DIY Network

Personal Touch: Do I Need an Interior Designer? From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-211

In the first segment of "Personal Touch" host Jeff Wilson explores the role of the interior designer. He'll discuss how you can find the right interior decorator for your needs and how to set up a contract.

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	In this week's episode host Jeff Wilson discusses the personal "interior design" touches for your new home.
	Choosing an interior designer is one of the most important decisions you'll make during the home building process.

Now that the structure of your new home is complete, it's time to look at the interior. Turning the inside of your home into one with your personal touch comes with a whole new set of considerations.

Do You Need an Interior Designer?

With so many decisions to make, it may be difficult to know where to start. Your initial reaction could involve considering an interior decorator, which is someone who specializes in architectural interiors and furniture design -- as well as interior spaces.

The interior designer is the link between your architect and the end result of your home's design. In fact, designers help out architects not only with interior finishes but with some of the actual design problems inside of the house.

There are as many approaches to interior design as there are designers, but the key is to find the right designer for you and your home. And important consideration is to find someone you can work with and will incorporate your needs and desires into his or her ultimate plan.

DIY Constructive Advice: If you're looking for an interior designer, be sure to question multiple designers on what their style and preferences are because you want someone that matches your style and taste.

Once you've decided to work with someone, you'll need to iron out a solid agreement that both you and the designer can accept. Having a simple contract is really important with terms and conditions that state what is expected of both sides and in the end making payments on a timely basis. (Be sure to be upfront from the beginning on how much you are willing to spend.)

Interior designers have various different ways they can break down their fees, but here are a couple:

1. They can charge by the hour.

2. There can be a flat, fixed rate -- but be sure up front that you know what the fixed rate is.

Hiring an interior designer is often misconstrued as an added expense when, in fact, a quality professional decorator can keep you from making costly mistakes.

Did You Know? IN 1947 only 47 percent of new homes built had a garage, but by 1970 approximately 60 percent had them. Today, 87 percent of new homes have garages -- and the majority of them have spaces for two or more cars.

In the next segment Jeff looks at the traffic flow into your home and the lighting design options for your home's interior.

GUESTS :

Benjamin Clavan
Architect, AIA
E-mail: benjamic@earthink.net

Linda Brettler
Architect
Phone: 323-935-3999
E-mail: lindabrettler@sbcglobal.net

John Harmon
Licensed Contractor
Specialized Services
PO Box 1377
Sunset Beach, CA 90742-1377
Phone: 562-592-3831
E-mail: SpecEmail@aol.com

Pierre Abboud
Designer/Sales
We apologize no further information is available.

Skip Weahunt
Homeowner
E-mail: skip@ownerbuildercenter.com

Bob Miller
CMTS
E-mail: robertmillerpe@comcast.net

Jody Cukier Seigler
Interior Designer
951 North Bristol Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: 310-476-1286
E-mail: jodycs@yahoo.com

Igor Orlovsky
Contracting Consultant
E-mail: heyigor@sbcglobal.net

Pamela Volante
Interior Designer, Lighting Designer
Volante Planning and Design
269 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: 310-968-6505
E-mail: pamelavol@aol.com

Channing Swift
Contracting Superintendent
2047 Morley St.
Simi, CA 93065
Phone: 310-279-6865
E-mail: xrysto@adelphia.net

Glen Siegel
Director of Halo Marketing
Cooper Lighting
1174 Hwy 74 S.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-486-5288
E-mail: gsiegel@cooperlighting.com

Dana Pucillo
Design Consultant
California Closets
1735 Stewart St., Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310.566-3280
E-mail: dpucillo@calclosets.com
Website: www.calclosets.com

Douglas Kerr
Contractor
E-mail: dougkerr@pacbell.net