Why Work With a Designer: The Construction Phase
To Save Money
Some feel it costs MORE money to hire a designer, when it can actually be a big cost savings. Having a designer involved as you select structural and cosmetic details will have you making confident decisions, so you can avoid buying the wrong things and/or those nasty change fees later on in the building process, as you realize something isn’t working. This is a very common pitfall when building without a trained eye in your corner.
Experience & Expertise
Many clients do not really know their own style. A good designer will assist you to get it right the first time while making sure the result is exactly what you wanted. You are not likely to have much experience building and remodeling homes. We have spent years refining our technical and aesthetic skills through schooling and hands-on training. We know what questions to ask, what's trendy vs. timeless, what mistakes to avoid, and what must-have features to add. We also can identify quality products and avoid cheaply made mistakes.
Ask the Right Questions for Y-O-U
A BIG part of any designer’s process is getting to know you. What is YOUR vision? What do you want out of your home? As funny as this sounds, a good designer often knows more about what you’ll want than you do. At least initially. Because of that, we help ensure you’re adding details to your plans that will best serve you in the long run. Do you have grandma's dining set? We can make sure your dining area will accommodate. Want a sofa table with lamps in the middle of your living space? We know to incorporate floor outlets into your space and where to put them. Perhaps you never knew you needed USB ports at your kitchen island, but now you can't live without them. And the list goes on!
Narrow Down the Sea of Choices
The decisions can be so overwhelming! People often want to choose paint first. Reality is, you should first identify any must-have elements that cannot or should not change. Perhaps there's only ONE rug you love, one tile that makes your heart sing, or one perfect sofa/chair fabric combination. These details should lead the way, with paint selections to follow. This allows you to choose shades that enhance your must-haves. With more than 900 shades of paint, it's far easier to adapt your paint to fit your finishing details. Of course, this also brings up the fact that there are 900+ colors. Don't worry, we know how to narrow that massive swatch book down to your perfect color and hue.
With this being said, I like to give our clients three options. More often than not, they will be able to make a confident decision with just those three options. Every once in a while we need to go back and try again, but having a designer weed through items that will not work in your home saves you from anxiety and saves you time!
