Paying an online Mary Poppins to redesign a reading nook?
November 22, 2024 8:25 AM Subscribe
Does a service exist for me to provide photos of an unused, chaotic living space and someone will tell me how to make it cozy?
Some interior design blogs post similar content, taking photos of a space and making suggestions on rearranging existing furniture, new items to purchase or thrift, etc.
I'm looking to pay someone to look at photos of a the small, awkward landing at the top of our stairs and help me transform it into a proper cozy reading space. For example, I recently found someone on Etsy who for a modest fee would take a photo of a person and then provide a sample "color" chart for their wardrobe and makeup. Who does something similar for disorganized spaces?
I am overwhelmed by the process and willing to pay someone else to think through options, which I will then carry out if given specific instructions. Short of magic, where and to whom can I throw money at this problem?
Some interior design blogs post similar content, taking photos of a space and making suggestions on rearranging existing furniture, new items to purchase or thrift, etc.
I'm looking to pay someone to look at photos of a the small, awkward landing at the top of our stairs and help me transform it into a proper cozy reading space. For example, I recently found someone on Etsy who for a modest fee would take a photo of a person and then provide a sample "color" chart for their wardrobe and makeup. Who does something similar for disorganized spaces?
I am overwhelmed by the process and willing to pay someone else to think through options, which I will then carry out if given specific instructions. Short of magic, where and to whom can I throw money at this problem?
Many interior designers will do this. They’d probably do a consult by video, have you send lots of pictures of the space in different lighting and angles, have you go through a few rounds of “moodboards” to arrive at the vibe you like, and give you rough renderings and plans for their suggestion. I would guess you could get this service for $1000 or under. More money = more polished or more variety of renderings and plans. (less $ = fewer deliverables or rounds)
specifically look for ones who freelance or have very small residential-only consulting firms — I wouldn’t bother with a full fledged firm unless your budget is 5 or more figures, as they’ll often go after large projects.
I do know of some who freelance for small residential projects like this, outside of their in-house day jobs at large firms. You can find people who freelance through: design schools like RISD or BAC (try their alumni office), LinkedIn, search “virtual consultation interior designer”, your local neighborhood / city group.
If the package I mentioned above seems overkill for you, put out a call in your network, I have lots of friends (myself included!) who love doing similar things for free or small fee for my friends! It’s an honor to have my ideas turn into reality for someone I know, no payment would be needed for me. maybe you have someone like that in your sphere, or someone whose kid just graduated from an architecture or interiors program, etc and wants a crack at their first real portfolio project
posted by seemoorglass at 9:28 AM on November 22 [2 favorites]
specifically look for ones who freelance or have very small residential-only consulting firms — I wouldn’t bother with a full fledged firm unless your budget is 5 or more figures, as they’ll often go after large projects.
I do know of some who freelance for small residential projects like this, outside of their in-house day jobs at large firms. You can find people who freelance through: design schools like RISD or BAC (try their alumni office), LinkedIn, search “virtual consultation interior designer”, your local neighborhood / city group.
If the package I mentioned above seems overkill for you, put out a call in your network, I have lots of friends (myself included!) who love doing similar things for free or small fee for my friends! It’s an honor to have my ideas turn into reality for someone I know, no payment would be needed for me. maybe you have someone like that in your sphere, or someone whose kid just graduated from an architecture or interiors program, etc and wants a crack at their first real portfolio project
posted by seemoorglass at 9:28 AM on November 22 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You can also post pictures and ask for advice in the r/DesignMyRoom subreddit.
posted by meijusa at 11:09 AM on November 22 [3 favorites]
posted by meijusa at 11:09 AM on November 22 [3 favorites]
A friend of mine used Havenly (which does exactly what you described) when she moved into her new house and really liked all the ideas they gave her.
posted by dawkins_7 at 11:53 AM on November 22
posted by dawkins_7 at 11:53 AM on November 22
We had a local interior designer do this for us. I found her on houzz and liked her style. The first room, she came in person and was so quick to identify what furniture we needed to get rid of, what we needed to move around and what we might enjoy purchasing. A few years later we had her do a similar project but this time she did all virtually. We paid her by the hour.
Many any furniture stores will offer a free 'room makeover'. Obviously they are hoping you'll buy the products they recommend, but you can still learn a lot from what they recommend to you even you don't buy their particular solution, you can see this size couch is right, this kind of bookshelf is going to be too big, etc. When I've done this I scheduled the appointment, send over photos ahead of time and then we met on zoom.
posted by snowymorninblues at 12:26 PM on November 22 [1 favorite]
Many any furniture stores will offer a free 'room makeover'. Obviously they are hoping you'll buy the products they recommend, but you can still learn a lot from what they recommend to you even you don't buy their particular solution, you can see this size couch is right, this kind of bookshelf is going to be too big, etc. When I've done this I scheduled the appointment, send over photos ahead of time and then we met on zoom.
posted by snowymorninblues at 12:26 PM on November 22 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Last year, the Washington Post reviewed three different virtual interior design services. Here's a gift link.
posted by amarynth at 1:28 PM on November 22 [2 favorites]
posted by amarynth at 1:28 PM on November 22 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so much to everyone - all of this feedback is helpful and took a weight off my shoulders!
Amarynth, the WaPo gift link is much appreciated, particularly the author's realization that, "I thought hiring a virtual designer would absolve me of having to do much work, which I quickly realized was naive. Between finding inspiration pictures, photographing my current space, drawing out my floor plan, keeping track of deliverables and communicating with the designers, it became clear that in many ways you’ll only garner as much from these services as you’re willing to put in."
posted by thenewbrunette at 5:32 AM on November 23 [4 favorites]
Amarynth, the WaPo gift link is much appreciated, particularly the author's realization that, "I thought hiring a virtual designer would absolve me of having to do much work, which I quickly realized was naive. Between finding inspiration pictures, photographing my current space, drawing out my floor plan, keeping track of deliverables and communicating with the designers, it became clear that in many ways you’ll only garner as much from these services as you’re willing to put in."
posted by thenewbrunette at 5:32 AM on November 23 [4 favorites]
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Julie Jones
posted by tinydancer at 9:00 AM on November 22 [2 favorites]