![WHY I CHOSE...TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER](https://cdn.magzter.com/1509000563/1688547532/articles/HVGaVM8OS1690365129807/WHY-I-CHOSETO-HIRE-AN-INTERIOR-DESIGNER.jpg)
Creating an energy-efficient home can lead to a building with a simple shape. I have no real problem with this. In fact, I've grown to love simple architecture I dislike sprawling, fussy homes. Hopefully our selfbuild is not seen as boring, but it responded to its location and site constraints, and used age-old materials: brick, lime render, handmade pin tiles. But what about inside? To begin with, it was simply a box.
In the past, I've visited some eco homes that you could assume had student owners. Old furniture was casually arranged around the place, the walls were plain... something about the space didn't work. Contrast that with either an owner who has interior design zest or someone who has hired an interior designer, and there is a distinctly noticeable difference.
Having owned properties before and played around with interior design, my wife Kay (pictured) and I realised that we are hopeless. We'd often decorate rooms and say things like, "Why doesn't it look as good as Catherine's house?" We'd paint a room a colour and then paint it back to how it was before.
So when we built a new home with a blank canvas before making any interior design choices - we decided to hire a professional.
We took a few different routes to source an interior designer. Recommendation is always a good starting point. I compiled some contacts through my work, but what quickly became apparent is the baffling variation of services.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Back to black](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/DYB5zYfI11721648784498/BACK-TO-BLACK.jpg)
Back to black
Dramatic black finishes and industrial touches add impact to Charlotte and Sam Tisdall's extended end-terrace home
![Change for good](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/iAWeYZ2Km1721648488648/CHANGE-FOR-GOOD.jpg)
Change for good
A last-minute decision to build a kitchen extension instead of a general update turned out to be a wise move for the owners of this detached period property
![High praise](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/SdMNjejHV1721648233742/HIGH-PRAISE.jpg)
High praise
After converting a run-down gospel hall into a unique 1930s-inspired home-complete with geodesic dome - Alice Deuchar and Daniel Schamroth pronounced it a resounding succes
![Lifetime achievement](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/ebImPIwF61721647983474/LIFETIME-ACHIEVEMENT.jpg)
Lifetime achievement
Replacing a tired 1960s bungalow with a bespoke prefabricated contemporary house allowed retired architect Helen Heslop Brunt and her husband Martin to fulfil a long-held dream
![Self-build for beginners PART 13 PRE-CONSTRUCTION GUIDE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/iLh_0pZ8r1721647404983/SELFBUILD-FOR-BEGINNERS-PART-13-PRECONSTRUCTION-GUIDE.jpg)
Self-build for beginners PART 13 PRE-CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
Make sure that your insurance, health and safety, build and cost schedules and all documents are all in place before kick-off
![ECO LANDSCAPING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/11qxND_q11721646989800/ECO-LANDSCAPING.jpg)
ECO LANDSCAPING
Creating a garden with green credentials isn't without its challenges, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce its impact on the environment, once you know how
![WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PASSIVHAUS VENTILATION?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/boWDYOqoq1721646770264/WHAT-SHOULD-I-KNOW-ABOUT-PASSIVHAUS-VENTILATION.jpg)
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PASSIVHAUS VENTILATION?
Heat and energy expert David Hilton explains the benefits, options and costs of this ultimate heating standard
![HOW MUCH DOES EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION COST?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/TCATzAGOy1721646215280/HOW-MUCH-DOES-EXTERNAL-WALL-INSULATION-COST.jpg)
HOW MUCH DOES EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION COST?
It's touted as an affordable home insulation method, but is external wall insulation worth the outlay and what are the lifetime costs? We look at the figures...
![Open-plan kitchen DAVID HOCKNEY EXTENSIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/CSYBMAXnd1721645608828/OPENPLAN-KITCHEN-DAVID-HOCKNEY-EXTENSIONS.jpg)
Open-plan kitchen DAVID HOCKNEY EXTENSIONS
From structural considerations and zoning to layout ideas and lighting, our practical guide to creating your new space has it covered
![RENOVATING A GEORGIAN HOME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1754718/vEivF10L61721645127519/RENOVATING-A-GEORGIAN-HOME.jpg)
RENOVATING A GEORGIAN HOME
Known for their elegant architectural features, Georgian homes need to be restored sensitively to make them fit for modern life