How to Hire an Interior Designer

kwinterdesign — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:22 +0000

We get many calls a month from potential clients looking to hire a design firm. Many of these calls come from people who have seen our work published in a magazine or have randomly found us on the internet. Over the years it has struck me how difficult it is for younger clients to understand how interior designers work. Partly this is because each and every designer has different terms, and there is no book one can read to find out exactly which designer will be the best fit.

Our design firm has a fairly straightforward policy of projects that we are interested to discuss further.

We have compiled some key questions and some important ideas when researching to hire a designer.

1) Look through the designers portfolio and make sure that you are in sync with their style. Make sure there are 1 or 2 projects that you would be happy to end up living in or at least 5-6 rooms that you relate to and really like. Not every item/color has to be your favorite- it is more of an overall style.

2) Before you email a designer make a comprehensive list of size of your home, location, rooms that you would like to have furnished. Is art going to be part of the design project and budget? You will save yourself a huge amount of time if you can have this information ready to provide a designer first, to see if they have availability and are interested.

Many design firms, like ours, prefer to only take on whole homes/apartments – so that the look will be cohesive at the end of the day. We also know that there are 3 elements to make for a great outcome: Time, style and money. We have to assess if all of these elements are present to make our clients very happy with a gorgeous home.

3) Meet the designer and make sure that you connect. It is like dating and then like marriage- you need to get along and not feel any tension. You need to be able to talk openly with the designer about any concerns and feel like the designer is listening and excited about your project. You need to agree to the terms in the contract.

Very important- you need to call 2-3 recent references! Also- ask for references that found the designer the same way you did (i.e. online, magazine, blog, etc..).

Hope this is helpful and makes for an easier search. I will post more suggestions in the next few weeks.

Kwinter & Co. House Beautiful and Canada's Style at Home Covers

Entry Hall says it all

kwinterdesign — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:11:08 +0000

The entry should take your breath away. I have always emphasized the importance of first impressions – and packaging. From the moment the door swings open – I believe the entry is the space to really make your most exciting statement .

Philip Gorrivan, House & Home

Kelly Wearstler

Miles Redd

House Beautiful Purple Haze

Kwinter & Co.

S.R. Gambrel

Philip Gorrivan

Philip Gorrivan, NY Apt

Great art makes the room!

kwinterdesign — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:15:48 +0000

I often start new projects with what will ultimately give the room its soul – the art. I am amazed at how often clients will overlook this key element when they are figuring out budgets and listing the many items that they would like for each room. If you can stretch for one special item that will define you, your home, your style – it is most definitely the art.

Check out some of my favorite images that I am presenting to a client this month: Selby, Minter, Bochner, Prager and Hirst- a feast for the eyes!

Feed your mind with knowledge, your soul with art.

Click to view slideshow.

A Look Back :: The New York Times

kwinterdesign — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:33:25 +0000

About a year ago Brendan had a write-up in the New York Times Home & Garden section after helping a pair of newlyweds design their recently acquired Greenwich Village, dream apartment on next to nothing but their love for one another, and for good taste. It’s really a charming story and a lovely article to revisit in the new year … read it here.

Photo credit: Donna Alberico for The New York Times

A Night of Wonder

kwinterdesign — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:59:04 +0000

Kwinter & Co. is proud to participate in Canadian Style at Home’s ’A Night of Wonder’

Please join us in supporting this wonderful cause. For tickets and information please visit www.smallwonders.ca

New York Interior Designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz Nomination by Connecticut Cottages & Gardens Magazine

kwinterdesign — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:35:22 +0000

We are really excited about the latest feature on the July-August “Connecticut Cottages and Gardens” issue titled: INNOVATION IN DESIGN AWARDS 2010 where, New York interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz has been nominated as one of the innovators in interior design!
Take a brief moment and have a quick look! Innovation in Design Awards 2010

A profile interview with New York interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz at Decorati.com

kwinterdesign — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:04:41 +0000

A new article has been posted by Decorati.com about New York interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz.

In the article interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz answers questions about her likes and dislikes when designing a room, her inspirations and all things about interior design.

Titled “The New Glamour“, the article is an informative piece about interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz full of pictures of her work.

Take a look, The New glamour

New York Interior Design Firm Kwinter & Company on Youtube

kwinterdesign — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:25:03 +0000

Yes! We have just launched our youtube channel, and we are exited!

I hope you’ll find it fun too:)

Take a look…

An interview with interior designer Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz at 1STDIBS.com

kwinterdesign — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:10:04 +0000

1stdibs.com has published recently a wonderful interview with New York interior designer Brendan Kwinter Schwartz. The article covers everything from Brendan’s career; How she started her interior design firm in New York , her design philosophy, likes, dislikes, motivations.

Take a look…

New York Interior design firm Kwinter & Company at Traditionalhome.com

kwinterdesign — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:07:44 +0000

New York Interior design firm Kwinter & Company has been featured recently at traditionahomes.com for the game room design that was created by interior designer Brendan Kwinter.

Take a look and see what they had to say…