Full Service Interior Design: What does that mean?

Every week I attend breakfast meeting with myself and 30 plus other business owners get together to help grow each other's business by passing referrals.  Every week, we also get the opportunity educate our group, as well as all of the guests, as to what we do.  A couple of weeks ago, we were all challenged to use a verb to describe what we do.  I chose the word

As someone who can offer full service interior design packages, I thought it would a great time to explain what that truly means and how I can simplify the process.

Full Service Interior Design

With using simplify as my verb - my 'doing' word - I simplify the process of a renovation by ensuring the following are being done.

Create a  Design for the Space

When I look at a particular space, whether it be a kitchen, a bathroom, an entire main floor, a basement development, or an entire home, I look at that space with one goal in mind: FUNCTION.  When I start designing, I also need to take into consideration any structural elements that have to be either worked into the design.  Here are two conceptual designs that I came up with for a main floor renovation that needed to work around at least one post that was staying.  At the time of the conceptual design phase, we were not sure if we were going to need one or two posts.

Option 1 - Two Posts

This option allowed my clients to keep the posts and incorporate them into the island design.  The conceptual design allowed my clients to see how we could configure those posts to at least be functional (knowing the drawers and cabinet would have to be customized).

Option 2 - One Post

This option displays only using 1 post and still incorporating it into the island design.This stage typically takes the longest as we work through all of the details that are necessary to carry out this renovation.  This project listed above will be complete by the end of the month!  Stay tuned.

Choose Product for the Design

Once the design is solidified, most often my clients and I have already spent a lot of time together for me to know what they like and what they don't wish to see in their renovation.  Part of offering full service interior design packages is assisting my clients with picking out product that will allow the paper design to go from functional, to functional AND pretty!Here is an example of product that I specified to go into a master bathroom.

Create a Budget

Many of my design colleagues like to do the above two steps and let a General Contract take over from here.  I actually quite enjoy this process of pulling together a budget.  I enjoy looking after this part for one huge reason.  If something has to be changed (for example, we may need to source a more budget friendly faucet), then at least I can specify which one that will not compromise the design of the space.

Create a Timeline

Nothing gets me more jacked-up then creating a timeline for a renovation.  Why?  Because I know all of my 'hard work' is soon going to go from a paper dream to a reality.  I know decisions are made and solidified.  I know when the calendar is created that changes are going to be made soon!  All of the trades I work with have had their site visits, all of the trades have been asked how long they will need to complete their task and have been scheduled in.

Full Service Interior Design

Once the calendar is set, I can also project manage the renovation.  This means I'm the main contact for the project.  I ensure all the products are on site, I ensure the budget is in tact, and I ensure the renovation goes to completion and am available to answer any questions that may arise.  I am the main contact between the trades as well as with my clients. There is not one part of offering full service interior design that I don't enjoy.  Do I do all of the steps for every client?  Not always.  There are clients who already have a preferred General Contractor they wish to work with.  I am totally fine with those instances and enjoy meeting many great contractors and looking after the design and product specifying stages.  When I do manage projects, are there headaches?  Of course there are.  Some projects are stress free and go off without a hitch while others have curve balls to them.  For me, the biggest take away for me is knowing that I took away the renovation stress by handling everything for my clients.  You can read many of my testimonials here.

Looking to start a renovation and don't know where to begin? 

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