Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt
Many times hiring outside expertise to assist you with your interior decorating needs can be a real plus, and more cost effective than you may have realized. Designers and decorators come in all styles, levels of service, and a variation of fees. Here I will suggest some of the best reasons to consider hiring a professional and describe what to look for in hiring a designer. I will continue by detailing some of the more popular types of services and the fees associated, and how to be a good client, getting the most from your designer.
Decorator vs. Designer: What is the difference?
First it is important to understand the difference between a decorator and a designer. A designer, typically, has a degree in design backed by years of education and experience in the field. A designer is likely to be more familiar with the technical aspects of design, in addition to excellence in the decorative aspects. They are skilled in spaceplanning, can tackle remodeling and new construction projects with ease, while still providing furnishings, rugs, artwork and accessories. Designers handle all phases of an interior project.
A decorator, on the other hand, does not share formal education in design, and while they may have experience, tend to be more familiar with the decorative parts of the job, fabrics, finishes and such. Often they have worked into the field from enjoying it as a hobby. Fees for each are different, decorators ranging from $35-$50 per hour, while designers often charge $75-$150 per hour; and you are hiring a different set of skills and talents.
Saving Time
A designer can save you valuable time, by knowing the best places to shop and knowing exactly what to look for. Sometimes you may find you will go to the same place but overlook just the right accent or accessory. What may take a homeowner several hours or weekends, can take a skilled professional just a couple of hours to locate. These professionals are also more likely to have access to unique and distinctive elements to custom fit their clients needs.
Saving Money
A designer can save you money, their knowledge, expertise, and guidance can help prevent costly mistakes. They can provide more timeless and appropriate solutions to dilemmas, than the stop gap you may be tempted to buy, only finding you have to replace it later. In some cases, discounts are received and the designer will share these or split these with their client.
Simplify Your Life
A designer can simplify your life, by making the most of what you already have. They preserve cherished treasures and family heirlooms, and research those hard-to-find pieces to fill in the gaps. They assist you in making informed selections from a vast number of product resources.
Define and Enhance Your Style
A designer can help you define and enhance your own style. They work with you to create a home that reflects your personal taste and meets your changing needs. The best designs showcase the homeowner and the lifestyle they have, it tells something about the people living there. Your home is your external heart, and opening the door is like opening a book of your life.
Finding the right designer or decorator can be challenging. Not everyone fits every client. It is important to find a professional that you are comfortable with, that listens to your needs, preferences, and style, and can deliver as promised.
Where to Look
When looking for a design professional, check with your friends, check with a favorite local gallery or furniture showroom, consider a design instructor featured at a local University or College, check local publications, and, of course, check the web. Design resources are largely global now, and many designers work at a distance with ease, it is more important to find a designer that fits you, then where they may be located. (Recent example, I have worked several projects out of state, with only 2-3 visits necessary, the rest of the contact is by email, fax, and Fedex.) Many designers will provide a minimum initial consultation for a fee, one to two hours of their advice, suggestions, and ideas which can be invaluable in deciding if they are right for you and your family
Review Their Portfolio
You will want to check out their work by portfolio or on-line if they have a website. Often it is important that they indicate an ability to handle a wide range of styles rather than have a signature. This shows a flexibility and willingness to provide you with a custom look, unique to you, rather than a look that speaks of their own style.
Check References and Letter of Agreement In addition, either check some references, or look to see if they publish comments from clients. Providing you with a clear, concise letter of agreement after a paid consultation, outlining all aspects the project discussed can confirm and clarify expectations for all concerned.
------
Melissa Galt is a Lifestyle Designer and Speaker based in Atlanta, GA. She hosts a series of blogs on design tips and trends and produces a monthly ezine dedicated to helping subscribers design their signature life. For the latest teleclasses, seminars, and ebooks on designing your life check out http://www.melissagalt.com .
A Quick Home Teeth Whitening Review of the latest Products Available Today!
There are many products and methods to whitening your teeth at home that claim they do a great job. We're going to take a look at some of the most popular methods along with the benefits and negatives found.
First up, Professional Teeth Whitening:
BENEFITS:
Fast results. Of all the methods to whiten teeth, having your teeth whitened through a professional service is by far the fastest.
Healthy Teeth: A professional will do a comprehensive checkup [which you probably need anyway] to make certain your teeth are in good condition.
NEGATIVES:
Need to make an appointment: If you're pressed for time, this is not the most convieient option.
Price: Professional services simply cost more
Maintenance: Once your teeth are their whitest, an occasional maintenance treatment is needed that is usually an extra expense.
Product #2. Whitestrips example: Crest Whitestrips, etc.
These are strips of soft plastic material that slips onto your front teeth and whitens your smile
BENEFITS:
Inexpensive: Whitestrips and products of this type are typicaly available at your local drug store or larger supermarkets at attractive price points.
Convienient: Us this product whenever you have spare time. Because of the simplicity of design, you can use it anywhere
and not look like your mouth is full.
Effective: Although these products typically do not whiten your teeth to their whitest, they can and do whiten and brighten your smile to a point.
NEGATIVES;
Incomplete: Although these products do whiten your smile, they only whiten the teeth that are treated. This is usually just the front teeth leaving other teeth discolored.
Not completely effective: Due to it's very nature, there is limited gel material to effectively whiten your teeth to their absolute whitest.
Use Difficulty: Although small, they are still required to be in contact with your teeth. Keeping the whitestrip products in place while the gel does it's work can be a challenge.
Product #3. Teeth Whitening Toothpastes ie: Rembrandt, Colgate Simply White
At one time simply white was a brush on proudct that claimed to whiten teeth. Today, it's a toothpaste from a major product provider.
BENEFITS:
Ease of use: We all brush our teeth so this product should be a natural for all of us to use.
Maintenance: Higher quality toothpaste, although more expensive also has additional ingredients that help keep your whitened smile bright. This is especially important if you're planning to have your teeth renewed with any teeth whitening solution.
NEGATIVES:
Whitening Ability: If using a teeth whitening toothpaste is your strategy for whiter teeth, it won't work. At least, it won't work to a degree where you can easily notice. This product is great to maintain the white shade of your teeth and especially effective as a maintenance product. As a stand alone home teeth whitening solution however, don't bother.
Price: These products cost a lot more than regular toothpaste. Still, if they can help keep your teeth brighter longer, why not?
Three products with three different sets of benefits and negatives. Professional teeth whitening solutions are expensive but can get your teeth and smile into condition rapidly.
The whitestrips idea promises convienience and delivers on that promise. To bad we couldn't see a clear difference in the color and shade of our teeth.
It's important to remember that although the teeth whitening toothpaste product may not be particularly effective as a teeth whitening agent itself, it does a great job keeping your new white teeth looking their brightest.
Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, home, and health. For more information on Home Teeth Whitening visit the site at http://www.4-home-teeth-whitening.com
Guide To Hot Springs Hot Tubs
A Hot springs hot tub is the ultimate experience in bathing for all those water babies who love this routine and would like to conduct it in the comfort of their own homes. It is akin to enjoying the pleasures of a spa in the privacy of your own hot tub and when the warm, calming waters of a Hot springs hot tub wash away the tiredness of the day and times, one knows it is a special place that can be either their very own retreat or a fun place that is ideal for family-time as well as a get-together with friends.
Features of a Hot springs hot tub
A hot springs hot tub has all the features of a regular hot tub treatment and then, some more! It has come to be recognized as that specialized piece of bathing and rejuvenating equipment that affords comfort, convenience and relaxation through exclusive features- all packaged neatly into one package deal. The average use of a Hot springs hot tub is recorded by the sales of the ones that fall in the 6-8 category seating capacity range, which are driven by 2.5-3 horsepower jet pumps that give the effect of gushing water at pre-decided (by you) flow levels, be it a soothing flow or a speedier level. The cabinets for these special tubs comes in a wide range of colors and one can choose a finish that fits in with their décor with jet streams that are directional or rotary, as the need may be
Seating and capacity
The hot springs hot tubs have extremely comfortable seats that allow for comfortable lounging and stretching and come in a wide range of heights to suit all manner of people and some even have the corner seat/s designed such that it gives targeted hydro-massage to the wrist, back and calf areas of the person seated therein. The average 6-seater hot springs hot tub has a 500gallon capacity and can weigh between a 1000 to 1300 pounds, depending on usage and the water filled in it.
Sound and Light enhancement in a hot springs hot tub
Some of these hot springs hot tubs are even fitted with a specialized system of multi-colored LED lighting, designed for use within these modernized pieces of equipment and so that all the senses are equally indulged in this pursuit of pleasure, the impact is further enhanced with audio music systems too-making the modern hot springs hot tub a complete sensory experience!
Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on hot tub accessories, hot springs hot tubs and Coleman hot tubs.
