The Key is CLARITY… When Designing a Home and Getting What You Want from your Designer
joy of nesting
above KATHRYN IRELAND
Some
people have the creative gene. They effectively design their own gardens, put
together to-die-for parties, decorate their homes, and possess personal style
in spades. Its great knowing what works for you, but not everyone has the
ability to develop a personal style. Help is out there if you’re willing to pay
for it. It’s not cheap but truthfully, would you really, I mean really value it if it were?
people have the creative gene. They effectively design their own gardens, put
together to-die-for parties, decorate their homes, and possess personal style
in spades. Its great knowing what works for you, but not everyone has the
ability to develop a personal style. Help is out there if you’re willing to pay
for it. It’s not cheap but truthfully, would you really, I mean really value it if it were?
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
For
those who do need help, interior designers offer services to meet a wide
variety of needs. The reasons people hire us are varied. Clients come from
different backgrounds but all have disposable income in common and are willing
to pay a higher price for better quality. Just as many people enjoy the
process of “doing it themselves” and that’s important too. There is great
satisfaction in knowing you did something yourself.
those who do need help, interior designers offer services to meet a wide
variety of needs. The reasons people hire us are varied. Clients come from
different backgrounds but all have disposable income in common and are willing
to pay a higher price for better quality. Just as many people enjoy the
process of “doing it themselves” and that’s important too. There is great
satisfaction in knowing you did something yourself.
The
potential designer/client collaboration begins with a consultation at the
client’s home to see if you’re a good match. The first meeting won’t always
tell you everything you need to know but things to watch for initially are arriving
at the scheduled time (make allowances if your home is particularly hard to
find or is off the GPS grid), making eye contact, professional grooming and
attire, open mindedness about your project, overall organization, and knowledge
of their own services and products.
potential designer/client collaboration begins with a consultation at the
client’s home to see if you’re a good match. The first meeting won’t always
tell you everything you need to know but things to watch for initially are arriving
at the scheduled time (make allowances if your home is particularly hard to
find or is off the GPS grid), making eye contact, professional grooming and
attire, open mindedness about your project, overall organization, and knowledge
of their own services and products.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
Some
designers charge for the first consultation. Others have a short, complimentary
meeting. Still others ask to meet their clients at a local coffee shop rather
than the client’s home to keep at bay any design related questions until
compensation begins. In my early business days, I gave a complimentary, thirty
minute in home consultation. Now I prefer to charge one hour. This helps me weed
out people who aren’t serious about hiring me. I love helping people but it’s
painful answering a dozen or more questions once you have figured out you’re
not going to be compensated.
designers charge for the first consultation. Others have a short, complimentary
meeting. Still others ask to meet their clients at a local coffee shop rather
than the client’s home to keep at bay any design related questions until
compensation begins. In my early business days, I gave a complimentary, thirty
minute in home consultation. Now I prefer to charge one hour. This helps me weed
out people who aren’t serious about hiring me. I love helping people but it’s
painful answering a dozen or more questions once you have figured out you’re
not going to be compensated.
above JEFFREY BILHUBER
At
the first consultation, the designer will usually ask about your lifestyle.
They need to know if you have children or pets or if you will be caring for
elderly family members in your home in the near future. It’s also extremely helpful
to communicate to your designer in as much detail as possible, your personal
style and color preferences. If possible, save magazine clippings for the
purpose of helping your designer understand you better. Are you a casual or
formal person? Are there colors you prefer or dislike? Are you traditional,
contemporary or a mix of both? Which of your existing furnishings do you wish
to replace and which do you wish to keep? Is there anything you particularly
love that could be used as a catalyst for the design project? These things will
be discussed in the early stages of your project.
the first consultation, the designer will usually ask about your lifestyle.
They need to know if you have children or pets or if you will be caring for
elderly family members in your home in the near future. It’s also extremely helpful
to communicate to your designer in as much detail as possible, your personal
style and color preferences. If possible, save magazine clippings for the
purpose of helping your designer understand you better. Are you a casual or
formal person? Are there colors you prefer or dislike? Are you traditional,
contemporary or a mix of both? Which of your existing furnishings do you wish
to replace and which do you wish to keep? Is there anything you particularly
love that could be used as a catalyst for the design project? These things will
be discussed in the early stages of your project.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
After
the first consultation, I follow up with a proposal. My proposal itemizes
everything I’ll be doing for the client and the amount of money I’ll be
compensated. This allows the client to add or delete line items as they see fit
before giving me a deposit.
the first consultation, I follow up with a proposal. My proposal itemizes
everything I’ll be doing for the client and the amount of money I’ll be
compensated. This allows the client to add or delete line items as they see fit
before giving me a deposit.
For
recent, downsizing clients I proposed space planning, drafts and keys for
placement of their existing furniture; new window treatment designs; a new
sofa; paint; new flooring in four rooms; kitchen counters; and refinishing the
cabinets. They came back with a few changes before we agreed on the final
pricing.
recent, downsizing clients I proposed space planning, drafts and keys for
placement of their existing furniture; new window treatment designs; a new
sofa; paint; new flooring in four rooms; kitchen counters; and refinishing the
cabinets. They came back with a few changes before we agreed on the final
pricing.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
After the proposal has been approved, I begin work on the presentation. Preparing
the presentation is very time-consuming. For a typical presentation I’ll source
five to six sofas, chairs and ottomans in a variety of styles and price ranges;
thirty or so coordinating fabrics; do written estimates of each item I’m
presenting; print out tear sheets (large pictures with dimensions); type up written
reports and estimates; do CAD or Autodesk renderings; and prepare visual aids
like large, labeled fabric swatches on rings and oversized paint chips.
the presentation is very time-consuming. For a typical presentation I’ll source
five to six sofas, chairs and ottomans in a variety of styles and price ranges;
thirty or so coordinating fabrics; do written estimates of each item I’m
presenting; print out tear sheets (large pictures with dimensions); type up written
reports and estimates; do CAD or Autodesk renderings; and prepare visual aids
like large, labeled fabric swatches on rings and oversized paint chips.
By
this point in the project, a client usually knows if the designer is a good
match. Now, the presentation must gain their approval. Is the project within
your budget? What, if any changes are needed? Do the design schemes reflect
your personal style as well as the home’s architecture? Is it appropriate to your
geography? Do the styles and colors jump out at you, in a good way? If so, you
are ready to begin the project.
this point in the project, a client usually knows if the designer is a good
match. Now, the presentation must gain their approval. Is the project within
your budget? What, if any changes are needed? Do the design schemes reflect
your personal style as well as the home’s architecture? Is it appropriate to your
geography? Do the styles and colors jump out at you, in a good way? If so, you
are ready to begin the project.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
Your
designer will most likely be providing you with both products and services. Before
writing the check, make certain the products and services are clearly described
in writing (my descriptions are on my written quotes and bids). Make certain
payment terms and lead times are clear. Most designers require a 50% deposit
upon order and balance at time of shipment for furniture and accessories. For
window treatments, an additional deposit may be required because by the time
the treatments are installed, most of the materials and labor have long been
paid for and the designer will be out of pocket before collecting the full
balance. It’s also helpful if the designer gives a ballpark estimate of what
shipping costs will be.
designer will most likely be providing you with both products and services. Before
writing the check, make certain the products and services are clearly described
in writing (my descriptions are on my written quotes and bids). Make certain
payment terms and lead times are clear. Most designers require a 50% deposit
upon order and balance at time of shipment for furniture and accessories. For
window treatments, an additional deposit may be required because by the time
the treatments are installed, most of the materials and labor have long been
paid for and the designer will be out of pocket before collecting the full
balance. It’s also helpful if the designer gives a ballpark estimate of what
shipping costs will be.
Managing
the client’s expectations is an important part of the job. So is foreseeing and
bypassing problems before they occur. I know from past experience which vendors
are slow, and I prepare the client by telling them a longer lead time than what
I’ve been quoted. Then, if the vendor is on time, the client and I are both
pleasantly surprised. Under promising and over delivering is another part of
great project management.
the client’s expectations is an important part of the job. So is foreseeing and
bypassing problems before they occur. I know from past experience which vendors
are slow, and I prepare the client by telling them a longer lead time than what
I’ve been quoted. Then, if the vendor is on time, the client and I are both
pleasantly surprised. Under promising and over delivering is another part of
great project management.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
Designers
charge for their services and products in a variety of ways such as with
retainers against future work; with hourly fees; and with cost-plus percentage
mark-ups. Most of us are compensated by a capped amount of hourly fees for
services as well as wholesale to retail mark-ups on products. We purchase
products at wholesale and receive a commission by selling it at retail. We also
charge hourly fees for services that don’t require materials or fabrication.
charge for their services and products in a variety of ways such as with
retainers against future work; with hourly fees; and with cost-plus percentage
mark-ups. Most of us are compensated by a capped amount of hourly fees for
services as well as wholesale to retail mark-ups on products. We purchase
products at wholesale and receive a commission by selling it at retail. We also
charge hourly fees for services that don’t require materials or fabrication.
To
ensure the personal satisfaction of your project, be clear about your budget, timeline
and scope of work. Your designer will collaborate with you on this. They are
very helpful in prioritizing and doing work in phases. Be proactive in the end
result by giving your designer good descriptions of the styles and colors you
prefer. Terms like “warm”, “cozy” and “classic” have different meanings for
different people.
ensure the personal satisfaction of your project, be clear about your budget, timeline
and scope of work. Your designer will collaborate with you on this. They are
very helpful in prioritizing and doing work in phases. Be proactive in the end
result by giving your designer good descriptions of the styles and colors you
prefer. Terms like “warm”, “cozy” and “classic” have different meanings for
different people.
Communicate clearly and when possible provide pictures of
your preferences. Use real descriptions like “blue”, “large”, “modern” and
“pale”. Clarity is almost an art form itself but like design, practice makes
perfect.
your preferences. Use real descriptions like “blue”, “large”, “modern” and
“pale”. Clarity is almost an art form itself but like design, practice makes
perfect.
above SHIREE HANSON SEGERSTROM
Remember, it’s not the individual furniture or paint or fabrics you choose that makes a room fabulous. It’s the way in which you put everything together as a whole.
That’s the real art of the interior designer.
That’s the real art of the interior designer.
July 11, 2014
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