Rachel Blindauer
Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

by | Feb 28, 2020 | Interior Design

Getting your dream home designed can be an incredibly exciting and satisfying experience. If you’ve never worked with a designer before, getting started with the process can seem complicated and confusing. To help out, I have put together some questions to ask your interior designer and tips on hiring an interior designer.

FINDING A DESIGNER

Many of my clients find me through my previous clients or by coming across me online.  Interior designers keep a portfolio of their designs. Browse through as many portfolios as you can, noting photos that fit with your vision for your home. If you are in love with the work of a designer located elsewhere, reach out to them to confirm that they would be willing to take the job in your location and see if they have the necessary permits and licenses needed to work in your area. Rachel Blindauer Interior Design has permits to operate in Florida, California, and Massachusetts that I have obtained for my clients with multiple homes and offices.

TRAINING VARIES & STATE REGULATIONS VARY

While most states I have worked in doesn’t require the NCIDQ exam to do commercial interiors, Florida does. Commercial Interior design requires knowledge of building codes/safety regulations, and the budget spent per sq ft is also low compared to residential, which restricts your vendors/product selections. Residential Interior Designers don’t have to pass the NCIDQ exam but while some designers have 6-7 years of college training plus field experience like myself, not all do. Interior decorators decorate but often do not have any training, some might have some to no experience, or perhaps are really just in a sales position at a store. Personally, I don’t consider people earning a commission on how much furniture they sell you as designers. I have heard nightmares from clients that had a “free” designer fill their home with furniture. Nothing actually fit and none of it was returnable to do the custom nature of upholstery and finishes. Lack of measuring, compensation based on sales and a lack of experience can result in costly mistakes, so make sure you select your designer well.

PERSONALITY AND COMPATIBILITY

Interior designing is a personal process. It involves opening up your home to a designer and sharing your likes and dislikes with them. Planning and executing takes time and sometimes a year or longer, depending on the size of the project. When you’re choosing your designer, make sure your personalities are compatible and that you are comfortable with them.

DECISION MAKING

Plan your interior design project around a time when you can focus and give it due attention. Schedule your meetings with the designer when all decision-makers are available and make your meetings more efficient by preparing ahead with notes and questions. Couples should align their direction together before meetings. When it comes to big decisions, take time to consider the options, and make sure you love your choice and how it will all look together.

If you don’t like a particular choice, let your designer know. Rachel Blindauer advises “I look at hundreds of products, designs, and layouts before I present, so if one doesn’t suit your taste or budget, I’ll have backups. If what you want doesn’t exist I can also custom design the items.”

THE WAIT

Rugs, shipping, and custom pieces can take some time to be created. Often projects take a year from initial concept to installation. There will also be times when things don’t go as planned. A part of the design may need to be revised on-site, or an item could get broken during shipping or installation, etc. During these times, trust your designer. One of the benefits of hiring a professional is that they are proficient in handling these scenarios.

INSTALLATION

During the final installation, I generally advise my clients to leave and even go on a short vacation if possible. The installation is the stage interior designers plan for months in advance. At our firm we bring in accessories, flowers, etc. to perfect the home then do a photoshoot. Following this, we do a big reveal and then leave the accessories temporarily in the home for the clients to determine if they want to purchase any of them.

TIME, COST, AND QUALITY

Consider the three factors of Time, Cost, and Quality, and rank them according to your priorities. While every designer will do their best to optimize all three aspects, knowing how you rank them will let them know what to focus on. Whether you need the design and installation to fit within a tight budget or a short timeline, let the designer know from the start of the project. The design firm will need to analyze if they can help you achieve it before they even start. A good design team will strive to meet these objectives while providing the best interior design to the client.

Take the first step towards creating your dream space. If you are a couple with multiple homes looking for a decorator near you, a hotelier doing a redesign, or a developer looking for top-notch interior design services near you, Rachel Blindauer and her team are here to bring your vision to life. With our wealth of experience and expertise, we can create stunning and functional spaces that exceed your expectations and bring you to a new height of design and sophistication.

For further information on Rachel Blindauer’s process click here

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop

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Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

Tropical Beach Christmas Decor

by | Feb 28, 2020 | Interior Design, Residential, Trends

Christmas looks a little different when the sand is warm, the palms are swaying, and the scent of saltwater lingers in the air. In places like Sarasota, Florida, the traditional trappings of winter—faux evergreens, heavy velvet ribbons, and icy blues—can feel more like a costume than a celebration. The key to a beautiful holiday home in a warm climate? Designing with where you are, not where the snow falls.

As an interior designer based in both coastal and cosmopolitan regions, I’ve found that the most resonant holiday decor in beach towns embraces the local language of light, texture, and flora. Think less North Pole, more barefoot elegance.🕊️ Book your consultation today and let’s design something worth celebrating.

Designing with Nature, Not Against It

Instead of trying to recreate a snowy scene, borrow from your natural surroundings. Lush monstera leaves, silvery eucalyptus, and golden palm fronds make stunning garlands and table runners. Poinsettias may be traditional, but hibiscus blossoms in deep red or coral evoke the same festive spirit—without the visual dissonance.

A few well-placed accents—shell garlands, rattan ornaments, citrus-dotted wreaths—can nod to the holiday without overpowering your space or clashing with the easy-breezy vibe of coastal interiors.

A Palette That Belongs

Swap holly red and pine green for a palette inspired by tropical sunsets: coral, ivory, seafoam, and burnished gold. Layer soft linens with airy whites, driftwood-toned neutrals, and pops of festive pink or persimmon. The effect is both relaxed and refined—a celebration of place, not pretense.

Why It Works

The most successful holiday spaces feel rooted. They belong. And in a beach town, that means embracing a lighter hand and a natural rhythm. Decorating this way also allows your home to breathe—your views, your architecture, your palette—all remain center stage, simply dressed for the season.

Less “Deck the Halls.” More “Welcome Home.”

Ultimately, a tropical Christmas isn’t about what you remove—it’s about what you reimagine. The palm tree becomes your Christmas tree. The shoreline becomes your snowy field. The scent of frangipani replaces fir. And suddenly, the season makes perfect sense—just with better weather.

Bring the Holidays Home—Wherever Home May Be

Whether you’re designing a seasonal retreat, a year-round residence, or a boutique hospitality space, we create interiors that reflect your location, lifestyle, and vision—with every detail considered.

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop

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The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

The Ceiling is the Fifth Wall

by | Jul 27, 2019 | Commercial, Interior Design, Residential

I have a thousand things going through my head every time I walk into a space. I first look at the way everything is and then in my head visualize changes and adjustments that I would do to improve functionality, aesthetics, comfort and marketability (in the case of a commercial space). I see the possibilities and look past what is there. So next time you see me walk into a space and I zone out looking at the walls, touching wood finishes and inspecting table heights you’ll know what I’m doing.

Given that constant analysis I do, I find that most people forget to even think about the ceiling. In the 16th century designers always heavily considered the design of every wall including the ceiling. Think about it, how boring would the Sistine Chapel be without the designer requesting Michelangelo do the ceiling?

Next time you look at a naked ceiling ask yourself:

Could you add something to improve the architectural interest?

  • Board and batten or plaster work can add texture and depth.
  • You can create focal points by adding ceiling medallions and visually impactful lighting like chandeliers!

How can you bring more color onto the ceiling with paint?

  • If your space is monochrome you can paint your ceiling to match the color to create a cohesive look.
  • Dark ceilings create more intimate spaces (many restaurants do this).
  • A mid-tone color makes a great monochromatic statement when paired with accents of that color around the whole room.
  • Bedrooms are a great place to use a pale painted ceiling.
  • You can also create the illusion of a higher ceiling by doing a light ceiling and dark walls.

Is there a design that you could paint/wallpaper/upholster on to the ceiling?

  • Painting a design or using wallpaper on the ceiling adds a unique visual element to a room.

  • Incorporating a unique design or choosing a wallpaper that resonates with your taste allows you to infuse your personality into the living space.

Take the first step towards creating your dream space. Weather you are a couple with multiple homes looking for a decorator near you, a hotelier doing a redesign, or a developer looking for top-notch interior design services near you, Rachel Blindauer and her team are here to bring your vision to life. With our wealth of experience and expertise, we can create stunning and functional spaces that exceed your expectations and bring you to a new height of design and sophistication.

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop