Ok are we talking architectural designer or interior designer? Architects are more about lines and form and they grumble about the interior designers but that's who they hire to do the color boards. Either way you are the client and it's your house. It may be a great color scheme for the design but if you don't like it change it. Those sample of paint are worth every penny because you need to see more than a little chip. With your asymmetrical design you have room to vary more than the usual field or base color and a contrasting trim. I'd make a tracing of the design and copy a bunch of pages of it to use as a coloring book. (yes use crayolas:-) Another shade from the same shale grey paint chip and a one more accent color would be a good bet. If you are going subtle neutral, make it 3( not 50) shades of grey and play with where you put the darks and lights. Remember sunlight and shadows will create alot of contrast for even a "pale monochrome houses. (the computer rendering doesn't give you that.) You could add a pop a smoky teal, plum or coral if you want color as bold as you design. These would just be accents or trim. If shale grey it a really light silver you could make a monochromatic scheme with blue grays and a navy blue door and trim. The tan/beige in the rendering needs a darker grey to work. I would keep my midtone color on the lower level and a lighter shade on the second level. The top part that pop out could be a bolder accent color withe rest of the upper level almost white. Lot depends on your roof and window frames and whether you want them to blend in or pop out. Try a bunch out on paper or one of the computer programs before choosing any changes.

The next time I decorate by a colour of the year will be the first time. Don't hold your breath. I have nothing against this particular colour but it doesn't work with all the things I've collected over the years, and I am not about to discard carpets bought after hard bargaining with dubious merchants in Istanbul or Islamabad because they don't "go" with a paint colour that someone voted "colour of the year." In its place, I think the colour would be quite nice (better than this years choices, certainly). It's just that my place isn't the right place for it.

Hi mkrinker Im an interior designer and know what/how a lot of interior designers are charging. The fees all depend on the scope of works you have requested which will be worked out on a time basis and what level of documentation is required/ products to be made etc. Meetings etc will be factored in as well. Fees for professional fees for design are usually broken down into stages and a deposit is usually required to proceed with the project. The percentage for deposit vary between designers but can go up to 50% - also depending on the value of the job. Generally my deposit will cover the first stages of concept and design. It's normal to provide an hourly rate in the fee proposal, as things can change to the scope all the way. A new home build is a big project with lots of aspects to it. I would advise you to ask your designer to explain the fees in more detail (even if you select someone else you will have a better understanding of the process). Generally most designers are happy to discuss what is involved and show you some previous projects. If it's beyond your budget, your designer can suggest areas that can be economised on. Most of all, you need to feel comfortable and communicate well with your chosen designer, as you will be working with together for an extended period of time with a new build. Best wishes

I want to become an IDstudent for multiple reasons. I recently finished high school and during my final two years I did ATAR hoping to get into Uni for interior design... but then I messaged the owner or 31 interiors (A past student of the interior design institute). She told me that she didn’t go to University or tafe and instead did the interior design institute online course. After hearing her recommomdation I quickly looked up the course and fell in love with the structure of it, and how detailed it was. When searching for a uni/tafe it is very hard to understand what is actually included in the course and what you will be learning, however with IDI the whole course was laid out and it had everything I wanted to learn about before becoming an interior designer, in extreme detail. I also love how there are advanced modules, this is essential to expand ones knowledge. I would much prefer working online as I am then also able to maintain my casual job and enjoy time with my family and friends too, while i work towards the career i belong in. I have always loved interior design, most of my family work in careers that are to do with housing. My sisters a painter, my brother in laws an electrician and my dads a carpenter, so i have always been around houses... and I always used to imagine the beautiful interiors that could become of them after my dad has finished putting the roof on top. Youre always pushed as a child to be a mainstream teacher, doctor, lawyer.... but i never fitted into any of those fields, the arts were more my style.... and when I found the interior design institute I felt complete because I knew that was the only pathway I wanted to take to become an interior designer.