Myth #3: My home will reflect the designer’s style and not my own...
This is one of many myths about the interior design and decor field, over the following few months I will be discussing, and hopefully dispelling these:
- Interior design myth #1 – There is no difference between interior designers and interior decorators.
- Interior design myth #2 – I can’t afford an interior designer.
- Interior Design myth#3 – My home will look like your style, and wont reflect my personality.
- Interior design myth#4 – I can do it myself, I see it on TV all the time.
- Interior design myth #5 – I can get free designer advice in a salon or shop.
- Interior design myth#6 – Good design is trendy
- Interior design myth #7 – Interior designers are “artsy weirdoes”.
- Interior design myth #8 – Even if I don’t like the design, I will still have to pay.
Actually the complete opposite is true, the whole operation is about THE CLIENT – which is you!
Fair enough each designer does have a distinct style that they flavour, but design is not about creating themes or re-creating other looks, it’s about researching what your client wants and most importantly needs. At my company we have an in depth questionnaire that we give to our clients to ascertain what their needs are, and also to find out what they DO NOT like, this way we have a clearer starting point. As mentioned in previous articles, the job of a qualified interior designer is to make sure that the space functions for its intended use, above anything else. The aesthetic value is added later.
Designers are trained to see the bigger picture and if clients are clear with the final direction, the designer can help them create THEIR ultimate look, and provide them with the plan to get there. Have you ever seen an amazing floor finish, a wonderful kitchen style, all sorts of interesting taps and basins? – Now you do love these items in their individuality, but do you know whether they are going to all work together? And are they going to create the final look you wish to achieve?
A Designer should be able to guide you in the right direction whether it is a classic, contemporary or country look, and most importantly this guidance is to achieve YOUR desired look, not the look the designer wants to achieve. I always say to my clients “You are paying me to create YOUR home, I will do as much as I can to help you achieve that, at the end of the day I am not going to live there YOU are”, this is just my approach and I will guide the client towards the final look they want to achieve, if they are happy at the end of the day, I have done my job. There are a few designers out there that do only take on a certain client, because they do not wish to work in another style other than their own, but there is a place for these designers too, as clients that hire them are aware of this, and generally want this designer specific style.
Designers are human and sometimes could get the initial concept a little wrong; it is here where the designer SHOULD be willing to redo the concept until the client is happy (within reason of course).
The key to this myth is relationship – Designers and clients build a relationship, and on your very first “date” you will more than likely know if you are a match or not. If you are not sure, research the design professional: have a look at their website, phone their previous clients, or ask them for a portfolio.
Contemporary/Beach Style
Contemporary/Natural Beach Style
Colourful Contemporary/Modern Style
Classic/Country Style
Eclectic Style
Contemporary Style
Dale Dennis (B-Tech Interior design TUT)
