Interior designer - would you, (have you) employ(ed) one?

We have just had a girl from Laura Ashley design to help us with our lounge. I already knew the curtains I wanted but struggled with what colour paint , carpets and furniture would go best with them. Although we haven't completely gone with all her suggestions she was spot on about the colours. But it was easier as we had a starting point with the curtains.

I have had rooms decorated in more neutral terms to put a house on the market. I have also decluttered (the storage room, sorry I mean spare bedroom). I tend to get complimented on my interior design, so I wouldn’t employ a designer, but I would always declutter and freshen-up decoration as needed.

Potential buyers often do want to put their own mark on a house, but many people can’t visualise and you don’t want them to be distracted by clutter, furnishings or bright colours, rather than look at the size of the room etc. You can regularly see people doing just that on TV property programmes!

I don't think I would bother in order to sell a house - I would de-clutter madly, paint everything cream, and make sure everything was clean as a new pin; but for myself I would love the chance to hire the services of a designer.

I'm assuming that they would work with me to decide what I wanted to keep, how we use the house, what our tastes and budget are etc, rather than just imposing a design on us.

I once saw a TV series where people didn't want to move, but felt that they didn't have enough space. The TV company sent in professional de-clutterers to see what could be disposed of/thinned out, then architects/interior designers to create storage and/or design features that would work for the lifestyles of the families and the style of the house. It only ran for one series, unfortunately, but it was really good. I remember one woman had something like 6 fish slices, and a dozen tablespoons . She hadn't realised until they were all laid out for her to see.

The storage ideas were so clever, too. If I could afford it, I would love to have something like that done, but I'm guessing that the cost of de-clutterers, designers, builders and decorators would be way above my budget!

Chewbacca, I'm confident with design but I dislike too much coordination, symmetry and harmony in a room anyway. I love interesting, quirky unexpected elements, like a garden statue on a fireplace, pile of logs or books in a corner or plant pot hung from the ceiling.

I think a mismatched look is cosy and casual yet refreshing, far more welcoming than something sleek and considered.

On a similar theme whilst staying with my daughter in Australia, whose house was for sale - they paid to have a designer "dress" their home for viewings! They came in, boxed up ornaments and some furniture then brought in the latest prints, cushions, side tables, rugs etc. At a cost of £500 for a month. The house sold quickly. Said daughter loved the look they created and purchased many items they had used.

winifred01 - nowadays TV's are often cunningly disguised: The print above the fireplace in this photograph is actually a Smart TV.

A very well-off relative of dh used one to help her with a huge holiday home in France.

The ID positively bullied her - wanted her to order incredibly expensive items when much cheaper ones would have been fine - ‘An investment - you owe it to your children’ !

Presumably she was on commission for all those things.
The relative ended up sacking her.

Look in any house magazine and it is not just the tv is missing, there is never any electronic equipment in the room, no wires, no computers, not even any power points.

Quite simply, as with celebratories, the pictures are all thoroughly air brushed and all these modern contrivances are painted out. The picture is the thing, not reality.