When you walk into a gorgeous home or flick through pretty pictures in a design magazine, what you’re seeing is the result of months – sometimes years – of dreams, creativity, and inspiration. Depending on the project, client and budget, the design process can be short or long, easy or complex, but it’s always exciting. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So here it is: an outline of the process, from start to finish.
Briefing time
Every project starts with the all-important brief. I ask every potential client to outline the scope of the project, collect magazine clippings, and tell me what they particularly like or dislike. This briefing process helps me to wrap my head around the client’s taste and style – the more information they give me, the better the outcome. Though I’ve been a Sydney interior designer for more than a few years now, I still get excited at the thought of embarking on a new project.
Let’s get creative
After I’ve received the brief, I take the time to really think through the design. I get inspiration and ideas from many places, including books, magazines, and my own travels. I also carefully consider the client’s existing art or furniture. I pride myself on creating warm, cohesive spaces, so this step is important. When I’ve gathered enough material, I pin together a mood board of images, colours, textures and concepts that answer to the client’s needs.
The green light
Once the client signs off on my ideas, we kick off the more technical side of the process. Using all of that information as a base, we draw up the plans and outline the details of the job. At the same time, we work out a fee structure that aligns with their budget.
Hit the shops
After the client has approved the concept and paid the deposit, I can start putting through the initial orders for each phase of the project. During this stage, I choose the finishes, colours and materials to be used, and run them past the client before I hand over the credit card. I also create a material board with the final selections, which I find really helps both myself and the client to visualise what the space is going to look and feel like.
From ideas to reality
Throughout the whole design process, I regularly meet with the client to show and update them on each stage of the project. But when it’s time to start putting the ideas into action, we amp up our meetings to once a week. Together, we assess the progress and make changes as needed. I encourage my clients to be honest, and to let me know exactly how they feel – after all, this is a space they are going to be living or working in for a long time. This ‘building’ stage is without a doubt my favourite one – it’s where I’m truly in my element. To create a design and see it come to fruition right before my eyes is something I’ll never get tired of.
Oh, and being on the receiving end of a beaming smile when my clients finally get their dream home? As a designer, that’s what I live for!
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