A typical redesign (one-day room makeover) takes three to
four hours. The more knickknacks, curio cabinets and bookcases you have, the
longer it takes. The good news is, I don't charge by the hour. A typical consultation
for do-it-yourself decorating takes 1 to 2 hours. A real estate readiness consultation
takes 1 to 2 hours. Again, I don't charge by the hour.
Do I have to clean?
No. I've seen plenty of dust bunnies and have quite a collection
myself at times. Actually seeing how your room functions or not functions can
assist me in making suggestions for your room.
Yes, I usually work by myself. I enjoy the creative process
and can get it done more efficiently when it just flows out of me rather than
trying to explain the beautiful plans in my head to someone else. I have special
tools that assist me in moving furniture and only seldom is there something I
can't move. If I encounter something I can't move, I'll tell you and we can either
plan around it or I can suggest a company that will move it for you. On some occasions
I have a decorating assistant on large or unique jobs.
What if I don't like the one day room makeover ?
People are creatures of habit and change takes getting use to. I always suggest you live with it for at least a week and then if you are still unhappy, I'll be glad to come back once and tweak the room.
Any additional services beyond this would be performed at your cost. At the initial interview, it is important that you answer questions the best you can so that I can tailor your living space to accommodate your needs and wishes.
What do you do with all the stereo and television cables
and wires?
This is not my specialty. I'll tell you
that right from the beginning. I often have to move such equipment but the homeowners
will ultimately need to hook it back up themselves. I am a strong proponent of
not letting the cable company dictate where the focal point is; they are not designers.
What if something breaks?
I use great care when moving items in your home. However, in part because I do not know the condition of items prior to my arrival to your home, you are completely responsible for furniture and accessories condition or damage. I do suggest that if you have anything sentimental
and irreplaceable, you move it yourself.
We are putting our home on the market; I've read lots
of books on the topic. I only have to clean, right?
Yes, cleaning is very important. Your home may need someone
who can be totally objective and can tell you how to alter items in a manner potential
buyers will find attractive. You may love your mounted deer head and find nothing
wrong with hanging it over your fireplace but potential buyers may not find it
as welcoming. As you know from doing your research, first impressions are critical.
The Home Stylist can help to be sure potential buyers see your home in the best
possible light - the first time.
If I can't paint or remodel the room myself, do you have suggestion for people I can hire?
I can provide referrals for certain people such as a painter or repairperson. Just like any other consumer decision, it is best to personally check references and contact places such as the Better Business Bureau when looking to hire anyone for a service or project.
Like me, an independent business owner, other tradespeople are independent and responsible for their work. I can make no guarantees for their performance.
I am a little skeptical. Can decorating really be done without actually being
in the home?
I understand your concerns. I have honed my skills and specialize
in this unique decorating service. Most decorators find this type of decorating
difficult because it takes a lot of visualizing the depths and dimensions of the
space to give good advice. The most important part of the process is the photos.
If the photos thoroughly document the room and the colors are true, then on line
decorating is a convenient and economical way to get decorating help.
I can’t believe that having a decorator help me can
be this reasonably priced. Is there a catch?
No, there is no catch. The reason it is so economical is that
you, the client, do much of the work. The most time consuming, and therefore most
expense, part of decorating plans are getting the measurements of the room and
the furniture. Measuring is easy for clients to do and clients also do the work
such as painting or hiring contractors to paint. The Home Stylist provides you
with a beautiful, cohesive, and economical plan. I also use word-of-mouth and referral based marketing to keep my business expenses reasonable. Check out the
refer-a-friend page.
I know how to “surf the web” but I am not sure
how to “download” or “upload” photos and such into the
e-mail. What should I do?
Not a problem. The philosophy of The Home Stylist is to be flexible
and meet your needs. Please do whatever you feel comfortable with – “snail”
mailing me the actual developed photos is perfectly fine. If you are not comfortable
with Paypal, please feel free to send me a check.
General Decorating Questions
I want to buy new furniture; should I have a consultation before or after the
new furniture is here?
I suggest that you have a redesign or consultation first.
Many times once the furniture is arranged in the best functional manner, we will
find that furniture you thought you needed is now something else. Also by redesigning
first, I can give you suggestions as to size, shape, style, color of furniture
or accessories that would work best. You could be thinking of getting a rectangular
coffee table when in fact a round table would look best in your home.
Does The Home Stylist decorate like the TV show Trading
Spaces?
Not really. Trading Spaces makes total
transformations and even constructs furniture with sometimes questionable results.
The Home Stylist focuses on using the furniture and accessories you already have
so there will never be horrible surprises. I may make suggestions for furniture
purchases and paint colors, but ultimately you make the choices. If I was to name
a show I am most like it would be HGTV’s Decorating Cents or Design
on a Dime. The one and only similarity to Trading Spaces is that
I also completely clear the room before I begin redesigning your room. This is
a critical step in all decorating.
What is your home like? What is your style?
People ask this question because they have heard stories in which the
designer transforms the client's home to reflect the designer's tastes and interests.
Using the homeowner's high Victorian pieces would make it very difficult to create a
modern sleek look. Please be assured your style and tastes will shine through. But to
answer your question, my living room is Mission style.
You can. Most of the clients who would hire me need just help,
not a total transformation. My clients like their look but just want to update
it and make it fresh. Most of my clients don't have a spare few thousand dollars,
however in hiring me you get the advantage of someone trained, professional, motivated,
experienced and within your price range.
Why shouldn't I use the free designers that the store
offers?
You can, but remember when the designers are
free and work for a store, they are 'products driven.' They are trying to sell
you something from their merchandise and inventory. I do not.
I stumbled upon this web site and want to know if someone
in my area can come into my home to help me decorate?
No matter your location, I would be glad to assist you in any way I
can. Visit the Online Decorating Consultation
section of this site to submit your decorating dilemma. If you would like to find
a redesigner in your area, visit the Interior Redesign Directory to locate someone in your state. The interior redesigners listed are all, like myself, independent business owners and each has their own unique flair and method of practices. I make no
guarantees regarding their performances.
Where does The Home Stylist get her decorating inspirations?
I simply love books. They give you great ideas, inspirational photos and often include the 'how to" steps. You just can't beat Amazon for their huge selection and low prices. Now they just don't only have books but house wares too. Use this handy link to shop for of my book recommendations:
The Style Store - Books and Resources
