Hiring an Interior Designer/Decorator

[Anonymous]

I am planning a three story addition on a house I've lived in for 10+ years. It'll include a new bathroom and powder room, but no kitchen reno. I really, really want somebody to help me pull everything together but have no idea how to figure out if a designer/decorator is right for me. The things I'd like a designer/decorator to do are:

- Figure out how to integrate the new and old spaces, in terms of flooring
- Define a whole house color scheme, as some of the older rooms will (eventually) be repainted
- Identify how we can reuse some existing furniture in new spaces
- Recommend new furniture, rugs, fixtures needed to round out what we have
- Recommendations for window treatments
- Decorating/design recommendations for new bathroom(s)

Does this sound reasonable? If anybody has ideas for questions to ask designers/decorators, I'd appreciate them. I'm not stuffy/formal, but I *do* want something that looks nice and is practical. How can I make sure that the designer is a good fit for me?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP, you should start with a really good architect. Some of them even specializing with the new/old spaces. You can look up some of his work, but I like Merle Thorpe. I think he's in Bethesda.

Then, I would get recommendations from the architect based on your style.

Also, I would head over to the DC Design Showhouse going on right now. You can see samples of several designers' work. See who you like and then go from there.

[Anonymous]

check out house alchemist...

www.housealchemist.com

they are super reasoanble - do decorating and whole house staging as well so she can do a great job figuring out an overall look....

[Anonymous]

You might want to go with a design build firm for your addition so that you can get the help you want as you draw up your plans and do the build.