How We Design Your Home
This week I wanted to touch on something I’m asked so often: what can you actually expect when you work with someone to design your home? For anyone who has not worked with an interior designer before, it’s hard to imagine exactly what happens between sending that initial request and the fantastic final product. This post will attempt to cover everything you can expect from the process.
The Basics
Enchanted Home offers two design services: full and partial. You can find more about it here. Everything we’re about to cover applies to both of these services. Both will start and end the same way!
Getting To Know Each Other
When you’re ready to book a design appointment, the first step is to fill out our new client questionnaire. Here you’ll give some basic information about yourself and the project, so we can jump in right away. I’ll need to know the scope of the project (new build or a living room, etc.), personal preferences, and any goals you have for the space! Once you submit the questionnaire, we’ll schedule our first meeting. For the full design service, this will be the complimentary consultation. For partial services things are a little bit more unpredictable. Our initial meeting will be based on your needs. If you only need help with one or two things, we will address them immediately and see what can be accomplished one-on-one.
A 3D rendering by Enchanted Home Design
The Real Work Begins
At the end of our first meeting, I will recommend the services that I feel would best suit your needs. For example, if you are interested in designing your living room, we might spend our first meeting going over what you currently have, and the gap between what the room is like now and where you would like it to be. We will also likely survey the space so that I have accurate measurements for architectural drawings. If you tell me you want new furniture, paint colors, window treatments, and artwork for the walls, I would recommend: floorplans (to find the best furniture layout for the room), elevations (to see what’s happening with the walls), and FF&E specifications. You’ll sign off on what you want, make any additional requests (like 3D renderings or store trips), and we will sign a contract.
At any point during the process you are welcome to request additional design services, and I may recommend certain things as needed. Design is a living, breathing thing, and it requires us to be flexible and adaptable! I will never complete a task without your sign off. It’s incredibly important to me that you get exactly what you’re paying for - nothing more, nothing less.
The Ball’s In My Court
After leaving with my to-do list, I will give you a time frame within which to expect the deliverables. If you’ve signed on for full design services, we will have a meeting where I present everything we’ve agreed upon for review. For partial services, I will typically email you the materials. You can request changes for things you don’t like and approve things you do. More often than not, a design will go through two or more iterations before final sign offs. We’ll go back and forth until you’re completely satisfied and approve a final proposal.
A sample floorplan - you can request with or without color
Bringing It To Life
Next up, we’ll order your furniture, fabrics, finishes, accessories, lighting, and whatever else you need. For renovations we will hire contractors as needed and create documents for them to use. Designers are typically privy to a small discount on materials for homes. Every firm chooses a slightly different model for passing on this discount to their clients. For now, Enchanted Home will be splitting the discount 50/50 with the client. I want to do everything I can to make it feel worthwhile for you to work with me, but at the end of the day I also need to make money to keep this business afloat!
At the end of this phase, we will have a list of lead times for everything we’ve ordered. Based on your project scope, we will either have these items delivered right to your home, or we will hold them in storage until a scheduled installation date (full design service only).
Final Walkthroughs
Once everything has arrived and been installed, I will visit (virtually or in person) to make sure that it’s all perfect. If it all goes as planned, that’s the end! I’ll send a final bill for any outstanding services and we’ll call it a day. You can always call, email, or text if you ever want to work with me again. The lovely thing about this industry is that it’s quite cyclical, and often clients become friends and vice-versa.
Image by Radu Marcusu via Unsplash
Billing
Currently, I bill every two weeks. By doing this it keeps everyone involved updated and on the same page. I keep a log of the hours I work on each project that will be available to you, so that you know exactly what you’re paying for.
General Etiquette
I think that one of the most nerve-wracking things about doing something new is not knowing what to expect! Whether you’re taking a class for the first time or have been invited to a wedding and are unclear on the dress code, it can be stressful not knowing what you’re up against. This is why I strive to create a completely transparent environment at Enchanted Home. Upon first meeting I want you to know that you can ask me anything at all, about the process, pricing, or myself as a designer or a person. I want to encourage total honesty and transparency between designer and client. We’ll be acting as a team, and it’s so important that we trust one another throughout the entire project.
I hope that this answered some of the questions you had about working with someone to design your home! At the end of the day, most of us in this business are so excited to create something beautiful for you. It’s a lovely interaction between humans that results in a unique and hand crafted piece of art. There is nothing to be nervous about!
Always,
Nicki
