A process to guide you to your dream home!
Interior Design is a creative profession, but to do it well requires a process. That process is a set of steps to guide you along the way toward transforming your space(s). My process can help everyone from the DIY enthusiast to the home owner that prefers to hand off the project for someone else to manage.
My process comprises 15 steps described in detail below. Those steps are within the following framework:
For the DIY enthusiast - I highly recommend that you use the processes in the first framework. Setting the foundation for your design project will save you money and time. The deliverables out of those first steps will become your guide to future purchases, color and pattern application, and ensuring that the overall look and feel you set out to achieve for your space is indeed achieved. You don't want to spend time and money on furnishings and décor that you just end up returning.
For full service design - We will start with the foundational steps, of course. As we progress, we will refine your budget, style, and preferences. You can use your own trades or I can bring a team together. Either way, communication throughout the process is very important between you, your designer, and all working on the project to ensure that the design you sign off on is the design installed. Changes can occur along the way, but are less costly when done up front in the process. I will help guide you to making decisions that make the best sense for you and your project. In the end, the goal is for you to enjoy and be proud of your home. I can help make that happen!
Either direction you take, I'll guide you through it all the way!
My process comprises 15 steps described in detail below. Those steps are within the following framework:
- Foundation - Brainstorm Session(s), Space Plans, Color/Style Assessment
- Commitment – Budget, Contract, Payment of 50% Design Fee
- Creativity – Trade Day, Design Work, Presentation of your design, Payment of 50% Design Fee
- Action – Order Placement and Receipt, Trade Work, Design follow up meetings (final meeting to include payment of all remaining fees)
- Result – Installation, Styling, Photography, Closure
For the DIY enthusiast - I highly recommend that you use the processes in the first framework. Setting the foundation for your design project will save you money and time. The deliverables out of those first steps will become your guide to future purchases, color and pattern application, and ensuring that the overall look and feel you set out to achieve for your space is indeed achieved. You don't want to spend time and money on furnishings and décor that you just end up returning.
For full service design - We will start with the foundational steps, of course. As we progress, we will refine your budget, style, and preferences. You can use your own trades or I can bring a team together. Either way, communication throughout the process is very important between you, your designer, and all working on the project to ensure that the design you sign off on is the design installed. Changes can occur along the way, but are less costly when done up front in the process. I will help guide you to making decisions that make the best sense for you and your project. In the end, the goal is for you to enjoy and be proud of your home. I can help make that happen!
Either direction you take, I'll guide you through it all the way!
15 Steps to Bring Your Dreams to a Reality!
Foundation
Step 1 - 20 minute discovery call
We chat about your project goals, problems to solve, and general timeline. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire. Step 2 - 1 hour brainstorming session Whether it's a DIY project you are interested in, or a full house remodel it all starts here. This is an opportunity to meet, see your space and understand the scope of the project. Step 3 – Space Planning This step provides you with a layout of the space concentrating on functionality and flow. We discuss your problem areas, what activities will take place in the space, any physical limitations, any special needs for anyone using the space (children, pets, hobbies, etc.) I take photos and measure the space in detail and any furnishings we think you might keep. I take these measurements back to my studio to determine the best layout for your needs, plot it into my design software, and generate a 3D rendering with placeholder furnishings to give you the ability to see how the room will function and the number of furnishing items suggested just for you. Step 4 – Color/Style Consultation This is the time for us to really delve into what you want your space to feel like. I have several techniques to draw from to help me determine your unique style and color preferences in order to develop the scheme that will drive the design. |
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Committment
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Creativity
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Step 6 – Trade Day
After I had a chance to review our notes from our consultations, I will schedule a Trade Day. (You do not have to be present). This is when I will confirm measurements and take additional photos of the space. I will also schedule all the trades that will be required to complete your project to come that day as well. That will include contractor, painter, electrician, tiler, window treatment company and anyone who will be necessary to complete your project. During this time, I will brainstorm with my team and will discuss ideas and suggestions of design. I have found that this method works best, as it is the least disruptive to your life. Step 7 - Behind the Scene Design Work After Trade Day, each of the trades submit proposal to me, I start putting it all together with the wish list and budget you have provided, and I begin the process of sourcing. All the furnishings, fixtures, paint colors, tile, window treatments, rugs, and every other detail will be sourced during this time. Each of these items will be within the range you specified on your budget. I will know lead times for ordering custom products, such as upholstery. The process can take approximately 4 weeks, but I will update you weekly via email as to where I’m at the process. Three business days before the presentation you will owe the remaining 50% of the design fee. |
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Step 8 - The Presentation
The presentation meeting is the time I will reveal the design. At this step you get to see what I have pulled together for you - the floor plan, furniture selections, lighting and fixture selections, paint colors, fabric samples, wall paper samples, tile samples, etc. What if you hate it??? Well, if I have done my job correctly in assessing your needs from our consultation, you are going to Love it!! but, if you don't, I do let you have one revision if for some reason I’ve missed the mark. At this meeting, you will have some payments to make if you would like to move forward. You’ll need to pay 50% of all trades’ quotes so they can commence their portion of the work. Finally, we are going to review all the purchase orders of all the items (furniture/lighting/tiles/etc.) as these need to be paid in full before I place any order. |
Action
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Step 9 – Placement of Orders
Once everything has been approved, project scope signed, purchase orders signed, trades’ orders signed, and payment received, I will move forward with placing orders and scheduling the work. Project management fees for this phase of the work are in addition to design fees of the previous phase and are your assurance that the design you signed off on is the design carried out. I will review the trade work based on the detailed calendar created at this step. Step 10 – Initiation of Trades At this step your house is about to become a slight construction zone. Tiling, painting, kitchen/bathroom installation etc. can cause a lot of disruption so please exercise patience. Access to your home is an important part of this process and will be defined before the work begins. Step 11 – Receipt of Orders Some items may take several weeks to come in; others may be delivered within a week. If our contract dictates that I will warehouse and store everything as it arrives (extra fees implied), I will inspect items for any damage whenever possible. If an item needs assembly, or to be warehoused for extended periods of time, there may be assembly or warehouse fees. If you agree to receive orders as they come, you will need to take on the responsibility for inspecting items and initiating any returns due to damage. You must contact me as soon as damage is discovered as returns can/will impact the schedule. Step 12 – Meeting to Review Budget and Future Planning This meeting will take place with you at your home. We will review the work completed by the trades, and final invoices are now due. This will include the 50% balance on the trade work, designer fee and any other costs that have arisen. At this point we will set the date for installation day. |
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Result
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Step 13 – Installation Day
At this stage everything comes together; installation of furnishings, hanging art and window treatments, placing rugs and lamps, styling and staging the space. You will likely want to find a place to stay over to giver your self a fresh look at the end result at the Reveal. Step 14 – The Big Reveal! You finally get to see your dream home. We will agree on a day to have my photographer over to photograph the transformation if not already done on Reveal day. We will perform a deficiencies walk-through after the reveal. Sometimes things happen. A walkthrough will reveal any concerns or problems. We will point it out for me to see that it is corrected. I always plan that this could happen, and pray that it doesn't. If there are any deficiencies, we will work through them as efficiently as possible. Step 15 –Client Closure Meeting After you have settled into your beautiful home I will ask for a final meeting. I want to give you a binder with all your warranty information, fabric samples, paint colors, etc. You’ll be happy to have this information should the need arise in the future. And, finally, feel free to ask how you can provide a review of my work. I appreciate all feedback. |
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608-772-7953
608-772-7953
