Decorating your home is exciting, fun and rewarding but it can be expensive. Sometimes getting professional help can save you from making costly mistakes.
The idea that interior decorators are only for the very wealthy is a misconception, in fact, hiring an interior decorator is a wise choice if you have invested a lot of money in your home and want it to look its best. Whether you have bought a new home and are not sure where to start, or you have a good idea of what you want but need some help making your dream a reality in the space you have, getting help from an interior decorator can result in you saving a lot of time, money and stress. A great source of inspiration and an opportunity for you to meet and question interior designers and decorators is at decor exhibitions.
This year’s designer spotlight at Decorex Durban is Paige Waplington owner of Redesign Interiors and CEO of the IID (The African Institute of the Interior Design Professionals). I spoke to Paige about decorating your home and the benefits of hiring an interior designer or decorator:
1. What are some of the common mistakes people make when decorating their own homes?
I think the most common mistake people do is decorate without an end result in mind. This usually leads to them buying all sorts of things but then they don’t know how to put it together. My advice would be to start your decorating with some research, find a home you like and then source items to get the look right.
2. When would you say it is a wise idea for a homeowner to hire an interior decorator?
I suggest people get in touch with a designer or decorator right at the beginning of their plans. If you are building or renovating find a designer to partner with at the same time as you find an architect. This allows the exterior and interior to be designed holistically. Also, interior design takes time and the results are often far better if there is more time to achieve them.
3. Can you highlight the benefits of hiring a designer that is a member of the IID
The IID members are registered professionals who have already been vetted and have the required experience in order to take on any job. By using IID members you are guaranteed a relationship that is ethically sound and that the designer is able to do the work required.
4. How do Interior Designers go about charging clients.
Interior designers normally charge on a percentage of the budget of the space, much like architects. The cost of having a designer is normally balanced out by the experience, time frame and avoidance of mistakes. A saying comes to mind “If you think it is expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur”
Decorex Durban is on from the 21 - 25 March 2018 at the Durban exhibition centre, click on the link for upcoming interior design shows locally and internationally in 2018.