How to get what you want from your Decorator

Do you have visions of the Interior Designer (never a lowly decorator dahhhling) sweeping in to your home, flinging her Pashmina shawl over her shoulder, and crying, "It's all got to go!!!"? The prospect of meeting this person (male or female - let's be honest) keeps many needy homeowners from hiring someone to help make their homes more perfect. Here are some pointers/suggestions to help make you more confident about what you want and absolutely don't want in your personal space so that the big bad decorator won't be able to scare you!

Get Inspired!

• tear out pictures of things you like from magazines (you can get really specific - feature a chair, a painting, a flower arrangement you appreciate; or general - show a room, a house, or scene that makes you feel good)
• consider what you already have that you love but that doesn't seem to fit into your present space (a favourite painting can be a great place to start choosing colours, textures, shapes, the general feel of the new space you'd like to create)
• pick a fabric that you just adore - the colours, pattern, and textures could help determine the style and feel of your new space
• mostly - think about the mood you want to create in your home for yourself and your friends and family (and try to find anything that conveys those feelings - pictures, photos, objects, etc.)

Decide on YOUR look; consider:

• what you already own that you'll still want to use in your new space (almost nothing else will so quickly determine your home's style and colour scheme)
• where you'll put all the stuff you already have or want to buy (that BIG TV you've been eyeing ); storage can include an armoire to hide the TV in if you want it in the living room but you don't want it to be the focal point
• the problems you want to solve in the size and layout of your home (taking out a wall or adding some new ones can really change a space)
• the amount of natural light in the space, or areas that you wish were lighter (a new window in the right place can make a world of difference. I have a client who exchanged solid double doors at the front entry to one door with a window and sidelights. She says it's the best change she's made; she actually likes her neighbourhood better now because she feels more like part of it!)
• what you see outside your windows (the colours of nature you see outside can influence what colours you use inside)
• whether or not you have a strong focal point in each room (if you can't think of any perhaps they should be created)
• how you live (do you entertain a lot, do you need space for new hobbies or interests you've developed, have your family circumstances changed?)
• all the people (and pets) who share the space with you!

Take control of your space, and use your Interior Decorator wisely!!!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? Please do, along with this blurb: Leslie Chevalier is a gifted interior decorator who guides and inspires homeowners in and around Edmonton, Alberta through the maze of dizzying design trends toward their own personal and unique dreams of home. For information about how Leslie can help transform your house into your dream home, visit her at www.chevalierdesign.ca.