Decorating looks easy - until you try it yourself. Your little weekend project stretches on for months. You realize you can't return that sofa that looked so perfect in the store. Before long, you and your spouse are no longer on speaking terms. Here's what an interior designer offers......

1	The ability to solve problems. Whether you're plagued by a lack of storage, a featureless room, or poor traffic flow, you can find a designer who is an expert in understanding color, scale, light and space concepts that can be hard for even the most talented amateur to get right.
2	The expertise to prevent costly mistakes. "Most people only decorate once or twice in their lifetime," points out Karen Fisher of New York City's Designer Previews, a decorating referral firm. "There are alot of things that are hard to know unless you've encountered them dozens of times before
3	Access to a much wider range of resources. There's a world of fabrics and furnishing designs available just "to the trade." Not only do designers have access, but they will instantly know who specializes in what you're looking for - thus saving valuable time.
4	A olodex worth millions. Any design is only as good as its execution, and designers know the best workrooms, carpenters, painters. They have the connections - and the clout - to make sure the job will be top-notch.
5	Guidance through the decision making process. Perhaps the toughest aspect of design is selecting from the multitude of choices available. A Designer knows his or her sources well enough to edit down the options and offer seasoned advice to steer you through the process.
6	Better quality and longer-lasting style. Look for a designer that won't succumb to trends that you'll tire of in no time, but will create a timeless look you'll enjoy living with for years. Instead of relying on the off-the-rack items, designers will also add custom details and paint finishes that make your house an individual masterpiece.
7	Help with setting priorities. A designer will give you adivce on how best to spend your money now - and plan for future phases of the design process. If you're on a budget (and who isn't?), you need a designer to help allocate your dollars to get the biggest bang for your buck.
8	Arbitration with your significant other. "Sometimes my role is more marrige counselor than designer - but it's an expected part of the process," says Charles Gandy, FASID, of Gandy Peace in Atlanta. " If there is a disagreement about an approach, I can be third party without vested interests."
9	The power to advocate with tradespeople, showrooms, and manufacturers. Designers set a high standard, and becuase they work with these resources regularly, the have more leverage to get things repaired or replaced. Long - standing business relationships help resolve disputes in a professional manner.
10	The ability to get the job done! How often have you given up halfway through a project, or neglected those last few niggling details? It's a designers job to follow through on every aspect of the design process and make sure that all the elements have been completed to you satisfaction.

By Jill Kirchner, American Homestyle & Gardening