Interior Designer

pazza

Hi,

would anyone know/recommend an interiro design consultant. We are looking to paint some rooms - and would appreciate some professional input on colours and other things like what to hang etc. We have done ok, but would really like some expert input!

Thanks,

P

Gorteenman

What part of country are you in?? Expect to pay about €150.00 for the consultation.

pazza

Gorteenman wrote: »

What part of country are you in?? Expect to pay about €150.00 for the consultation.

Hi - I am in Meath. Thanks.

ishidaogo

See www.theinteriorsassociation.ie for a list of qualified designers in each county

1966

Hi

am toying with the idea of getting some help with a room revamp cause I made such a haimes of the first attempt.

Just wondering if anyone who has used a designer could let me know how they found the experience cause I am nervous that their (possibly) "outlandish" ideas etc I wont be able to afford anyway?

pazza

1966 wrote: »

Hi

am toying with the idea of getting some help with a room revamp cause I made such a haimes of the first attempt.

Just wondering if anyone who has used a designer could let me know how they found the experience cause I am nervous that their (possibly) "outlandish" ideas etc I wont be able to afford anyway?

Hi, we managed to get a designer, have to say that I was surprised, as we contacted 4 or 5 (email/phone messages) and had only one reply...Anyway, we are early days and have only had the initial conversation, but happy thus far. We got a "free" visit, so that's your opportunity to see if you are happy, but to be honest any good designer should listen to what you are saying and will only go as "outlandish" as you want, and be as conservative as you want too. As part of the first visit the designer took all the details of what we were looking to do, suggested certain things/ideas/concepts. She discussed the services she offered (from Project Managing, to just a colour consultation). Then replied with a detailed breakdown of what we had discussed for each room, and her fee to Project Manage the work (as we asked). Happy thus far, and certainly won't end up with anything that we don't approve.

Lainey20blue

We're looking for an interior designer in Cork. Anyone got any recommendations?

ParkerNicole

Hi ishidaogo... I am very pleased to find this link. Nice to be visiting your link! Thanks for sharing this informative information.

Jamat

1966 wrote: »

Hi

am toying with the idea of getting some help with a room revamp cause I made such a haimes of the first attempt.

Just wondering if anyone who has used a designer could let me know how they found the experience cause I am nervous that their (possibly) "outlandish" ideas etc I wont be able to afford anyway?

Just wondering did you get recommendations? We would like advice on paint and general layout and storage

Jamat

pazza wrote: »

1966 wrote: »

Hi

am toying with the idea of getting some help with a room revamp cause I made such a haimes of the first attempt.

Just wondering if anyone who has used a designer could let me know how they found the experience cause I am nervous that their (possibly) "outlandish" ideas etc I wont be able to afford anyway?

Hi, we managed to get a designer, have to say that I was surprised, as we contacted 4 or 5 (email/phone messages) and had only one reply...Anyway, we are early days and have only had the initial conversation, but happy thus far. We got a "free" visit, so that's your opportunity to see if you are happy, but to be honest any good designer should listen to what you are saying and will only go as "outlandish" as you want, and be as conservative as you want too. As part of the first visit the designer took all the details of what we were looking to do, suggested certain things/ideas/concepts. She discussed the services she offered (from Project Managing, to just a colour consultation). Then replied with a detailed breakdown of what we had discussed for each room, and her fee to Project Manage the work (as we asked). Happy thus far, and certainly won't end up with anything that we don't approve.

Were you happy with the end result? And if so could you provide recommendations? What was the full extent of the service provided? Did they advise on storage and layout and source furniture etc

paddy147

Nothing a few paint colour brochures (Dulux,Crown,Fleetwood,Johnstowns)and some home improvement magazines cant sort out for you.Take a trip to the likes of Ikea,B&Q and other shops for some inspiring ideas too.

Half of these interior designers dont actually do any work,as in the painting or wallpapering,they just sit or stand and watch the real professionals do the hard work.But these interior designers are able and willing to charge ripp off prices,just for showing you some paint samples....(typical)

Thats my real world experience of it in years gone by and also watching them on the likes of Roomers and Room to Improve.

Sorry if that cuts to the bone of some people here,but thats my experience of it.

Charging stupidly high prices for something like telling a person what paint to put on a wall,or where a chair will look right in a room, is not right im my book.




Do It Yourself and save a fortune in the process.

Then use all that money saved,and enjoy a lovely family holiday away somewhere nice and sunny and warm.:D

mariadiamond

Although having said that I agree with you that there were no doubt alot of chancers out there at one time, hopefully the recession has squeed them out.

BryanF

@paddy, not everyone has your incredible sophisticated taste. From your time on boards you must see that different people have different skills and levels of understanding when it comes to DIY, interior design, etc.
Your comments above are niave and using tv shows to make your point is just retarded. Should I go around saying all builders are crap because I saw one of those alarmist builder from hell shows?

Cop on

paddy147

BryanF wrote: »

@paddy, not everyone has your incredible sophisticated taste. From your time on boards you must see that different people have different skills and levels of understanding when it comes to DIY, interior design, etc.
Your comments above are niave and using tv shows to make your point is just retarded. Should I go around saying all builders are crap because I saw one of those alarmist builder from hell shows?

Cop on

Anyone with half a brain will also see that the interior designers absolutely milk it for TV shows,a preset budget and they blow half of it on a set of curtains or a funky old chair,because the "interior designer likes it".They wouldnt do that,if it was their own money though.

In most cases they cost the person more money in the end.



Now as regards myself and my posting here......I have every right to post about my 1st hand experiences with interior designers.

Worked along side several of them,and also employed one for a project a few years ago.

Biggest waste of money ever,as she couldnt seem to do anything,without making a mountain out of a molehill.The painters made a holey show of her so called "expertise".

She bought a few paintings,mirrors and cushions from Ikea and then she decided to add on an extra 140 euro to the total price,as she claimed it came from an "art deco" shop.

A friend of mine who was involved in this particular project spotted her in Ikea and called me to let me know.

I asked her about the items (I played dumb) and she came out with a mad story about how they were sourced for an exclusive designer shop in South Dublin, and that they were very desinger and that justifys the extra costings.

When I said to her,that my mate saw her buying the items up the road in Ikea,she went very red in the face and had no comeback for me.



I ended up asking her to leave,as she was no longer required,as she was costing too much money and not doing what she was employed to do.

Prior to me asking her to leave,she was also blowing preset budgets on silly and expensive things that were not asked for or wanted,in the approved design spec and layout.


And as for trying to cash in on the "consultation fees"...she was a right good chancer and scammer to be honest with you.:mad:



So yes BryanF I do have a right to post here.

You might not like my posts,but thats my experiences.



Regards.

PS-Im in the Construction/IT sector and alot of professional builders,carpenters,plumbers,electricians,painters and other trades people that I know,dont charge a fee to come to a persons development project or house for an initial consultation.They do it for free.They dont ripp people off on fees either(especialy in this current economic climate)

BryanF

paddy147 wrote: »

Half of these interior designers dont actually do any work,as in the painting or wallpapering,they just sit or stand and watch the real professionals do the hard work.But these interior designers are able and willing to charge ripp off pricesD

you were generalising. And using the age old argument of a builder of 'they don't get their hands dirty so what good are they'

So then in your response, it seems like your actual problem is this particalar lady didnt do what you told her to do? Or she was just crap either way - This sounds like either your management skills or lack of ability to pick a consultant that you wish to work with, or your unable to express your concerns to this person/persons and resort to sladdering the entire profession.. And you go back to the tv shows again in another attempt to generalise some sort of explanation? :rolleyes:

woodturner

I kind of agree with Paddy. Not with the way he portrays Interior Designers but with the idea that colour brochures and magazines can give you some great ideas. As for deciding on colours, when you do decide on what you want, see what they are like toned up or down. You will find something you really like.

BryanF

Woodturner, I'm sure you can, just i as think i can, but the point is not everyone can. Just like not everyone can turn a piece of wood, or swing a lump hammer as eloquently as paddy:)

paddy147

Interior designers absolutely milk it,when it comes to costings and consultation fees.

If it were their money that was on the line,then Im pretty sure the costings/fees would be alot less

paddy147

woodturner wrote: »

I kind of agree with Paddy. Not with the way he portrays Interior Designers but with the idea that colour brochures and magazines can give you some great ideas. As for deciding on colours, when you do decide on what you want, see what they are like toned up or down. You will find something you really like.

Trade Paint Centre and the various interior paint catalogues and magazines (Crown,Dulux,Fleetood,Johnstones and others).
They contain pictures of kitchens,living rooms,bathrooms and bedrooms with various paints on the walls and the paint selection charts.
Also pick up a design magazine or product catalogues from the likes of Ikea,Homebase and B&Q for good ideas and inspiration.



Sample pots of various paints for 2 euro 50 cents a pot.

Some sheets of A4 or A3 paper.

Paint the sheets with the sample pots.

Stick the sheets to the various walls with blu-tak.
Look at the walls in both sunlight/daylight and also at night,under the room lights

Very easy do do yourself (kids love this sort of stuff too),and doesnt cost 200 euro or more to do it.:rolleyes:

Simples.:)

paddy147

BryanF wrote: »

not everyone can turn a piece of wood, or swing a lump hammer as eloquently as paddy:)

Neither can I.:D

I have 2 left feet and 2 left hands too,but that doesnt bother me.;)

sas

mariadiamond wrote: »

I didn't find this to be the case at all, in fact Caroline saved me a considerable amount of money by advising me not to knock in a wall which I had previously considered doing. I had made so many trips to woodies and purchased so many sample pots of paint and still couldn't get the effect I was looking for, Caroline did all my colour schemes in one session, her call out charge was very little from what I can remember (i probably spent more on the all trips to woodies and the sample pots!)

Although having said that I agree with you that there were no doubt alot of chancers out there at one time, hopefully the recession has squeed them out. Caroline was recommended to me by a friend and she also has a degree in design which was important to me, she is still helping me with my interiors and I can on her if and when I need her.

We too have had very good results from an interior designer that we used for elements of our new home. She was used for a lighting plan, light fitting recommendations, colours (paint, flooring) etc. She also designed a kitchen with a company that she recommended, we then negotiated on the price. We didn't use her for every room and to be honest, it's very clear to us which ones were professionally designed and which ones were not. One of the things I found brilliant about her was that she made us aware of stores that we knew nothing about previously.

During the boom I have no doubt that there were huge numbers of chancers. There were night courses in interior design which no doubt resulted in people setting up businesses. However, as with every industry there are good and bad.

When we got to the stage in our home where interiors became relevant, we came to the conclusion that despite all the magazines, tv shows etc that we bought\watched, our home is unique and hence it's needs are unique. We would be very quick to tell you what we don't like, just finding what we do like was the challenge. My wife found the person we worked with online and it went from there. Pricing was clear up front and it stayed fixed through out.

We are very happy with the result.

Design is such a personal thing. I've seen pictures of homes on this forum where people are very proud of their achievements and I personally thought it didn't work at all.

If you can find a designer who matches your personal style and has an appreciation of a budget, then I believe there is real value in that service.

LaChatteGitane

paddy147 wrote: »

Trade Paint Centre and the various interior paint catalogues and magazines (Crown,Dulux,Fleetood,Johnstones and others).
They contain pictures of kitchens,living rooms,bathrooms and bedrooms with various paints on the walls and the paint selection charts.
Also pick up a design magazine or product catalogues from the likes of Ikea,Homebase and B&Q for good ideas and inspiration.



Sample pots of various paints for 2 euro 50 cents a pot.

Some sheets of A4 or A3 paper.

Paint the sheets with the sample pots.

Stick the sheets to the various walls with blu-tak.

Very easy do do yourself (kids love this sort of stuff too),and doesnt cost 200 euro or more to do it.:rolleyes:

Simples.:)

Sorry Paddy but interior design is more than choosing colours for the wall.
To top that, not every room can 'handle' certain colours and an ID will have an eye for these things. Neither is an interior designer some glorified personal shopper for scatter cushions and throws.
There may be some like that, but in all fairness I think you are generalising a tad too much.
It is no secret that builders/decorators 'generally' don't like interior designers as they are seen as hoity toity beings with colour charts and 'acting' like know-it-alls without any skills.
Good designers do have skills. Skills that most decorators/builders don't have. The ability to make a house into a home with the personality of the occupants and making it a cohesive home with insight and creativity.
Great designers don't need to spend bucket loads of money on furniture and furnishings as they can see what can be reused and upcycled.

No, Paddy, I am not an interior designer. I am a creative artist with an eye for beautiful and peaceful homes.

paddy147

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

Sorry Paddy but interior design is more than choosing colours for the wall.
To top that, not every room can 'handle' certain colours and an ID will have an eye for these things. Neither is an interior designer some glorified personal shopper for scatter cushions and throws.
There may be some like that, but in all fairness I think you are generalising a tad too much.
It is no secret that builders/decorators 'generally' don't like interior designers as they are seen as hoity toity beings with colour charts and 'acting' like know-it-alls without any skills.
Good designers do have skills. Skills that most decorators/builders don't have. The ability to make a house into a home with the personality of the occupants and making it a cohesive home with insight and creativity.
Great designers don't need to spend bucket loads of money on furniture and furnishings as they can see what can be reused and upcycled.

No, Paddy, I am not an interior designer. I am a creative artist with an eye for beautiful and peaceful homes.

And Im not a builder either,never have been and never will be either.

Im not an interior designer either,but I am capable of opening my eyes,going to a paint shop or Ikea,B&Q or Homebase and getting a few catalogues and sample pots to paint samples and not charge the sun moon and stars for it either.


ANYONE can do this,and the kids would have a great time too (as they feel involved in the process).

Also...a good professional painter will do just as good a job as an ID (paint selection to suit the person and the room),but you dont get the extra inflated invoice just for the paint selection.


Anyone can also go to Ikea or HomeFocus and pick out some fittings,fabric samples or cushions and not get charged an absolute fortune for the process.



We picked out some sample curtain fabrics from HomeFocus for curtains.
Took them home and put them against the newly painted walls (painted by ourselves) and looked at the various samples in daylight and at night time too.
Took the chosen sample back to HomeFocus,haggled like mad on a price to make a set of thermal blackout curtains.1 week later a beautifull set of curtains made to out taste,for not alot of money.

WE also got all the curtain poles from thjem too,again haggled for a good deall all in.
End result was fantastic and delighted that we did it ourselves too.



Ikea is brilliant,great for the kids too.It has a kids play/adventure area,creche,and a resturant,open 10am till 7pm every day (and weekends).Brilliant Irish Breakfast for 5 euro too.:D

Good way for the family get their own ideas and everyone is happy.:)

Money saved too.;)


PS-Im a "creative artist" with 2 left feet and also 2 left hands too,but I also like my money in my wallet.:D

LaChatteGitane

paddy147 wrote: »

And Im not a builder either,never have been and never will be either.

Im not an interior designer either,but I am capable of opening my eyes,going to a paint shop or Ikea,B&Q or Homebase and getting a few catalogues and sample pots to paint samples and not charge the sun moon and stars for it either.


ANYONE can do this,and the kids would have a great time too (as they feel involved in the process).

Also...a good professional painter will do just as good a job as an ID (paint selection to suit the person and the room),but you dont get the extra inflated invoice just for the paint selection.


Anyone can also go to Ikea or HomeFocus and pick out some fittings,fabric samples or cushions and not get charged an absolute fortune for the process.

We picked out some sample curtain fabrics from HomeFocus for curtains.

Took them home and put them against the newly painted walls (painted by ourselves) and looked at the various samples in daylight and at night time too.

Took the chosen sample back to HomeFocus,haggled like mad on a price to make a set of thermal blackout curtains.1 week later a beautifull set of curtains made to out taste,for not alot of money.



Ikea is brilliant,great for the kids too.It has a kids play/adventure area,creche,and a resturant,open 10am till 7pm every day (and weekends).Brilliant Irish Breakfast for 5 euro too.:D

Good way for the family get their own ideas and everyone is happy.:)

Money saved too.;)


PS-Im a "creative artist" with 2 left feet and also 2 left hands too,but I also like my money in my wallet.:D

You are missing the points I made.
There is more to interior design than choosing colours. There is more to interior design than go out shopping on the highstreet or in Ikea.

If it were that easy, you've got to wonder why not more homes look like something out of Country Living magazine.

And no, I don't think decorators or professional painters have the insight for interior design as a rule. Some might and some might think they have but it is not their forte. Their forte is painting and wallpapering.

Let's just agree to disagree, eh, without generalising too much.

paddy147

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

You are missing the points I made.
There is more to interior design than choosing colours. There is more to interior design than go out shopping on the highstreet or in Ikea.

If it were that easy, you've got to wonder why not more homes look like something out of Country Living magazine.

And no, I don't think decorators or professional painters have the insight for interior design as a rule. Some might and some might think they have but it is not their forte. Their forte is painting and wallpapering.

Let's just agree to disagree, eh, without generalising too much.

Have a read of my posts again,as you will see Im actualy replying to your points,A good painter will do just as good a job on paint selection to suit a room and a person,as an ID will do.Oh and the painter actually paints the walls with the paint too.He doesnt just sit and look at the tin of paint and go Ooohhh.



Go to lots of different places,recently though.....Ikea,Homefocus and Fleetwood Trade Paints,picking out samples yourself and so on.

Its easy to do and anyone can do it,if they focus and have a bash at it themselves.

Picked out my solar powered Velux Blackout Blinds in a grey that I like for alot less than Velux Dealers could supply them for.

All it took was 10 minutes of my time and about 1 mile of a drive to the builders providers.

Same with the curtains too,that I had Homefocus make for me.

Very easy to do,considering that I have 2 left feet and 2 left hands.;):D

paddy147

All Im saying is that the days of charging silly high prices are long gone.

Some people need to realize this and cop on to the fact,that people in general dont and wont just splash the cash like in the "Celtic Tiger" days.

And charging very high consultation fees are a no no too.

LaChatteGitane

paddy147 wrote: »

Have a read of my posts again,as you will see Im actualy replying to your points,A good painter will do just as good a job on paint selection to suit a room and a person,as an ID will do.Oh and the painter actually paints the walls with the paint too.He doesnt just sit and look at the tin of paint and go Ooohhh.

No, they won't. It is not their job to do so either. Most painters put the colours on the wall that the clients have chosen for themselves.
It is not the ID's job to paint walls. And they obviously don't sit there looking at a tin of paint and go ooohh. That's just a silly thing to say, really.

Go to lots of different places,recently though.....Ikea,Homefocus and Fleetwood Trade Paints,picking out samples yourself and so on.

Its easy to do and anyone can do it,if they focus and have a bash at it themselves.
As I said. Why are there not more homes that look like something out of an interior mag ?
Picked out my solar powered Velux Blackout Blinds in a grey that I like for alot less than Velux Dealers could supply them for.

All it took was 10 minutes of my time and about 1 mile of a drive to the builders providers.

Same with the curtains too,that I had Homefocus make for me.
Des goûts et des couleurs, on ne discute pas.

Very easy to do,considering that I have 2 left feet and 2 left hands.;):DNothing wrong with your typing (of generalisations) it seems

paddy147 wrote: »

All Im saying is that the days of charging silly high prices are long gone.
I don't know what prices they charge as I am not an interior designer and I'm not living in Ireland either. I can only presume that prices can vary greatly from one ID to the next.

Some people need to realize this and cop on to the fact,that people in general dont and wont just splash the cash like in the "Celtic Tiger" days.

The same can be said for any aspect of the building trade and any other trade for that matter. There is no need to single out interior designers.
And charging very high consultation fees are a no no too.
If you read this thread you'll see that the people here who did use an ID are not complaining, except you and you are in the minority

Anyway, that is all I am going to say on the matter as we do seem to see things differently.

paddy147

Maybe Im in the minorrity,but Im a very savvy person and want as much money in my back pocket as is possible (dont we all).

I wont stand for being charged a small fortune for something that anyone could do,or have someone try to justify to me why a small bit of consultation work and picking a few sample colours costs 200+ euro.

Sure I can do that myself in the space of 10 minutes in any paint supply shop.

Yeah,Im dealing with Ireland,as Im a Dublin man born and bred and very proud too.

Alot of interior designers are still living in cookoo land and think they can/will waffle their way through things and charge silly high rates for a consulatation.

Those days are long gone in this country,and its about time people copped on and realized that.

Oh and with regards painters,theres many a painter here in this country can actually advize a person on what coulour would suit them and their personality and the room and they style to be achieved.

Sorry but thats a fact and I have personal 1st hand experience of that too.From working on large multi national company building projects to small private dewllings to my house rennovation projects.

Im my case,the painter put the so called "Interior designer" to shame and he was so much more creative and better than the woman herself.

She seemed to think that money grew on the trees in my garden an that the most expensive was the best.

The painter also didnt once try to do me over on prices either.

So I didnt have to worry about an "over inflated" price from an interior designer just for a few paint colours.

I dont know where you live,but I live in Dublin,and thats what and where Im dealing with.


Regards.

PS-A recession is a good thing,as it opens up peoples eyes so much and shows them how money can be saved by not just going along with what anyone says on a price.It also shows them how some people try to make more money out of it,by using the fact that they are an "interior designer" and they use this as a sort of financial weapon to justify charging very high rates and fees.

That wont and doesnt wash with me.

Also myself being in the minority will do me just fine,it will do my wallet even better too.;):D

woodturner

Paddy i,ll show you how to turn

paddy147

woodturner wrote: »

Paddy i,ll show you how to turn

The amount of lengths of wood I used to destroy and make absolutye sytte of,on the laithe in woodworking class in school.

Ah them were the days indeed.:D

paddy147

Anyway,Ive said my bit on the matter.

Im bowing out now,and leave all you lovely people do decide for yourselves.

Regards from "minority" Paddy147.;):D

mariadiamond

oops seems like somebody once had aspirations to be an Interior Designer but obviously couldn't make the grade due to lack of talent or lack of personality or indeed it could be both judging by previous posts, either way its a sore subject for somebody on this thread..wonder who

paddy147

mariadiamond wrote: »

oops seems like somebody once had aspirations to be an Interior Designer but obviously couldn't make the grade due to lack of talent or lack of personality or indeed it could be both judging by previous posts, either way its a sore subject for somebody on this thread..wonder who

Ohhh this is from a woman with all of 3 posts on boards,all about Interior Design and in this thread,and her very 1st post is advertizing an ID company.:rolleyes::pac:




Im a telecomms engineer (Construction/IT Sector) and I have no wishes to be an ID.Ive allready stated this in a previous post (maybe you havent read the posts propperly)

I do however dont like to be ripped off with silly prices for simple/small items and with people using their job title as a financial weapon to charge stupid rates and charge mad money for a consultation.

Talent or personality doesnt mean that you can charge a stupid high rate just for a consultation though.



Recession is a great thing,as it opens peoples eyes up and makes them see that some ID people will use every oppertunity to empty their pockets as much as thay can.:rolleyes:

Unless an Interior designer is actually supplying drawings or actual printed out plans and documentation,then there should be no fee for a 1st consultation.And as for 150 euro or 200 euro a go......not a hope of that happening (not for me anyway).


PS-Have a look at some of my threads,pics and posts on this great forum......if you think Im sore over something,or not talented.You might find you are very wrong though.;):D


People should open their eyes and see how much money can be saved if they put their foot down and also have a bash at it themselves too.

Anyone can do it,if take a few simple steps and they give it a try.:)

Even me.:D

paddy147

Paint sample pots can be had for as little as 2 euro 50 cents from any good paint retailers.

The paint suppliers will mix up any colour you want.:)

yop

This thread is gone way off topic and is getting personal. I am going to ignore the personal side swipes for now, but I have noted the 2 involved.

Thread closed.