Be clear on the designers personal taste and style. Don't hire a designer with a penchant for wingback chairs and moose heads if you're in the mood for Martini Modern. Even Modern and "Contemporary" are vague descriptions of designers' styles, so look at a range of their work online and in books and magazines, and talk to them about where they shop: the flea market, antiques dealers, sleek European showrooms, all of the above?

Make sure there's good chemistry. the designer-client relationship is one of the most intimate platonic bonds: the designer is part shrink, part shopping buddy, part marriage counselor. be ready to spend many hours together discussing incredible personal details about your life - including bathroom rituals and bedroom proclivities. Also, make sure you click with project designers and other staff you'll be dealing with day to day.

Define the scope of your project. Be clear about what you're hiring the designer to do. Many projects begin as "simple" re-decorations and snowball into gut renovations. Sometimes it's because the clients alter the brief midstream; in other cases they get attached to their designer and can't part ways (see intimate relationships above). Lots of professionals will orchestrate an interior down to the sheets on the beds, but let the designer know in advance, so she can schedule accordingly.

Talk Money. Be crystal-clear about how the designer charges: will you be paying an hourly rate, a flat fee or a percentage of purchases? Ask if there's a mark-up on items, and if so, how much? Is there a deposit required up-front applicable to the final invoice? Who's paying for purchases along the way, you or the designer? Be honest about your budget; don't look at $10,000 sofas if the $2,000 model is the one you can afford.

When in doubt, ask your designer questions - lots of them. Don't hesitate if you're unclear about something in a floor plan or furniture layout. If the designer suggests lots of custom pieces, ask if they are capable of detailing and executing them. Request samples of fabrics, furniture and floor finishes, and counter tops. Ask for help if you just can't visualize how something will look. That's exactly why you're hiring a pro.