Real Estate

Why Do I Need an Interior Designer? by Miriam

"I have great ideas for decorating," a client said to me, who was a mega Hollywood star. "And with my friend's resale card, I save 40% at the design centers," he concluded with a victorious smile.

"The actual purchase in the process of a design project is nearly the last step," I replied. "Arriving at the decision of what to buy, and where to buy from count highly."

"You're right. I didn't think of that", he conceded.  

Living Room Fit For Royalty

Living Room Fit For Royalty

Seeing pretty pictures online or on a do-it-yourself TV shows are but a vague hint homeowners are encouraged to make a record of, and share with the designer.  Like a TV Ad for new medicine one would share with the doctor before administering.  But it's the designer's vision which determines the final outcome, and not because he's under a legally binding contract.  

Could you imagine Cardinals and Emperors dictating details of frescoes or musical notes to Michelangelo or Beethoven? 

While no modern designer is anywhere in the league of these master artisans, designers do possess the vision and ability to develop and implement concepts, and take them through a logical and methodical process to a successful completion. The designer's ability to solve problems, or challenges that arise during the course of a project, also make him a valuable, even vital to bring a project to its on-time and save on costly alterations. 

The Home Staging Falsehood by Miriam

With a lofty claim: "The goal of staging is to make a home appeal to the highest number of potential buyers", many real estate agents, particularly in recent years, engage the services of a home-stager.  But status aside, the facts point to another element- the stager is not an interior designer, and majority are not decorators either; for they are furniture-placers of stocked pieces, frequently unsuitable and improperly-scaled for the home. To 'outfit' all properties, stagers keep modern style inventory and in off-white color.

A prominent Beverly Hills realtor told me that the majority of high-end buyers do not buy the 'staged' furnishings. So I question the need of a buyer in the process of assessing a multi-million dollar acquisition to see a pair of sofas and coffee table by the fireplace. Would this buyer, who’s surely armed with prior experience in posh homes, cough-up millions just because of this visual aid?

...the majority of high-end buyers do not buy the ‘staged’ furnishings

Some buyers are induced to buy the furnishings by the seller because 'it's already here' and 'interior designer will charge you so much more", and 'it'll save you months of waiting for a designer to furnish the home'. All 3 statements are manipulative, and without foundation in the truth!

Walking through the property with a highly-skilled interior designer/decorator who also possesses architectural and landscaping skills is the preferred alternative.  Demystifying any dilemmas buyers could have, the designer paints vivid ideas in the buyer's mind with the aid of photos of properly selected designs and decor solutions. While strolling through the property, the designer also answers questions, solves and overcomes obstacles and challenges presented by the buyer, services stager isn't capable of providing. This property tour is exceedingly better for the buyer to properly assess the purchase than the misfitted furnishings. Further, when costs and timeline to execute project are provided by the designer, it's quite: "Elementary, my dear Watson!" Sherlock Holmes would say.