Home Design at a fraction of the cost

Dear StyleBlueprint: I love your blog! I am so inspired by what you write about home decor and I really wish I could afford an interior designer, but I just can't on my salary. I was wondering if you knew of any designer just starting out who might be willing to help me at a reduced rate to build their portfolio? Thanks! -Cici
 
Dear Cici, Sometimes the timing of things amazes me. I wanted to scream in delight when I read this question as I had JUST received an email from a favorite StyleBlueprint design friend that would be of great interest to you! (Plus, flattery will almost always bump your question to top of the list!) Amanda Burdge is an established designer with her own retail and design shop in Brentwood, AB Home Interiors. She is launching some workshops in August and September for which you may want to sign up.


Her first class, Collaborative Design Strategies, places you in the hands of an AB Interiors intern who is a recent design grad who has also completed the 4 week AB Interiors Design Bootcamp. This allows the recent design grad to get "real world" experience with a homeowner while allowing the homeowner to have the safety net of an AB Interiors designer overseeing the project. The result will be great design at a fraction of the cost that designers charge. To work through a recent grad in this capacity will cost you $45/ hr. The projects will be pre-approved and focused on smaller projects, not whole house renovations. The designers will help you avoid costly mistakes by working with you on:

• Overall design concepts
• Space planning
• Color consultation
• Lighting selections

AB Interiors is also hosting several DIY workshops for all the people plagued by the creative bug, an illness which afflicts myself. AB Interiors' goal with this class is to "provide the homeowner the necessary tools and expertise needed to complete the job on their own, all with our proven interior design techniques." Sounds tempting doesn't it? I think I may have to sign up as I really wish, truly and honestly, that I had become an interior designer, or a dentist. I can't "play" dentist, but I'd love to play designer. The workshops will be held on Wednesdays in August with each class devoted to one topic including:

• How to develop style
• Developing a plan
• Smart Shopping
• Color Theory
• Accessories

The cost per class will range from $199-$499 depending on the length and amount of materials that each class requires. Considering these classes may save you the cost of a designer, or simply bad purchases over the course of your lifetime, the cost could be considered an investment. You now see how I talk myself into spending money, don't you?

Contact AB Interiors at info@abhomeinteriors.com or call 615-750-2763 Cici, in all honesty, PLEASE email us pictures of your before and afters as we would LOVE to showcase them here on StyleBlueprint! -Liza
 
Each Thursday we answer one question from a reader for both StyleBlueprint and the Her Q’s blog found at HerNashville.com. We also answer 2 questions each Tuesday just on the Her Q’s blog. Check out this past Tuesday here. Please send us your questions at: email@styleblueprint.com