You signed the contract, paid the retainer, and your project magically appears, right?  Um...Rome wasn't built in a day.  

The discovery call is the first step to hiring a designer. Typically you will schedule a discovery call to see if they are a fit for your project. These calls last for about 15 minutes.  The designer will ask you about your project, timeline, expectations, and needs.  This is your time to ask about their processes and what to expect from them.  Can I ask them what color will look good in my bathroom? Um...no.  They haven't seen your bathroom yet.  Slow down now.  It is a process.  I am happy you are ready to get started though. Getting a good vibe?  Maybe this is the designer of your dreams?  SO..... what's next?

A majority of people who call me for the first time have never hired an Interior Designer.  It can be a little intimidating for most people at first.  Well... you don't know what you don't know.  Usually the first question I get is how the process works and what they need to do to get started.  A lot of times people right out of the gate tell me they are not rich and don't have a ton of money so would I be interested in even working with them.  Um..... YES!!  First of all not a lot of people are rolling in the dough or living lavishly.  Most people however want a beautiful and comfortable home to fit their lifestyle.  Does that mean design is inexpensive?...no.  You get what you pay for, but a designer worth her salt will help set realistic expectations for what you desire and your budget.  Maybe you don't have the budget to get everything you want at the moment, but you can make a plan of action to do things in stages.  Also a designer can keep you from making a huge mistake that will cost you more in the long run.  Like the old carpenter's axiom a "measure twice, cut once" kind of approach.