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