| (ARA) - "Reality" shows have saturated | | | | within a very limited price range and a |
| television programming, especially in the | | | | smidgen of time, creating unrealistic |
| area of home and garden design. You can | | | | expectations that can only lead to |
| "trade spaces" with a neighbor, enlist a | | | | disappointment. Disillusionment will turn |
| professional to recreate a high-end designer | | | | into delight, however, if you take the time |
| room on a budget or secretly call in a design | | | | to find and hire the right professional |
| team to remake a room as a surprise for a | | | | interior designer who can develop a design |
| loved one. This makes for compelling | | | | solution and practical budget specific to |
| television watching . . . especially when the | | | | your needs. |
| transformed spaces and the shocked reactions | | | | |
| of the room makeover "victims" are revealed. | | | | Qualified interior designers can make a huge |
| But these reality shows are not real. They do | | | | impact when it comes to home renovation and |
| little to showcase the benefits of working | | | | remodeling. Designers are creative problem |
| with professional interior designers who can | | | | solvers who can analyze lifestyles and needs, |
| help you "trade spaces," "change rooms" or | | | | optimize traffic flow, organize and |
| "design on a dime," but better. | | | | effectively use available spaces, select |
| | | | color palettes, and interpret personal |
| Although some design show hosts have a formal | | | | preferences. And unlike most of the design |
| education and professional background in | | | | reality shows, professional designers listen |
| interior design, many do not. The | | | | and adhere to their clients' needs and |
| professional design talent would be the first | | | | preferences before recommending a design |
| to tell you that the magical world of | | | | course to take. |
| television, with its strategic editing and | | | | |
| instant gratification, is far different from | | | | If you are an avid "do-it-yourselfer," a |
| the real world of interior design where good | | | | designer can set a cohesive renovation plan |
| results require careful planning, patience | | | | so you can tackle your own project |
| and expectations. | | | | efficiently, realistically and on budget. |
| | | | When a job is more complicated, a designer |
| Although a design show's budget may be $500 | | | | can assemble a team of specialists, provide |
| to $1,000, that amount doesn't include the | | | | access to a variety of resources that you |
| cost of hiring and using professional labor. | | | | might not be familiar with and seamlessly |
| These shows have designers and multiple | | | | manage your entire project from beginning to |
| contractors on staff who make sure the | | | | end. Designers can be consulted for their |
| inexpensive supplies are translated into | | | | skills and expertise at any level of need or |
| aesthetically pleasing (although not | | | | any size or scope of project. You'll find |
| necessarily functional, practical or safe) | | | | that the collaboration between homeowner and |
| furniture, accessories, window treatments and | | | | designer leads to tremendous results, which |
| wall coverings. | | | | will exceed expectations. Best of all, you'll |
| | | | be surprised at how little designer fees add |
| After watching episodes of these shows, some | | | | to the overall renovation budget, especially |
| viewers may mistakenly believe that any home | | | | when you factor in eliminating the risk of |
| improvement project can be accomplished | | | | costly mistakes. |