I’d layer it. Consult with a top designer at the start. middle and end. Negotiate a price to review my choices. Work with an overseas designer for as we saw 20-100 per hour or flat price of a few thousands. But my own furniture unless a designer will pass me their trade discount. In the past I also passed a basic course and got licensed to get a trade discount and access Holly Hunt and similar for renovating at the same time the main house, beach house and rental condos. The trade discount wasn’t really worth much especially since the discounts are now so steep and you can negotiate with the stores, also can buy directly from European manufacturers. Instagram has opened up the world even more — got sent vintage chandeliers, new furniture, antiques all at a discount. I think this industry like many is poised for description and most people won’t have work any more unless they are affordable or exceptional. Lumens and others have phenomenal European lighting — don’t buy mass produced stuff |
Disruption not description |
By the way, licensing requirements are minimal and passing the exam is easy if you’re so inclined |
Great advice! If you like classic British design, there are wonderful online courses that are very cheap and will teach you all by their master interior designers |
Truth will out. And this is why you shouldn’t work with most interior designers. Out of their own lack of professional recognition and talent is born some misplaced superiority complex. |
Wonderful idea - I love classic British design. Do you have any recommendations for good online courses by master interior designers? |
I’m not an interior designer and I don’t even like them, really, but omg you are so tiresome and strident. I don’t understand how you can spend so much time and energy undermining your own argument with your personality. |
I’ve also had a very positive experience at Ethan Allen. Go online before you shop and choose your sales person based on their portfolio. Then make an appointment. If you just show up, you’ll get whoever isn’t busy. We but all of our upholstered furniture from there, then fill in with vintage case goods, based on the floor plans they drew up. When we have more money, we’ll buy curtains and coffee tables from Ethan Allen, too. |
This is an old recommendation from someone else on this board, but there is an old book called “Use what you have decorating” or similar by Lori Ward and it is really great for helping you determine a floorplan and the dimensions you need for your furniture. That really sets you up to make shopping a lot easier. |