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" Designers are outwardly viewed as experts in creativity\u2014possessing knowledge of different periods and styles, a multitude of fabrics, spatial relationships, and the mystery of selecting color; all key factors to arranging a perfect home. But their diplomacy and psychological savvy in handling indecisive clients is often underplayed. A good designer knows that encouraging and engaging a client in the decision-making process not only creates a pleasant working relationship, but it also guarantees that time and financial resources are well spent.  We spoke to three top designers, each of whom shared their experiences and offered several steps as a guide to handling a client&amp;#039;s hesitation.  Establish Rapport  To create a good partnership between you and your client, there needs to be compatibility and a high degree of confidence in having hired the right designer. San Francisco\u2013based designer Gary Spain achieves these objectives by employing the three C&amp;#039;s:&amp;quot;charm, convince, and exude confidence; these are the personality and professional traits that make clients feel comfortable from the outset. They promote enthusiasm and a sense of excitement.&amp;quot;  Build Trust  For many, taking the risk to decorate a new home or make renovations to an existing one requires a leap of faith. This kind of change can be fraught with anxiety and fear, which is why New York designer Katie Lydon likes to use a building-block approach\u2014introducing one element at a time so as not to overwhelm a client. One tactic Lydon swears &amp;quot;works wonders&amp;quot; in building trust is to decorate one room in its entirety before moving on to the next. &amp;quot;Completing one room alleviates insecurities and allows the client a chance to offer input before proceeding with the remaining interiors.&amp;quot;  Create Realistic Budgets  &amp;quot;Ask a client for her budget at the initial meeting to ascertain whether it is realistic in light of her objectives,&amp;quot; says New York designer Amanda Nisbet. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s also a good time to determine if there is room to negotiate. To simplify what could be an awkward process of making budget revisions, list a range of costs for certain items, as well as labor charges and suggest that they sign off on expenditures.&amp;quot;  Provide Visual Aids  A design concept can be difficult for a client to visualize. Seeing ideas worked out on paper can bring a design scheme into focus and help a client understand the direction in which you&amp;#039;re headed. &amp;quot;Part of a client proposal should include sketches, diagrams, and fabric swatches. These offer a rationale for your choices in color, pattern, scale, and style,&amp;quot; says Spain.  Offer Options  Clients don&amp;#039;t necessarily want to feel locked into a designer&amp;#039;s vision. In Nisbet&amp;#039;s view, &amp;quot;Decorating interiors is not a formula, nor is there a right or wrong.&amp;quot; A recent experience aptly highlighted this. &amp;quot;I suggested a long banquet table in the dining room, but the client&amp;#039;s preference was for two round tables, which required a change to the surrounding design elements. I needed to work around this decision, but the alterations proved satisfying to the client.&amp;quot;  Meet Deadlines  A designer is also a project manager\u2014scheduling renovations and construction, tracking arrival times for furniture and fabrics. &amp;quot;Devising an informal roadmap is a springboard to going forward,&amp;quot; says Lydon. &amp;quot;Unforeseen delays are usually the norm and require patience and flexibility.&amp;quot; Be prepared.  Designers are there to help clients focus on what decisions need to be made, but with this caveat: Decisions are not forever. Repainting and reupholstering are always an option, while investment pieces\u2014the timeless, classic object\u2014will appreciate over time and can be sold. A client should have a certain amount of control over the decision-making process, says Nisbet: &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s the designer&amp;#039;s job to make that happen. Following a few simple rules for handling indecision will ensure that the journey to a beautiful home is fun and filled with exciting possibilities.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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