Choosing An Interior Designer

We asked interior designers Karen Tennant and Mary Taylor for advice for anyone employing an interior designer in Dublin.

How To Choose An Interior Designer? Why Is An Interior Designer Useful? How Much Will It Cost? What's The Design Process? What Happens After Design Process? What Should Client Bring To Process? What's Popular In Dublin? What Are The New Trends? Design Likes and Dislikes?

How To Choose An Interior Designer?

Can you give any advice about choosing an interior designer?

• Photos
  "Ask to see photos of their work - that will give you a very good indication of what kind of work they've done." Mary Taylor

• Experience
  "Ask how long they've been established and what type of work they do. With regards to qualifications, there's no single standard design qualification in Ireland - the usual one is the Rhodec diploma in Interior Design. Some interior designers have a diploma or degree in Fine Arts."
  Karen Tennant

• Listen To What They Are Asking You?
  "Listen to what they are asking you. An interior designer should be building a complete picture of your objectives." Mary Taylor

• Fee Structure
  "Find out how they charge before you start. Interior designers can be creative, rather than financially astute. And that can be a problem for the client, if they're being charged by the hour. It's important to get a written quotation before work starts." Karen Tennant

• Rapport
  "The designer will be working to your individual requirements and preferences. So, it's very important to have a good relationship and good communication with your interior designer." Mary Taylor

Why Is An Interior Designer Useful?

Why is an interior designer useful?

"An interior designer will help you avoid expensive mistakes. It costs the same amount to get a room right as to get it wrong. A lot of our customers are redecorating their home because they're not happy with the first attempt. And a good interior designer should be able to work to your budget. Karen Tennant

"Anyone who's ever done up a room will know how hard it is to actually finish the job. An interior designer has the skill and the contacts to turn around a job. So, the client has the luxury of enjoying a completed room." Mary Taylor

Convenience. Your interior designer is also your shopper. We know what's out there and we bring it to you. So, you don't have to run all over Dublin. Karen Tennant

"I think good value is an important aspect. An interior designer works closely with the suppliers and tradespeople in that area. So, he or she will have in-depth knowledge of what can be sourced from where and what's good value." Mary Taylor

"An interior designer has experience with respect to the practical aspects of your furnishings. For example, if you are getting new wardrobes, we can work with the client and carpenter to bash out all the details and make it a very good overall job." Karen Tennant

"An interior designer has skill of bringing balance to a scheme. For example, choosing furniture in a showroom that will look to scale at home can be difficult because we're relying to some extent on our perception of the size of our rooms. Getting that balance in colours and scale right can save a lot of time and money. " Mary Taylor

How Much Will It Cost?

How much will do interior designer fees cost?

"In my case, I charge an initial small call-out fee for the first consultation. After that, there's no further consultation fees. There's a price for the supplied furnishings - it's the same as buying from a shop. The total cost is listed in the quotation." Karen Tennant

"That depends on the number of hours work involved i.e. on the size of the job. For example, work that can be completed within a week may cost approximately €500-600. Work that will extend over 3 months could cost approximately €3000. At the start of the project, I estimate the total cost. Then I bill clients at regular intervals throughout the project, so they can manage their outgoings." Mary Taylor

What's The Design Process?

What's the design process with an interior designer?

"The first step is a full consultation with the client where I complete a detailed questionnaire which covers all the clients needs. From this, I put together an initial proposal for the client which is really a guideline for furnishing their home or room. I can also create perspective or 3D drawings which makes it easier to visualise the finished room. When the client is satisfied with the proposal, I start researching samples of fabrics, flooring, lighting fittings etc. I also organise estimates from tradespeople. For larger projects, I will organise several estimates. From then on, we'll continue to meet on a regular basis to review samples and schedule work." Mary Taylor

"In my case, I first speak to a prospective client on the phone. This allows me to gather the relevant information so that I come to the initial consultation prepared and with suitable samples. First, I concentrate on the basics like walls, floors, sofas and curtains. I leave samples with the clients so they can live with them day and night under all lights and circumstances. We'll tweak and change the samples until the client is happy with the result." Then we work on the accessories. This allows clients to add their own personality. It's important that that room doesn't look like the interior designer's room. It should look like the client's room." Karen Tennant

What Happens After The Design Process?

What happens after the design process?

"Once the design and samples have been decided, I can suggest decorators who have worked with me over the years. Alternatively, the client can use their own decorator. I see the work through in every sense of the word from beginning to end." Karen Tennant

"I will organise tradespeople to provide estimates and to carry out installation work at a time agreed in advance with the client. Alternatively, clients can make arrangements with their own tradepeople, if they prefer." Mary Taylor

What Should Client Bring To Design Process?

What should the client bring to the design process?

"Their own design preferences. One of the best ways to communicate this is to look through a few magazines and cut out photos or images which appeal to you." Mary Taylor

"Some idea of budget. The reason I ask about budget is that I can tell them if it's realistic or not. For people who don't have even a rough figure, I suggest that I will budget for midrange materials and furnishings". Karen Tennant

"Before meeting the interior designer, the decision makers should have a good discussion about what they each want. And if they have very contrasting views, they should talk about any compromises regarding style and function." Mary Taylor

I need to know what they want to use the room for and what stage of life they're at now. Karen Tennant

Is there any furniture or items that we're working around. For example, a mahogany table that's going to be kept. Karen Tennant

What's Popular in Dublin?

What's popular in Dublin?

"The creamy-browny-blacky look is still in. It's important to put a spin on it or it might date." Karen Tennant

"Good quality natural finishes such as solid wood, stone, linens, cottons, silks will never go out of fashion." Mary Taylor

"People are looking for the very clean, minimalist look too. It can be done well once the practical end is looked after. For a minimal look, you need storage." Karen Tennant

"The very neutral schemes which have been popular for last few years are being enhanced now by splashes of colour. This is especially important to uplift schemes usings man made materials, which can be monotone in colour and texture." Mary Taylor

What Are The New Trends?

What are the new trends?

"More detail - people are realising that details make a hugh difference to the character of a room. For example, a piece of quality artwork, a light fixture or even the trimmings on a curtain introduce a feeling of quality. One beautiful item in a room can really make a difference. " Mary Taylor

"I'm just back from the 2006 NEC interior and furniture show in Birmingham. The new materials are very colourful and retro - neon orange, bright pink, lime greens. But if you want good interior design, you shouldn't be looking for fashionable." Karen Tennant

"Using lighting to introduce colours and effects. For example, using LED lighting to introduce different colours at different times of the day. Likewise in-floor lighting or hidden lighting. I got some really nice lighting ideas at the 'Maison et Objects' Show in Paris this room. And the National Lighting Showrooms in Kylemore has a good display where people can see LED lighting in action." Mary Taylor

Design Likes and Dislikes

Do you have any design likes or dislikes?

"I like clean, uncluttered rooms with one or two strong features. I don't like flowery and flouncy and frilly. " Karen Tennant

"I like simple classic elegant pieces, natural materials and feature lighting." Mary Taylor