Working with an Interior Designer
Image, Romo Fabrics
Enlisting the help of an interior design professional to help with your project can be daunting. It is useful for potential clients to have an idea of what it is like to work with an interior designer and their how their services can meet their needs. One of the main reasons an interior designer is brought into a project is because a client simply does not have the time to dedicate themselves to a project yet want a great result. They may be hoping to create a certain aesthetic, which a designer has demonstrated across their portfolio. Whilst it can be efficient and cost-effective to work with a designer on your project it is important to consider the following to ensure you are on the same page.
A suitable place to start is to look at the type of projects and the style of the designer. Are you hoping to achieve a style which they have experience in delivering? Do you feel they will understand your project, lifestyle requirements and the look you wish to achieve? I work with a contemporary country aesthetic; however, the style of each property is unique to each project as is the tastes and requirements of the clients.
Consider your budget and timescales as this is always one of the first questions a designer will ask. It is crucial to have a budget in mind so that a designer can plan and work within it, making for a smooth-running project. Otherwise, during the design process you are likely to be shown items which you may fall in love with which turn out to be outside of your budget. It is important to consider if you have fixed dates or deadlines to meet so that these can be worked with from the start. Lead times could be longer than anticipated, especially if you will require bespoke items, so engaging a designer as soon as possible is advisable.
How you will work and communicate with a designer on a day-to-day basis is important to consider. Will their process be flexible enough to meet the level of involvement you wish to have in the project? Depending on the client and the specific project requirements my own design process follows the below format.
Understand the project scope, time scale and budget. Clarify the problems you are looking to solve along with aspirations for the space. This takes the form of an initial site visit to look at the space and gather details from the client.
A detailed quotation is provided at this stage covering the required elements of involvement in a project, timescales and terms and conditions.
Depending on the scope of project a detailed site survey is conducted including measurements to gather quotes and sampling.
Having an overall vision is key and depending on the size and scope of the project, an overall project vision or concept is presented, in the form of a curated set of images which set the tone and inspire all design decisions going forwards. It can be tricky to define your personal or what is right for a project. My advice is to start with where you are, features of the building or finishes which you particularly love. Sometimes it is a house name, a much-prized piece of art, a favourite colour or a continuation of a theme elsewhere in the house which you want to draw upon. A vision or concept may be created for an entire home even if a project is to be completed in stages. This is particularly helpful in creating a sense of continuity and flow throughout a project. A strategy or plan for the entire project, even if it is to be completed in stages gives clarity and focus which saves costly deviations.
The initial concept is developed into Individual room schemes including mood boards, sampling, layout plans and bespoke joinery drawings. This typically includes furniture details, lighting, wall and floor coverings, soft furnishings and decorative accessories. The choice of window, wall and floor coverings alone can be overwhelming. Creating a unique space which matches your own tastes involves taking inspiration from various sources and selecting finishes from different designers or suppliers which blend together into a coherent scheme. Here the benefits of working with a design professional is that a design will reflect your own tastes rather than simply looking in stores which will show the current trends first and foremost. For a design with longevity, it is important to see past this.
A detailed schedule of all items signed off in the room scheme boards is presented by the designer to the client who will then purchase these items. Samples are provided with details of fabrics, paint colours and pattern along with necessary quotations, such as soft furnishings, bathrooms and kitchens.
Depending on the project you may require a designer to collaborate with contractors on site to deliver the brief and oversee the installation. Carrying out on site visits and being on hand for other trades to answer questions. This level of involvement is unique to each client and is covered in the initial quotation. Depending on the type of project clients may require help with setting up of rooms or preparing for photoshoots.
Whilst not exhaustive the above gives a feel for my own design process. Every client and project are unique, and quotations are therefore bespoke depending on the design input required to meet your exact requirements. If you are seeking professional help for your project, please get in touch, I would be delighted to discuss with you.