[LeeM]

I'd like to work with an interior decorator to speed up the process. I really don't enjoy shopping for furniture or decorating.

Have you worked with anyone you would recommend? And what about the designers at City Furniture?

Thanks!

[mela.sm]

Carol Totaro - ctotarointeriors@aol.com. Carol is very talented and professional and knowledgeable. She helped me with colors and arrangements. I am right at home now in my new villa thanks to Carol.

[jebartle]

Well, I guess that would be me and I'm really expensive and if you don't like the result I would probably have to kill you....giggle, just kidding

[Chatbrat]

If you use an interior decorator get ready to get screwed. Its akin to giving someone money to gamble at a table in Las Vegas & hoping you'll like the results. After all the years in your life, you should know how you will like your home. The percentage you'll pay a decorator , should be more than enough for a few do-overs

[bluedivergirl]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

If you use an interior decorator get ready to get screwed. Its akin to giving someone money to gamble at a table in Las Vegas & hoping you'll like the results. After all the years in your life, you should know how you will like your home. The percentage you'll pay a decorator , should be more than enough for a few do-overs

Ouch. That's harsh.

I worked for an architectural firm for years, and we had an Interior Designer on staff. A Designer has quite a bit more formal education than a decorator.

Both professions work closely with the client, taking their taste, not the designers. They are allowed professional discounts in almost every related business ~ discounts the homeowner cannot get.

They can help you balance the proportions of your room, advise you in sound control, and, of course, colors.

My home is essentially finished, but I would love to work with a Designer or a decorator for finishing touches.

I wonder if you have ever worked with either profession.

[Chatbrat]

Major difference between an interior designer & a decorator--look at the state license requirements-- anyone can be a decorator

[Boomer]

You might check with Ethan Allen in the Orlando area to see if their interior decorators cover TV. I would think TV would be a really good market for them if they would come here.

I bought an area rug and only one small piece of furniture from Ethan Allen (up north) and a decorator came to my house and helped me to select and work the new things in with furniture I already had. This was at no additional cost.

I like to put together rooms myself, but in this case, I was having a hard time finding the right rug until I ended up at Ethan Allen. I was glad I did. I did not know, going in, that a decorator would come to the house. You could look at the Ethan Allen website to see if you like what they have and, if so, give them a call. (It's not our mother's Early Amercan furniture anymore. -- although that stuff sure did last forever.)

The website has page after page of ideas. ethanallen.com

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

If you use an interior decorator get ready to get screwed. Its akin to giving someone money to gamble at a table in Las Vegas & hoping you'll like the results. After all the years in your life, you should know how you will like your home. The percentage you'll pay a decorator , should be more than enough for a few do-overs

Aw, Chatbrat, c'mon, that Ethan Allen decorator that I talked about in Post #7 did just fine for me. I was not screwed or had or anything else other than really happy that she came along with the rug, at no additional cost.

I was happy to have her advice on other things while she was there. -- I had bought Mr. Boomer a vintage, wooden propeller, with a beautiful patina. Mr. B was really happy with his propeller and I liked the idea of hanging it in the great room. But he wanted to hang it straight-across and I thought it would look better at an angle. I asked the decorator, without tipping my hand, and she said the same thing I had been saying all along. Nuance. And so......

Long story short though, (yeah, right) I did look up the difference in the terms, designer and decorator, after I read what was said in your other post about licensing. I found that each one has a place.

And with a decorator, it can be just like with an accountant or a doctor or a lawyer or a hairstylist or whoever we need to help us out. -- We have to click and communicate.


The following is a cut and paste, but I always cite my sources. This is from ncidqexam.org -- That is the Council for Interior Design Qualification. You are right that there is a difference. But in TV, for an existing home, a decorator can do what is needed. No reason to besmirch decorators.

NCIDQ Examination | Differences Between Interior Design & Decorating


Differences Between Interior Design & Decorating
Many people use the terms "interior design" and "interior decorating" interchangeably, but these professions differ in critical ways.
Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

[LeeM]

I do know what I like and I have worked with designers before. I also know where I am at with regards to time etc. I work full time as a writer.

So my question is not should I work with one but if anyone could recommend a quality one to work with. I am not giving a decorator freedom to do as they please.
They are working to implement my vision not theirs.

I don't have a lot of time or desire to shop for items or coordinate things. If I can find someone skilled to help shorten finding what I need, it is worth it to me.
A skilled individual can do that.

That said I am not interested in hiring a really expensive decorator either - reasonably priced and talented works.

[FlaMermaid]

It is simply unnecessary to berate this profession so harshly. Just suppose you had a small business and your income was dependent on it, would you like someone to do that to you? Unfortunately there are a few unscrupulous decorators, just as in any business, but they are far and few between. Most try very hard to give a client just what they want. And regarding the difference, the State of Florida only requires licensing for commercial projects. You are behind the times. Many of the most famous and talented designers & decorators may have no formal education at all. Just check out Architectural Digest or Elle Décor and look them up. You can have all the education and examination in the world and have no real talent. The exams are skewed to commercial projects so they are not truly necessary for a residential designer. Plus every state has different laws regarding nomenclature. The terms Designer and Decorator are used inter-changeably even though yes, there is a difference. The formal education that we receive is extremely helpful. That plus on the job training can make a wonderfully talented decorator/designer. I hope everyone reading this post will look at the world and various professions in a more gentle manner.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Originally Posted by FlaMermaid

It is simply unnecessary to berate this profession so harshly. Just suppose you had a small business and your income was dependent on it, would you like someone to do that to you? Unfortunately there are a few unscrupulous decorators, just as in any business, but they are far and few between. Most try very hard to give a client just what they want. And regarding the difference, the State of Florida only requires licensing for commercial projects. You are behind the times. Many of the most famous and talented designers & decorators may have no formal education at all. Just check out Architectural Digest or Elle Décor and look them up. You can have all the education and examination in the world and have no real talent. The exams are skewed to commercial projects so they are not truly necessary for a residential designer. Plus every state has different laws regarding nomenclature. The terms Designer and Decorator are used inter-changeably even though yes, there is a difference. The formal education that we receive is extremely helpful. That plus on the job training can make a wonderfully talented decorator/designer. I hope everyone reading this post will look at the world and various professions in a more gentle manner.

Nicely put. Len & Mary

[summerhill]

Yes... Katie Green is a very good designer.... will shop with you or for you... give suggestions and make recommendations.... tell her the look you want.. 352-537-5272

[atlnat]

Lee M. - It's been 3 months since your original inquiry about an interior decorator. I'm curious about what you did and what kind of results you got. Do tell . . .

[sgelber]

Drab to Fab Interior Decorating/Staging is amazing. I’ve known Fran Mendelsohn, the owner, for many years.
Fran has a unique ability to create warmth, style, and class by choosing the perfect pieces of furniture and accessories. When Fran was done, my home became the most peaceful and romantic retreat.

[liliputjan]

Another vote for Fran Mendelsohn, helped me choose where to put my framed prints and also helped hang them all! I could not have done it without her.
She is wonderful to work with.. 750-6762...