PHOTO^ BY^ JAMIESOLOMONPHOTOGRAPHYFINDING
THE RIGHT
DESIGNER
Choosing the right designer for your home is
crucial to the success of your project. You want
someone you’ll not only work well with, but
who can bring your vision to life. One of our
design partners, Heather Alton of New England
Design Elements, has shared her tips on how
you can fi nd the best designer for you.WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?
Look for creativity and versatility in a designer’s
portfolio, so he or she can represent your style.
“I feel it is important that my clients should
not know what my style is, and it should never
come out in my projects,” Heather says. “My
focus is entirely on my client’s style and the
style of the home.”WHERE SHOULD YOU SEARCH? “Houzz is
especially user-friendly to search for designers
and trade professionals,” says Heather. “The
ability to peruse portfolios and reviews is much
easier now than in the past.”WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU
PREPARE? Decide on the scope of the work,
your timeframe and your budget. “You would
be surprised how many people start the process
without having thought about their budget,”
says Heather. Also think about time constraints.
“For example, if there are school-aged children,
would it be more of an inconvenience to
have an unusable space such as a kitchen or a
bathroom during the school year or during the
summer months?” she says.WHAT SHOULD YOU ASK? Ask about the
limitations of the designer and what they’re
willing to do. “Is the client looking for a designer
who can furnish and style a room, or do they
need an installation team for built-ins, lighting,
fl ooring or other items?” Heather says.WHAT SHOULD YOU KEEP IN MIND? Pick
a designer you trust. “Once a clien t hires a
designer, it is not advisable to seek approval
or input from outside family and friends for
design selections, as this can have a negative
impact on the process and also the outcome,”
says Heather. “The best results come from the
clients working with the designer and having
confi dence in both their designer and their
own style.”PHO
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JUNE/JULY 2019 • 117