One of the questions I’m asked the most is how I work as an interior designer and what my process is. It helps if you have an idea of what to expect before you hire a designer, so in today’s post I’m going to walk you through one of my projects! These are the general steps that I follow with every client to help bring their dream home to life. And my job is to do that as a great steward of their budget and to head off any challenges and issues to save those clients time and any headaches. Let’s take a look at the process!

Initial Consultation

The first step I take is to meet with a potential client to find out what they are looking for, and to decide if we’re a good fit! We talk about the scope of the project, like whether it’s a new build or a home renovation. And we really get into budgeting. I am always completely honest with my clients about how much things will cost so they have a clear idea about what will be involved. This meeting is critical for us to understand what the client wants, and how we can help them get there.

Onboarding

In the photo above, I’m actually meeting with Drew Scott of TV fame. I worked with him on Brother vs. Brother and we had a lot of meetings about the vision and design. I value my clients’ privacy, so I don’t want to show meetings with them, but it would be the same general type of meetings I had with Drew. When I onboard a client, we will really get into the timeline, who we may partner with as far as contractors or other subs, what the payment schedule will be, and every detail of the project. I ask my clients to answer a detailed questionnaire so I have a clear idea of what they like and dislike, how the home needs to function, and what they really want in each space. That’s the key to success! My team and I will also measure every inch of the home, and take a LOT of “before” photos.

My design schemes for the Cherry Hills project

Design Development

Once I have a clear idea of what my clients’ preferences and needs are, I start to develop a design concept. It is incredibly detailed and shows every room and every product. We’ll look at paint samples, fabric samples, hardware, lighting, and even electrical plans! You wouldn’t believe how frustrating it can be to have a light switch in the wrong place, or not enough outlets in a room. Those small things mean a great deal and will determine how much my clients love their home. In the photo above, you can see the room plans for my Cherry Hills project, the home we’re walking through here!

Construction

This home was a ground-up new construction project, and I was so lucky to work with Flair Builders. I’ve done projects with them before and they are super-professional. The owners wanted a contemporary home that did not feel too modern or cold, and that would showcase their love of travel and the art they have collected over the years. They wanted a home where they could entertain their family and friends, as well as an open plan that would blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

Procurement and Project Management

During this phase, my team and I are checking in on the job site often. We want to be sure that the vision and the details are all coming together exactly as we planned them with the client. And behind the scenes we’re already ordering furniture, curating art, and making a multitude of decisions to make the project run smoothly. This is where an interior designer’s expertise really comes into play. We meet with subcontractors to ensure the custom paint color is exactly right, or to make a final check on the custom woodwork and cabinetry. We’re also defining the perfect measurements and materials for the custom furnishings we create. And we’re finding solutions to the challenges that always come up in a big project.

Installing a stone wall in my Cherry Hills project

Details, Details

In a home designed to be unlike any other, there are amazing details that need to be reviewed. That can be a handpainted geode design on a powder room wall. Or the installation of a backlit quartz wall in a home bar. Or even the placement of thousands of tiny mirrored tiles in a bathroom. It’s all important and it all needs to be done correctly. That’s what my clients pay me for - to be sure it’s all just as we designed it to be and to save them from having to spend their precious time and effort on any of the details. That’s my job!

Handpainting a geode design in the Cherry Hills powder room

Installing thousands of tiny tiles in the Cherry Hills guest bathroom

Here I am reviewing the custom cabinetry in the Cherry Hills kitchen

Final Installation

This is the BIG reveal - the time when everything comes together! I love this stage so much because I am excited to see my clients’ reactions. The finished rooms make all the time and effort worthwhile. I like to bring in all the furnishings and art in a one- or two-day installation so that the client sees everything in place and polished to perfection. You can see some of the finished Cherry Hills rooms below!