apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi, Karen. I never promo my business here, but it's truly relevant to your situation. In fact, you are exactly the kind of client I can help. Please check out inspiredroomdesign.com. I can give you a complete room design plan, reusing whatever pieces you require, for a very reasonable price. It's a space plan, 3D renderings, and luscious shopping spread with links delivered in a magazine-style PDF file. All you have to do is send me measurements and photos and fill out an online style questionnaire. I'd love to help you out!

Hi, Karen. I never promo my business here, but it's truly relevant for your situation and you are exactly the kind of client I can help. Please check out http://inspiredroomdesign.com. I give you a complete room design plan in a magazine-style PDF. It includes a space plan, 3D renderings, a luscious shopping spread with links to all the goodies, and a to-do list to help you put it together. You can download some plans I've done for other clients on my site to get an idea of how it works. I'd love to help you out!

Oops, sorry for double post... techno-delay.

http://www.younghouselove.com does this for a small fee.
It's a great website as well... a couple from Richmond chronicles their renovation projects, gives design advice, and how to do a lot of diy projects around the home.

picking out paint and wall coverings isn't the easiest thing to do. you should consider hiring a professional and not 'someone looking to take a stab at it', people do this for a living for a reason. a lot of interior designers aren't as expensive as you may think.

I agree that picking out wall coverings and doing major renovations should be left to accredited designers. However, for a project such as this, I think someone without a degree but with a solid eye for detail and design can help you do wonders with your new place. Homestyle Chicago is just starting out themselves with the intention of helping people just starting out style their homes with existing furniture, second hand bargains, and a little creativity. We would be excited to help you out with your new place and in turn help us put together a portfolio for future projects. Please feel free to email us at homestylechicago@gmail.com if you are interested. Good luck!

Or just wait a few weeks and do the Fall Cure here. You can do it!

Hi Karen. I recently started a small design business in Chicago, and I think I could help in what you are looking for. I have a low fee and offer a free initial in-home consultation. Please feel free to email me at amyshomedesign@gmail.com for more information and pictures of my most recent projects! Thanks- Amy

One of the best things to do is some "homework" of compiling images you like the looks of - to share with whomever you work with so they can get a sense of what you like. Also, ask for images of projects they have already done (or their own home if it is someone who isn't a designer) so you can see if you have similar tastes.

kelly & olive recently staged Chicago Home and Garden editor Jan Parr's home for a house walk, chronicled by Tate Gunnerson on his blog Strange Closets. They did amazing work using things she already owned.

www.kellyandolive.com

Hi Karen! I'm not a professional designer, but I love working on projects and I'll offer my services for free. I've helped many friends and family (of varying ages and tastes) create homes that fit their personalities, and on very tight budgets. Please e-mail me if you'd like to discuss your needs. Thanks!

erin.zukowski@gmail.com

Hi Karen,

I too recently just moved into a condo in Chicago and had to tackle the decorating. My friends have all had bad times using decorators and for the price, I instead wanted to invest that money into my furnature.

I just became an active shopper. I looked online and I visited stores for inspiration. Living in a large city like Chicago makes it easy to have options. You can go to expensive stores and see how they have things laid out, and then go to a store like HomeGoods (brand new store on Elston & Logan - kitty corner to Target) to find things like what I liked for half the price.

I suggest using neutral colors on your wall and then filling the space with 1-2 colors in furnature, rugs, accessories, etc. and one color that "pops". For the pieces you invest in like your couch, choose a neutral color - a purple couch might seem like a fun idea, but will you still like it 5 years from now? Pillows and throws are cheap, you can change them every couple of months.

At the end of the day, have fun with it, and don't try to do it all at once. You can always bring things home, and if you don't like it, just return it.

Trust your own judgement - you might surprise yourself.