There's a new crop of decorators out there offering what is called e-decorating that may well be the next big thing in design. I took on some e-clients a few years ago, I met them through decor8 and offered them consulting (for a fee) via email and telephone. It was so much fun but quite time consuming so I decided to step back for a bit. I'm still trying to figure out if it is something that I would like to do again, I see so much value in it as I love the idea of being available to all -- not just greater Boston. I also completely 'get' that people have busy schedules and a limited budget and need to connect to someone for decorating help via the web - fast and easy. I think many would love to tap into the brains of some of our favorite decorators (or bloggers!) for their personal opinions about our space or for much more... help in pulling together a complete room simply through email. Someone to look at our photos, review our floor plan, make suggestions, send us a few mood boards to select from, and email lots of product links our way. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

Home Refiner.

Well this service exists and it's called e-decorating. Did you know that the Betsy Burnham offers a similar service called Instant Space (I've heard that it is amazing)? It is still out of reach for most when it comes to pricing, it's not something all can fit into their budget since prices range from $895-1,495 per room. Of course, hiring Burnham's firm to design in real time would cost way more than her through-the-mail decorating service, so it is a great way to save money if you look at it from that perspective. And c'mon. It's Betsy Burnham. I would hire her in a second just for the tips as I'm sure she could teach me a thing or two, or ten thousand.

Then there are other amazing designers out there who are a lot more affordable like Vanessa De Vargas who runs the LA-based design firm Turquoise. You know Vanessa because she writes here on decor8 from time to time. She just launched an e-decorating service that is doing quite well. Everyone loves Vanessa. The girl is just contagious, from her personality to her style and ability to connect to 'real' people on budgets. I love that about her. She doesn't refer her clients to $700 lamps, if they want something from IKEA she'll find them a $30 pendant and because she knows how to pull a room together, that $30 light will rock like it's $700. Her rates range from $450-500 per room. Considering the time and energy it takes to do this work, she is keeping it real without losing money herself. I think her prices are quite good.

I simply cannot mention e-decorating and not highlight the lovely Elfya Van Muylem, lead designer and founder of NYC-based Home Refiner. This lady is amazing on so many levels. I blogged about her diy videos back in February if the name sounds familiar. Above is a photo of a package she sent over that usually goes to her prospective virtual clients. I had a phone conversation with Elfya a few months ago and she was enthusiastic, professional, and extremely knowledgeable. I thought her presentation via mail was just great, and the package contained client worksheets and questions so she could better understand personal tastes and needs. I'm not exactly sure of her rates, but I heard she is within reach. And you know something that is totally unrelated but shows how classy Elfya is? Her website. You have to click here, turn up the sound, and listen to the gorgeous music. I've been listening the entire time of writing this post, I think you'll really like it. It shows me that she has layers to her personality, she's emotional, warm, connected, I like that. And her taste in music is great.

So ladies and gents, what do you think about e-decorating? Is it something you'd consider? What would you call an 'affordable' per room fee? What do you expect as a client?

(photography by holly becker)