Many designers and savvy bloggers are offering
online design consultations to help you develop a
plan you can implement yourself. (Check out
Stephen’s service at
stephensaint-onge.com
.) Here’s
how to get the most from these virtual makeovers.
G E T S O M E H I S T O R Y Review the designer’s
previous work. Most post design boards or sketches
on their site or blog, usually with information about
past and current clients’ style and wants. Make sure
the suggestions aren’t generic, that they fit any
specific requests, and stay true to the clients’ style.
Also check to see if the furniture, paint, and
accessories sourced are available in your area.
F O R M E X P E C T A T I O N S Clarify exactly what
you’ll get—a general color palette, or specific paint
colors and notes for where to use them? A design
board and sketches, or text-only suggestions? Will
you receive notes via e-mail or a phone consultation?
B E M O N E Y - W I S E Costs can range from $5 for
an answer to a single question to more than $1,000
for a detailed room plan including swatches, floor
plans, and specific instructions. A reputable designer
or blogger will not ask for your credit card number.
They’ll use a third-party, secure payment service,
such as PayPal, or will ask you to send a check.
C O M M U N I C A T E Tell as much about your style,
how you use the room, your wish list, and non-
negotiables as you can. If possible, send the designer
tear sheets of rooms and styles you like. Give the
designer accurate room dimensions and take several
good photos of your room from different angles,
showing adjoining spaces if necessary.
D O I T Take suggestions to heart. The designer’s
job is to help you see your home in a new light,
encourage you to try new ideas, and give you
achievable steps to get the look you want.
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)
C h e c k
I t O u t
Go online at
arrangearoom
.bhg.com.
to
create a room
that matches
the exact
dimensions of
one ofyour
own. Then,
play .with
furniture
arrangements,
save your
floor plan,
and print it
when you’re
ready to take
action.
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ith Pledge Multi-Surface, you can clean more, faster.
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