we tried it: using a remote design service
I’ve been intrigued by the idea of “remote” interior design services for some time now, and I recently decided to give it a try. I wanted to get a designer’s reaction to our master bedroom because I was having issues with color and needed help with finishing touches to pull it all together. I decided to go with the design services offered on Decorati.com.
With their Design Advisor service, you can choose from six advice types. The quickest and most affordable is e-decorating, which is what I chose. In this option, you communicate with the designer via email and/or phone and pay either a flat or per-hour fee depending on his or her policy. Each designer sets their own price for their services. To read more about Michelle’s adventures in remote design, click here!
To start, I filled out the online form and attached a few photos of our room. Within 45 minutes, I received e-mails from four designers in my region (the east coast). After reviewing their websites I decided on Mindy Miles Greenberg of Encore Décor. I reached out to her via e-mail, and we made a 30-minute appointment ($75) for that evening.
It was helpful to get a critique of our space by a professional — not just for ideas I wouldn’t have thought of myself, but also to validate my own décor instincts. For instance, she recommended that we paint the room Putnam Ivory by Benjamin Moore, which is what I was already considering. (I patted myself on the back for that one.)
Thirty minutes ended up being the perfect amount of time for the kind of advice I was seeking — furniture placement, and ideas for window treatments, rugs and other accessories. Of course, after all that I decided to go in a completely different direction with the room, but I still plan to paint it Putnam Ivory, and I would definitely use the service again.
What about you — have you ever tried a remote design service? – Michelle V.K.
July 1st, 2010 at 7:25 am
No, but I’ve been tempted by the room design service offered over on Young House Love. http://www.younghouselove.com/
July 1st, 2010 at 11:02 am
Very cool! I wasn’t aware of their design service.
July 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 am
I haven’t checked it out lately, but the last time it was a flat fee and they seem to provide a mood board and lots of very specific suggestions, which is just what I would want.
July 4th, 2010 at 1:16 am
[...] – ShelterPopRead about Michelle’s experience using an edecorating service. – ShelterrificScoop up a Pottery Barn-esque nightstand on the cheap. – Copy Cat ChicIt’s about that [...]
July 28th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
[...] We tried it: Using a remote design service Shelteriffic “I’ve been intrigued by the idea of “remote” interior design services for some time now, and I recently decided to give it a try. I wanted to get a designer’s reaction to our master bedroom because I was having issues with color and needed help with finishing touches to pull it all together.” Here’s how it went… [...]