Whether you live in a villa or an apartment on the seventh floor, having your home professionally decorated is inevitably an expensive and time-consuming job. If you have decided to shell out and hire a designer, therefore, it's important that you pick the right person.
Finding a designer can be a difficult task, especially if you are new to the business of home renovation. To begin with, it's a good idea to talk to your friends and family. Ask the people close to you for their recommendations; the chances are good that one of them will have a connection that might suit your character.
If this is not a successful strategy, turn to the internet. Search reputable designers in your city and take care to read any available online reviews – whether these are written by colleagues or clients they will undoubtedly tell you something useful about the person and his or her work.
Once you have a short list of potential designers, arrange to meet with them individually. Remember that you will be working very closely with the successful candidate so it is vital that the two of you get along reasonably well.
Finally, be sure to look carefully through each candidate's portfolio before making your decision. This will tell you whether the work he or she has done in the past matches your own personal style.