The Interior Design Process- Part 2.
At this point in the design process your designer has brought you her ideas for your home. Some sketches, a floorplan, some inspiration images, possibly some fabrics and paint samples. At this stage the look, feel and style of your room is determined. The main focus, for now, is the overall layout of the space, built-in details and lighting. Once this is out of the way the focus shifts to the more fun things like bedding, draperies and furniture. {I know it can be frustrating because the layouts & built-ins etc are tedious and boring and you just want to do the colors. Completely understandable. But with the boring stuff out of the way the contractors can move forward with their jobs while you and your designer then do the fun parts. The project moves forward and delays are alleviated.}
When you're looking at the designers initial plan see if you can imagine what you want when you look at each wall. Imagine how you want to feel in the room. Vocalize those thoughts to your designer. Imagine how you will use the space, if the sofa should face the TV or if there should even be a TV in the room. Does your family need a space to play games or do you need a cozy nook to read. Make sure all of it's there. Don't be hesitant to talk to the designer about how you'll use the space. If you're a messy person let your designer know. If everything is on the table then your designer can make sure how you live is planned into your space.
Once the layout, sketches and ideas are presented to you and thoroughly talked through, the designer will finalize the drawers and submit them to contractors for bids. Or depending on the contract/agreement with your designer you may submit the drawings for bidding yourself. Your designer will have contractors that she works with & trusts. I recommend that you use her contacts. I know I trust my vendors, I know them, I know how they work, they know how I work and what I expect. The project moves smoother that way. I understand that you may want to find your own because you feel it will be cheaper. Be open with your designer about this. I do not take a commission from my vendors for referring them to my clients. I don't feel right about it. I recommend them because they do good work, not because they are paying me. Most designers work this way. In my nearly 10 years in the industry I've only met maybe five designers that work this way. I feel strongly that if a designer is taking commissions she needs to be honest with you about it. Bottom line, using designer recommended contractors/ vendors usually saves time which equals saving money. {Designer Tip: Don't use the contractor that gives you the lowest bid. The lowest bid ALWAYS increases. Important considerations are left out that lead to up-charges, surprise fees.}
Next week in Part 3 I'll discuss color schemes and selecting furniture with your designer!
