Design lesson: Need help?

You've fallen for 1930s French furniture, or artfully displayed flea market finds. But everyone you know is raving about contemporary looks -- maybe they're right. You own every issue of Style at Home -- you love everything you see! Shouldn't outfitting your home be easier than this? A design professional can help by providing a comprehensive plan, accessing furnishings unavailable at retail levels, custom-designing furniture, coordinating deliveries and finding subcontractors. Here's how to make the most of a collaboration.

DO be clear about your expectations, objectives and timeline; give a detailed description of your lifestyle. Your designer or decorator should ask about those issues.

DO have a reasonable budget in mind. If you have $10,000 to spend, say so. That way the designer can recommend strategies to maximize your spending power.

DO ask for references from former clients. Then ask them about issues that are important to you: was the designer able to meet the budget and deadline? Did he/she listen to the client's needs and anticipate pitfalls? Did the process meet or exceed expectations?

DO determine the designer's strategy in the event something goes wrong -- and trust me, things go wrong. The sofa you've waited two months for arrives in the wrong colour or damaged -- what happens? A professional should deal with mistakes swiftly to minimize the client's stress.

DO review company policies. A contract should outline fees in detail. Many firms charge a range: one fee for the senior designer, another for junior designers and often a third for administration services. The contract should also spell out the procedure should the relationship end early.

DON'T abuse the relationship by second-guessing. You've hired this person for his or her expertise, so have confidence in your designer's ability to make sound decisions.

DON'T assume things will go perfectly. If you've ever waited for a repairman, only to be disappointed because he never turned up, you'll understand. Decorating a home is a demanding, time-consuming and complicated process. Working with a designer is one way to eliminate many -- but not all -- frustrations.

DON'T be afraid to ask for a concise list of hours worked and a breakdown of what's accomplished each week or month. If you feel there's a discrepancy, bring it to the designer's attention immediately.

Image courtesy of IKEA