If you don't want to tackle an entire decorating job yourself, you may prefer to use the services of an interior designer. Chris Madden, host of HGTV's Interiors by Design, visits with interior designer Joanna McDowell to get an idea of what working with a design professional entails. Joanna McDowell, president of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), suggests getting references from friends or your local ASID office to obtain names of designers to interview. Some design centers, such as the San Francisco Design Center, have resource centers that can help you find a designer. When interviewing designers, be clear about your project and your budget, and remember that you're in charge. It's important not to be intimidated by your designer. A good working relationship between client and designer is absolutely necessary. You will need to feel comfortable sharing personal likes and dislikes with your designer, so it's important that you like the person you hire and that you have a good rapport. Interview several designers. Get an idea of their credentials, take a look at their design portfolios, and find out how much they charge. Designers' fees and methods of charging for projects vary. They commonly charge an hourly fee for designing and an administrative fee for purchasing. Once you choose a designer, it's time to begin doing your homework. Joanna McDowell suggests clients look through magazines to get an idea of the ambience they want for their interior. A concept photograph, often chosen from a magazine, gives both client and designer an idea of the desired look. Next, you'll choose colors to help in the selection of furniture finishes and fabric. The designer will often draw floor plans to give an idea of the size of the rooms and the scale of and best placement for furniture. The designer and client then begin selecting furnishings, fabrics and floor coverings, often at design centers, which specialize in one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories and are usually open only to the trade. When the project is complete, the designer may leave the client with a color board -- a record of fabrics and where they were used -- that the client can use as a reference for future decorating decisions (figure A).
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