Bedroom Decorating Ideas - Decorating In a Down Real Estate Market

In a down real estate market, some homeowners are taking the time to spruce up their living space

But it's a challenge to put all the colors, fabrics, furniture and accessories together tastefully. But help is just a call away. Lauren Riddiough, an interior designer with Interiors by Decorating Den, is available to help homeowners design and pull together any space.

“When the market is down, a lot of people know they are going to be in their homes a little longer, so they decide to make them beautiful,” Riddiough said.Riddiough, 25, has been in the design business her entire life – or at least exposed to it.

In 1984, her mother Linda went to work as a designer for Interiors by Decorating Den and soon thereafter her father got into the business as well, on the franchise marketing side.

Although she earned a degree in psychology, in 2006 Riddiough purchased her own franchise of Decorating Den and stepped back into the world she grew up in.“It is surreal, but this is absolutely the right thing she should be doing,” said Lauren's mother, Linda. “She's more talented that I am. She sees it and gets it.

”Client Carla Fraser agrees.Fraser is in the middle of designing her house with Riddiough; she is one of Riddiough's 14 current clients.“I was clueless to what I wanted,” said Fraser, who, with her husband and daughter, moved into their River Creek home in March. Fraser immediately got in touch with Riddiough, who had sent her information on a nail file in a welcoming package to the community.“She came in and met with my husband and I, gave us choices and worked with what we had,” Fraser said.

Riddiough is working with the Fraser family, designing the kitchen, family room, dining room, foyer, living room and master bedroom suite.A whole house makeover is something Riddiough loves to delve into, but it is not the only project she will take on.

Interior decorating doesn't have to be a huge expense

“I work with a wide range of budgets,” Riddiough said. “Interior decorating doesn't have to be a huge expense.”Riddiough's take on each project is the same no matter what the size. She meets with the client for a free initial consultation to get a feel for what they are looking for.

She will take photos and then go back to her home office in Leesburg and put together white boards with concepts for the project with a variety of designs and prices.Depending on the project, Riddiough said the typical design project takes 10 to 14 weeks, mainly because of fabric and upholstered items.And while most may think hiring an interior designer is expensive, Riddiough says it all depends on what you want done.“Interior design does not have to be extremely expensive or scary to do,” she said.

The only circumstance in which Riddiough charges an hourly fee ($125/hour) is if a client were to hire her to give advice and help shop for materials.“If you buy product from me, there is no hourly fee,” Riddiough explained.She also added that since she works with 150 vendors, she can usually find what the client wants, and an hourly fee is rarely a discussion point because they usually end up working with her. Thanks to Loudoun Times for this.