- Build your Portfolio. You should have some experience with decorating. Your own clients or working at a furniture store or in a design firm so you can build a portfolio.
- Network. Go to builder events. Check out model homes and get to know the builder. If you see a new development, call or email whoever’s number is on the sign. Utah has an event called The Parade of Homes. If your area has an event like that, look up the list of builders and email over your portfolio for future projects. Usually builders are searching for this person at the first quarter of the year (in Utah at least).
- Job Search. I’ve seen job listings for a model home designer. Use a site like indeed.com to look for this position
- Intern. I know quite a few model home decorators and they would love an intern! Yes you’ll probably be working for free, but you’ll get your foot in the door and get some amazing contacts. Who know where it will lead you?!
America at Home book /
candle /
Other things to consider
Timing– Once the construction is done on a model (and the done date is rarely predictable), there is a race to get it furniture in to sell, sell, sell the units. You have to be super prepared so that when they say go, you can get decorating.
Client– One of the reasons I had always wanted to decorate a model home was because I thought I could just make it pretty and be creative because there was no real client. The truth is that the builder is your client and they will have a strong opinion about how they want it to look.
I hope this was helpful to you and will get you on the path to being able to decorate a model home! There are lots of ways to get there and if you are determined, I am sure you can get there. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
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Shannon Mercado says
Great job on your creativity! I have had the same dream of designing for a model home, but not sure where to start. Most of the builders that I’ve known in the past already have a designer or team whom they have used for years. How do I go about getting my foot in the door? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
[email protected] says
Hi Shannon- first of all, thanks for the comment! I would suggest some networking. See what events your local builders have (in Utah we have the Parade of Homes or there is a spring home show for builders). I would attend those events with a business card and make friends. You never know which contact you make will be the one that leads to becoming their decorator. Before the recession, I used to see in-house designer positions listed online for builders, so I would check there too. I had the dream of decorating a model home for years, so I just want to encourage you and say hold on to your dream even if it takes awhile to get there! You can do it! 🙂
xo, Ashley
[email protected] says
Hi Lola, thank you SO much for sharing! I really appreciate it!
Lola says
Great post and such a good stoy! My friend Katie become a decorator in a very similar way so I’ve shared this with her 🙂
Miranda says
We have a parade of homes here in Birmingham, AL. What a great idea. A local magazine, Southern Living, covers it and I do know [of] the editor. It would be great to be a model home decorator AND get your work featured! I’m actually interviewing for a Model Home Designer position out in CA and am kind of flying by the seat of my pants putting together a presentation. I’m glad I ran across your blog entry! 🙂
[email protected] says
Oooooh! That’s so exciting! Good luck Miranda!