The process of building a home, renovating a house or remodelling an office can seem like a daunting task at first. But the good news is, once you have the right team on board who are ready to assist you by bringing your vision to life, it becomes exciting, particularly if you are hiring an interior designer.
In the meantime, however, there is a lot of work to be done. Plans to be finalised, selections to be made, decisions to make- you might feel pulled in a lot of different directions during this process. Because of all of this and the importance of getting it right, it is crucial that you have a professional team on board, to consult with during times of uncertainty.
If you have decided to go ahead and work with an Interior Designer, first of all, let me congratulate you! It is a big and important decision, and one I know will make your building or renovation journey much easier. Secondly, let me share with you some insider information and helpful tips on how to hire the right one.
Melbourne Project selections, by Marylou Sobel Interior Design
Insider’s tips on the Interior Design process:
- Prepare a brief
A good brief is a very important piece of the puzzle during the initial stages of working with a designer. It allows both the client and the designer to be on the same page, with visions aligned. - Have a realistic deadline
There are many stages of the design process, from initial meetings and concept development, to manufacturing and installation. All with different lead times and availabilities to consider. If you are planning a build or renovation in the near future, it is best to be ahead of the game by hiring your designer sooner rather than later. - Take the time to understand the process
When working with my clients, I like to keep them informed of the process and what is involved, from start to finish. I also like to have clear roles established between the client and myself so that we have an open and transparent working relationship right from the beginning. I feel that this is an important factor in the success of any project.
There are things that may come up during the project that can be detrimental to the end result, for an example, even though it’s tempting to do your own research as the client, and shop around, it can actually have a negative impact on the project and maybe even cause confusion to the project. Often this can cause the final vision to go off track.
It is crucial that the project runs as smoothly as it can and this is only possible if all of the design elements can come together and align well.
I wrote an in-depth blog post on this topic and the design process, you can read it here.
Here are some things to consider when hiring an Interior Designer…
1. Experience
For me, with time, comes more completed projects, extensive travel and well-established connections in this industry. Nothing is more assuring than an experienced designer, someone that you can put your trust in to bring your dreams and vision to life.
This experience also needs to carry through to the project and how it is managed, both on and off site. An experienced designer is able to effectively and professionally handle and manage any issues that might arise. A highly experienced designer is also able to work alongside a site or project manager to ensure that the level of workmanship and the finer details are of the highest standard.
2. Contacts & connections
As I mentioned above, with time and experience in the industry, comes contacts and connections. To ensure that these relationships are long-lasting, it is important to nurture and develop these relationships. Over the many years at Marylou Sobel Interior Design, I have worked hard to establish and grow connections with industry professionals, suppliers, architects, tradesman, artists, artisans etc. and this is something I believe helps to set my service apart from others.
3. Ability to adapt to any style & aesthetic preferences of the client
I really pride myself on being able to interpret the client brief- this is vital to achieving a fantastic client outcome. Designers will always have their own unique aesthetic; a great designer will be able to deliver a home or space that is well aligned with the client’s own personal style preferences, but with a spin on the design that is reflective of the designer’s unique eye for detail and design aesthetic.
4. Availability and timeframe shouldn’t be the decision maker
As I have mentioned above, as a client embarking on a building or renovation project, having a realistic timeframe is really important. I urge you to choose a designer because their aesthetic resonates with you, not just because they are available, affordable and promise a fast turn-around time. It might take you months, or even years to actually reach out to a designer with the intention to finally do the renovation you have been dreaming about for years, but this doesn’t mean that the project should be rushed necessarily.
5. The client/designer relationship has to work
As most design projects are extensive in length, I am sure you will agree that the relationship between client and designer has to work- it should be an enjoyable process for all parties concerned.
It is important to develop a bond and good relationship, trust here is very important. Positive experiences bring out the best end results and are such a pleasure to go through- it is a very rewarding process for my clients and my team as the project starts to really take shape.
Powder room, Melbourne Project, design by Marylou Sobel Interior Design
Photograph via Vicstone
I hope that my post has given you some things to think about and consider and hopefully, some clarity around the process of hiring an Interior Designer.
As always, I am more than happy to help by answering any questions you might have, or providing a quotation for your project, I would love to hear from you.
If you would like to reach out, please get in touch with me by clicking here. I look forward to discussing your project.
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