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People who don't have a clue about what colors go well together, don't know what styles they like or in general don't have a clue when it comes to decorating probably should get advice. I have a relative who hires interior designers to do her homes (she has three). This relative has money but is just not interested in decorating she involves herself in charity work and wants a nice home for the parties and charity events she gives.

I don't know if you are aware that most furniture stores have interior designers on staff that will help you with your choices of putting a room together. They do not charge for this becuse you are purchasing furniture in the store and that is how they make their profit. When we first moved into our home over 35 years ago we went to a well known furinture store with our living room measurements and a sketch of windows and entryways into the room.

We were young and clueless about design. This designer gave us great advice and help up pull together a pretty nice room. No extra charge for her help, just the purchases we made.

The magazine thing is a good idea. If you cut out every photo you see of a room you like eventually you will see a pattern and before you know it you have determined your "style".

Thanks so much LouLou... you're being so helpful! I never knew about furniture store to help how to design home if buying things from their store... we bought several stuff from furniture store and didn't ask them about that.. well, its too late to go back .. Now, I know for next time. Yes, looking through magazine is a good idea.My husband doesn't care about de but I do!

Grrr! Foodtable 10 months ago .

Just to let you know that I am not making up "Tall Tales". The furniture store we went into years ago was called "Drexel Heritage" here in New York. It is still around today many years later.

We walked in looking totally lost and a manager told us they have a designer on staff if we would like her help. I admit I did not ask to see her diploma from design school, read her resume, check out her past employment, see if she won any awards or make her give me the results of her latest blood test. She said she was the "designer on staff", she was very knowledgeable, helped us and we purchased a set of furniture for our small living room.

I was a certified interior designer and a certified kitchen designer. I used to tell my clients with similar questions to get tons of magazines and every time they saw a picture that took their fancy, they were to immediately place a bookmark in place and quickly move on. I suggested post-it notes.

After going through every magazine they could get their hands on - lots of them - then they should start perusing only the pics that they responded to and see if there is a repetitive theme. There usually is and you can often determine the type of look you want and even a color scheme using this technique. Some furniture stores actually hire ID's as sales reps but they have to sell what the store carries and they are usually more high end.

You won't find this type of service in a budget environment. Try it and at the least you may determine what style and color you tend to prefer. I worked high end and I never kept up with lines that were more budget oriented.An ID is probably going to not only be personally expensive but lean toward higher end, higher qualify and higher prices in furnishings which can get very very pricey.

You're paying for their services - if they are truly qualified (and the words Interior Designer on a business card are not a qualification - anyone can do that) if they are qualified, they charge for their services.

Those who work for a furniture store can make a good income - or did. You pay for their services, but it's in the final tally.It can really be worth it for some. I've done award winning kitchens and even small hotels, working for months with one client.

I did not dedicate that level of commitment for a salesperson's wages, but the end result is always a combination of what we draw out of our clients and our own expertise and it can be worth it -- especially if you have the ability to invest in not only aesthetics but truly well made furnishings.

Thanks so much for this, Maximum.... I went to library got some books of interior designers and the homes they created for their clients. Interior designers are amazing! I'm artist, do know the colors, match colors that are fit nicely for my drawing and painting... but for the walls, floors, and things for room... its hard to choose because there are so many selections to choose from.

Looking through magazines are great idea! Problem, we are not rich and very tight in our budget... and the kids always make a mess. The question is, its worth for me to get interior designer to do it for our home... my husband thinks I'm crazy spending money to hire one... I really want our home to look nice and comfy.

I get a little depress that every room isn't match, style, color.... every time people walk in our home.. they couldn't say anything... nothing "wow! ".... I want people to say wow every time they visit. Problem is our budget is very tight.... what is your suggestion?

After I clipped out some of pictures in the magazines... what should I do or where do I start? Thanks. Foodtable 10 months ago .

Once you have focused in on designs and furnishings you like, start visiting furniture stores. I find that the most interesting interiors have been created over a period of time, not as one big purchase. You add things from travels, things you see in a second hand shop and find engrossing, a piece here a piece there but your major upholstery is very important and should be the first thing to purchase.

You may want to invest a little more in your upholstery than in other pieces since they take the most wear -- and with kids it's worth the investment. I have all leather upholstery - mostly Hancock and Moore and Century. They look like new and yet I raised two kids and went through the gaggle of teenage visitors and entertaining -- Hancock & Moore is invincible.

From there you can save a great deal by purchasing case goods that are solid hardwood, simple in design; it takes longer but I've found some great things second hand and refinished them. Today I'm seeing a lot of more eclectic rooms containing Japanese screens and ethnic pieces - very interesting. Back when was in the game the big thing was Italian country and English country.

I did subscribe to magazines from England, France and Italy and, Architectural Digest as well as the more common magazines. If you start with leather, as I suggested, you only need to focus on samples that are easy clean - no glove leather -- and color. Then build the room around them.

Fabric material can be touchy. Affordable fabrics can pill and end up looking horrendous over time. And fabric pattern matching is an art in itself.

I was good at it and it was big for bed and breakfasts and hotel lounges in the 80's and 90's but I'm seeing less of this busy look today. I loved it then but I can appreciate the clean simplicity of today's looks as well. I go for comfort, a higher back for support, 8 way (plus) hand tied coils, wrapped coil cushions etc.I've done very contemporary rooms and was pleased with the effect but felt the squared off upholstered pieces that are kind of retro 50's are not comfortable.

My challenge was to build a room around an artist's black and white photograph collection and I did everything in deep black, greys to white. The window treatments were ultra simple white ceiling to floor shears. The only true color was introduced by a complex pattern red Persian rug.

You'll be happier if you work with area rugs. They are healthier, longer lasting and easier to maintain. This is all old hat.

If you're out of he business for five years, you're out of touch. As for what one would pay an ID today - I've been out of the game too long to comment. I haven't a clue but make sure their qualifications aren't limited to their business card.

I have come across people who were waiting tables on Friday and started their new job as an Interior Designer on Monday - no experience or education. That was quite common when an ID was associated with a furniture store.

Ps: Drexel-Heritage is one single brand of furniture. Brands have outlet stores like Ethan Allen -- and what was fine qualify years ago is not necessarily fine quality today. The best furniture was made in the Carolinas years ago.

A lot of the big names and even more affordable but good quality names like Pennsylvania House as an example - are no longer made in the Carolinas. Virtually all the furniture is being made in China, etc. Casegoods (your tables and bookcases etc) should not be stapled together - how they are constructed and what interior materials are used are very important in relation to longevity. That's why I would suggest keeping an eye out for second hand casegoods - 15 to 20 years old minimum and restoring them.

I've seen some real crap produced under names that were once highly respected.

Thanks, Maximum... I'm sure things you described, are expensive to buy.. maybe they're brand names with best qualities. We need to buy dining room furniture like table and 8 chairs. And family room, I like everything "bold" and "solid" bright colors to spice up and give us more energy (that's probably red, orange and yellow) and bedroom, more calmer (blue/purple)... and need things to be matched nicely.

Also, we have a lot of furniture.. my friend said, we're crazy to have so many... should we get rid of things? Like rolling desk... 6 bookcases (from Walmart store)....I think, I'll ask some people to help out... someone said, IKEA is good store, can buy a nice furniture... do you agree? Thanks again :) foodtable 9 months ago .

IKEA is affordable and favored by young people starting out. It's fine but you don't need an ID for that.

I'm a contractor, and I've never seen a job be cheaper when an interior designer is involved. Not only will you pay hourly consulting rate, you will buy more expensive decorating materials. Find a friend or acquaintance who's home you have been in and like, as them to help you generally people are pleased when you tell them you like what they have done and will help you.

Doesn't have to be the same decor but they can help you figure things out, and be a sounding board.

Thanks, Ed.... we don't have enough money to hire interior designer but thought about it... you're right, I'll ask some people who willing to help out. Thanks again for this. Foodtable 9 months ago .

I'll tell you a little secret: your home doesn't HAVE to have the "interior designer" look, as long as you are comfortable and happy with it. Worry about staging it when it is time to sell it, and until then, get comfortable furnishings.

Beautiful comment, thank you, Thelightworks. I feel better now ;) foodtable 10 months ago .

Glad to make it. I'm in the construction trade, so I see both ends of the spectrum, and most of the time, while a professionally designed house is pretty to look at, it feels more like a showroom than a home.

You're right.. most of magazines more like showrooms than a home... I want a real home with comfortable surrounding so people will say, wow, nice job! :) Thanks again :) foodtable 9 months ago .

It's hard to get a balance between comfort and looking good, but I keep dreaming of a comfortablist revolution.

I notice you are looking for a dining set among others we have a bistro height dining set, and I'm not 100% sold on it. What I DO like is our folding leaf table. It only has two possible sizes, but we don't have leaves to store in the closet.

Also beware of tables with ornamentation on the underside. My parents have one of the family dining tables, and people invariably whack their knees on the underside.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.