designer visions

Written on July 28, 2010 at 1:15 pm
By Amy Bleier Long

The proliferation of the Internet, social media, apps, and online collaboration has prompted a handful of interior designers to offer their expertise online at discounted rates, the caveat being that you do the measuring and the shopping. But that means you can set the budget and timeline, and have a little fun!

So far I haven’t come across a service that is as much of a bargain as Designer at Home. And if you haven’t yet used an interior designer—or are on a budget—this might be for you.

Designer at Home (DAH) is the brainchild of LA-based British designer James Charles. He began his career at Roche Bobois, is a two-time winner of HGTV’s Designers’ Challenge, and past clients include Sean Connery, and members of Duran Duran and A-Ha (a detail I loved- I ♥ the 80s). The idea surfaced when Charles repeatedly received comments from people who wanted to hire him but couldn’t afford to.

“I wanted to provide good quality advice for little money, and give people a chance to be involved in the process,” he says. The process is fairly simple, broken into 3 parts: “your part, [their] part, and the fun part.”

Your part: The first step involves you thoroughly measuring and drawing the room you want help with, including the furniture and fixtures currently in it, and then you fill out a questionnaire. You’ll also provide a few photos so they get a proper understanding of the room.

DAH does offer written and video instructions for the more complicated tasks—such as drawing a scale image of your room with all the appropriate measurements included—necessary to receive a personalized room plan.

Their part: Working off all the information provided, a designer will formulate a solution for your room, keeping you apprised as they go.

The fun part: Redecorate and shop! Within three weeks of receiving your information, DAH provides (via FedEx):

1. an annotated floor plan describing where furniture and accents should be placed,

2. a color board complete with images of all the pieces and swatches of suggested fabrics, and

3. the instruction document which outlines exactly what goes where, how much the pieces cost, and where you can purchase them.

Furniture and accents chosen for your room are sourced from online retailers, as well as local and national stores. DAH will look up stores in your town to make the purchase stage as easy as possible. Another feature of DAH is that they provide access to over 12,000 to-the-trade fabrics including those from JAB Stroheim and Kravet, and is a source for rugs as well.

But how much does it cost? Only $299 per room. That’s hundreds cheaper than what some of the other companies are offering. DAH’s menu of services also includes two cheaper, less involved options.

Additionally, Charles has future plans to add a paint consultation option, and a white-glove service where he will offer help with art placement, lighting, and suggest higher-end décor items and furniture. Input from guest experts is also in the works.

4 Responses to “designer visions”

1. July 30, 2010 at 5:45 pm, by oomph

   We think it is no question the wave of the future! It’s an economical way to get the designer expertise you need. With the ease of a cellphone camera, a tape measure and email, a designer can take the information and translate it into a fabulous space. Then you can add the specified products as your budget allows in your own time frame by shopping online. We love the concept and think it will be the norm, not the exception.

2. September 17, 2010 at 1:54 pm, by CozyHome

   This is a great service–but they don’t work with kitchens or baths!

3. September 27, 2010 at 10:11 am, by Amy Bleier Long

   Hi CozyHome,

   Yes, right now the service isn’t available with kitchens and baths, because of various limitations. But DAH, and probably other services, hope to be able to include those rooms in the not-too-distant future.

   Thanks for your comment!

4. June 21, 2011 at 3:57 pm, by el gendy

   interior designer before & after