You might be wondering what it means to be a design-only company, and how that would look for your project. Every beautifully designed room begins with the design process, collaboration, and meticulous planning. From the initial spark of an idea to the detailed planning stages, each step is important to the final outcome. Just like you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) begin construction without a blueprint, you also should have a design plan for your project. So today, let's take a closer look at the pre-construction interior design process.
Dreaming Up Ideas
It all begins with a dream, doesn't it? Every project begins with a vision for addressing a need or solving a problem. Believe it or not, interior design is about more than just aesthetics; it's about creating spaces that tell stories, evoke emotions, and cater to the needs of those who inhabit them. Whether it's a cozy living room, a chic office space, or a trendy café, the first step is to envision the atmosphere and functionality of the space.
Once the dream is in place, it's time to put pen to paper (or stylus to tablet) and start sketching out ideas. My job is to take your dream and make it into a functional design. As your interior designer, I’ll work closely with you to understand your tastes, preferences, and lifestyle requirements. We’ll discuss paint colors, the general layout of the space, and material options (cabinets, tile, flooring choices, etc.) to help bring your vision to life and prepare for the construction phase.
Making it Work for You
We all want a beautiful space, but functionality is even more important. Fortunately, there’s no reason you can’t have both. I’ll help you strike a balance between form and function, so your space not only looks great but also functions for your needs. We’ll discuss things like traffic flow, storage options, durability of materials (so important for both families and businesses!), and accessibility. It’s also important to think about your lighting needs, such as recessed lighting, overhead light fixtures, and even window treatments that control sunlight throughout the day. All of these issues are super important, but we don’t always think about them until we don’t have them – and then it’s too late!
Counting the Coins
Unfortunately, no project can get off the ground without knowing how much it's going to cost. That's where cost estimation and budgeting come in because everything comes with a price tag. In this case, we’ll be talking about just the design budget, not the entire construction project. Once you’ve set your budget, I can present you with beautiful and practical options that fit within your price range. Often, the overall look you want can be achieved even if you have a smaller budget. We may need to put our heads together to figure out the most important design elements for you, and then create a design from there. I can typically source materials for you that meet your needs and keep your project on track financially without sacrificing quality or design integrity.
Bringing Your Vision to Life
After all of planning and preparation - typically less than three months - it will be time to bring the vision to life. At this point, you’ll be ready to hire contractors, craftsmen, and artisans who will work together to execute the design we’ve created. Basically, the pre-construction design process helps ensure a successful construction project. Once you have your design plan in hand, it’s just a matter of sharing it with the contractor you’ve selected. They will then have everything they need to create your design, from the layout of the space(s) to knowing what materials to order.
If you are planning a construction project, whether it’s a remodel or completely new construction, it’s worth considering working with a designer to create your plan. Very often, people assume that working with a designer is too expensive, but it can actually save money in the long run. By creating your plan ahead of time, you can save time - and time is money in construction - by having all the design decisions done before work on the project even begins. Just as importantly, making a pre-construction design plan can save you frustration and make the construction process much easier for you. For many people, that peace of mind can be invaluable during a stressful process. If you’re on the fence, feel free to reach out for more information!
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