If you are reading this you are probably considering hiring an interior designer. I felt it that it was very necessary to publish this section. I have found it important to publish some of the common fears and misconceptions that have been shared with me by clients while they were interviewing interior design professionals.

​CAN I REALLY AFFORD A DESIGNER? ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS ON HGTV?

Redecorating your home is an investment of both time and money. It can be very stressful. For larger projects, I strive to reduce stress by using a transparent, value-based method of billing that clearly outlines the process, installation, timeline and fees. In most design projects, I am usually able to give an estimate of the needed design hours up front. This way, everyone involved can focus on being 100% creative and not watching an imaginary project clock. You know exactly what you are paying for and how to budget for it, before the work has even begun.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I WILL REALLY GET A STYLE THAT FITS MY PERSONALITY? I DON'T WANT A "CANNED" LOOK

I hear this concern a lot. It is a horrible feeling to enter into a relationship feeling as if the designer will impose a strong aesthetic or their favorite style on your home. This is why I dedicate so much time on getting to know you, the way you live, your inspirations, your dreams, your family, and your expectations. By getting a feel for you ahead of time, I am able to gauge if we are a good fit for your design project. 

Like any relationship - The chemistry must be right. The difference between a good designer and a great interior designer is this: a great one can help bring out MORE of your personality and inject that into your space.

WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE THE IDEAS THAT YOU COME UP WITH, OR DISLIKE THE DESIGN ALL TOGETHER?

Tell me. There won’t be any hurt feelings! I survived all those HGTV judges didn’t I? This is a process, a conversation, and most of all a two way street. Always keep in mind that it’s your home. You deserve to live in the house of your dreams.

So, speak up. I don’t bite.





I LIKE THINGS FOR MY HOME THAT CAN BE FOUND AT ANTIQUE OR FLEA MARKETS. DO YOU SHOP IN PLACES LIKE THIS?

W e are already off to a great start! Don’t get me wrong; I love specifying custom furniture. But where I start, is at home - not mine, but YOUR home. One of my favorite parts about the design process is “shopping” your home, sorting through attics and basements, finding unique touches to highlight a room. As a designer, I get an insightful look into your world, as well as a perfect starting point for formulating a design plan. I then shop what I call a “high and low contrast" for my clients, tapping my resources to find the perfect fit for each and every room. I feel that often, the treasures I find at flea markets,  at your home, and antique stores inject the most personality into the finished room and help to bring a home to life. 



HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM READY TO HIRE TIFFANY?

I get asked this question quite a bit. Here is my advice on recognizing the signs that you are ready to work with me:

• You have a pile of design magazines with pages torn out, or dog-eared.

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• You look around and you are exhausted (aesthetically) of living in your space. If you feel depleted when you are at home and unsure of what to do about it, an interior designer’s opinion may be key.

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• You are yearning for custom furnishings and showroom exclusives. (A designer does not only have that exclusive access, but can also save you up to 30% off retail.)

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• You are open to suggestions.

This one bears repeating - YOU ARE OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. Hiring a professional interior designer does not necessarily mean relinquishing total control. It does, however, require having an open mind to their professional suggestions and solutions. If you find that you naturally micromanage all projects around you, no designer would ever be a good fit or satisfy your expectations.

• You can see the value in bringing in a professional. You probably don’t give yourself a haircut, or fix your own plumbing, so why decorate your own home?

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• You value process. I often joke with my clients and tell them that I will be in their lives for no less than a year - so the guest bedroom must be comfortable! 

Decorating a home can take months, even years. Most of my clients are full time professionals, parents, and volunteers. They leave it to me to manage their project, as their full time decorator. 

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