Article:
Working with a decorator can provide much needed guidance
By Shelley Anderson
The Journal Newspapers - October 2006
Do you browse through home decorating magazines and yearn for the same put together look for your home?
A well decorated home doesn’t just happen. Good decorating is the result of good planning and needs to start by developing a comprehensive, detailed decorating plan. Include everything that needs to be done. Write down what you desire for your final “look”: What it feels like to be in the space—comfortable, elegant, sleek? Include your priorities, your timing for the project, and your budget.
Most people feel they need assistance in creating and implementing their decorating plan. Professional interior decorators have the experience and talent to help you pull your home together. A professional decorator can stand back and take an objective look at your situation.
Working with a designer can save you money in many situations by allocating resources wisely, eliminating decorating mistakes, and increasing creative thinking about your project.
When I begin working with a new client on a project, I always give them homework. I will ask all parties involved to collect design magazines. Browse through one time quickly and pull out pages that have rooms that appeal to you. You will respond to color, design themes, space arrangements and even one item in a room. As you review these pages, at first glance they may not seem related, but there is more than likely a common theme. Compile all of your pictures into a notebook. If you are working on several rooms, organize the book into sections for the various rooms. This exercise will reveal a vast amount of information for the initial consultation about what you and the other people involved in the project.
Your next step will be to evaluate your present furnishings and decide what you would like to keep, reupholster or eliminate. Write your ideas into your notebook.
Now you will need to consider where to start. Most people will begin with family or entertaining areas followed by the master bedroom. It is best to plan on finishing a room before moving on. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Determining your budget for each phase of your project will also need to be decided. This information will prove valuable in working with your chosen decorator.
No matter what your lifestyle, your home should be a reflection of your tastes, your likes and your interests.
Shelley Anderson has been creating interiors in the greater Seattle area since 1990.You may contact her at
(206) 719-6814 or email her at
shelley.anderson@shelleyandersoninteriors.com.