ENGAGING US AS YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Understanding the design process
Engaging an interior designer is an exciting step in your project. But what actually happens once you’ve signed on? We follow a clear and comprehensive three stage design process that guides you from initial planning and selections all the way through to completion on site. These stages ensure that your project is thoughtfully planned, professionally documented, and beautifully brought to life. Here’s what you can expect at each stage:
Stage 1: Planning and Concept Design
The journey begins with clarity and structure and after you engage our studio, we provide a Welcome Pack outlining next steps. We gather crucial information from the design consultation, as well as through a series of onboarding forms. These forms shape a personalised Design Brief for your review; capturing your preferences, lifestyle and project goals.
If necessary, we’ll coordinate early on with third-party consultants such as structural engineers to ensure the design is buildable. From there, you can sit back as we begin working on the Design Concept, initial planning and specifications.
We consider circulation and adjacency planning, finishes, fixtures and equipment, and create initial selections that bring your design vision to life. You'll join us in our studio for a presentation that includes concept and mood boards, refined floor plans and elevations, initial joinery designs and curated selections.
This is when you’ll start to see the interior look and feel for your project, and is an opportunity to share your thoughts before we move forward into design documentation.
Stage 2: Design Documentation
Once you’ve provided feedback on Stage 1, we shift into the detailed Design Documentation stage. This stage ensures everything is crystal clear for builders to provide accurate pricing on your project.
We begin by implementing your feedback and developing Preliminary Drawing Sets and FF&E (Finishes, Fixtures & Equipment) Schedules for every room in your project. We’ll also invite you to the collaborative Houzz Pro client dashboard where you can view and comment on all selections and finishes we’re proposing.
To make sure everything is just right, we arrange supplier showroom visits together so that you can choose stone benchtops, kitchen appliances and tapware in person. By the end of this stage, you’ll have a complete package of Drawing Sets and Schedules for your project, fully approved by you and sent to builders and joiners for pricing.
Not sure what ‘FF&E’ or ‘Drawing Set’ means? Check out this blog post about understanding design language.
Stage 3: Construction
This final phase brings all the planning and design to life on site. Once pricing is back from the builders, we help you evaluate the quotes and give our recommendations. After you’ve selected your team and signed contracts, we submit a construction-ready documentation set to your builder.
From there, we host an onboarding meeting with you and the trades involved, to ensure everyone is on the same page before construction begins. We take the weight and decision-making off your shoulders and oversee design implementation through multiple site visits and coordination with the builder and trades, as well as managing the ordering and deliveries of long lead time items like appliances and lighting, to avoid on-site delays.
We also review and approve shop drawings for all joinery, stone, and shower screens to ensure they align with our designs. Upon completion, we carry out a thorough defects inspection along with the building team and necessary trades to ensure your home is in tip-top shape for you to enjoy.
Read another of our blog posts about why we’re on site as your interior designer.
Sticking to the process
Our three stage design development process ensures your project is not only aesthetically pleasing but also meticulously planned and executed; the real results are in the structure behind the creativity. By demystifying what happens after you engage us, we hope you can feel confident and excited about your renovation or new build. Professional planning isn’t just valuable, it’s essential to creating a home that functions as beautifully as it looks.
Ready to get started?
Tell us a bit about your project plans and we’ll be in touch via phone or email very shortly to discuss your requirements and discuss how our design services can help your project fly: