How to work with an interior designer
I love my job. There is nothing I love doing more than helping my clients achieve the home of their dreams, a reflection of what makes them happiest, feel safest. A place to retreat to from a demanding and stressful world. Each new project and each new client provides me with an exciting challenge and a newfound relationship that I treasure.
But, as I speak with new design clients, I often find that the process of working with an interior designer is a bit perplexing to them. Often they don’t have a clear picture of how the client-designer relationship works and how the process unfolds. And they don’t grasp exactly how the finished product will come to life, from a space needing aesthetic and functional attention — to a completed, newly refreshed and beautiful space.
This is not at all surprising. A homeowner may work with an interior designer one time EVER, perhaps for a kitchen remodel or bathroom refresh, then never again. And, other people find that once they have worked with a designer, they want additional input for all other spaces in their home, but that each type of project is a bit different.
Interior design is – by its very nature – a multifaceted process, and is, therefore, a scenario that is unlike any other provided service type. That is not to say it is super complex and confounding. It isn’t. It is just a bit different.
What is really a shame though, is when a homeowner’s confusion about the interior design process discourages them from reaching out to someone who can help them (like me!). Making unwise decisions about furnishings and materials in your home can be REALLY stressful, and REALLY expensive. I know - I’ve been there. It’s what launched me into this career.
Working with a designer who has the background and knowledge to guide homeowners through the decision-making process, to ensure that all choices are good investments and logical selections that align with needed functionality and budgetary requirements, can take a lot of stress and uncertainty out of the equation.
So, with that said, let me clear up all the mystery. So, if you have never worked with an interior designer, now you’ll know……
First, let me differentiate between a full-service interior design project and a less comprehensive services like Capsule Design in our case.
A full-service design project means that you work with the designer on all or most aspects and contents of a space. That might include selections of finishes (flooring, tile, paint, wallcovering) as well as furnishings (furniture, draperies, decorative accessories). You will typically order many of these items through the designer. The designer will use a wide range of sources to find just the right items for your project. In fact, interior designers have access to many more vendors, manufacturers, and furnishings sources than others do. A full-service project may take several months (or perhaps over a year) to complete depending on the scale.
Many interior designers also work with clients on smaller projects, often on more of a consulting basis. In the case of The Carolina Home, we call that our Design Capsule service or a 90-minute “Ask Us Anything” design consultation. Here, the homeowner-designer interaction may involve just a few hours or a few days. The designer provides specific direction to the homeowner, but the homeowner purchases the suggested items through retail sources we are all familiar with, such as Pottery Barn. Many homeowners feel like they want and need this kind of valuable input from a design professional, so that all the pieces work well together, and are appropriate for the space.
In either case, there are several things that occur.
Discovery
Any interior design project begins with a problem that needs to be solved. It might be spaces or furnishings that are outdated, or it might be a functional issue with a room that no longer serves a family’s changing needs. Or sometimes, a homeowner simply feels a great need to make changes to their home environment.
Some interior designers specialize in related facets of the industry. Some designers do only kitchen and bath remodel projects specifically. Other designers provide full-service, designer-for-a-day, virtual design, or a variety of design services.
Look at a designer’s web pages to determine if the services they provide align with your specific needs. Most interior designers have lots of good info on their website, so you can look and see if that designer offers the kind of design service that would be a good fit for you. If you like a designer’s aesthetic and approach, never hesitate to reach out to them, even if you don’t see the service you think you need. They may have some back pocket services they would be willing to discuss.
Contact
Very often, the first thing a homeowner does is complete the “Contact Form” on a designer’s website. That is the best way to get the ball rolling. Usually, the contact form will ask a few relevant questions to provide the designer with some background about what you are looking for.
Often what follows is a quick discovery call, where the designer can find out more about the design project, and you can get all your questions answered.
In some cases, a paid or unpaid in-home consultation will follow so that the designer can understand all that will need to go into the project, take some measurements, and draft a contract and proposal.
Kick-off
Any high-quality designer will draw up a contract that will be signed by both parties —the designer and the client. This protects both you and the designer, and spells out what work will be included in the project; what fees will be paid to the designer, and when; and how the project will unfold.
After the contract is paid, and often, after an initial payment has been made, the design work can begin!
Info gathering
The designer will spend some time gathering information about your wants and needs, and perhaps taking measurements or photos. This is all done so that the designer has all the information needed to get started on the design process. At the same time, the homeowner will pull together inspiration images and fill out a questionnaire so that the designer can learn what will make them feel best about their design. This is a KEY step in our process at the Carolina Home and ensures a smooth process.
Design work happens
At this point, you can stop spending time on Pinterest or scrutinizing design posts. Your designer is executing your vision. So sit back and relax, knowing that you have an expert on the job. Many interior design clients say that, on their own, they would have never been able to implement what a professional designer is able to accomplish.
Presentation
Unlike the way it happens on HGTV, your designer will go through the proposed design very carefully with you before anything gets ordered or installed. Often designers will provide a timeline within which you can provide input on the presented design, or determine if there is anything in the proposal you are not 100% onboard with.
Reviewing the design proposal is a really exciting part of the process because you will be able to see how all the parts will come together to create a beautiful space.
Implementation
Here you may have to be patient. If items are being ordered, sometimes wait times can be lengthy. Shipping and delivery schedules can add to those timelines. But, eventually, everything will come together, and the whole process will feel well worth the wait! A recent full-service client of ours said “it felt like we were on a TV show!” A favorite tradition of mine is to sit in the space together and pop some bubbly to celebrate!
Working with an interior designer can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, provided you have found a designer that you feel comfortable with. Sometimes people think, “I’d be embarrassed for a designer to see my house” or “What if she thinks I have horrible taste?!” But I assure you that you shouldn’t have any of these concerns. Designers love working with homeowners to create beautiful spaces regardless of what the transformation will be. So if you’re feeling like you need a change, but don’t know where to start, give some thought to hiring a designer. The partnership will make for an enjoyable journey in making your home the very best it can be.
