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 "If
I use an interior designer, will the end result of the design project reflect
my style and personality?"
As a design professional, I work enthusiastically to understand each client's needs, lifestyle, goals for the project, budget and personal taste. I am a 'people person' and completely enjoy this challenging discovery process. I take all of these things, plus many practical, functional and aesthetic issues into account when I make recommendations during the design process. Each decision is ultimately made by the homeowner and only after all of the details and options have been reviewed completely and to their satisfaction.
"I
am considering remodeling my kitchen and master bathroom. Would it be helpful
to use an interior designer?"
The remodeling process is an exciting, rewarding, yet stressful undertaking. There are literally hundreds of decisions that must be made before the contractor can begin the project. I energetically gather resources and expose clients to dozens of options that they may be unaware of. As I walk them through the myriad of products, styles, quality issues and material selections that need to be considered, I assist them in narrowing down the best possible choices to the final selections. A long time client told me, "We are amazed at your breadth of knowledge on everything from fireplaces, skylights, ceiling fans, space planning, advanced lighting options, to cabinetry, tile, and many other areas." - K. Knudsen, Orange County, California
After these beginning choices are finalized, I work to "pull the look together" into a total design that flows smoothly from room to room. It brings me great joy to have a client say, as one did recently, "We are really having fun with this remodeling project. We expected it to be a nightmare, but your design help and oversight of the details has taken the pressure off of us, so we can just enjoy the process and the beautiful results." - T. Folster, Napa, California
 "Won't
the project cost a lot more if I use an interior designer?"
Surprisingly, the answer is almost always, "no". By taking advantage of my experience and skill as an interior designer, the homeowner can avoid making costly mistakes. I often hear about disastrous purchases made by the homeowner that waste hundreds or even thousands, of dollars as well as lots of time and energy on the part of the homeowner. There was that small-scale sofa that looked great in the furniture store but awful in a large living room with vaulted ceilings or the taupe bedding that made the lovely cherry sleigh bed look dull and gray.
Of course, no price tag can be put on peace of mind and the relief from stress that comes with having a concerned, energetic, design professional on your team. Knowing that the designer is helping to keep the project running smoothly, and, at the same time making sure that the client is informed of all details, cannot be underestimated.
"The lighting is our home is very inadequate and dated. How can it be modernized?"
Lighting is about the most overlooked area of improvement in most homes that I see. Often the architects and builders don't address this need sufficiently. I spend a great deal of time upgrading this important and potentially outstanding feature. I reviewed the lighting plan for a custom home that was built recently and added over 125 light sources to the architects plan. About a year after the home was completed the owners wrote, "We entertain frequently and like to set "moods" with lighting. Carol's input made it possible to customize our home in this way. We thought we were overdoing the number of lights. Frankly, we could have utilized even more very effectively." T. Mishler, Woodcrest, California
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