Destination Success: Interior design more than furnishings, decorating

"Can't I just do it myself?"

"How much is it going to cost?"

"Will my space retain my personality?"

All of the above are questions that homeowners and business-people ask when they are considering whether to consult an interior designer.

Considerations may be broken down into three categories: furnish, decorate or design.

Anyone can furnish a home or office. You buy the furniture. Voila! Your rooms are filled!

Many have excellent taste and can decorate the above-mentioned furnished room.

But designing a living or work space requires an expert. You need someone who is trained to see and design for the whole picture.

An interior designer fits the latter bill. Designers go through extensive training, both in class and in the field, in learning how to bring a space together. They do a lot of legwork that is tedious for the neophyte and can often be expensive if you don't know the right vendors.

The American Society of Interior Designers has more than 30,000 members and has chapters in all states. Its Web site, www.interiors.org, is a treasure trove of information for one beginning the process of creating an interior. It answers commonly asked questions regarding projects and feature a nationwide interior designer referral service.

The major element in choosing the right interior designer is one of trust. You are turning over a part of your life to someone else. Patti Floyd, owner of Enchanted Cottage Interiors in Nixa, put it this way: "We certainly try to work around things that they have and work within their budget. It may be a piece that they love doesn't work where they are using it."

Understanding the client is job one for the successful interior designer. "We like to do a walk-through of the main living areas. We develop a whole plan. We want to see how they live and understand their lifestyle," Floyd said. "When you are finished, you don't want (the design) to scream that it was done by a particular designer."

The people side of the business is paramount. Lee Haik, owner of James Dcor in Springfield, suggests that novice interior designers take a Dale Carnegie course or join Toastmasters to learn better interpersonal skills. "I have had students who are bright and knowledgeable, but they don't know how to work with clients or be a team player with other employees."

She has a group of designers who work with her, and they often team up to complete a job.

Haik said that practical experience is the most valuable asset for any interior designer. "They need to do practical things, like be able to measure. They have to learn by doing their job."

"If you say any field is a lot of work, you shouldn't be in it," cautioned Joseph Sugarman, the owner of Dream Home by Renaissance in Nixa and an architectural and interior designer. He got his start working with the film industry in Hollywood.

Sugarman has spent a great deal of his time researching sources. "You need to get out in the field and see what is there. The phone book is the greatest resource in any city," he said.

"Historically, I have seen that students are not very grounded in research. You can't spend enough time in the library and field,"

Sugarman recommends the Drury University library as being excellent in such areas as architecture. He has been very pleased with the artisans he has found in the Ozarks, especially in stone and woodwork.

Keeping up on trends also is crucial for the successful designer. Reading industry and vendor publications, attending seminars and reading general interest magazines are de rigueur. For example, Floyd said, "Clients are beginning think energy again. We need to find fabrics which will not cut sun and will insulate."

To set themselves apart, designers offer a variety of services and special touches.

Enchanted Cottage Interiors offers a quarterly newsletter to clients, presenting what's new in the shop as well as dcor advice. The firm often will use extra fabric from curtains or furniture to make pillows or placements for the customer at no cost.

Sugarman has a Web site at www.design@dream-home. com which offers examples of his work and philosophy. In it, his research into historical styles is clearly evident.

Haik said she feels that going the extra mile with clients means being flexible, which may mean working evenings and weekends.

Interior designers must have a holistic approach to their field to be successful.

They must be able to measure accurately, see the big picture, research, stay abreast of trends and, most of all, understand that the interior they are designing will be as unique as the people they call clients.

(Sinara Stull O'Donnell is a writer and professional speaker in the career arena through her company Sinara Speaks.)