You’ve heard the stories…maybe seen the results…
The dream project gone wrong.
Why does this happen? It could be a number of reasons. Most often, it’s due to…
– People scammed by professed ‘experts’ who take the money and run. Or…
– Do-it-yourselfers…who thought they could reproduce the picture(s) they loved…yet it’s not right. It looked great in the magazine…but didn’t work for their home.
When you hire a professional designer, your project’s done the right way…the first time. The investment you make up front saves time, money, and the angst (which is the worst) of a botched project.
How do you find a true professional?
By going through the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). This community of designers, industry representatives, educators and students…commits to interior design. Members adhere to the Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct.
Every year, ASID holds a Design Excellence Competition to compare the best of the best.
Read on to see how this works for you…
More than a contest, it’s a proof of quality work.
Just as Olympic athletes vie for gold, interior designers compete for awards of beautiful, well- designed projects –that solve client needs. Here are some of the requirements:
· Only members who are active and in good standing can compete, and pay a non-refundable entry fee.
· The entry forms are multi- page and projects must be professionally photographed.
· Only proven projects done within a specified period are eligible.
· Designers must get signed consent forms from both the client and the photographer.
As you can see, this is a serious commitment.
I entered for the first time this year. My ‘category’ was aging an entire home…for an 88-year-old woman…in a historical neighborhood. She had just purchased her home and wanted it designed to live in safely…for as long as possible.
Some designers insist on total control of their projects to increase the odds of winning. I understand how they feel.
I just can’t work that way.
My priority is to ‘partner’ with my clients. By listening to what they want, I make the decisions, or provide guidance…based on their feedback.
As you can imagine, my client knew her own mind. She relied on me totally for the overall design. But when it came to certain accessories — like hardware and some cabinet colors — she wanted choose her own, based on my suggestions.
From a designer’s point of view, I didn’t totally agree with some of her choices…but I respected her decisions. In the end, it’s her home. My job was to help her achieve the haven she desired.
The competition results were announced in August. I’m ecstatic to say I won Honorable Mention!
Design Excellence Award
No, it’s not the gold. But a satisfied client always trumps a competition. Acknowledgment of my work from ASID had me walking on air!
It’s also your guarantee you’ll get top quality work from me.
Go to my website, www.DesignForaLifespan.com to see the pictures of my entry. While you’re there, check out my blog, and get free resources to learn how to make your home safe, creative, and beautiful.
Live easy,
~Jeanette