The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2017

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www.theconnectionsnj.com Basking Ridge, NJ 908-604-9099 www.lorilevineinteriors.com lori@lorilevineinteriors.com Houzz Award Recipient LORI LEVINE INTERIORS, INC. ASID Associate VEHICLE STORAGE Most a ordable and trusted storage facility 310 Park Ave. Plain&eld, NJ 07060 908-444-8530 Conveniently located o$ I-287, Routes 78 and 22. Within a residential/commercial complex across from the Downtown Plain%eld Train Station. EXOTIC CLASSIC ANTIQUE $175/month - Seasonal or Year-Round Terms Visit our website: prostoragenj.com PRO STORAGE Garage Deciding to hire and work with an Inte- rior Designer can be a pretty scary thought. You are inviting someone into your home, into your most personal of spaces to help plan, execute and trans- late your tastes into a photo ready space. While a designer is ready with color swatches, window treatment ideas, furniture placement and light- ing, a designer contributes much more, and understanding the design process will ensure a happy ending for all. A designer envisions plans and specifies furniture, lighting, accessories, etc. for a space that is both functional and beau- tiful. He/she will take into consideration special structural features of the room, the client’s lifestyle and who will be using the space. An experienced Interior Designer will also have cultivated rela- tionships with vendors and craftspeople who can execute the design. When should you hire a Designer? You have a vision for your home but just unsure how to execute it? You’ve spent hours on the internet and are so con- fused you’ve given up? A Designer will help edit all the choices to the ones that fit, are the right look for the space and in your budget. With a creative eye and training, a good Designer might come up with a space planning solu- tion you never thought of. The end goal for all is a space that looks pol- ished and pulled together. Is hiring an Interior Designer in your budget? Is waiting 4 months for a sofa that is too large and comes in looking all wrong really worth it? It’s like buy- ing an insurance policy. Except this one pays dividends right away. There are several ways a Designer will charge for their services. They might charge an hourly rate, a flat fee and a cost plus. Cost plus is simple. The Designer buys goods at a discount from their accounts and then adds in a percent- age. I find that this generally offers the client a discount of 25-30% off the MSRP. • Before you start your search for your new Interior Designer, collect pic- tures of rooms you like. • Be ready to articulate what you like about the room. Try starting an idea book on Pinterest. Then decide what pieces in your room are staying, and what must go. • Be ready with a budget. Whether it’s for the whole room or just one piece it's important for everyone involved to know and understand the budget. I'm ready, but how do I find a good Interior Designer? Houzz is a great resource as is your local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Friends with personal recom- mendations are also a great way to start your search. Most designers will offer a phone inter- view to get to know you. A site visit fee is often negotiated separately. And remember… A small house well filled is better than an empty palace. Lori Levine is an Interior Designer in Basking Ridge. Her work has appeared several times in Design NJ and several showhouses. Lori Levine Interiors, Inc. Associate ASID Lori@LoriLevineInteriors.com 908-604-9099 HOW TO HIRE AND WORK WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

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