http://www.thedecorationnation.com/blog.php Various RSS Feeds From our Members en-us Inside Redesign, LLC info@thedecorationnation.com http://www.thedecorationnation.com/cms/_files/rss/blog/edbbf_150x66_logo.jpg http://www.thedecorationnation.com/blog.php 88 31 Various RSS Feeds From our Members http://www.thedecorationnation.com/blog.php?blog_id=49 I began my career working on friends homes, helping family members and staging real estate properties with a friend. It finally dawned on me that I needed to stop what I was doing as a Marketing Executive for a Forture 100 company and follow my passion. I wanted to jumpstart my business quickly and began with a 3 day course on Interior Redesign....you know, One Day Room Makeovers, Quick Fixes for your home, use your own furnishings and stuff like that. I was fascinated and quickly embraced the concept, but found that it was not an easy sell to every client I met, but worked for some. In addition, some people just don't have the "stuff" you need to help define the room look and although my clients love the changes that redesign provided to them, I felt I needed to do more to support this type of work. I love the options that I provide to clients. Just like on TV  "as they say" we review ideas, look at pictures, identify issues, review budgets and help support the client to achieve their design goals. Sometimes all someone wants is a Design CoachTM anyway. So, although Interior Redesign may work for you or your home, sometimes going a step further is just what you might need and the cost of bringing in another professional before you start any remodeling project can be very cost effective for you in the long run. http://www.thedecorationnation.com/blog.php?blog_id=48 Remodeling your kitchen is exciting. The value of an interior decorator is priceless. Does this sound familiar? - You've had a great vision, in your head, about what you want your future kitchen to look like; cabinets, hardware, sinks, countertop, lighting, paint, tile, etc. - You convince your spouse that it needs to be done. - You get advice and help from a family member or friend who seems to know how to put things together. - You're ready to order everything and get started and find a company in your area that remodels kitchen and baths. You talk, negotiate pricing and place an order. They're contractor will do the work. - The process begins and suddenly it all begins to change....slowly....additional costs creep in, structural or plumbing/electrical issues arise, shipments get delayed, workers don't show up but you've paid up front for the work to get started. The longer it takes, the more frustrated you become and the angrier you get with the company you hired. Suddenly they don't seem as friendly to get things corrected, but don't answer your phone call some of the time........ Does this sound familiar or have you heard this story before. I have, lots of times. Not that I don't run into problems as well when working on a remodel, but my client always comes first, gets told bad news and good news no matter what and any contractor knows what his/her job is before the job begins. Why? Because a good contractor wants to be accountable for what they do, it's their reputation on the line. A good contractor works with an interor decorator or designer as a solid team member from the beginning and supports the efforts of everyone from the beginning. A good interior decorator or designer has a good relationship with their contractor and discusses the project, in full, before it gets started and let's the client know the "what if's" even if you aren't sure they might happen. In addition, having a realistic end date is the best way for any project to begin correctly. Kitchen remodeling can be difficult and challenging, however, the right design plan, realistic placement of plumbing and electrical and ensuring that the materials are available so the contractor can stay on track is key. Often time, homeowner order what they want from a company before the decorator or contractor has gotten invovled and then we come in and help manage all the next steps. Kitchen remodeling or any remodeling project can be cost effective when you involve the right interior decorator or contractor at the beginning of your project.