Game over !

So you would like to ask for a decorator's help.  But wait...how much will THAT cost?  Is it okay to ask her how much THAT will cost?  What if she has crazy ideas that I don't like?  What if I don't like her and want to fire her? (Insert anxiety attack here.) Am I the only customer she'll have that has a budget and will have imput on everything, including cost? My husband says the "money clock" will start running and we won't be able to stop it!

You need answers to these questions before you enter into a deal.  You deserve answers to these questions before you hire anyone.  Get these answers by asking a potential designer these questions.

"What is the cost of your initial consultation?"  "If I'm interested, how do we progress from there?" Give a brief description of your problem area and ask, "What time frame would you estimate to solve this problem?" "Do you have time to devote to me now?"

Then, just as importantly, do YOUR homework.  What is it about the area that you don't like?  Does it serve the function for which it is intended?  Look for pictures in books/magazines that have the feel you want.  Focusing your thoughts about the problem saves time and money at the design appointment.

Now, back to that panic attack (see above)!! The designer is asking herself questions too!  She wants to get the job, satisfy you, the customer, with her ideas, and complete the work feeling that she has been helpful and efficient and created a content customer that will recommend her to others.

About her fees.....it's okay to ask!  Since most of my customers fall into the category of "certain problem areas in the home", this is what I do.  My initial consultation lasts 1-2 hours and costs $100. Sometimes that is all that is required.  I give suggestions, sometime move things around and offer resources for suggested purchases, if needed.  If the problem requires additional time, research, and home visits, I give the customer a flat fee amount for my services.  This fee is based on similar jobs I have done in the past and the average amount of time or shopping involved.  ***This is the point where you, the customer, says "Yes, go ahead",or "No thank you". **** And either answer is fair and perfectly fine.  At the same time, the designer is at the same point where she can say, "I don't feel I'm the person for this job" based on time involved or services required. This is business, not courtship! 

The ultimate goal for both client and decorator is having the defined job completed satisfactorily to the homeowner and  both parties feeling that compensation was adequate and fair.  

Here's a hodge-podge of decorative accents. I think they're "technically" ornaments but we often use them in bowls, etc. to add texture and pops of color. My favorites are the ones shaped like acorns.

Check out these sweet lamp shades! I loveloveLOVE the oange ribbon. All custom-made too.

And how great is the ribbon combo on this bow? Brown velvet zebra + rust red. Wow!

Today is the first time in sixteen years that I haven't taken a "first day of school picture."

Yep. Every year. No matter how sleepy I was or how late we were running, there is documentation of the outfit I wore on the first day of school. (Even the vest and shorts combo I stitched myself.)

So you'll have to humor me when I get weepy walking down aisles of Target. This is the first time I haven't needed to fight a middle schooler for the perfect binder. (Not that I would do such a thing...) Now I'll have to come up with some other excuse to buy office supplies.

First Day of Pre-School

First Day of 12th Grade

First Day of College

This is my favorite floral arrangement. Though I love it when rooms are peaceful and neutral, orange is my favorite color. And I like that it's kinda wild. And I super like the little pods at the top.

These are my favorite halloween decoration. I love the deep purple/rust color at the top.

This is my favorite piece of jewelry (that's not John Wind.) The photo doesn't do it justice. The beads are a subtle gray and the rubbon has a hint of lilac in it. Gorgeous.

This is my favorite thing to greet me at the door. (No. Technically this isn't at the store. But this is my list. Also...note that the beveling in the glass perfectly matches the height of his eyes, thus giving him a distorted/crazy look. Love it.)

If you have a moment and are interested in other favorites, check out this blog where Melanie catalogs her daily favorites. And yes, it's also one of my faves.

(FYI: I wrote "favorite" eight times, thus solidifying me as the worst blogstress ever.)

Hand-stamped burlap.

We saw this on CutandPaste's blog and thought - "Hey! We've got strips of burlap. HEY! We know how to use a stamp!!"

Stay tuned for the finished product.

All I could think of was "the Birds." All I could hear was "caw-CAW!"

But then she showed me some of them. And they weren't just sweet, they were elegant. We have fat ones with blush-toned bellies and mustard ones with long, sweeping tailfeathers.

Still nervous? See for yourself!

Well sometimes I think she has a whole fleet of pledges in the back room making florals. How can one person do it all? Though I'm fairly certain she's not harboring undergraduates in the store*, this week's florals are gorgeous nonetheless.

*Last week I was "accidentally" trapped in the basement. Though my stay lasted mere minutes, I canvassed the area and can now promise that no pledges reside there either. But I did see a few elf hats in the Christmas section.

You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see the entire awesomeness of Nancy's latest creation.