Why Hire a Designer in 2022

Why Hire a Designer in 2022

Even with so many pictures posted & articles written, some still wonder if it’s worth the investment to hire a design professional. When my team & I show up, we have every intention to fill the shoes & meet the needs. Clients have great ideas but so often zero time to execute them in a complete or timely manner. They need assistance pulling it together, and that’s exactly what we do!  

Interior Design is a skill that, when done correctly, enhances a space and the quality of the lives lived in it. An art that turns a house into a home! Designers truly help fulfill a need—they tell a visual story, and for that, among so many other reasons, hiring a design professional should no longer be seen as a splurge, but a choice that is as wise and sensible as hiring a plumber or an electrician. 

Keep reading for even more reasons why! 

Reason 1: Save Money 

Your home is one of—if not THE most expensive asset you own. Hiring a designer assures it is elevated to its best possible version. Once the project is complete, it’s time to stop the process and simply enjoy! Without a designer’s expert eye, people continue to wonder if the room is “done yet.” They’ve exhausted all their efforts, but wonder why it still doesn’t have that “designer look.” One can keep hauling “stuff” home—more & more “final touches,” and yet still miss the mark to produce a showcased design style.  This costly mistake can be avoided by using a professional who has a process that gets the job done concise & correct. 

 

Reason 2: Plan of Action

The all-important "plan" is where a true, professional assessment of your project takes place. Designers are trained to think spatially and out of the box so they can creatively visualize the end product and the best path to get you there. Their trained eye will likely notice things that you may miss. And their experience may offer solutions to common issues they've seen in many spaces. Having a specific action plan creates a timeline to move the project along and get to the end result quicker & easier. Designers listen & plan spaces to fit the way you live. Your home should reflect your personal style, lifestyle, and attitude towards life. If your space doesn’t reflect this—it’s time to hire a professional! Changing stages of life or family dynamics may be cause for tweaking your spaces. Anyone can purchase resources and move around items in a room, but an interior designer will sit down and connect on your personal & lifestyle and determine the best selections to layout all of the necessary components to help bring the visual story together.

 

 

Reason 3: Resources

There is so much out there in the current marketplace. Countless brick & mortar warehouses and showrooms, and infinite online stores, not to mention all the social platforms selling even more products and services. It is great to take advantage of all these resources, but time can be wasted researching all those products, brands, prices, and lead times. Frustration and stress often arise from too many choices and lack of confidence. Even more angst can arise given the supply chain delays of late. 

Interior Design professionals have a pulse on the industry, and are privy to information regarding stock items, custom items, and their corresponding order and transit times. There are options, selections, & information available to designers that may not available to the general public. The goal is to use the right resources to ensure it all pulls together without too many bumps & delays along the way.  

 

Reason 4: Connections 

A designer can build stronger bridges between you and your architect or contractor. The best results are when this happens early in the process so there are no mishaps in the overall plan.  The most successful projects are executed when the professionals involved are a team who speak the same language. The key in today’s marketplace is identifying the most reliable contractors and to utilize their time, skills, and expertise. 

 

Reason 5: Budget

The all-important budget is so very important to allocate at the very beginning of a project. A designer can help you determine this amount from the get go and help ease into the investment that’s about to take place. You can have a lower, realistic amount or a “must-not-go-over” amount. Either way, a designer will help you allocate & will also want to ensure they are also considered in the budget.  This allows them to plan the time required to meet expectations and complete your project. As a professional, they navigate their schedule to be there for all clients when decisions have to be made. A written contract is beneficial, so that everyone is communicating and there are no unmet expectations. They’ll plan the project to fit your design & lifestyle, but also to fit realistic budget expectations. 

 

The decision to hire a designer may seem difficult, but do not fear! Start by figuring out how much help you need, what that help is worth, and what you enjoy doing yourself. Hiring an Interior Designer can be the most rewarding decision you make for a complete, quality, design in the places where you do life.

We hope these tips help to guide you in your decision—it’s now yours to make!

 

Ready to go for it?

Take the first step by purchasing a 1- Hour Design Consultation with the Scarboro Designs Team. 

Want more information? Email us: Hello@TheHiveExperience.com.

Cover and Article Photos:  iStock 

Team Photo: Landry Marie Photography

 

 

How To Plan A Room: 3 Easy Steps

How To Plan A Room: 3 Easy Steps

Get A Room!

Have you ever meandered and wondered what the purpose of a particular room was used for in your own home? I have been in many homes, and I am always up for a game of name that room. I gently ask questions with my clients, “Where did you get that piece of furniture? How is the flooring working out in here? Who hangs out in this area?” If they answer only the cat or dog we are in serious trouble.

Photo by Alexandra Gorn

I have always enjoyed a good mystery. You have to piece things together to figure out what is going on. A room in your house should definitely not be a mystery. I am amazed to hear of people that have fully decorated a room and have spent some serious money and it is an unused space… What?!

Once a plan is in place, the mystery of the room can be solved. I have seen this over and over. As life changes take place, rooms need to be re-evaluated.

It’s best to come up with a room plan by first writing it down. Split it into three categories: Room, Purpose, and Function. E.g., When I was discussing the purpose of a client’s Family Room (Room) the husband disagreed on this being a space for homework. He considered the office a more suitable space. The wife did not want to give up her real estate in the office and have kids competing for time in her area that she needed for business. They talked through everything and reasoned that they would make the family room a place for children to play and accomplish study activities (Purpose).  It would be complete with individual desks on one wall for each child, sofa to watch movies, and game table for activities (Function).  They were both on the same plan.

Photo by Minh Pham

Step 1: Locating which Room needs your attention.

Step 2: Define the Purpose of the room. Is this room supposed to be an office, living room, or home gym, etc. What daily activities will be performed here. 

Step 3: Execute the Function of the room. Make a list of which items need to be here that help the purpose of the room. Moreover, note the items which need to be removed that hurt the purpose and the overall functionality of the room.

After that task is complete, it is time to execute the room plan. This is where the fun of designing and individualizing the area can take place. Sometimes a room is not being used because there is not enough light for the intended purpose. Limited seating can be a problem if this is their main entertainment area. Flooring can be problematic in a space if traffic flowing through can cause damage. So the elements of design are important for a good look but for functionality. It is always amazing when good communication takes place and the discussion leads to clients seeing how easy changes can be made to that room and it is well appreciated by every family member. It is a good feeling to know the purpose and function of each room.

Print out the printable below and get started on your Room Plan now!

 

 

 

Cover Photo by Collov Home Design

How To Take On Home Projects

How To Take On Home Projects

What's Your Project?

This is the question I try to answer on a daily basis with clients. When I come home and am seeking aesthetic improvement in my own personal space, I must answer that question and it is absolutely daunting!

Many times I listen to ramblings of all that needs to be accomplished, accompanied by several tangents. The ranting continues as I wander aimlessly, following them throughout the house, viewing areas of dissatisfaction. Many times there is a blame game, and refereeing skills are needed to break up spousal disagreements.

 

Photo by Creatv Eight 


The value of using a journal is important in so many areas, and this is another plus to bring clarity to your goals. Projects are goals for your home! I am competitive and always like to turn anything into a sporting match. Make a list of things that you would like to see changed. Many times, the reason we do not make a list is that we know there is money needed to be allocated for each project.

Quickly, jot down as many of your projects that come to mind. After they are written down, the next step is to evaluate whether to take on large projects or small projects and how many. Write the estimated costs next to each one … “just guesstimate”!

 

How much money do you have or what’s your budget?

 

Photo by Dose Media


The first thing I do when meeting with a new client is to ask this question. I very rarely get an answer. …*crickets chirping*… Most people do not know. The state of some people’s finances can be a little depressing, and other people just do not want to know. Many years ago, at the design company I worked at, I sold a sofa via credit card for $35,000.00….oops! I added an extra zero while running the credit card. Designer math is a little crazy! A few days later, the proper credit was made for the $3500 sofa. Days and years later, we have laughed that at least you are good for the money… Hee! Hee! It is good to know how much money you have and how you allocate that in your life.

 

How much money is dedicated to this particular project?


The word dedicated sounds nicer than budgeted. Spouses disagree on these things. The wife wants drapes and all the sudden that is not a line item on the budget. I enjoy asking the husband to show me his line item for “techy” stuff throughout the home. It is not asked like that BUT rather “Hey! What cool items are you dreaming of installing starting in the family room.” The conversation progresses at the size of the screen and there is no putting this lid back on the can. I then can start into negotiations for equal money distribution.


Let the project(s) begin!


Coming up with the Project Plan is your next step but first write down the projects!

 

 

 

Cover Photo by Theme Photos

How To Choose The RIGHT Wall Color

How To Choose The RIGHT Wall Color

Pulling Colors Together Like A Design Expert

A pinch of basic color theory and a dash of science should send you well on your way today!  A color wheel and something called the '60-30-10 Rule' will have you combining colors like an interior design pro in no time!

But, before you can successfully apply color theory to interior design, you have to understand how it works.  Selecting color has been one of my favorite and also my most challenging when working with a client or my own family. Color in paint, material, and cabinetry HAS to have balance in order to work. 

I hope I did not lose you in the opening of our blog! First, I am going to share a little trade secret, which is the BEST fast-track knowledge to being on trend with color. Learn the Color of the Year! 2021's Color of the Year for Sherwin Williams: URBANE BRONZE SW7048 and Benjamin Moore: AEGEAN TEAL BM2136-40.

 

Urbane Bronze - SW 7048

 

YOU, yes YOU are going to pop this color throughout your space starting NOW! And when you start using these colors, it will infuse a little street cred with those that happen to walk through your front door or enter your cubicle. Also very trendy is the white, gray and more gray shades. Turn up the color combinations to infuse a little interest.

The total beauty of a complementary color scheme is a science. The colors are opposite of each other on the color wheel. There is true balance with combinations of a warm hue with a cool hue. This adds a true sophistication when you walk into a room that is done well. I think the perception of color is truly fascinating! When someone says that person has an ‘eye for color’ it is a true statement! Roy G. Biv is NOT the only name when we talk about what colors truly exist. In 1790, researcher Thomas Young said the human eye sees only three primary colors of red, blue and yellow and all colors are a combination of these. Almost a century later, Ewald Hering introduced a “four unique hues theory” which held that humans process all the possible colors when red, green, yellow, and blue colors are mixed with white or black.  There are many more researchers that have moved history along in this amazing world of color.

 

Aegean Teal - BM 2136-40

 

Decorating is simplified for those who know and understand the “60/30/10 Rule”. Even people who don’t know how to decorate can pull together a fantastic indoor space if they know a few design and composition basics. Everyone knows when something looks unbalanced and awkward. The 60/30/10 Rule is as simple as it sounds. When selecting colors for decorating purposes, the dominant color should comprise 60 percent of the overall scheme, with the secondary and accent colors following accordingly. The human brain seems to incorporate this pattern more easily than others. In a typical room setting, the 60 percent portion of the color scheme should be the walls, 30 percent should be the upholstery and the remaining 10 percent should be the accent color. Accents can be great accessories staged in a room that snaps everything together. So, picking three colors randomly is not going to have a working color scheme. The colors will have to compliment or contrast (based on their position on the color wheel).

So, if you’re looking to update your space or have a fresh, new space to work with, get things moving along by painting a color that works!  Follow the rules and theories that have been shared and you are truly on your way! Don’t forget the items in the room can be a part of your color palate. Trending right now is furniture with pops of color. How yummy to add a blue velvet chair?! Perhaps, consider bringing the outdoors in by displaying artwork that features florals! Metal is also fashionable and on trend in accent pieces. Start by adding a side table that is functional to the area and features ONE of your colors. 

For more ideas, furniture, artwork, and accessories, check out TheHiveExperience.com! There you’ll find an endless collection of unique items that will add sophisticated color to all your rooms.

Sweetly Yours,

Jeanette

November 26, 2019 — Jeanette Scarboro