Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 3, March 2004

Copyright 2004 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article below in your research. Be sure to cite the Seattle Sun as your source.

DECORATING DILEMMAS:

Don't confuse reality TV with real thing

By ROBIN DALY

Dear Robin,

Q: My Mother suggested that I hire a decorator to help me with my new home. I'm not sure I feel comfortable letting someone tell me what to do, yet I know I need more help than what I can do by myself. I have the basics; my sofa looks nice and I don't have too many pieces that I'm embarrassed to own, but still I need help pulling the whole look together should I hire a decorator?

A: There are many things a decorator or designer can do to take you from ordinary to extraordinary. I think that there is a myth to what decorating is all about, and the huge explosion of decorating shows on television have only added to the fear and confusion of what it's like working with someone.

If you've seen any of those decorating shows lately, you might think that a designer just comes into your home and takes over. That is so far from the truth! Remember, "reality television" has nothing to do with real life.

It's very rare that anyone is going to swoop down upon your house, kick you out and then transform the wreck into a dream (or nightmare). Who, in his or her right mind would give that kind of control to anyone? OK, maybe I'm asking the wrong question, since obviously people will do almost anything to get on television.

In my version of a reality decor show, you would see the camera follow the designer out of the car, ring the bell and greet the client. Then, and here's the exciting part, they would go on a walk-through of the home. Whooeee! Not quite the same as "Trading Spaces," but a lot more honest.

This walk-through, or consultation, is an important time for both parties. It's how the decorator gets to know the client and see how they live in the home. A good decorator takes the clients' lifestyle into consideration it's not the decorators' job to tell the client how to live, but to help the client maximize their space for their lifestyle. See how that's different than what you watch on television?

This consultation might be the only time you meet if you are just getting together to create a color scheme, or it might be the first of many meetings if the scope of work becomes larger. But the key is in the communication of your lifestyle to the consultant.

So, to answer the first part of your question, nobody is going to "tell you what to do." They will be able to identify areas that can be improved upon, but it's up to you to agree to those changes.

Now that we agree that you will not allow your neighbors to come into your house and redecorate without your knowledge of the outcome (ghastly thought, no?), let's spend a minute discussing the different things a decorator can do for you.

Earlier I mentioned color schemes; this is a great way to make a big change for relatively few dollars. You can transform your rooms simply by changing your wall colors. But that's not all a decorator or designer can help you accomplish.

They will help you plow through the myriad of choices when it comes to flooring, tile, window treatments, upholstery, room layout, accessorizing, even paper flow (my pet peeve). That does not even touch bigger issues like kitchen and bath design, lighting, and even furniture design. Decorators and designers come with a wide range of experience and talents.

If you are only making a single change, like new carpet, you probably would be fine meeting with the carpet stores' decorator for recommendations. They know their product line, and have experience in that area. If you are looking to make multiple decorating choices, like redoing a whole room, you are better off hiring a decorator whole can guide you through the whole process.

You can always call the Northwest ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) chapter for a list of designers in your area, or the NWSID (Northwest Society of Interior Designers) for more references. The important factor in this is how you feel about the person coming into your home. If you connect with each other, you will feel really great about the help they provide to you.

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Robin Daly is a third generation co-owner of Daly's Paint and Decorating in Fremont. You can reach her at 633-4200 or news@theseattlesun.com. She LOVES to hear from you and answer your decorating dilemmas. Send questions or comments to: news@theseattlesun.com