DESIGNERS CREATE `THE LOOK'

A room that looks like it should be featured in a magazine and yet is functional and personalized; that's the goal of an interior designer.

It's more than just throw pillows and fancy window coverings. It's space, and light and color.

Hopefully the room doesn't look like the homeowner walked out and bought the whole room. Instead it should reflect the individuality of the homeowner, local designers say.

"I like to get to know people. I like to know how they are used to living and what's going to make their life better," explained Terry McDowell, a designer with Rust and Martin.

"Someone walking into their home should get a feeling about the person," McDowell said. "I would want a visitor to say, `This is just what I would have thought their house would look like.'"

To achieve that goal sometimes means working on blueprints with an architect. Other times, it means rearranging pieces in a more appealing way or advising customers on purchases.

Each project is different, said designer Jackie Reese, with Design Associates.

"I want the client to feel comfortable," Reese said. "It's their environment. It's essential that it fits their lifestyle."

Not everyone needs a decorator or designer, McDowell acknowledged. Just as some people feel comfortable working on their car's engine, some people feel comfortable decorating their homes. But others feel more comfortable calling on a professional.

On the other hand, people may worry that a designer would only be interested in a total make-over. Not true. Advise is available on specific furniture purchases or tips on possible changes.

"A designer has some expertise in this area; I don't know why someone wouldn't want to take advantage of that knowledge," said McDowell.

Once designers get to know the customer, they try to determine how the room is used. The room has to "work" when the designer is finished.

A big part of the job is planning the space. "We look at traffic patterns and the function of the room," said Reese.

"When I do a kitchen," she explained, "first I have to know how the client cooks, if they cook often, if they eat in the kitchen."

Then she looks at the room and figures in the budget to come up with a plan.

McDowell said people often have no idea what it might cost to do a design project. Some alternatives are usually discussed.

McDowell added that he tries to work with existing pieces when possible. The room fits better when pieces the client feels comfortable with are used.

The end result should be a home that flows; as you look from one room to the next, it all goes together.

Color is one of the best ways to achieve that coordination, the designers said.

"If a person has a favorite color, I say, `Go with it,'" said Reese.

McDowell said clients often want to know the "in" color. Like fashion clothing, trendy home colors change quickly. "I like people to choose colors they are comfortable with, unless they can afford to change often," McDowell said.

For those people who like to change often, McDowell suggests investing in neutral-color furnishings and floor coverings. Add colors with accents. When it's time to change, the cost is much lower.

While some clients might suffer sticker shock, the designers said using a professional can actually save money in the long run. Mistakes can be costly.