Q:  Dear Marsha,
After 20 + years of marriage, I'm a single man again. I've moved into a condo and have only furnishings my "ex" didn't want - like my favorite recliner, my classic rock 'n roll collection, and a tank full of tropical fish! I'm a little embarrassed to be writing to an interior designer, but my new place is all white walls, hardwood floors and pretty bare-looking. I'm planning on dating again, and maybe it would be a good idea if it didn't scream "newly divorced guy, kind of lost" from the minute a woman walks in my front door. So ... if I were to call in a professional designer, what exactly might I expect in the first visit?           
                                                                  - Clueless in Prescott Valley

A:  Dear "Clueless",
Well, small wonder you're a bit lost at the moment - although a cozy chair,
a fish tank and some good rock 'n roll is a great start! You needn't feel embarrassed; after all your home is your castle, and you'd be surprised at how many single men call in an interior designer for help!

Here's what you should expect when you meet with a competent design
professional:

    A true collaborator. You and your designer are a team; a designer shouldn't just walk around alone, scribbling notes in silence, to assess  your space. It's important that you tour the home together on that first visit - this helps provide her a clear sense of what you like - and dislike - about your home.

    A great listener. The best designers know how to ask good questions to help you open up about your lifestyle, your preferences, and how you intend to use each space in the home. She'll listen thoughtfully to what you have to say - because your input is essential in achieving a successful result!

    Flexibility. Your designer should be willing to work with you as much - or as little - as you desire, because interior design is not an "all-or-nothing" proposition! Your work together can be as simple as determining a color palette for your walls, or finding a furniture item - even a large area rug - that will help determine the "feel" of a room. On the other end of the spectrum is whole-house design, inside and out - even design for adding on to an existing home!

    Fearlessness. Your designer should be willing to suggest things that help you "stretch" a little (sometimes a lot) when it's clear that you're stuck in an "old" comfort zone that doesn't serve you anymore. She can help you move on - in a home that's both a safe haven and a beautiful, comfortable place to be.

    Budget-savvy planning. An experienced designer helps you establish a design budget that suits you - and sometimes this means working in stages. Paint is always a great starting point when there's a budget issue, providing lots of "bang for the buck" in terms of overall impact. In your case, where you need significant home furnishings, we'd determine the large pieces you need most of all, then "plug in the holes" with accent pieces and accessories - a cost-effective way to complete the look of any room.

    An expert in "the economy of smart design". The letdown of impulse-buying is a universal experience: buying something on sale, or out of desperation to "get it done". only to come home and discover that what you purchased doesn't look or feel right. A savvy designer provides guidance that actually saves you time and money - right from the start!