As an interior designer, it is my job to ask the right questions to help create the best designs possible for my clients. As one would expect, I also am asked a lot of questions in turn. I am always happy to answer them for my clients of course. But, over the course of my career, there are some that I get asked almost daily! They are listed below for you to read. Enjoy!
1. "If this were your home, what would you choose?"
This is one of my favorites, so I had to put it first. I also know that I do not give my clients the answer they want to hear. As a designer, I am there to guide clients in the design process. It is my job to ask the right questions in order to understand the needs of the client as well as what their style is. Therefore, I am not there to design my home. My knowledge and expertise is available in assisting the client in achieving their design goals, even if they have not quite figured them out themselves. So, I never answer this question because my personal style is just that. I am not designing using my personal style. I am learning and understanding the style of the client, so that I can use it to create a design that is perfect for THEM!
2. "What kind of fabric should I get to prevent my cat from scratching the furniture?"
First, this does not exist. Cats scratching furniture is a behavior issue. The fabric does not cause nor prevent a cat from taking their claws to it and having a great time. However, there are fabrics that will be less likely to show it as quickly and less likely to snag. This is not perfect of course, because we all know how destructive cat claws can be (I have two of these little claw machines myself). I try to get my clients to understand both the behavior of the cat and give them some tips on preventing them from picking the furniture as the scratching post while also working with them to find a fabric they love and will hold up to the claws. My go to is a fabric that is determined to be suitable for a high use area and is a fabric that is primarily made of the same material. Weaker threads will break faster than others when it comes to a fabric that is mixed, and those cat claws will find it. I look for fabrics that are not looped, so that there is less ability for snagging. I also look for fabrics that are similar to velvet, as those provide the ability to brush areas that show claw marks. I do not use velvet though, as if the claws break the thread and not just push it down, then no amount of brushing the fabric will cover the missing threads. A good fabric and continued work of addressing the cats behavior (plus keeping those claws cut short) will make a huge difference in the longevity of the furniture!
3. "How do you remember all of this?!"
This question always makes me laugh. Whether I am working with a client at a furniture store or we are looking at tile and discussing the advantages/disadvantages, this question is bound to be asked. First, I do not have everything memorized. I am human after all, but I have the knowledge and tools at my disposal in order to research anything I do not know off the top of my head. I like to review certain details before working with a client. Such as, if I know we will be discussing options for bathroom design, I review any information I feel might be needed during the upcoming discussion. This helps me to prepare and to not waste the clients time. I also have learned a lot through repetition. Practice makes perfect! Every design is different and every project is different, but the information I have to share remains the same.
4. "Which sofa is the most comfortable?"
This question pops up during the furniture selection with the client. I have been asked this many times and unfortunately, that is not something I can answer. Everyone perceives comfort differently. I like an extremely deep seated sofa where my feet cannot touch the floor and I can sink into it until I am part of the sofa. My sister is the opposite. She likes a shallow seat where she can touch the floor if she wants, but also she likes to be able to tuck her feet beneath her comfortably. It all depends on what the client finds comfortable. I cannot determine that for them, therefore, this part of the furniture selection is extremely important. I cannot decide what someone else finds comfortable; all I can do is discuss it and help them to decide for themselves!
5. "What is the difference between an Interior Designer and a Decorator?"
I love this question as it gives me the opportunity to do a little teaching in addition to design. I am also not surprised by this as it is not always common knowledge, and there are similarities between the two. Both have the ability to create aesthetically pleasing spaces and these terms are often used synonymously. Interior Designers often work with architects, contractors, and other professionals to not only make a space beautiful, but to also make it functional and safe. They have had formal training and a thorough education that covers space planning, building codes, anthropometrics, computer-aided-design software, etc. Interior Decorators on the other hand, are skilled at creating a beautiful space using style, color, furniture and accessories. Their skills lie on the surface level while an Interior Designers go beyond the surface in order to not only make a space beautiful, but to solve a problem.
6. "Where do you get your inspiration?"
Honestly, this answer changes depending on the project. I find inspiration everywhere. When it comes to designing for my clients, my inspiration comes from them. It comes from the conversations we have and I note what inspires them. I love to use existing pieces that have special meaning for my clients and not only incorporate it, but use them to drive the project. I want my clients to feel like they are home the moment we have completed the project. Using pieces they already have and have meaning to them, will give the design meaning. Sometimes, my inspiration comes from their personality. I want their home to show their personality and I want my clients to have the sense that this is theirs. My knowledge and skill is nothing without having meaning behind it. The best designs have meaning to support them.
7. "What makes you different from other designers?"
This is one of the questions that tends to pop up when clients are in the market for a designer for an upcoming project. In addition to my formal education and B.S. in Interior Architecture and Design, the resources I have available through my design profession as well as the resources available through my position as an adjunct instructor, I have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to real estate. I am a Certified Residential Appraiser so I can view a design through another lens; a valuation perspective. I have the insight of what gives a home a higher opinion of value for future lending purposes or for future listings of the home. When I design, I always have the 10+ years of working in a real estate appraiser's office, floating around in my head so that not only am I helping to create the best design possible for my clients, I am also always thinking in the back of mind about how it will help them in their future endeavors of a home owner.
These are just some of the most common questions I hear during the course of my business. I always enjoy answering any questions my clients have, even if they are one of these 7, or other common questions I hear. I am happy to share my insight and advice, and I am also happy to provide a little bit of education when I can.
Thank you for reading!
Colleen Arlet
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