Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Net subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references before hiring!

2011 - 2013 Recommendations

Need Practical Interior Designer for simple kitchen update

It feels a bit frivolous to even ask this since we are fairly simple and far from wealthy but we need some help as we look to do a very simple kitchen remodel (keep existing cabinets, no major layout changes). The remodel will include opening up a 'pass through' to another room and thus change the configuration of the living/dining/? area of our house.

We need someone to help to figure out the layout (furniture wise) of the 'other room' with a 'you are on the right track (or not)' with the kitchen remodel ideas and help us figure out/pick out some new furniture (specifically a couch and an area rug). This will help us determine where to put in lights in those rooms (since we hope to have an electrician come once- kitchen stuff and other room stuff).

It seems like an interior designer with some kitchen experience is what we are looking for, but our project (and budget) seem very small potatoes to even hire someone as most portfolios I am finding are of immaculate houses with giant rooms and all 'new' stuff. We need to use the majority of what we already have and do not want a color consultation.

We are in Pleasant Hill and would want someone to come over, see our 'style (which is kinda mismatched- Pottery Barn meets vintage meets kitsch) and help us accordingly. Does this person exist? Do you have a recommendation? What is a typical fee for this kind of consultation? Is this something anyone ever 'barters' for? new to this designer thing

Need a great interior designer

We just moved from a rented bungalow to our own wonderful 4 bedroom home in North Berkeley. We have 2 small children and a cat. We are ready to start furnishing with more 'grown up' furnishings. Practical and beautiful - can they co-exist? We both have consuming jobs and need help with both the creative development and putting-it all- together implementation. We have some ideas about what we like, but need the right local designer to help us organize, beautify and furnish. It needs to be someone with great style, who is resourceful, cost conscious and easy to work with. Can anyone recommend someone you have worked with who you think would be a good match for our needs? Thanks so much!

Unlike many designers who have preconceived ideas about what they think you need, Helena listens very closely to what *you* want and helps create the type of living space that works for *you*. She is very easy to work with, and is extremely reliable. She provides a free half hour telephone consultation. It's a great opportunity to determine whether you think her skills and approach would work for you. You can email her at HTiainen01@aol.com. Her website is: www.interiordesignandorganizing.com Diane

She assured us that interior design projects are 'works in progress' - Everyone has different needs and goals and she specializes in making the process personal, enjoyable and affordable (we had a budget!). She listened carefully to both of us (we don't always agree - need I say more?) and was able to create a unique multi-step plan we both loved. We wanted to start with living / family room & dining room. Next, we plan tackle bedrooms and window treatments.

She was right on the mark at rearranging and repurposing some furnishings we already had. She created room-schematics, to scale, to illustrate numerous furniture sizing & placement possibilities. Our family room is a really odd shape but she came up with an ingenious plan. Her creative ideas were plentiful - we never could have thought up any of these concepts!

Victoria proposed a vibrant color palette, coordinating custom fabrics, built-in ideas and organization opportunities like storage for our kid's toys, (which were everywhere)! Under her direction, we had a lovely window seat, with large storage drawers built into a neglected corner. We also had some painting done. She has trusted resources for artisans, carpenters, painters, electricians, etc.

She guided our purchases of beautiful, contemporary, new and vintage furniture including sectional, rugs, coffee table, lighting, dining table & chairs, server and art (we bought these wonderful oversize canvas wraps). We were even able to take advantage of some designer discounts, we appreciated that. She also figured out ways to incorporate the TV without consuming the room.

The project was a complete success - making our family happy & cozy in our newly improved home. It all looks amazing we LOVE being inside & we are truly elated with the way it turned out. We will totally continue to consult her for step 2 and beyond. Super Happy Client

Interior designer or decorator?

We're working on plans for remodeling our house, and we have an architect that we love. But I'd also like to hire someone just for an hour or two who can look beyond the 'bones' of the house to evaluate our (humble) living space and make recommendations about window sizing and placement, fireplace and bookshelf location, maybe paint colors, and the best layout for our wide-open living/dining room space (e.g., where we should put a sofa, what shape and size, and how we can break up the space better with furniture). Would I be better off with an interior designer or an interior decorator? Will any of them just do a quick consult? I don't need plans or specific furniture recommendations, I just want ideas and input to guide the decisions we make with our architect. Would love a recommendation, particularly for any that are passionate about midcentury houses. design-challenged

Interior Designer - Small Potatoes

I'm looking for more recent recommendations for interior designers (the most recent reviews in the archives are 2008). I need to buy a new couch, chair, coffee & end tables, and media stand, and I have challenging space with lots of doors/windows. Plus I have a toddler. I'd like some (small potatoes) help in what furniture would fit best there, and then rounding it out with some pictures and window treatments. If that goes well, I could use similar help in other rooms, but my living room right now is the main issue. It's important that the person values finding deals on materials/furnitures, rather than recommending just buying everything from a high-end store. I'm looking to develop a comfortable, usable, homey space - using some of my existing things - and not something that looks 'designed.' ISO Help for Homey Living Room

Interior Designer Wanted

Hello, Our house flooded while we were away for the weekend. It's a nightmare but the good news is that we get to do some remodeling and buy some new furniture. We would like to work with someone to help us design and choose materials for our kitchen and bathroom, choose paint colors and flooring, and buy furniture. We've never worked with anyone like this before and don't know anyone else who has. We're not loaded so we don't want to spend too much money on this. Do any of you have any good recommendations for us? Can you give us any advice on how to find and choose a good person? We want someone who will listen to us and help us design our dream home, not his/her dream home. We have very simple, modern taste and don't like a lot of clutter. Thanks Inexperienced

Interior designer/decorator needed

I need a recommendation for an interior designer or decorator for our new house in Lamorinda. The posting in the archives are dated, so it would be great to get a new recommendation. In particular, I need advice about window treatments. Lamorinda Mom

Decorator for new home

We will like recommendations for a decorator who would come to our current house in Berkeley to see what furniture we have and then visit our new home on the peninsula to help us decide what furniture we should move and general ideas about what we need to buy and how to arrange the new spaces. We need to do this on a very tight budget so we want someone who will help us to create the overall design and we will do the shopping. design challenged

Looking for an affordable interior designer

We are moving soon and would like help decorating our new place to be more functional and to also reflect our own personal style. We have most of the furniture we need but will likely need to get some new pieces and would also like help configuring furniture, organizing, etc. I looked in the archives and the last recs were from 2008. Also, can anyone provide guidance on what to expect as far as cost? Do designers get paid by the hour typically? We need to make sure we can fit this into our budget. Thanks! starting fresh

Need interior design/lighting help

We are hoping to find someone who can help us with interior lighting, paint colors, and give our home a more pulled- together look. It wouldn't be the worst thing to hire three separate consultants, but if we can find one person to help us, that seems so much easier. We'd like our home to have a clean, contemporary look (and be child- friendly) without being sterile.

Need interior decorator/designer

I need a designer/decorator - not sure of the terminology - to help redesign our living room. We are happy w/paint color but need to add a few more pieces and reconfigure the room to make it more useable for our needs and I finally realized that I can't figure it out on my own. I love the look of the Scout staging folks but would rather work with someone who is designing for living rather than selling. We are on a limited budget but will pay the right price for the right person. All of the recommendations in the archives are at least three years old. Anyone suggest someone they've worked with? We're open to a newbie if the price is commensurable. design challenged

2009 - 2010 Recommendations

Interior Designer Mediator (!) Desperately Needed!

Y'know that TV show where the designer takes husband and wife with completely opposed tastes and finds solutions they both can live with? Well, I desperately need that person. My male significant other, a strong- minded guy who was a bachelor doing his own interiors for too long, is impossible to talk to about decor. We are moving into a new house (out of his bachelor house) and every time I try to make suggestions he doesn't want to hear them. He also doesn't want a designer but I am going to get one anyway and bring them over. So has anyone worked with a designer that can 'mediate' between two people with very, very different tastes, and who connects well with men who have very definite points of view? I need someone very smart (because my s.o. is whip-smart), and someone who is personable with a great sense of humor (because my s.o. likes to laugh and joke around). Probably need someone who works by the hour because we're looking more for general advice on wall colors, carpets, flooring - not buying expensive furniture on commission. If they can refer us to good companies for different kinds of work that helps also. Thanks! DNDH (Desperately Needing Design Help!)

Affordable interior desiger - modern style/look

Looking for an affordable interior decorator with a modern/contemporary style. Can't spend a lot and looking for someone to partner with about ideas rather than someone who just takes over. Need help with 1-2 rooms as well as other suggestions. msc

Creative Interior Designer/Decorator in Berkeley

I'm looking for a creative, elegant interior designer/decorator for a dining room/living room in the Berkeley/Albany area. Does anyone have experience with someone they like? I'm looking for help with some furniture and curtains (don't want to go w/sue's shades, alcatraz shades etc.) Thank you! anon

Interior decorator for home, not a showcase

I am looking for an interior decorator that can help with our house. I would like someone that can help turn our house into a home not a showplace. We need help with paint colors and furniture placement with our existing furniture although I know we will need a few new pieces. We are also doing all this on a fairly tight budget. We live on the other side of the tunnel so I think it would be more efficient to have someone who is located in the East Bay not SF. Need a home

We initially needed a new color scheme for our home after refinishing the floors and she did the entire place in 2 hours. Then she made suggestions we hadn't considered- changing the lighting and rearranging the furniture in a couple of rooms. We did get rid of some of our things and went to the places she told us about to get a few new pieces. She recommended a person to make slipcovers and cushions too. It worked out really well and it was a very good investment. We get lots of compliments on our new home and highly recommend Cass Morris. Her website is cassmorris.com Kat

Her key strengths: 1. Great eye: she is creative and inventive, can see lovely combinations of color, texture and arrangements that "click" in terms of practical purpose and esthetics. She will look at what you have and help you maximize the effect of existing pieces, and help you envision what might complement them.
2. Great ear: she is a fabulous listener, gets to know your priorities, and helps you establish not just surface order but also living habits and patterns to help you maintain that order. Maybe that's the key to a "home-not-a-showplace" -- the beauty and calm have to withstand the test of kids whirling through and busy tired people keeping it in place.
3. Flexible, non-judgmental, easy to work with: Having just had a baby, we didn't want to spend an arm and a leg. After a free initial phone consultation Helena suggested options for proceeding in the most optimal and cost-effective ways for us. She never shamed us for being slobs or too busy or etc. so we could instead focus on doing the best we could to get our home in order. We both agree that our time with Helena has been well worth every penny, with immediate returns on sanity and satisfaction. Best of all is the feeling of finally truly enjoying our home.

BONUS: since my husband and I wound up working with Helena in turns, our sessions with her had almost a couples therapy benefit to them! Her non-judgmental style helped us negotiate sticking points (we calmly and steadily dealt with closets of memorabilia and piles of paper that previously felt non-negotiable). Its been a lovely process of bringing harmony to our home. Good luck with your search for an interior decorator - we definitely suggest contacting Helena Tiainen, Interior Redesign and Professional Organizing: HTiainen01(at)aol.com, 510.684.4917, www.helenatiainenorganizing.com Linda and Mike

Recommendations for interior designer?

We are looking to furnish and decorate our living room. Ideally, we would like someone who works with a mix of modern and traditional styles. We don't have huge budgets so working with someone who can creatively provide inspiration from across a wide range of mid-range (ie. Crate & Barrel, Room & Board, etc.) to lower-range (ie. IKEA,etc.) would be great. Thanks in advance! Anna S

Looking for Interior Design Consulting Services

I am interested in referrals for an interior designer that might be willing and able to provide consulting services without necessarily signing on to do a full set of plans and/or purchase all the furniture and accessories for me. What I have as an idea in my head is someone who will come and look at the spaces I want to work on and discuss concepts, approaches and a look that might fit my own style and the style of the architecture. Are there people who might do this kind of assessment and then either give me a floor plan or ways to approach doing this on my own over time and then might be available to consult periodically or make suggestions as to where I might look for things on my own? My taste runs from modern to earthy natural and I am open to the quirky or unusual - I am not interested in traditional or flounces. Thanks! Needing some design and spatial ideas in Berkeley

Over the last several years Danielle has assisted in redesigning my living room, bedroom and kids room. The process has generally been an initial consultaiton in which we discuss what I can't stand about the space, how we use the space, and the feeling I want to create. At that consultaiton she provides ideas for colors and furniture arrangement and how to make a few minor changes to create a new look. I then mull over her ideas, decide which ones I want to pursue, do more research and then consult with her again. In each instance I purchased some items through her (she has an amazing rug vendor and knows a lot about drapes and how to hang them) and some of the items I purchased myself.

She is also a mother herself and understands that a family home needs to comfortable, functional, and durable! She?s super easy to work with ? friendly, prompt, and a good communicator. You can contact her via www.daniellefoxdesign.com or call her at 510/325-6659. Busy & stylist

Interior Designer needed for small Berkeley bungalow

Looking for an interior designer experienced in working with small spaces. My Berkeley bungalow is approximately 1300 square feet. Looking for a designer who can maximize space and efficiency, make furniture and other design recommendations, and integrate existing art work and objets into a harmonious living space.

Interior designer / decorater needed

I am decorating my living room from scratch and need help. I am looking to buy a couch, 2 armchairs, and a rug and am driving myself crazy trying to pick fabric that looks good together. I need someone who will help me pick fabric and give me ideas for window treatments, rug and lighting. I also need help with accessories. I don't have a huge budget and want to do some of the legwork myself. I mainly need help with the fabrics to make sure things will look good together. I like contemporary, comfortable, casual, fun, colorful rooms (not traditional, too modern, or too neutral). Julia

Need Interior Help

Our home needs a decorating transformation to make it look (and function) better. We are looking for someone affordable who we can hire--hopefully on an hourly basis--to help re-arrange our existing furniture, organize our spaces better, and guide us in purchasing what we need on a budget. Any suggestions? Decorating Challenged

2007 - 2008 Recommendations

Looking for Interior Designer

I'm looking for recommendations for a designer who is willing to do just a few rooms and can work with existing furniture but recommend improvements and other design changes such as paint, drapes, some new furniture, etc. Someone who loves to work with color and combine traditional with comfortable furniture and design would be ideal. looking for designer

Looking for a non-shaming, kind, gentle decorator who can go through my house, make suggestions, help me develop a plan I can execute as time/money allow. I've been waiting for it to be de-cluttered (ha! if only it could de-clutter itself!), but we're at a point now where we need new window coverings, paint, etc and can't wait any longer. Not too expensive would also be nice... anon

I need help with redecorating my living room. Does anyone have experience working with Jim Kennedy at High Cotton on Solano Avenue? I would like to work with a Berkeley business. Thanks. anon

I need help with redecorating my living room and dining room. Has anyone worked with ''High Cotton'' on Solano Ave.? I like the idea of working with a local business. Thanks. anon

i am looking for an interior designer that can help me with 2 difficult spaces (an open living room/dining room in a 1910 house), child friendly furniture/design, and in the more modern/not ''matchy-matchy'' direction. any suggestions? zoe

We're moving into a new place and starting from scratch. I'm looking for someone to come in and consult with me about the possibilities for each room. A interior designer who has a good eye for color, room proportion and furniture placement would be great. We're a family and have a casual style but would like a place that looks like adults actually live there. Thanks. Rachael rk

Helena Tiainen
Interior Redesign and Professional Organizing
HTiainen01 at aol.com
510.848.1525
www.helenatiainenorganizing.com

I'm very pleased to recommend my interior designer Celine Perrin (510-814-8910 or celine at abeautifulplace.com). I worked with her over a period of a year on a master bath remodel, which included total changes in walls, windows, and plumbing, including some work in connection with the associated master bedroom. I love the result.

Celine began the process by talking to me about my likes and dislikes, looking through photos and pictures from magazines and walking through all of my property, including the garden. It became clear to Celine that this was an linside outsiden house, and my love of the garden provided a focal point for the design: bring the outside in. Celine did this through the clean design, addition of windows to bring in light, earthtone colors, and choice of materials (stone and unfinished wood). Celine had suggestions and access to materials I was completely unfamiliar with, and found materials and fabricators to custom make several key components (two large Shoji doors made with 3M resin and metal bars that serve as both towel bars and grab bars since I will be aging in this house). I particularly liked Celinems suggestions that made the bath very personal for me: using my motherms brooch as the touchplate on the medicine cabinet, or a lighted wall niche that now displays a personal object.

I was a full partner in all decisions. We had some differences of opinion at times, but were always able to work these out in a positive way that came up with a better result. Celine would provide sketches of both (or more) options, and/or logic on why one was better, but occasionally even agreed my suggestion was better! Feel free to contact me via email llaskowski12 at comcast.net L. L.

I'm looking for an insightful and resourceful interior designer for assistance with our new home in Albany. We'd like a comprehensive approach including new furniture, floor and window coverings as well as remodeling assistance. Thanks. B

Looking for an interior designer? We have discovered someone terrific. We interviewed three interior designers who all came highly recommended from various sources. Our plan was to just get a few hours of consultation on colors. After talking with each of them we chose Michele Maggiora of Radicchio Sisters Design. Her background as a fine artist made her the best choice. We had worked with a kitchen designer and received an estimate on cabinets from Home Depot, but the first thing Michelle did was to recommend another source that was faster and equal or better quality at a savings of about $6000. She has a great color sense, is fun to work with, very hands-on. She doesnmt make her money off commissions on furniture, etc., but helped us make better use of what we have. Working with her is very exciting. We are thrilled to have found her. You can reach her at (510) 910-3277 or (510) 444-4472. Diane

2005 - 2006 Recommendations

We would like recommendations for a designer to help design and draft a plan to remodel a grade level basement to a living area with bath and laundry. We would like someone with creative but affordable ideas for creating a multiuse space, and be able to provide plans for use by a contractor (recommendations also welcome). Structural redesign is not required, so we don't expect to need an architect's plans.

I am looking for someone to design our home office including desks, cabinets and shelving. The office is in what originally was a bedroom so maximizing space given the layout requires some thought. I would like to find someone with both office planning and interior space planning experience. We are not very interested in traditional design. We are open to custom work or not. Especially interested in maximizing the space and using green and/or interesting/unusual materials. tracey

This post is in response to previous requests for a interior designer that can work on a budget with existing furniture. I had been looking for someone to help me upgrade from my assortment of mostly hand-me-down furnishings and to put together my rooms as I would have done them if I had any aesthetic vision or knew where to shop. I found the perfect person to help me with that--Victoria Bochat of Slapdash Interiors in Oakland. She did simple things like changing the configuration of my living room so that it was much more inviting. She worked with the furniture that I wanted to keep, but added some great inexpensive touches such as pillows in gorgeous colors and textures. She suggested pieces from upscale--but affordable--sources both locally and on-line. She helped me furnish several rooms in my house in exactly my taste and within my budget. She even found some adorable high quality table lamps at a discount store. She is also a restorer and painter of old furniture! and has a warehouse of unique older pieces to pull from. She painted a vintage round farm table a great shade of rusty red for a sort of "shabby chic" look that I love. She's fabulous at supplying accessories and furniture that suits her client's style (vintage or modern) and budget. And, to top it off, she's very funny and fun to be around. I highly recommend her! Victoria can be reached at 510.534.1500 or at slapdashnewlife at aol.com.
Lori

We are so pleased with the work that Francis Combes (510-595-6669) has done for us over the years on two of our homes and on many of our friends' homes. He has an incredible eye, is resourceful, charges reasonable rates, and, most importantly, is truly a pleasure to have in our home. He not only is a skilled interior designer, he is also an excellent lighting consultant.

Before working with Francis, I never considered how important lighting was to a room's appeal and comfort. Francis transformed our indoor/outdoor spaces by reengineering the lighting. He properly illuminated our landscaping and trees to make the outside of our first North Berkeley home go from unremarkable and haphazard to majestic. He then consulted with us on the lighting and interior design in our second Berkeley home. He not only provided us with beautiful furnishings, fixtures and improved lighting placement, he helped us bring our electric bill down more than half by sourcing high-end florescent bulbs that he incorporated into our lighting schemes.

We found his sense of color and composition to be very refined (due to a combination of natural talent and schooling). He knows antiques and helped us figure out which to purchase and which to walk away from fast. We were also impressed by his drafting skills. He artfully translated our ideas into architect quality blueprints to keep us on the same page and keep our project moving forward. Our contractors regularly complemented the quality of his plans. Many of my friends on limited budgets have engaged Francis to redesign various rooms in their homes and businesses (ranging from adding new windows to a living room to redesigning restaurant lighting to turning a underutilized closet into a powder room to kitchen remodels). He has done so much to enhance those spaces without exausting the funds of their owners. I highly recommend Francis Combes. Give him a call and ask him to view his beautiful portfolio. He is located in central Piedmont. Lynn

Hi, I was interested to know if anyone has a recommendation for an interior designer. I am looking for someone who can help me shop for furniture and choose color. I have a good idea of the style I want, but need help. Thanks. Sherri

I've seen a bunch of posts for interior designers/decorators but am seeking more specific recommendations. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who can recommend a designer/decorator that has worked on your Berkeley Brown Shingle/craftsman style home. Thanks.

Would like recent recommendations for an interior designer in the Berkeley area. Would like someone who has creative ideas about using already existing furnishings, new pieces, antiques, flea-market finds, etc. to help redo a number of rooms for a hip, modern but comfortable home for family with 2 kids. annie

Alycia will work on redesign with your existing furniture, or will go all the way to helping you create (and purchase) an entire new look. There are so many great things to say about her but probably top four are (1) She has a really exceptional eye for "spacial" issues: how to arrange furniture, art, linens, etc in the space you have in the very best way. (2) a fantastic sense of color, and texture -- found interesting materials and tones for our space (3) a really good grasp of all the local resources for furniture, art, fabric, etc, if you want to buy some new things (4) and last but not least, she LISTENS to you. She helps you to create what you want, rather than pushing a particular "look" on you (e.g. you don't need to have a Pottery Barn living room if you don't want one -- :) )

I highly recommend her. Visit her website to see her work!! Vandy

I'm looking for an interior decorator that is in the Lamorinda area that is reasonably priced. Jessica

We are in the process of adding an addition to our home, and we are looking for recommendations of interior designers who can help us pick out colors, fabrics and fixtures for a family room, bathroom and children's bedroom. Unfortunately, we don't have a huge budget for this project, but certainly have put away some money for decorating. Any recommendations would be greatly apprecaited. Please email me, Dana

I have checked the archives, but see no recent postings for what we are looking for: someone who can help us furnish/decorate our small bungalow. We have been living in this house for some time, but not comfortably. We tend to spend most of our time in our tiny kitchen, mostly because the other rooms are not inviting. Given our limited budget, we are hoping to find someone who could help create a vision which we would then execute ourselves. Having checked the sites of some recommended interior decorators, I think we are looking for something else. The sort of elegance and polish I associate with ''decorated'' spaces is not for us. Eclectic, funky, and comfortable is what we aspire to. Recommendations, anyone? Not at home in house

We are a French/Belgian family who would like to recommend a wonderful interior designer and color consultant, Jennifer Thompson, of J.Thompson Design. We bought a house in the Oakland Hills that was built after the fire; it had interesting architecture, but very unsatisfactory details, and was cold and unimaginative. Jennifer helped us transform it into a colorful, stylish, unique home, which reflects our personalites and gives us a lot of pleasure. We had no idea how to do home renovation in America, and she handled the whole job for us q found the contractor and the artisans who created unique details for us, and oversaw the job, as we were often in Europe. Not only that, her rates are very reasonable, and we enjoyed working with her. Call her at 510 898 1171 or email at jthompsondesign AT comcast.net. Heddy

Michele Maggiroa (510-444-4472 or 510-260-4857)is a artist/designer/colorist that I used from this newsletter and I wanted to second (or third) the recommendation that she is fantastic. She chose outstanding colors for my interior and helped me buy/place existing furniture and objects in my house that fit in and just look right. She is very comfortable to with and extremely reasonably priced for her services. kim

If you need a fresh color palette for your home, improved use of space, reorganization, and the help with bringing it all together... I recommend Michele Maggiora of Radicchio Sisters Design. Besides her abilities as an artist/designer, I 'm enjoying this process with her. It's like having a good friend who happens to be a designer with an excellent artist's eye. She is willing to do as much or as little as I need including interior painting, layout, personal shopping...whatever! Michele Maggiora of Radicchio Sisters Design (510) 444-4472 cell (510) 910-3277 Laurie

2003 - 2004 Recommendations

I need help decorating my living room. I know what I want to do regarding the layout and the general feel of the room, but need help with color selection, fabrics, and purchasing items. The last posting regarding interior design is well over a year old, so I was hoping someone had some fresh references. We are in Walnut Creek and have a limited budget q any help is appreciated! Jenifer

For the person who is looking for an interior designer, I highly recommend Anne Norton-Dingwall at AND Interior Design Studio in Kensington. She listened to what we wanted, channeled us, and did an amazing job transforming our living and family rooms as well as our bath. She also is a super person. You can view her work online at www.anddesigns.com http://www.anddesigns.com. Or call her at 510.526.4579. Leslie

Awhile back, someone asked about help with interior design. I would like to recommend Tre Curran and her partner Tracy. Their name is Interior Transformations http://www.onedayredesigns.com info AT trecurran.com 510-527-8384

When I mentioned Interior Transformation, my friends thought it was therapy. Actually, it felt incredibly therapeutic and exciting to get ideas about redesigning the home with what existed. They can also help you purchase new items. Sherry

I live in a tiny cottage and need some help figuring out best to maximize the space. Does anyone know of a relatively low-cost interior decorating consultant who, most of all, might be able to suggest places to actually buy the few pieces of furniture I have in mind? I don't necessarily need a design professional, just someone with a good eye who also knows how to shop! (Think English Country or Minimalist styles.)
Many thanks. Dreaming of Expansiveness!

I have looked at the previous recommendations regarding interior designers and DVA which was highly recommended by many is no longer accepting new clients. I have two boys and want to work with someone who is positive about an active, casual family. Thank you. fullhuis

2002 & Earlier

We just bought an old craftsman bungalow in Berkeley. We are redoing all the walls, and plan to make minor structural changes. Later we are going to completely redo the bathroom, kitchen, attic and ground floor (we're lifting), but for now I'm just looking for someone who can advise on minor structural changes (i.e. adding closets, putting in a half bath) and paint color, furniture layout, window treatment etc. Someone who knows a lot about craftsmans would be a plus, but is not absolutely necessary. Romney

I'm looking for a recommendation for an interior designer that specializes in a ''traditional'' design. Anyone? Patty

What I really like about Andrea is that she will work with your existing furniture/art/special pieces, etc. to complete the look you want to achieve in your home. Or she can start from scratch to give you a complete overhaul. You can check out Andrea's website at: www.hawkinsdesign.com or call her (510) 654-4295. Michelle

I would like to find a decorator who would be compatible with my informal taste (kind of zen, ethnic)and limited budget, who would be fun to work with, in helping me turn kids-away-at-college bedrooms into guest room/meditation/massage rooms. I'd like to locate someone who has access to good quality but reasonably priced painters, carpeting, furnishings. Know of anyone? Leah

Recently, a list member recommended interior decorator Sally Freedman. Does anyone have additional recommendations for interior designers? I'm looking for someone who is willing to shop both retail and the design centers and who is willing to work with a *family* with functional as well as aesthetic needs, as opposed to people who are trying to create a show house. Thanks so much for your recommendations! Darcy

Can anyone recommend an interior decorator that can do a consultation. I would not mind giving someone a few hundred dollars to spend a few hours in my house and recommend where to put what and what color to paint or kinds/colors of furniture to buy. I know most are expensive and are whole service but I cant afford that but I do want a nice house. I recognize a nicely done job but for the life of me, I cant produce it myself. Any ideas? Maybe students or those that do it on the side as a hobby? My number during the day is 415-744-2076 if anyone wants to pass this one. Thanks much, Nilou

What should I expect in a consultation?

I had a bad experience with a designer. We wanted advice about color (paint), lighting, curtains/shades, and rugs. She talked on and on about her other clients and what worked for them--for 2 hours. After she left I thought ''what did I get out of that 2 hours?--nothing.'' She pointed me to a couple of places to shop, that's what I got. My question is: how should I ''interview'' the designer so that I can actually benefit from my (nearly) $200! I am willing to have a continuing relationship with an effective designer but I really cannot afford to waste my money like I did with this particular designer. Please send any suggestions for directing the meeting, and also recommendations for designers that hear me and will work with me. And not waste time talking about stuff that is *completely* irrelevant! Also, can you let me know their rates? We have a '20s simple 2/1 bungalow. anon

I typically offer a complimentary consultation where we get to know one another, and I use this as an opportunity to listen to what you are looking for, how your spaces are used, who uses them, what do you want your window coverings to accomplish (eg privacy, decoration, sun control, insulation), etc.

After we have discussed what you are looking to accomplish, then we decide if we feel like we can work together--no money has changed hands yet. I think it is important that we both feel like it could be a mutually beneficial relationship before we get too far down the road. If you purchase product from me-- window treatments, area rugs, accessories, furniture--I do not charge an hourly design fee--you get my design services for free. My prices are comparable to Thomasville/Ethan Allen, but I have a much larger selection from over 130 suppliers. If you would like to use me in a more consultative role where there is no product purchase, I do charge an hourly rate that varied depending on the service.

Good luck in your quest!

Next you should talk to them on the phone before you hire them, asking whatever questions you want about their style, and also letting them know you had a problem in the past, so it doesn't happen again.

Third: if a designer does not seem to be listening to you, perhaps you are not speaking up. Perhaps she was sounding you out on ideas she had used before, but not getting any reaction or response from you. You also could let the designer know if you want to be told exactly what to do, which maybe you do.

Last, you might have expected too much in 2 hours. anon