Let’s Start The Interior Design Process!

Develop Your Idea Book

What is it about your current space you want to change? Is it ‘dated’, does it not function well, is there insufficient workspace, too little counter space, poor lighting. Is the family dynamic changing? Do you need to make modifications for accessibility? Make a list of what you want to change. The next thing you’ll want to do is determine your budget and develop your project’s ‘wish list’. Start gathering information by looking through magazines, visiting websites to determine the look and finishes you like—and appliances if applicable. In other words, start putting together your Idea Book. There are many online sites that allow you to create your own file of images or fill the book with magazine clippings and photos of designs, colors, materials and finishes that you like. We also suggest you make a list of things that you don’t like, so that when you meet with your designer she or he will have a good understanding of your taste and style.

As you assemble your Idea Book, keep in mind your budget for the project. Visit area stores to take a look at appliances, fixtures, flooring and counter surfaces to determine what best suits your needs. Note the costs. This information will be useful to your designer in helping you allocate expenses.

How Much Should You Budget?

It really depends on what you need to do, what you want to do and how much return on investment is important to you. How long you plan to stay in your home, does the new kitchen or bathroom space make sense for your home and neighborhood. With that said, it’s what you are ultimately comfortable spending on your home.

Contact and Meet with Designers

Your next step would be to contact us to meet the designer. This will allow us to see your space or review your construction plans and gather additional information from you concerning the scope of your project. Be upfront about what you have in mind to spend. The investment is what will determine the outcome. Remember also that labor costs will consume a large portion of your budget. Your budget will enable your designer to guide you through the many decisions required of any home improvement project. Designers use their knowledge and expertise to give you alternatives, where necessary, to help your project remain on target. They can also provide advice on areas where it may be wise to increase your budget to fit your wish list.

When you hire us….

Once you’ve hired us, we will visit your home to take detailed measurements of your space, perform an assessment of your wants and needs, complete a survey and document your existing space, if remodeling, in order to develop a comprehensive design. At this point in the process, we will combine all of the information into the first phases of designing your new space. We will meet with you to review the designs. From those approved designs we develop working drawings for your review. After your approval, cabinetry will be ordered and demolition in the existing space would begin. Depending on the scope of your project, you will want to insure that additional materials are delivered in advance of the work commencing on that particular part of the project, e.g., plumbing fixtures, flooring, so as to prevent delays in work done by your contractor or subcontractor.

Be sure to look at our Kitchen Design and Bathroom Design Services.