123tohuat
Sugar, Spice and Everything … supposedly MCM + a sprinkle of Bauhaus & Eclectic
We met 10 IDs… and still chose a Main Con
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Why We Met 10 IDs… and Still Ended Up with a Main Con 🧱 When we first started planning our renovation, we assumed we’d go with an Interior Designer (ID) — like everyone else. They handle the concept, the drawings, the project management — sounded convenient, right? 
So we signed up with Qanvast and Homematch, filled in our budget, scope, and preferences, and got matched with 10 IDs in total. We came prepared with our moodboard, floor plan, and too much confidence 😂 🏡 Our Scope: Simple and Straightforward We didn’t need a full overhaul. Here’s what we wanted done: -Entrance niche -Kitchen -Overlay tiles for our master bedroom toilet -Master bedroom wardrobe -Master bedroom niche (shelves/drawers) No hacking. No false ceilings. We wanted minimal built-ins because we love the idea of furnishing the house with loose furniture — pieces we can move, swap, or change over time. 
💬 Meeting 10 IDs We met 10 IDs in total. Some were wonderful, others… less so. Here are a few that stood out (for better or worse): ID (Ms Z) — The Confusing One 😅 When the email came through, it was under Ms Z’s name. But when the meeting started, another designer, Ms C, was the one leading the discussion. Ms Z was in the meeting too — just quietly sitting there. The whole time. I had no idea who was actually my designer 🫣 Also, I mentioned multiple times that I didn’t want a dressing table… yet the proposed layout and quote still included one 😅 Verdict: 🚩🚩 out of 5 Nice team, but unclear roles and not exactly attentive to details. ID (Ms L) — The Pushy One She was nice, but wow — really persistent about false ceilings and cove lighting. Even after I repeated that I didn’t want either, she kept circling back. Then, when I said my budget was around 30K, she replied: “Cannot. At least 45K.” That was the end of that conversation 😭 Verdict: 🚩🚩🚩 out of 5 A little too pushy and not aligned with what we wanted. 
ID (Mr N) — The No-Show 🙃 We scheduled our meeting for 8 May. Two days before, he texted me saying, “See you on the 6th!” — so the date was already wrong 😅 I clarified, and he promised to remind me on the morning of the meeting. The day came… no reminder, but I joined the call anyway. Waited 15 minutes (restaurant grace period style), then texted to check in. He replied that he was still at another client’s place and would “head back soon.” One hour passed — nothing. After 1.5 hours, I texted that I had something on (I didn’t 😤) and ended the wait. No apologies or updates until I texted him saying I cannot wait anymore. Waste of my time 👀 Verdict: 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 out of 5 If you can’t even show up for the first meeting, it’s a no from me. 
ID (Mr J) — The Good One ✨ Finally, a good experience! Mr J actually listened. No pushy upselling, no unnecessary “let’s add a false ceiling” talk — just practical, thoughtful suggestions that fit our lifestyle. His design was on point, his approach calm and professional, and his quote came in at 35K (+4–6K for electrical works). Verdict: ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 Green Flags If we had a slightly bigger budget, I’d have gone with him without hesitation. 👷🏻♀️ Main Con — The Real MVP 🧱 After all the meetings, we eventually went with a main contractor instead — and honestly, no regrets at all. She’s straightforward, honest, and efficient. If something can’t be done, she says it upfront — no fluff, no “I’ll check and get back to you.” She works fast, the quality is solid, and she even helped us manage the entire project. Unlike an ID, she doesn’t follow us around to pick tiles or fittings — which is perfect since both of us are indecisive worms 🐛 who would’ve taken three business days to decide between two shades of beige. Verdict: ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 Green Flags Zero drama, fast work, great quality — the dream combo. 💸 Why We Chose a Main Con At the end of the day, the decision came down to budget. We wanted to spend as little as possible on the base renovation, so we could focus more on furnishing and styling later. If you have more budget and no clear idea what you want, go for an ID — they’ll help shape your concept and manage the process. But if you already know exactly what you want (down to the tiles, lights, and laminates), a Main Con might be the better route. You’ll save on design fees, have more control, and stretch your budget further — with some extra coordination work, of course. 🪑 What’s Next (and What We’re Spending On Now) Our base renovation is complete, and we’re really happy with how everything turned out. Next up — furniture hunting! With work and everything else going on, we’ll probably move in around December, slowly choosing our furniture piece by piece. We’ve accepted our pace. We are worms. 🐛 But because we spent less on the reno, we can now guilt-free buy the random things that make us happy — like a Mamee Monster coin bank (yes, the blue one with the smile) and a tiffin lamp that’s purely aesthetic and 100% unnecessary but brings me joy every time I look at it 😌 Zero guilt. 100% vibes. ✨ If you’re torn between hiring an ID or going with a Main Con — just remember: 💭 It’s about what matters more to you — design direction or budget control. Both have pros and cons, but the best choice is the one that fits your lifestyle (and your wallet).
14 hours ago
