer to truly understand you and your story so that it shines through in your decor. Your guests will feel more welcome in your home, not to mention you will feel more comfortable and at peace.
Secondly, you will hopefully be spending some amount of time with your designer while they are gathering options and accessories for you. You want to make sure that they are somebody you can form a relationship with and hopefully work with in the future on more projects.
When you meet with your designer it is helpful to bring inspiration colors, photos and pictures or samples of existing furniture, rugs, flooring, etc… whenever possible to help your designer get a feel for what you are trying to accomplish. Some designers don’t feel comfortable designing interiors that are one style or the other. They will let you know if they are uncomfortable! If you are starting from scratch and don’t know what direction you are wanting to go, a designer can always pull some options prior to your meeting if you provide photos of your home.
Photo by: shelbyfoley.com
Choose someone who isn’t afraid to challenge your opinion and suggest new and different ideas.
You wouldn’t be hiring an interior designer if you wanted to design your home yourself, and a “yes man” will sell you things just because you think they may look good. You want to look for a designer that isn’t afraid to tell you if you are making a mistake. On the other hand, choose someone who listens to YOUR story and chooses pieces that are going to be special to you. An interior designer should be able to marry in the old and sentimental with the new, creating a fresh and new look that still feels true to you, your personality and experiences.
Photo by: shelbyfoley.com
Avoid choosing an interior designer who places an emphasis on trends.
If your designer insists or pressures you in the direction of decor or furniture that is a “trendy” don’t choose them as your designer. Trends come and go like the seasons. So, unless you’re okay with redoing your home every few years, you don’t want to base your entire design plan on one. You want a designer that will work with you for an outcome that will withstand the test of time.