… and how will you know they will choose the right colors for you? Excellent question right? Yes but what's the answer? Is there a black or white answer to a complicated question? Come see how this answer can be like comparing apples to oranges.
This goes back to my point - ask 10 different Designers and you'll get 10 different answers but which answer is right? It's great to hire a Color Expert such as myself for excellent guidance, professional suggestions and educated choices but is that enough to sell color? Yes!
You'll notice that there are two types of Designers, and I'm using this term loosely now because ultimately, there is really only one type Designer and that is one who has credentials a mile long and enough experience to back it up.
Designer Type I
- Works for the local paint store
- likes color
- thinks purple is “pretty”
- uses beige or white because it's really safe
- if afraid to use unusual colors
- can't back up why they just chose a color they chose
- follows color trends
- has extra time on her hands and likes to decorate
- knows nothing about undertones
- doesn't ask a client about the lighting in their home
- doesn't ask the client questions about what THEY want
- has a degree in Liberal Arts
- doesn't have a degree
- has 10 go to colors that they use all the time
- Chooses a color really, really fast
- will try to sell the client other decor items in the home such as window treatments and furniture
Designer Type II
- used to work for the local paint store and learned all about paint, sheen, color, how to mix paint, how to custom mix a color for a client, knows what sundries to use to complete a paint job, knows what brand of paint to use for a certain application.
- likes all colors
- thinks purple is pretty but knows it's going to be a hard color to sell but has sold it many times.
- hardly uses beige or white unless the area absolutely calls for it
- likes to suggest colors out of everyone's comfort zone and knows it'll work in the space
- perhaps talks a little too much about why color A is the best choice for your room :-)
- doesn't follow color trends unless that color fits beautifully into the space
- all “extra time” goes back into the office blogging about color, writing articles and answering dozens of emails everyday
- knows how crucial it is to choose colors that are unified in undertones
- knows you can't choose the RIGHT color with looking at the lighting fixtures in the home
- drills the client about what THEY want until it's perfectly clear
- has a degree in Interior Decorating and Design
- has 10 go to colors but knows not to use them unless it's perfect for the space. There are hundreds color colors that are the next “go to colors” - never limit
- discusses with the client why color A is the best choice for the room and doesn't rush through the color deck.
- has confidence in the colors that were chosen
- gets goose bumps when finding the right color
- charges a decent amount for a consultation service because it's her specialty
- respects that everyone has colors they love but if there is a color or element in the home that is clearly wrong, is not afraid to professionally point it out but must back it up with the right choice - and why
- doesn't leave the clients home unless the client/designer rapport is strong. Nothing is worse than a client handing over money to a Designer and the client is wondering if they just got scammed or just paid for professional color advice
- has done this for 25+ years - you just cannot compete with experience
- focuses on just selling color not confusing the client with other things they need for the home
- my gosh this list can go on and on and on
Ultimately, the final decision is in the comfort zone of the client who has the final decision whether to hire Designer I or Designer II. Hopefully, keeping in mind you get what you pay for.
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