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Your Wants
Your Needs
Your Style


You have established your budget.
You should now establish your wants and needs.
Write it all down.

First, make a list of the fixtures, furniture or finishes you desire to have in your home.
These are items you would like to have but do not necessarily need.
To get an idea, say you like that tinted glass washbasin for your new bathroom, sitting on top of that counter, just like in the magazine.
Yes, you need a washbasin but not necessarily that one. It might just not fit in with your budget.

Then make a list of your needs.
These are items that you definitely need.
Such as, you need to have a ceramic tile floor in high maintenance area. This is for cleaning purposes. It’s a high traffic room with adults, kids, or dogs constantly going through it.

Determine your style.
Cutting out pictures from magazines is a good idea.
So is photocopying pictures from books.
This will make it easier for you to describe what you like to the designer, architect or decorator. It will help them to get a feel for your style.

Your lists, pictures and budget will make working with the person you hire go more smoothly. You have provided a direction.
Working together you will get a design that satisfies you. It will probably even include some of those items on your ‘want’ list.
They are after all designing for you.

Keep an open mind when working with the designer, architect or decorator.
Listen to them. They may suggest things you never even considered.
Some things may be building code issues that you can’t do anything about.

From Wants, Needs to Learn More

Need or desire a wood stove?
For some helpful information, click on the heading below.

Wood Stove

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