Working with an Interior Designer
So what's it like working with an interior designer? It can be a mystery if you've never worked with a designer for an interior design project. Our firm uses a 10 Step Process to approach any new design project. Below is our design process from start to finish; we hope to clear up any questions on the design process.
Our 10-Step Process
Working with us starts with a discovery call; we begin by asking you questions about yourself and the project area. We need this information to understand your project's scope and scale. We’ll also email you a questionnaire for your design and style preferences.
1. The Design Consultation
The design consultation is for you and the designer to discuss your project. During the design consultation, the designer will review and discuss your design questionnaire with you. Working with an interior designer focuses on achieving your design goals. Therefore, the more information we have about your likes and dislikes, the better we can advise you in the right direction. We charge a fee for the design consultation. The designer will answer any design questions, help with color suggestions, and offer lighting, window treatment, styling, and furniture suggestions. Also, she will give you her thoughts on ways to improve your home's layout, flow, and function.
2. The Contract and Working Us
In the contract, we outline your design goals and the complete scope and scale of the project as we know it. A design fee is required at contract signing for the designer to start working on the conceptual design for your project.
3. Trade Day
The next step is meeting with the tradespeople in the project area and getting all the quotes for your project. The project area is measured, and we get plan floor plans drawn. However, it would depend on how involved and extensive the renovation is. We get your project's cost estimates and quotes by bringing in the tradespeople.
4. The Conceptional Design
The designer will then start laying out the conceptual design. We prepare floor plans, create concept boards, and gather samples and an estimated project budget. By the way, we work with inspiration from your design questionnaire and project goals to create your custom design.
5. Detailed Design Presentation
We meet with you for a detailed design presentation where you will see all the selections, the entire design plan, concept boards, a completed budget, floor plans, and 3D renderings. The designer will go over every detail of your project. The design presentation could take a few hours to review. We will talk about any revisions at this time. However, if there are revisions, the designer will schedule a second meeting with you to confirm the modifications.
6. Purchasing, Ordering, and Customizing
Once all the selections, the design plan, concept boards, and a completed budget are signed off by you. Then, we start the purchasing of all items for your project. Our design firm will need full payment for the items selected. We work with top-notch vendors, so you don’t have to worry about finding them on your own since we purchase from trade-only vendors; they need payment in full before any orders
7. Project Calendar
We confirm with our tradespeople, and they start the work. The deliveries are confirmed. Next, we will send a calendar with the time frame for your project.
8. Installation Days
Next, all the trades do their installations. The designer will oversee the installation of all materials agreed upon for the design project unless there are prior arrangements with the client. There is a schedule, the construction, the painting, an electrician, etc. Sometimes the program could change, but we try to stay on course.
9. Window Treatments Installed
We will install the window treatments before the furniture and finishing touches. In other words, the furniture, plants, and accessories will not be in the way.
10. Installation Day
On the day of installation, the room should be empty of any of the furniture that is not staying. This is because we will have a lot of people on-site to deliver the furniture, table lamps, rug, accessories, bedding, etc. So it would be best if you could leave for the day and let us do our magic. Then, imagine how fabulous it will be to come home to a beautifully designed house where every detail is perfection!
Ready to start your next Interior Design project? Working with an Interior Designer will make the whole project smoother and save you time and money. This way, you will never have to second-guess your choices again. Instead, schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery phone call.
