Mistakes of the past can bring the joy of the present. Even when renovating a home. This is the opinion of a family who used interior design services to “bring a useful, harmonious and good taste to the whole atmosphere of the house.
1.What made you use the services of an interior designer? Was this the first experience of its kind?
We decided to use the services of an interior designer (our first such experience, but certainly not the last one) when we moved from home to apartment and we decided to change most of the furniture, carpets and old electrical appliances with new ones. We wanted not only good quality products but also a useful, harmonious and tasteful change for the whole atmosphere of the house. And so we felt the need to talk with specialists in the field to be able to choose the best solutions in relation to the needs of our family without exceeding the allocated budget.
2.What were the benefits of working with an interior design firm?
First of all, we have clarified and set our goals, made a list of priorities, identified mistakes from the past, and anticipated an overview of what we were going to achieve in the end. We also received advice and recommendations on materials and products on the market, we learned interesting information and solutions from the experience of other people in the same situation with us, and so we have transformed the work of renovating and changing the interior of the house into a pleasant and fun activity. A very important thing for everyone moving from one home to another: With the help of the designer, we could easily decide to separate ourselves from unnecessary and inappropriate objects to the environment we wanted, freeing the space, making the house more bright and more spacious. Last but not least, we have set and respected a strictly necessary budget, avoiding excessive or unnecessary spending.
3.Do you think you saved money using a professional’s recommendations? What mistakes would you have made if you had ventured yourself into this experience?
We certainly saved money using the services of design specialists: we avoided mistakes made in previous situations, when we bought more material than we needed or bought inappropriate things we could not use, or, seriously, for lack of information, we made high-priced purchases, although we could find more convenient deals on the profile market.
4.How would you describe the experience of setting up your house under the designer’s guidance?
Collaboration with interior design specialists has been an interesting and enjoyable experience. We found understanding, openness and friendship and we were helped to define our goals, needs and preferences. The discussions started from the presentation of some basic requirements, starting from the former apartment we lived in and emphasizing the improvements we would like to benefit now with moving to a new home. The former apartment was relatively small, oriented to the north, so now we wanted more light, warmth and free space, airy. We have established together that the minimalist style of fitting is the most appropriate, with small furniture, modern and easy to maintain and manipulate. Taking into account that we have three cats, which require special hygiene and maintenance rules, we decided to choose carpets and upholstery resistant to frequent cleaning. It was soothing for us to be able to discuss all these things with our specialists and find the best answers and solutions to each requirement with them.
5. What was the difference in the arrangement of your home and what is the result of your collaboration with the designer?
The most significant achievement in collaborating with the design firm was that we decided to know, for sure that we chose the optimal solution and that we will get what we want. With them, we have acquired courage in making some changes or in resorting to solutions and decor elements that we would not have thought of on our own initiative. We have also learned that we can avoid the wrong choices or unnecessary spending if we talk with specialists who can give us an overview and perspective, analyzing the situation outwardly, in an informed and objective way.
6.What recommendations would you make to young people who have bought an apartment or a house and want to renovate?
First of all, a set of general principles and objectives, a list of priorities, a total budget available, and a timeframe for designing should be discussed in the family. Once a family agreement has been established, it will be possible to decide by discussing with experts the scale of the work, the elements that are binding on those that can be postponed, and the most appropriate sources of financing (bank credit, store rates, private sources) .
Viorel and Valentina C., beneficiaries of the interior design of one of the two apartments in an individual bifamiliary dwelling