Re: Company to help me furnish my new home
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Actual Advice
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Date: September 17, 2014 08:53PM
It would help if you could provide more information.
- What type of furnishings are you looking for - low end (e.g., IKEA), mid range (Bassett, Haverty's, etc.), or high end (Restoration Hardware, Mitchell and Gold, custom, ...)?
- What is your overall budget for furnishing the property?
- What is your personal style (modern, traditional, transitional, rustic, etc.)?
You have a variety of options in terms of finding help, for example...
- If you are looking for low-end stuff, it's probably not worth paying a decorator. Find a friend to help you. And keep in mind that most of the furniture will have to be assembled.
- Most of the mid to high end furniture stores have designers on staff who can help you select pieces and put together a look at no charge. But you are limited to the offerings of that store. The sales staff at these places can be downright predatory. Personally, I like Belfort for the range of furnishings and caliber of the staff. If you can afford it, Restoration Hardware has gorgeous furnishings with a masculine feel.
- You can find an interior decorator through recommendations or online searches. You do not need an interior designer since you are just looking at furnishings, not structural work. The downside of interior decorators is that there is no standard training or certification. Basically, anyone can be one. Their fee structure varies (hourly, percent of the furnishings, fixed price, or some combination). Look at their portfolios and see if you like their approach and their style. Most home stagers also offer decorating services.
Keep in mind that there is more to furnishing a home than just furniture...window coverings, floor coverings, wall art, lighting, general decor pieces, possibly painting. Depends on how far you want to go and your budget.
Anyway, we could give more tailored advice if you could provide more input on what you're looking for.