apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Disagree. It's just as relevant to hire a professional. The average client might be more aware of the resources available because of blogs and the internet. It doesn't mean, however, that the client will apply that information in an educated way. That's where the professional enters....

AT has pretty much single-handedly sparked my interest in the world of design. It has educated, entertained and led me to spend money on things that I wouldn't have before my introduction to this site.

Even though I am a very DIY kind of person, I never would have thought of hiring a professional designer before my intro to this site. I wonder if there are others like me who looked at design and designers as slightly intimidating but after looking through so many great magazines and comprehensive websites like this one have gotten excited about the idea of hiring a designer.

I read somewhere once (probably on the internet!) that designers have the ability to visualize the whole space, all at once. Then, they go about and fill in the pieces of the vision.

For intrested amateurs, like myself, I begin with the pieces, cling to a few known "facts" about designing, and hope it turns out.

A designer is invaluable, still, because he or she has can take all this vast knowledge and bring it to bear on your needs and your space.

All the blogs do is make us informed and, like art, enthusiastic. They do not magically turn us into professionals and so. I would say, they can't be replaced. Not good ones, anyway.

I have used a designer plus been DIY. Honestly, the designer brings in elements I would never had. On the other hand, I need to keep some control as she gets a bit more extreme than I would. But that is the point I do love, she pushed me out of my confort zone.

I used her for my family room/kitchen/dining room as you can see parts of each room from any one spot. They all led from one to another. She was able to visualize the entire space bring in colors that work, without making the entire space look matchy.

Now saving for the living room - complete with furniture.

Before discovering AT, I liked pretty things but never spent money on them.

I was completely uneducated about the cost of things. I don't make much money - but that doesn't mean I don't have great taste!

Looking at furniture before AT - I'd grumble at the price, or find a cheap piece that might only solve a function problem rather than form AND function.
Now that I'm exposed to a wide range of design and quality and price... I'm more confident about throwing money at a piece I really like. And holding out for the next piece that will really work with what I have.

And I'll admit that I come from the school of thought that designers are for people with lots of money. Why would I pay someone the cost of a sofa to find a sofa for me? I could use that money to buy art!

The Personal Computer (be it Mac or PC) AND the Internet have indeed transformed our lives in MANY ways. SO much information- so many options- so many different "ways-to-skin-a-cat"....

But as much as the knowledge/ability of using "Word" or "Illustrator" to create a business card does NOT make one a Graphic Designer...reading a blog/subscribing to MET HOME,Dwell and Western Interiors, and knowing how to use a FloorPlan/layout program- does NOT make an INTERIOR DESIGNER, or even Interior Decorator!

The knowledge and ability to clearly SEE a project thru to completion- from the moving of walls if necessary- to the installation of new light sockets/electrical, etc.. to the accessories that become the "jewelery" to make that final "statement" come thru - takes a person w/ training and Vision- that either comes w/ schooling/training, or in the case of a few of my clients- a special/unique ability to create their own "image" in a space due to their owning so many homes/and a great innate "sense" that very few individuals possess.

I love A.T.- and what it has spawned- a whole newly minted batch of "educated" eyes - but, an "educated" eye alone - does NOT an interior Designer make.