Yep, that’s right. I said it. And I think I heard some of you audibly gasp! I know some of you love to binge watch all those home decorating shows featuring bantering partners, shiplap and total makeovers. It’s entertaining to be sure, but the reality is, it is all bullshit. HGTV gives a very narrow scope of what real projects are, what the real design process looks like and effectively ruin your entire perspective of what it is truly like. I want to give you an inside look into what IS real, how you can actually afford it and make it your own! Keep reading…….
Here are some pet peeves of mine when it comes to these shows and how to balance them with reality! Tell me if you’ve uttered any of these while watching one of these shows:
“Oh, I could never to work with an interior designer because__________”
I don’t have or want to do a big or whole house project
Not all projects are big ones. More often than not, designers and decorators work on small to mid sized projects. Not sure which color to paint your dining room to match the rest of the house? Want to hang artwork but unsure of how to make it look good on the wall? Does your living room feel ‘wrong’ and you don’t know where to put your furniture to make it feel more inviting? This is just a small sampling of what a professional can offer you. We can quickly, easily and affordably help you solve challenges so you can move forward with your project.
I don’t have a huge budget
The biggest thing I hear from people is that it’s too expensive. All the decorating shows present these big demo/remo projects that cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Like I said above, there are plenty of things you can do for a modest budget and get a huge payoff in return. Consider investing in a basic consultation to get a foundation and a plan for whatever your project needs are. Just having a plan in place gives you a sense of control and confidence to move forward with what you want.
You might be surprised. I once had a client who hated her living room and wanted to scrap everything and start over. I asked her if she liked the furnishings and accessories that she currently had in the room, she said she did but if felt off. When I told her that all she needed was a couple things to round out the color placement, she couldn’t believe it! She thought it was going to cost thousands to “fix”. Sometimes just having an experienced eye can give you the peace of mind that you are on track or what you need to add or edit to make it perfect.
I’d be worried I won’t like their decorating style
In all those shows, the designers pretty much replicate *their* brand or style. That’s cool if you dig it, and some people seek out specific designers *because* they design in a signature style. However, many designers ask all the right questions of you to determine what YOU want and how it fits YOUR life. I don’t live in your home, you do. It’s my goal to create a feeling that is uniquely yours! It would get boring for me to spit out the same style over and over again. I love the feeling I get when my client lights up and gets excited when everything they see in their space represents them and their life.
I want to have a say in what happens
In the HGTV shows, the designers wave you away while they go to work and you wait for the big reveal. That is not how it is. I want you be an active participant in this journey. Again, It is after all your project, your home, your style, your life. We are co-collaborators in manifesting and creating that unique style and feeling you want. I don’t want you to be surprised at the end, I want you to feel at home.
There are different experiences and a broad spectrum of designers. Do you want a designer to ‘just do it’ verses wanting a co-collaborator who’s with you every step of the way? Or do you just want some basic advice to do some of it yourself? What experience do you want? How involved do you want to be? You are not dumb, you know what you like…or do you just want to write the check.
They seem kind of judge-y (of what style, colors, feeling I like, the furniture, artwork, sentimental items, etc that I want to keep around, the amount I have to spend). I don’t want to feel like I am beneath them.
Designers put on their pants the same way you do in the morning. You have skill sets they don’t have too. If someone comes in and makes you feel crappy about things, that isn’t the person for you. That being said though, if you went to them for advice because something is off or not working for you in your home and you don’t know why it doesn’t feel like you want it to, then be open to hearing the truth. It may be because the paint you chose for the wall is clashing with the furniture. A good designer will never shame you for your choices, but they will help you remedy any design problem you’ve run into. And more often than not, it’s a relatively easy fix.
We all have beloved treasures from our life’s journey. Hand-me-downs, sentimental things from loved ones and vacations or experiences we’ve had. No one should tell you to let go of or remove these things because they “don’t go” with your design plan. YOUR LIFE is your design plan. Everything and everyone that has touched you to this point has created you. Having things around that touch your heart in some way and nurture you are ALWAYS part of your design plan. That is the rich tapestry the makes a house a home.
As far as your budget goes, as long as you are realistic with it, it’s doable. It’s all about priorities. At the minimum, simply getting a plan together creates a roadmap for you to work from. That way you can set stages or layers of implementation as your finances allow you. To me, creating a well designed space should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. You deserve a space that is sacred and nurtures you in your life’s work!
Having the welcoming, comfortable, exactly you space is what my ultimate goal is! I want you to be joyful in your space!
My goal is to for us to be partners on this journey. I want you to share all the juicy details of what your heart desires. Together we will manifest the best, most YOU feeling space we can based on your desires, needs and budget!
What do you think? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Also, if you’d like more ideas on how to make your home feeling more like you, check out my FREE ebook: 7 Ways to Transform Your Space To Become Who You’re Meant to Be