What To Expect When Working With An Interior Designer

This topic feels so relevant as like many trades, there is a lot of mystery around what an interior designer actually does. Especially now when there is a seemingly endless list of designers that pop up in a google search, we want to shed light on what you can expect when working with a full service design company like ours.

We interview a lot, as we want to make sure the project is a great fit for our team, just as much as it’s the right fit for the client, and what their design needs are. For that reason we offer a complimentary design consult over the phone, think speed dating, but for designers. Its important to do these initial calls for many reasons but primarily to explain how the process works, and what you can expect, as many people have never used a designer before, or they have, except that many interior designers have different ways of working, as well as specialize in certain things (like kitchen design for example). We have heard from clients and colleagues a like that there are at least 10 ways interior designers bill. While we wont go into all of the fee structures here (that would take a while!) we will list what you can expect when working with our interior design company - which hopefully brings clarity to some of the nuances and the unknowns of using a decorator!

Initial Meeting

A complimentary 30 minute phone call scheduled with potential clients is how we like to begin, followed by an in-home consultation if we feel the project is a good fit for our design studio. This is a working meeting and will be billed at a flat fee for the first 2 hours. We listen carefully and ask a lot of questions during initial meetings to get at the core of how you want to feel in your space, while giving design advice and preliminary recommendations for each room. Our team then reviews the scope of work and includes everything in a detailed proposal that includes all phases of the design process, including furniture, fixtures and accessories we will source, the style and aesthetic, and a good faith estimate of the hours it may take. Once contracts are signed and the retailer’s sent, we start the exciting design process!

Design Process: 

Our team gets to work measuring and documenting your home to begin space planning. We are also developing color palettes and drafting floor plans, elevations, and mood boards. This is where a lot of the creativity happens, and a lot of our time is spent - laying out each room, while sourcing furniture and lighting that go with the design style established. Once we’ve presented these, revisions are made. We begin scheduling work including millwork, painting, wallpapering, window treatment installation, to name a few. Shopping trips to view furniture are an integral part of this process as well. If you are in a rush to move into your new space, we’ll advise on the most important items to order first, as lead times vary, as well as which items to invest in, and where you can save. Our goal is to make the entire process fun, dynamic and tailored to work best for you.

Next Steps:

Once furniture and fixtures are approved we begin the ordering process - approving samples and strike-offs, placing orders, tracking, shipping, and receiving. We inspect everything that arrives to trouble shoot anything that can (and does) come up. If something arrives damaged, we take care of it in real-time to ensure things continue running smoothly, as your advocate from beginning to end of the project.

When We Aren’t Meeting:

Countless things go on from designing and updating drawings, to sourcing, ordering and tracking items, and we’ve got it covered. We work closely with our upholsterers and various trades, visiting workrooms to ensure your furniture is perfect, while managing project progress with contractors and many vendors, keeping in close communication so that nothing is overlooked. Multiple site visits happen to ensure we are up-to-date on any changes to the project.

Installation:

We arrange for your furniture and accessories to be stored safely in preparation for the big install day - though one size does not fit all, and you may choose to have furniture delivered as it becomes ready. During installation, our team of movers (also art hangers, handymen, rug installers and so on) work carefully unpacking and placing furniture and accessories, prepping for the big reveal - knowing you are moments from enjoying your new space! Fast forward to when the project is completed, we are still here to insure everything looks and feels just right. It is time for you to thoroughly enjoy your new home. We cannot wait to see how you live in your space!

Truly hope our design process sheds some light on what could feel like a mystery. Please reach out to our Design Co with any questions, or to book a consult, we’d love to hear from you!