Thank you for this article. This absolutely needs to become common knowledge. I can't even begin to list all of the misconceptions I face daily. I especially appreciate the comment about trusting your designers. It's so frustrating when you have a client making requests and demands that make no plausible sense. Far too many times have I wondered, "why did you even hire a designer/architect, and not go straight to a contractor?"

I find it funny that no one has commented on this as of yet...I am an Interior Designer and I want this post printed as a hand out in my new client packet! Thank you for this post! I am the kind of designer with an art background and I can take a crappy hutch and make it fabulous but yes this costs money. It is incredibly frustrating that all the furnishings once only available to the trade are common place. It also make me crazy that most clients think 4-6 weeks is unthinkable for custom made furnishings. They want it now and perfect and inexpensive. Then they want to haggle with me on my hours after the fact.

Great article, informative for those not in the design world and rings very true. It's hard to gain trust from client's after they've seen so many TV shows making things look so easy breezy. "If you're hiring a designer for their creativity and expertise, you have to trust them, especially if you don't want to end up with a totally boring, flat space." This should probably be written at the top of every contract!

I think people need to realize that designers are professionals and deserve to get paid for their time and efforts... If you want something free or very low cost, DIY!!

As an Interior Designer, I totally agree with all of the above comments.

I would also add that qualified designers have not only experience, but a degree, a professional affiliation like ASID or IIDA, and a portfolio. This is never touched on in TV design shows. I wish clients knew of and expected to see these things before hiring a designer, I think it would help set the right expectations for the working relationship and cost of their project upfront.

Thank you for this post. As an interior designer, I get a little annoyed when these shows don't factor in design fees, freight, and construction costs into their projects. Yes, the shows can "design on a dime" for $1000, but that's with free labor. I think it's giving the public an unrealistic idea of what (re)designing your home can actually cost.

So the problems all lie with the clients' false expectations? Oh, please. Client speaking here. I have had several limited experiences working with interior designers (I am the client in those "high-end design situations, where designers are hired primarily for their trade-only access"). I have interviewed and rejected kitchen and bath designers for full tear-down-and-replace renovation projects (in frustration I ended up designing the renos myself and acting as contractor myself, with great success). I have been on the sidelines while friends and relatives worked with designers on bigger jobs and... my message to designers is this: put your snobberies aside and remind yourselves that small clients can become a big clients if you treat them with the respect they deserve, and small jobs might be job interviews for more involved projects. That limited-budget job you disdain might be followed by a more lucrative one, or you might get a great referral out of it. Try being kind and keeping an open mind. Don't judge.

I cannot tell you how many times interior designers have wasted my time telling me how much wealthier their other clients are than I am, how much more their other clients ordered, etc, and making it clear that my small furniture or decor order or smallish reno job was of no interest to them. The kitchen and bath designers I rejected played much the same game, and snidely dismissed my carefully itemized budgets (in the end I brought all projects in under budget, btw). The only misconception I ever had as a result of watching TV Design Porn Reality Shows is that interior designers might be enthusiastic, eager to help a homeowner, generous in spirit. That's not what I've witnessed in real life.

Oh, you can't say this loud enough or long enough. As an architect, I thank you for putting this down on "paper"!

Years ago, when Bob Vila was hosting "This old House", he showed a budget breakdown for a house project, a total remodel requiring at least 200 hours of time for the architect. Easily. And what did they bill for their services? $1000. And Mr. Vila graciously said "It was worth every penny." OMG - The frick'n architect worked for $5.00 an hour! So Mr. Vila did a disservice twice: once to the design community, and then again to potential clients. The potential clients should know about the range of fees and what they are getting for the services.

The other thing that bugs me about home improvement shows are the short durations of the projects. First, the illusion you can do a DIY in 1/2 an hour. HAH! It takes me that long to find the right drill bit! But even a show like "Property Brothers" where they do a re-do of a fixer in 4-5 weeks. Wow... it must be easy to get permits in the communities where they work! Or line up materials that will come that quickly to the site. And for real people, to find a contractor that will drive a project as if it's his only project... lets just say that's an illusion too. Every contractor/architect/interior designer has to keep several irons in the fire unless it's one of those major projects that takes over your life. Even Julia Morgan's firm did other projects when she designed Hearst Castle!

I believe TV has gotten more people interested in interior design, but they set up consumers for sticker shock--and designers like myself with the mountainous job of overcoming false expectations. I love the concept of bringing interior design to everyone, I just wish TV would present it realistically. Last I heard, nobody works for free, so why do they not include labor costs? It'd be better if they didn't list costs at all rather than give false impressions. Just as you can't always believe what you read, you can't always believe what you see, but try telling that to a homeowner who doesn't understand that a custom drapery costs so much more than the ready made curtain at Target or Pottery Barn. I understand TV's need to make a show entertaining and therefore leave out much of the reality, but if they choose to list costs, they should at least have a disclaimer stating "actual interior design projects involve labor costs as well as shopping at vendors not on the side of the road." For a similar post, see http://annelubnerdesigns.com/2010/05/diyers-and-the-painful-truth/

It's funny because I just had a client ask at what point I would be coming in to set up for the "big reveal". And another saying that they wanted to flip a house and "use a lot of vintage stuff to keep the costs low"... which as we all know doesn't compute. It is a continuous process of setting expectations and educating the client. Thanks for this piece!

@Rural and rueful, unfortunately many designers seem to have a reputation for being black holes of ego, steamrolling their wants instead of listening and interpreting their client's lifestyle. Its always our goal to make our clients feel comfortable and enjoy the design process, we are a strict no-ego zone! Who wants to feel inferior? Not me, not our clients. Its always our goal to make sure that the design process is a fun one.

Design should be fun and help you live a more beautiful, organized, full life.

Amen!

Oh, I have to give a big nod to trusting your designer.

If you have checked out their work, feel like you click, and know you need help... let go! A great designer will not force you into agreeing to something you do not want to live with, but they will push the envelope and get you out of your box. If you're not willing to go outside of your comfort zone, it may not be the right time to hire an expert.

Trust in the process!

Anyone who does do DIY knows how much time and effort actually goes into these things. Unfortunately for designers, DIY aficionados are not the type to hire a designer - exactly for this reason!

I was shocked at how much designers charge. Some charge more per hour than doctors. I expect architects to be expensive because one miscalculation can mean destruction. For the average person, I don't see them worth the cost. If you're wealthily maybe it would be worth the savings they can bring. Yes, I want a pretty house, but I don't want the debt or to have to dip into my 401k.

@blakesgirl, It is incredibly frustrating to me that products were/are available only to the trade. I don't have the money to hire an interior designer at this point in my life, and I have a fair amount of design sense myself so for now I just do it on my own... Thus, I find it extremely frustrating when products aren't available to "lay" people like myself. I like to think that if/when I have the money some day to hire an interior designer, I am paying them for their design skills, not their access to goods that I couldn't purchase on my own.

"It is incredibly frustrating that all the furnishings once only available to the trade are common place."

@Blakesagirl, can you tell me why this would be the case? I'm genuinely curious.

Thanks for this post! You touched on so many issues I face as a designer. I am going to print it out & use it as needed. Earning a client's trust so that they will really listen to your suggestions is probably the hardest part. There's nothing more frustrating that thinking "why did they hire me if they're going to second guess EVERYTHING."

I like to try and explain the "golden triangle" theory to people all the time. With any project there are three desires
1. Quick time frame
2. High quality results
3. Low cost

You can only pick two.

Having used several designers/decorators and architects, in my experience, everyone needs to be brought back to the mission from time to time. Decorators in particular take every rejection personally, which I cannot understand. I have to live with it. If I'm ambivalent, then its not right. It has little to nothing to do with a vision, but rather, the execution of the concept. I am tired of people who don't have to live in my place making snide comments about my taste level when their suggestion is not wholeheartedly embraced. I live in a coop, that role is already filled by my neighbors.

@RinaWild: Do they have comment of the day here? I'd like to nominate you.

Interesting article. I would add though, that sometimes these DIY shows can help PREPARE a client. I gut renovated a brownstone studio in Brooklyn.I hired what I thought was a general contractor, but turned out to be an architect too. Anyway, everybody was pushing me to replace a false ceiling, with a slight brown patch.After watching these tv shows,I was convinced, they were going to rip down the ceiling, and discover some huge leakage problem. I gave in, praying it wasn't going to cost me a fortune to fix a problem, and it turned out to be nothing to worry about at all. Now, later on,when they opened up the fuse box/ wiring in the wall, they discovered that the electricity hadn't been touched since the 1940's, and the whole place had to be re- wired. Thanks to all the DIY shows however, I was fully prepared for a 'disaster' moment, and with my architects help, had a contingency fee, and was not all that phased.....

@ Rural and Rueful - sorry to hear you and people you know have had bad experiences with designers. It upsets me that a few egotistical hacks can ruin anyone's impression of an entire industry, and I can tell you there is no minimum budget to my projects, and I'm sure several other designers here would agree.

Applause to you for doing it yourself and getting the result you wanted. We simply offer an optional service to those that are not as comfortable or do not have the time or patience to do it themselves.

@Eclectic Design Source- thank you.

@RinaWild - applause.

I, too , am frustrated that some fabrics etc are only available" to the trade"

@ECANDLE96: I guess because she is from the trade and that was a selling point for her (hire me because I have access to things you don't) so now one of the advantages of hiring someone like her instead of doing it yourself is gone. Of course for the non designers it's great that we have access to more options without hiring a designer.

my design business is based on re-styling and re-purposing what the client already owns which usually includes a lot of crafty diy solutions. rarely does the client appreciate the time, labor & materials required to turn something from drab to fab. hopefully this post will give potential clients a better understanding that the creative process is a billable good.

"Like"

My gut reaction is to take real issue with "to the trade" limitations. Perhaps I don't fully understand the argument in favor of these limitations.

Aren't clients paying for a decorator's vision, experience and time? Why should the resources be hoarded? Maybe it's just a question of changing the business model so the industry charges by the hour rather than relying on profit from the discrepancy between the "to the trade" price and the charge to the client? I second the request by @ecandle96 for a neutral history on this practice and why it's changing.

It reminds me a bit of the challenge facing the journalism industry-- information is free, thanks to the internet, but there's still a role for the press (editorial content, fact checking, reputational assurances, filtering-- i.e. helping you decide what to prioritize and focus your attention on and when, etc.) It's not that greater public access to information (or wall coverings) is bad, but it does require that certain industries change the business model to adapt to the world we live in now.

I guess none of the "designers" commenting here are familiar with the maxim "the customer is always right."

@Griffin, I don't think it's necessarily about the customer being 'right' when simply the expectations of what will happen/what it will cost are off. As an artist and graphic designer, I can't tell you how many people have approached me to do work for them for free, because their project was just that amazing and it would be great for my portfolio. Or think it's reasonable to ask me to work on an 80 hour project for $50. Would you work your job for two weeks for only $50? People forget that they are hiring a specialized professional who works for their livelihood.

@Griffin Actually, what we designers find is that the customer is often greatly misinformed. And decorating TV shows do nothing to properly inform the public as to how much projects cost or what an interior designer actually does.

Thank you SO MUCH for this post.

I have a client who was telling me how her best friend did not agree with many of my choices. I had to explain (several times) how her friend is not my client, knows nothing of my decision-making process and will not be living in the space I design.

@Griffin My customers are always right, even when they choose not to hire me. Rueful is right to take their project into their own hands if they cant find the level of service and understanding they wanted.

But the relationship between any customer and service provider benefits from knowledge, on both sides. The point of the post, and some designer's complaints about TV Design shows, is that they (perhaps not purposely) sometimes misrepresent the design experience, cost, effort, commitment, timeframes... etc. It is the designer's job to correct this misinformation. We also all offer different levels of service. I am happy to provide nothing more than a scaled floorplan for a homeowner if they want to DIY, specifications list if they wish to purchase on their own, on up to full service with delivery and installation, as they require. I don't believe in upselling. Give a client what they want, and they become a client for life. Most good designers ask clients to rate their experience after a project, because they truly care and want to constantly improve their process to better meet the needs of the client.

Where can I get that art over the fireplace?????

@Original A...rimshot!

I love reading the designers who are insulted about goods no longer being available to just the trade, and us commoners now have access to them. Time for a sensibility check, a chair is just a freakin' chair. We aren't talking weapons grade plutonium that someone is trying to get, it's just a chair.

I am in the biz, an engineer, I do design and work with a lot of designers, interior as well. Most of the work was coporate or institutional, so I never experienced the problems that homeowners had with designers, or vice versa.

OK, so I'm just going to start by saying I am not a professional designer, so I do not have a dog in this fight.

Let's agree on a few things: that the media and the information age has changed the playing field in most - if not all - areas including design. Goods are more available to the public; people are more informed on both sides; something that used to be a privilege of the few, is becoming mainstream. We all have to adapt and deal with the variations on this theme: perception versus reality and marketing versus long-term results.

I LOVE TV design shows and I suspect many of us reading AT watch them because we love the art-form; creating fulfilling and beautiful spaces is what makes us tick. Otherwise we wouldn't be on this website. Now, you don't need to be a DYI'er to know that everything (and I mean EVERYTHING, not just home related stuff) usually takes longer than you think, it's harder than you think, and most likely it's more expensive than you think. So home improvement/design is no different.

Also, even in the show I love, sometimes in close-ups I see details I wouldn't WANT in my house (rough edges, slightly sloppy paint, gaps, etc.) and if the project was supposed to only take 2 days or whatever, that is not a surprise... I am sure the happy recipients of the makeover sign a disclaimer saying something to that effect. Let's not forget the key word here: SHOW.

It's TV people. Don't believe all that you see on TV.

And my kind request to designers - which I respect by en large even when I don't understand on a individual level - is to keep in mind that people gripe also about their doctors, their kid's teacher, whatever. We are humans interacting with other humans and some humans suck.

Oh thank you thank you. I have felt this way to a long time....now if my clients would just read this before they hire me!

@Cristinainger I totally agree with you. I think one issue is that there are differences between interior decorators and interior designers. A designer can be a decorator, but a decorator usually isn't a designer. They don't require the same accreditation that designers do. I'm not knocking decorators. I've been one and love it. But, I also know my limitations and don't go beyond that.

Design TV shows don't always clarify that there is a difference between, say Candice Olsen who is accredited to the high heavens and some of the others who are really just glorified decorators with a skilled behind-the-scenes team. Different price points, access to materials, etc make a huge difference in real life.

Newbie here...

Could someone explain the difference between interior decorators and interior designers? Thanks!

Huh. I'm totally surprised that people really hire designers and expect the process to be the way it looks on tv. Is ANYTHING in real life the way it looks on tv?

That said, as a potential design client, I realize that I don't know much about the professional design process. I've looked at the websites of a couple designers with whom I've considered working, and it would be so helpful if they'd described there a bit about how it all works. @TSPInteriordesign, your list of possible services is great! How can we get more designers to be that clear and explicit?

@Nancy From MPLS,MN Here's what the National Council For Interior Design Qualifications says:

Many people use the terms "interior design" and "interior decorating" interchangeably, but these professions differ in critical ways.

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability.

The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology—including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process—to satisfy the needs and resources of the client.

Many U.S. states and Canadian provinces have passed laws requiring interior designers to be licensed or registered—documenting their formal education and training—and many of them specifically require that all practicing interior designers earn the NCIDQ Certificate to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. By contrast, interior decorators require no formal training or licensure.

TV reality design shows are often reality at warp speed. A little common sense goes a long way here. But I find it fun to see big changes in a short time period and I often learn something new or spot a clever idea or two. No harm, no foul.
Designers and their clients are not antagonists -- they are (or should be) on the same page. If they are not, a divorce is necessary and desirable.
Just my $.02.

I helped my mom furnish and decorate her new home a number of years ago. I am a very patient and reasonably skilled seamstress, and I have an affinity for repairs and tools. AND I have to say, that the first time I installed something, I did something wrong and ended up spending a lot of time looking for better fasteners than the kits provided for, for example. Throughout each room, my mom and I giggled and said now we know why the designers and decorators were so expensive. They had expertise and they, too, would have to accommodate each project. We had more time than money and it turned out well, and we are the type of people who respect professionals. I especially admire someone with a fine eye for color and for imaginative placement. I'd love to work with a good designer/decorator.

What @iamthelab said

Also remember: there is absolutely no clause anywhere that says 'reality tv,' much less home design shows, have to be real - at all. It usually does have some element of unscripted reality, but these are not documentaries or the news and have no standards they have to live up to. It's pure entertainment.

@Home Body Great counterpoint. It sure doesn't stop me from watching them. But, I do wish that the were a little more open with the time management part of design. As a decorator, I've had clients who wanted it all done in 48 hours. Most of the time, it's just impossible. I've had my friends who are designers tell me it's been even worse for them.

Totally agree, Home Body - you took the words right out of my mouth. Design TV is usually not educational, it's entertainment. I like Design TV for the drinking games. Any time someone says some cheesy cliche like "wow factor," "make it pop," "focal point," "zen" or "bring the outdoors in" you can take enjoy a guzzlet (sp? I stole that word from Andy Cohen) of your cocktail, or at least laugh with your friends about how the homeowners obviously watch way too much HGTV, while ironically, you sit there watching too much of it yourselves. Over this past weekend a friend and I got a big kick out of how the Property Brothers' hairdos and facial hair changes, from episode to episode and even within the same scene.

I cannot tell you how many times I've noticed a piece of cheap crown molding being nailed up crooked on a house flipping show, which you know looks 10 times as bad in person. Have you ever seen one "art project" on TV you would let within a square mile of your home? Houses tweaked by a show that will remain nameless up the street from me all lost almost all of their "improvements" within the year, to what I assume was weather, poor quality, shoddy workmanship and matters of taste. However, even if it's not very up to date or educational, design tv is HIGHLY entertaining.

I confess the picture on the wall is the only reason I clicked.

There's another side to products being available to the trade only, and that is the manufacturers do not wish to work with the general public, instead they prefer to work only with professionals. Sometimes specifying certain aspects of a product can become very tricky very fast (a chair is not just a chair), and if you're not familiar with what you're doing, an order can go wrong very quickly and the manufacturer will not be at fault, instead you will be. If you hire a designer and a product you ordered isn't right, you go to the designer, they deal with the manufacturer and eat the cost if they have to, and you get what you wanted in the first place.

It always makes me crazy to see the timed challenges on certain shows (trading spaces, design star, etc.) where they expect designers to overhaul a kitchen or bathroom in two days.
I would NEVER want anyone to do make that happen in my own space or on a space i'm working on. That's just begging for shoddy workmanship, sloppy design — unsafe construction...plus it's just stressful to watch.

Thank you for the clarification IAMTHELAB.

@RinaWild: my caterer friend had the same theory as your "golden triangle" -- only she called it the "3 E's." Again, you can only have two of the three for any given project.

1. Ease
2. Economy
3. Elegance.

This is true of weddings also.

I'm one of those people who watch many of the TV design shows. Never, ever, have I assumed that I could get the same thing done in my house for anywhere near the costs they tout. I always wondered to myself, "Yes, but what? Are they not charging for any of their labor?" I mostly watch for ideas, or which stores they frequent (many times IKEA), or how they arrange things. For what I would want done, I would have to win the lottery, and I know it. But they are still fun to watch!

I don't necessarily think that this is a "TV" problem. It's mostly just a lack of knowledge/awareness about what people do and the value of their service.

When we started our business, our single greatest investment was in our brand. For many businesses, this seems like nothing, but we talked with several people, and found a branding expert who has been *amazing* with us. He's a kind and generous man, experienced and gifted, and he walked us through the process. He also charged us a great rate, and it was the *best* money we ever spent.

But, it was expensive. It was more expensive than I'd expected, but less than many of his competitors and we also "clicked" more.

And the great thing was, through this relationship, there is an implicit trust in him. We don't visit him often, but when we do, we pay the hourly rate for his advice and direction, and he charges us accordingly for any work that needs to be done. He's truly brilliant and a joy to work with, and we recommend him highly.

But before I went through this project, I had no idea what it *really* cost for this sort of work, becuase I didn't understand the work.

He took the time to explain to us what the work was, why it was valued at the price it was, and what we could expect from each other. It was clear, concise, friendly, open, and ultimately, a lot of fun.

I consider our designer to be one of our greatest business allies, so if you're complaining that clients just don't understand, take some time -- yes, free, investment time -- to educate them about the process, the sorts of expenses to expect, and WHY it costs what it does and how it all works.

I do this in my business, too. I teach yoga. People seem to think that this should be free. But nothing is ever free, really. So, I explain why it costs what it does, and we do price fairly. More education, more transparency makes people happy and confident in purchasing your services.

Few thoughts...

I am a Librarian, not a designer, but I have read and "studied" interior design/decoration (a little of both approaches) pretty much my whole life, as a personal interest. There are lots of ways to learn things, the school way vs the self-exploration way, among them. Not saying I know what a full-fledged professionally trained interior designer knows -- I don't. I do know enough to make my own environment pleasing, however, and (as an underpaid "public servant") there is no way I can afford to pay a pro. Which is one factor in sticker shock for others.

As for trust -- TV design shows would, if anything, KEEP me from really trusting a designer. Those "reveals" prefixed by long periods of not knowing what, exactly, is going on... Not a chance! We built a house a few years ago. If we hadn't gone in daily to check no things (which, by the way, was technically illegal without permission and supervision of the builders, for safety reasons) there would have been several disasters. The entry door from the garage and a broom closet had to be switched around from the blueprint because a change in the ceiling height of the basement wasn't accounted for and the extra steps into the garage made them protrude further than originally designed -- meaning a second car wouldn't fit. (Well, a Smart would have...) A long window was all set for installation in our living room rather than in the staircase where it belonged. Etc. It's my house -- no designer would ever get my full trust, they would need to clear every decision with me or no way I'd work with them.

Also, I do understand that designers are usually self-employed, and their hourly rates have to include their overhead, insurance, assistants, et al -- however, the only professional designer I have worked with -- and she is great and very accommodating -- charges $485 for a color consultation lasting a bit over an hour. That's about 2/3 of my WEEKLY take home pay. (This is without any actual product apart from suggestions for colors for one room.) We hired her because we couldn't come to an agreement amongst ourselves -- this way we have the "pro" to "blame", which is comforting!

This happens in every design field. Good design is as much about the work as it is about managing expectations and communicating your concepts.

I work in graphic and product design, and I spend equal amounts of time designing what would be best for the client and what the client thinks they want to see. Because, yeah, you can tell someone why an idea won't work, but if you show them instead, it's hard to argue with. Sometimes this involves sketching a bad logo, but just as often it's about explaining technical things. You want this 200 pixel image blown up to poster size? Well, that's not going to work, but I'll send it to you anyway so you can see why.

@RINAWILD, that's exactly how we explain quotes to our clients!

@Griffin...
As someone who has worked with both designers & clients on projects (home interiors retail & antiques) for over 25 years I can tell you the customer is not always right.
Rudeness is not right. Demanding is not right. Egotistical is not right.

I have seen many, many clients take what was a creed of service & turn it into "the world is all about me & damn the rules" behavior.
Not all designers are wonderful, naturally but the percentage of clients expecting everything for nothing & then act shamefullly obnoxious when it simply can not be accomplished....grows yearly.

I am a Professional Interior Designer, one thing I would emphasize in the conversation about differences between a designer and decorator is that an interior designer who has passed the nationally recognized NCIDQ exam has shown competence in understanding building codes and life safety. So we offer this other domain of expertise to our clients. I understand fire codes, exiting issues, accessibility requirements for scooters/wheelchairs and so forth.

I am starting an Interior Design program in one week. I have an art background, and think I know what kind of work I am in for. I was wondering if any of you seasoned designers have any advice for someone just starting out?
Thanks. I'm a little nervous.

Great article! As hinted at, design-show-results aren't always realistic for actual budgets. I am a designer/stylist and have worked as a designer for HGTV and here is a little bit from behind the scenes:

1. The network pays the designer and the production company pays the labor - two major costs totally cut out of the makeover.
2. Most companies discount furniture and props in trade for subtle advertisement - i.e. air time and often materials like fabric and wallpaper are donated.
4. The rooms are designed FOR t.v. (although some designers are more considerate of this than others and do create comfortable spaces).
5. Lastly, props such as lamps, art, photographs, flowers, etc have a separate budget and filler items such as pillows and books don't always stay in the room when the cameras turn off - they are reusable/returnable props.

Great Article! I would also like to add a couple of points of my own! First of all, Clients have to etch in their brains that Interior designers are not "Wall paint choosers" and "furniture choosers"! If you want so, consult the pain shop owner directly! Secondly, We designers want to know your needs and design accordingly and not fit in the plan whatever you have "selected"! I have clients who come to me and say "so we selected the sofas and the beds from the furniture store, but they are sort of big for the house. Now you, find a place for those in the house and make them fit!" Somethimes I wish we had real-life softwares, where we can edit scale, paint, mirror the real life objects, "as per client's needs!" Lastly, Clients turn into villains when it comes to put their hands in their pockets and dish out the fees! ONE more time I hear"oh this was so simple, why should you ask for so and so fees! we could have done it ourselves!" Well, dear clients, It took us 10 years to learn how to come up with visibly "simple ideas" to design a place for the appropriate use! Now, Hands out of your pockets please!

3. : )

I'm addicted to design shows, have done major overhauls in my own home (leaving the painting, demo and construction to the pros, of course) and love all things interior design, but I could never be a designer. First, a lot of people lack creativity, vision and/or time: all the reasons they hire a designer in the first place, but then they question everything! You designers have the patience of saints. In short, I guess I can only be my own "designer" and "client."

Design shows on television are entertainment. I get that. But does that mean they can't be informative? I have no problem omitting labor if the show is truly aimed at DIYers, but more often than not they include some carpentry job far beyond the skills of the average person. The budget should reflect what a custom piece of furniture would cost. And show realistic sources of work and materials. If I take a flea market find to an automotive shop, will they really paint it for me? And please tell me where to find the good-looking, durable upholstery fabric for $2 a yard.

You are absolutely right in noting that designers are generally self employed and need to roll the overhead into the cost of their design fees. And after that, there should be X% left over to pay themselves.

I can't comment on that particular price you gave, its higher than what we charge, but when we give a consult we are giving ideas which the client can take and use even if they never call us again. They are paying for our expertise, our time, the time it took to research color, bring color, bring and assortment of ideas, travel to their home, etc.

So, although there is not a tangible product like a sofa, the client is still left with tons of ideas that they can use however they see fit.

:)

Adding to what lucielou posted:

There are code, egress & safety concerns that designers have a professional responsibility to adhere to, but a client may not realize and the supplier may not feel tied to. For example, I correct kitchen plans for fire safety issues constantly, and these plans are provided by the cabinet manufacturer - who should be fully aware of those concerns. I have had to contradict construction managers on flooring selections for public spaces that do not meet coefficient of friction (slip retardant) standards. These kinds of issues are rarely addressed in TV design. Which leads to the perception that Interior Design is the same as decorating, making a space attractive.

Agree that TV is entertainment, a Designer needs to spend the time explaining the differences to their clients before they begin the work. Any good designer gets a client approvals before moving forward with construction & purchases unlike Design TV. A conversation & clear letter of intent written specifically for what the client's needs, solves most of the misperception problem upfront, and can help weed out the few clients who can't get past unrealistic expectations, as well as assist the client in selecting a designer they trust & feel comfortable working with.

I've witnessed how much project work is involved in getting an interior design degree from a four year university; the same with architecture, engineering and industrial design. Supplies for models, layout boards etc. don't come cheap and an unsuspecting freshman might wish for a pile of twenty page papers due instead. ID is far more than picking out pretty colors and moving around nice furniture.
No doubt there are id'ers out there who have inflated egos; but equally, there are clients who want to micromanage and believe they're always right (they're not, as some have said).
Some of the tv shows are heartwarming but there have been episodes where I've thought if the recipents weren't such slobs, they could have something much better without resorting to getting something from a tv show.

I actually disagree with the advice to "hire a designer for his/her vision" and then just trust them. I see there are a fair number of professionals in the comments who won't agree with me on this, but I think in this day and age the number of clients who are willing to have their home be a blank slate is minimal.

I'm sure there's a segment of clients who either don't care or don't have much confidence in their own taste, but MOST people interested enough in how their home looks to hire a designer in 2012 have pretty strong aesthetic opinions. As a client, I work with experts precisely because I have a clear vision of my own, but I don't have the time or expertise to source and execute it myself. I want my home to chiefly reflect my taste and vision.

I have seen others come up with ideas better than my own but that fit in with my overall (life)style, and am open to that. But I don't feel a moment's guilt for saying no, and re-steering things if they aren't what I want. Some clients are much more hesitant about perceived confrontation, so they say "my friend doesn't like this" or "I'm not sure how my husband will feel..." when what they probably should say is "no thanks". Maybe this makes me sound like a nightmare client to some, but I've found that many talented people seem to appreciate clear feedback.

(I forgot to mention above that the $485 color consulting fee was paid at work, not in a residence.)

I think all that would be needed at HGTV would be to put a "COMPLETE" budget and source list on the website for the show. They could be pretty generic and even just say something like "Design and labor fees not included." if they don't want to tell us what Candice Olsen makes per hour! ;^) But many times I wondered where to get a certain fabric or other item. If they are unavailable to the public, but they have identifiable manufacturers and product numbers, just give us that. If it's a salvaged family item, say THAT, but if it's a salvaged vintage Lane side chair of a certain pattern, and that is known, if you give me that information at least I know how to search it on Craigslist or whatever. Inspiration without a little backup is kind of directionless.

On the other hand, if the project includes $3000 worth of donated silk flowers hot glued to the walls -- I really don't care where they came from!!! ;^)

Great point! I didn't mean to suggest that clients shouldn't get involved, the project should absolutely be about their tastes and preferences. They are the ones living in the house, and shouldn't feel guilty about wanting the plan to be about their vision. In my experience though, it's a waste of a client's money to constantly be redirecting the design process. When a designer creates a scheme, pieces are chosen to work together, and sometimes removing things will throw off the whole scheme.

What I meant was that when you chose a designer, you do so with the expectation that the designer will understand your vision (you have to explain it to them of course). But it's waste of your money and the designer's time to constantly be second guessing or nixing ideas. If that's the case, it probably means that the designer-client relationship isn't a good fit.

shanti,

Your concerns are the concerns of many!

Trusting a designer means that the designer is listening to what the client wants/ needs in the home and making suggestions based on what they like and peppering in some ideas that are out of their box.

You're totally right in that most people do have strong opinions on aesthetics, as they should; sometimes those biases will work with the entire scope of the project and can be utilized, sometimes they can't. But, a designer who truly cares about their client will keep likes/dislikes/lifestyle in mind while proposing ideas.

If you meet a designer who disregards your opinions, run.

I totally agree with @RinaWild. I'm slowly, slowly developing my living space into something that I love. Through being patient I've been able to snag real Eames furniture, Persian rugs, and other things that I could never have afforded if I'd rushed to buy everything at once. Sure, I'd love to have my house looking great this instant, on the cheap, and looking fabulous -- but that's not realistic.

Most of the points above boil down to "be an adult and don't expect the impossible." That's fantastic advice for any area of life, and especially applicable to a situation where you're hiring someone for their expertise.

LeahDC nailed it.

Off that subject and in regards to trade-only merchandise, I can certainly understand the frustration of the public wanting access to these products. But, on the flip side, as someone already mentioned, certain merchandise has very specific ordering methods.

Also, in the age of the internet, the world has become so close and accessible that its not uncommon for some clients to try to find similar product to the ones proposed then come back to the designer and say they found it themselves.

That's like... hiring a plumber and saying that you are going to source your own copper.

Trade-only merchandise allows designers to have a very, very small level of exclusivity, a small edge over big boxes and chain stores, the internet, etc.

RinaWild-
My husband is a contractor and I'm printing out what you said to give to his clients who are blinded bythe "home DIY-er porn" shown consistently on TV. I really wish they could show some of the disasters that come from those who think they can design/build themselves instead of showing those that do a decent job.

@AKK730 - As a former residential interior designer, maybe I can offer a response/benefit of the "To the Trade" resources. While in design school, I was another one that didn't quite "get it" until I had to figure out a way to bring projects in on time and budget in the real world.

While charging "by the hour" seems ideal, it's not always feasible - my first few projects out of the gate I was struggling to not use 100% of my budget or design fees in phone call conversations with the contractors, furniture manufactures, and project owners (let alone setting pen to paper for design options). With nearly every project I found myself needing to zero out work hours just to keep it the finished project affordable for the client.

When it comes time to create or purchase furnishings - "To the Trade" isn't about hoarding in my estimation, but making sure that there is another way we can ensure our value to the client. While every 2 clients I had were willing to work within my options provided (example - 3 sofas: similar design, similar fabrics, different price points and quality options); there would always be the 3rd client that had no trouble running me through the paces, having me research 20 acceptable sofa options, as many acceptable fabrics - then would put off the ordering to scour Amazon.com; Ebay, wholesale providers, etc to purchase around me and tell me the piece has been ordered. It can be very difficult to bill all of that time back to a client, and ultimately unproductive to the working relationship.

While striving to keep the customer happy and complete contract requirements on time - being able to charge a bit more for something to the trade would help offset the time/expense of all that additional research that cannon always feasibly be billed back at an hourly rate when you've hit the limits of your design fees but have a project to complete. Conversely, when you have been used for ideas but then cannot make the full amount of that time back if a client purchases from outside of your firm, at least you know they couldn't necessarily take all of the financial and intellectual value that came from your hard work and resources.

I don't know if it's the best answer, but it is one of mine. Toward the end of working in residential design, I did get fairly good at recognizing the clients that wouldn't see the full value of my time, and offering design "packages" - suggestions for room layouts, paint options, retail furniture options that they could execute on their own timetable and budget so we could each benefit, but we wouldn't be caught in the endless "nickel & dime" dance with each other.

Can we all stop going back and forth and just finally all agree that chevron is totally played out and we're not going to use it any more, on any thing, for any reason?

Great.

It's true, you can't have your cake (designer) and eat it too (DIYer) without expecting to pay for it.

Man, you guys opened the flood gates on this one. Only someone who believes that paint dries in an hour and that a bathroom/kitchen can be gutted and completely installed in 48 hours, would believe that most design shows reflect reality. They are designed to entertain and that is what they do. Very few show a true budget i.e. Sarah Richardson, Property Brothers - who actually fights with clients and cut items when there are simply no funds available. If you hire a decorator (such as moi) expect to pay for my time and services rendered based on 10 years of experience from the school of hard knocks/apprenticeships. If you hire an interior designer, expect to pay much more to compensate for their extensive knowledge base/experience that comes certified with a college degree. You wouldn't expect free service from any other trade, so there is no need to insult the profession by expecting to get things done for free, or for unrealistic prices and with unrealistic expectations. It's simply not cool.

Me too - and still no answer on where to get it!

mmaves---

wow! HUGELY helpful explanation! You can write my next post :)

I esp. appreciate what you said about to-the-trade products. Even having worked in the design industry and now as a decorator, it's hard for me to justify mark ups even to myself. I hate the idea of anyone paying more for something...but sourcing does take time and it's not always billable, esp. when a client uses your idea as a spring board but orders elsewhere and feels opposed to compensating you for your idea. It's tricky. As much as I want to work for free (and have a lot--my husband likes to tell me that I work in non-profit design ;) because I love seeing something mediocre become something beautiful, at the end of the day, I still have bills to pay....and an accountant that keeps me honest :)

a.renaye - Fascinating info about HGTV! I want a post about your other insider's knowledge!

Amen to that DD Lizzy!

The designers who have commented experience some of the frustrations that anyone in a creative industry must face. Customer education and relationships are a challenge. Actually, that's not just creative fields, now that I think of it. (I've worked in both types.)
I love the theme of the imperfect or unfinished made whole, who doesn't? Isn't that what draws us to the endless home and garden shows?
But what I want from a designer is more reality based. I hope to get assurance that I am not making expensive mistakes either because of durability, scale, and other practicalities as well as a collaboration that can give me an environment that really reflects me, but with resources and imagination that I may not have on my own.
There is a book from years ago by Kellee Katillac (recently in House Beautiful) that showed the work she did with Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Do those homeowners have any place in the world reflected in these comments?
I have some very young friends who are starting out. They know they don't want junky furniture, but don't really know where to start. I had encouraged them to find a local designer and see if someone would work with them to furnish their very first living room. They could be good customers for years to come. But will they find a designer who would welcome them? I have to say now I am a little worried that they won't be seen as worth the trouble.

As an interior designer, I HATE the practice of charging by mark-up. I think we should all move to a model of just charging by time. When I am bidding my time, I will state that sofa selection will include X many choices and X many hours and after that, additional time will be billed. It keeps the clients a little more focused and builds trust. If you are making your money through mark-ups, the client is always doubting what you are charging them for things and if you've picked out the most expensive option just to make more money. Heck, I don't even care if the client purchases it themselves! Then they can go through the pain or ordering/tracking and they can be responsible for making/breaking the schedule. If I do the purchasing, then I add my time for it.

When I remodeled my own bathroom, I purchased all of the plumbing fixtures myself because I didn't want to pay the plumber's markup. But I also did all of the work of selecting/ordering/tracking. The moment a client discovers that they paid $3500 for a $2000 sofa, the trust between designer and client is broken even if that is how the designer was compensated for the time that went into it. And, once the trust is gone...

www.erinowes.com

Amen-would that all clients understood this at the beginning!

Come on, Maxwell - where can we find that art over the mantel????

Reading the comments from the design clients makes me wonder where you found the terrible designers you've been describing!

A designer / architect should never "take rejection personally" - a good designer will work with you to accomplish a vision that suits your needs and budget without getting upset if you disagree with something; they should help to explain anything you don't understand. I once had a client decline toss pillows based on the price; when I showed her a similar custom pillow, she said, "Oh, I didn't realize how amazing it would be - I love them." Communication is key.

Also, my time was always billed between $75 - $150 for service when I worked for a private firm. Anyone who knows about running a business will agree that billing charges are a combined total of the cost it takes to run the business. Would you dispute your mechanic's $100 - $125 / hour charge after your car was done? We readily accept similar charges all the time without thought because they are the norm.

Thanks for posting an article that helps to close the gap between false perception put forth by design shows and design reality.

Regarding the client posts: There are certain projects that fall under my budget range that I won't take on. That doesn't mean I'm passing judgement on you or what you have to spend. It means that in my business, where I'm a sole practitioner, my most precious resource is time, and I know that if I do 10 projects at once with a modest budget which I have to do to make a living, not only can I not physically do that, but you won't get the attention and time from me that you deserve. There are other firms whose models are different from mine who could accommodate a modest budget because they have staff they bill out at a much lower hourly rate and administrative staff who can do all the co-ordination.

Regarding taking things personally: Design is a creative endeavor and creativity is a very personal form of expression. Of course, this is also a business arrangement, so no one should feel hurt or insulted if their choices are rejected. But the reality of life and business is, that wherever you're dealing with people, designer and client will have and deal with varying degrees of insecurity, sensitivity and hurt feelings. So throughout all this, communication is key. For many reasons, not every designer is right for every client, and by the same token, not every client is right for every designer.

As for the part of the discussion that revolves around "To the trade" products, I think MMaves says it well from the designer's point of view. This is a business and not the designer's hobby. It is the same as a consumer not being able to buy product straight from the manufacturer instead of a retailer. In this case, the manufacturer has added designers to their customer base and consumers are free to either buy from a designer where they often benefit from a split discount, or buying from a retailer with a full 100% markup or more, or chose to wait until it goes on sale.

As for the TV part of the discussion where all of this started, I have been on many TV design/renovation shows and can tell you from personal experience, they exist to entertain an audience so the audience will buy the advertiser's products, which is how the production company makes their money. So to that end, they story-board the shows, edit them, set up conflict of various kinds to keep the viewer coming back. Reality on TV is strictly manufactured. That doesn't mean that there aren't some good aesthetic ideas being shown, but their first mandate is to sell advertising and keep their production costs to a minimum, so product and labor is often donated skewing the budgets to an unrealistically low level. I wrote my book, Renovation Bootcamp(tm): Kitchen to give the consumer the real reality and give the professional back up when they are explaining the process to a client.

Everything we've been talking about here is about managing expectations on both sides of the professional relationship and communicating clearly and making as few assumptions as possible.

I have just completed participating in the filming of a reality TV home design/purchase show and I can tell you that, while it was the most fun I have had, there is nothing "real" about these shows. People really do need to remember that television is all about entertainment and real life is rarely very entertaining. But they do give us a lot of inspiration and, again, it was a blast filming it. YOu can check out my experience on my own blog

This is a good post. Does anyone actually assume that reality TV is all that real??

Wow, lots of comments...Great post...My designer/architect/contractor friends and I call it "HGTV Syndrome", in its simplest form unrealistic expectations from clients. I have used Rina Wild's 3 items for 20 years to communicate to client's what the options are, but often they tell me I am wrong because they saw differently on HGTV. Sadly when issues come up they revert back to the the syndrome and complain.

It seems the comments have gone off target in many instances, but for those who have had bad experiences with designers(and there are many of them) be sure to make clear what YOUR expectations are at the start.

Thank you for a stimulating read!