THE DESIGN DOCTORS

They came on time. They were pretty expensive and very time-driven. I wasn?t happy even after spending time with them and talking to them. I didn?t use any of the designs and paint samples that they came back with. They didn?t bring much fabric either. I asked the person who came out if she could recommend anyone for painting, but she couldn?t. I sure didn?t get my money?s worth. I was disappointed with them.

The Design Doctors came and spent 1 hours with me. They gave me their opinion on what I should paint some room walls, in my house. They left me with color samples. It was a good experience. I have never used anyone like that before. They had specific appointments, and you knew how much you were going to be paying. They answered all of my questions, and they followed up with me. I would use them again.

It was very good. The woman I used had everything set up with the person at the furniture store and left them a note of what we were looking for, so that when we went there we could get everything done in an efficient time.

This was a waste of money. I did not have a problem with the designer who came to our house. I generally liked her but the "design plan" they sent me was completely useless. I was told that we would get very detailed recommendations, including the scale of the furniture, what type of furniture, etc. Instead, all I got was generic information that I already knew. It infuriates me to think that I spent $500 for it. The only useful thing that came out of this is the discount card we got. We were able to use it at a lighting store and got a pretty good discount on our lights (though not enough to recover the money that we wasted by hiring Design Doctors). We also ended up using the color scheme that I discussed with the designer, although we had to talk to a colorist to tweak the colors a bit. The colorist we saw was fantastic (and free!). I would have rather given her my money.

They were very responsive and prompt. Good follow up calls to see if everything was going OK. Part of my disappointment was a delay between the first appointment and the shopping excursion. The decorator basically did not remember anything about my house. I think she could have taken better notes. Overall the suggestions were not very innovative. I did not find this especially helpful.

The color session was very good. We really enjoyed the colors and carpet we ended up with. The meeting at International Market Square to look for seating was a waste of time, as the furniture was way out of the price range I wanted.

Dawn went through our living room, dining room, and kitchen and was helpful in choosing colors. Although I am still not sure about the red we painted our kitchen but it is growing on me. We still have not painted the other rooms but plan on using the colors she suggested. Actually, you help choose the colors and she reassures you which is what I needed to help me move forward. I had some colors in mind but wasn't sure if they would go in our house. She also made some suggestions on placement of furniture. About a week later we received a packet with the color choices and some alternative color suggestions. I may have her out again for a follow up as time goes on as I may need more ''reassurance''! Even though it was expensive for reassurance I would do it again as it was the spark that started our kitchen project.

There was a disconnect between the assurances Sue made over the phone & the actual visit. The time allotment is inadequate. In the kitchen/dining room Paulette supported our decisions & helped settle differences. Unfortunately, we were given only one paint option. The report was an odd mixture of recommendations thrown into what seemed like generic design advice. Comments like, "Colors need to be updated" were in opposition to the color pattern suggested (the accent color recommendation was almost the exact color already on the walls). Some of the specific pieces of furniture the designer recommended contradicted the parameters she set for the room. We held off on writing this report in hopes that we would use the shopping services & discounts which came with the prescription cards, but as of yet we have not used them. We got some tips, but were extremely disappointed overall. I do not know how to resolve our dissatisfaction and so could not recommend this service to others.

If you want a vague, generic, design, call the Design Doctors. If you want your home to look the same as every other home in your subdivision, call the Design Doctors. If you want to pay someone $300 to tell you to paint your living room the same color you've already painted your kitchen and hall, call the Design Doctors. If you believe that, once the colors are nailed down, every sofa goes with every chair goes with every table goes with every lamp, call the Design Doctors. If you want a design that's all sizzle and no steak, a design that's lacking in imagination, a design that's hastily thrown together, a design devoid of any hint of surprise, call the Design Doctors. If you want a designer who confuses chair rail for wainscoting, call the Design Doctors. If you want all these things from a designer, you need look no further than the Design Doctors. They assured me, repeatedly, that the design I was given meets or exceeds every expectation they place on themselves.

OUR REPRESENTATIVE, DAWN, HELPED US TWEAK AN EXTERIOR 4-COLOR SCHEME THAT WE HAD ALREADY SELECTED FOR OUR HOUSE AND GARAGE. WE WEREN'T QUITE HAPPY WITH THE SELECTIONS THAT WE MADE ON OUR OWN, SO WE CALLED THE DESIGN DOCTORS TO COME OUT AND HELP US ADJUST IT. THE RESULT LOOKS GREAT AND WE'RE QUITE HAPPY WITH THE COLOR. IN ADDITION, WE WERE GIVEN A COUPON WHICH GIVES US A DISCOUNT ON PAINTS AT HIRSCHFIELD'S, WHICH HAS MORE THAN MADE UP FOR THE INITIAL $195 THAT WE PAID FOR THE CONSULTATION.

DAWN WAS ON TIME, PROFESSIONAL AND CREATIVE. SHE WAS WILLING TO MODIFY HER INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO BETTER FIT MY STYLE. THE FOLLOW UP REPORT WAS COMPLETE AND ON TIME AND DAWN ALSO PROVIDED CONTACTS TO HELP ME COMPLETE THE WORK.

I RECEIVED A COLOR ANALYSIS PLAN A FEW DAYS LATER. THE PLAN INCLUDED TYPE OF PAINT TO BUY AND PAINT CHIPS THAT I COULD TAKE WITH ME TO PURCHASE PAINT. SO FAR, EVERYTHING I'VE PAINTED HAS TURNED OUT BEAUTIFULLY.

I WAS VERY PLEASED. I HAD A COLOR SCHEME IN MIND AND AN OVERALL STYLE THAT I LIKED, BUT I NEEDED CONFIRMATION THAT IT WOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER AND IDEAS FOR SOLVING A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS. MARY HELPED ME CHOOSE A PALETTE THAT I COULD APPLY TO ANY SITUATION, FURNITURE, CARPET, WALLS, ACCESSORIES. SHE ALSO RECOMMENDED SOME FURNITURE CHANGES TO MAXIMIZE MY SMALL SPACE. IT WILL TAKE ME A WHILE TO DO ALL HER SUGGESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW, BUT THOSE COUPONS WILL HELP. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE DESIGN DOCTORS IF YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO ROOMS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH, OR IF YOU HAVE A STYLE GOING, BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S JUST RIGHT. I HAVE A HARD TIME MAKING DECISIONS, SO MARY WAS GREAT FOR HELPING ME COMMIT TO AN IDEA.

MY VOICEMESSAGE WAS RETURNED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THEY ASKED GOOD QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT I WAS LOOKING FROM THEM. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN A VERY REASONABLE TIME AND THE DESIGNER (LESLIE) CONFIRMED THE APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO THE DATE. LESLIE ARRIVED ON TIME, WELL PREPARED AND WITH MANY RESOURCES. PROFESSIONAL YET FRIENDLY, GOOD AT HELPING YOU IDENTIFY YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES. IDEAS WERE GIVEN AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT AND A WRITTEN REPORT WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF VISIT. GREAT SUMMARY REPORT FOR REFERENCE WHEN LOOKING FOR ITEMS. I HAVE SHARED THIS WRITTEN SUMMARY WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE, WHO IN TURN CONTACTED DESGIN DOCTORS FOR THEIR OWN DECORATING ANAYLSIS. THEY ALL HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED AND PLAN TO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP VISIT.

THE DESIGNER, VICTORIA, WAS VERY HELPFUL IN GUIDING ME TOWARDS THE BEST COLOR FOR EACH ROOM. SHE BROUGHT LARGE (PAGE SIZED, AS OPPOSED TO THE TINY ONES YOU CAN GET AT THE PAINT STORE) PAINT SAMPLES WITH HER, WHICH MADE IT A LOT EASIER TO VISUALIZE WHAT THE COLORS WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THE WALLS. SHE SPENT ONE HOUR AT OUR HOUSE, AND THEN SHE SENT A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE COLORS I SELECTED (ALONG WITH SMALL CHIPS OF THOSE COLORS).

I RECEIVED A BOOKLET DESCRIBING WHAT FURNITURE I SHOULD PURCHASE, THE COLORS I SHOULD USE AND WHERE THE ACCESSORIES SHOULD BE PLACED. IT WAS EXTREMELY DETAILED, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! I WILL USE THEM AGAIN.

THEY LAID OUT A NICE PLAN FOR US.

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