Starting a new design project can be overwhelming, which is honestly the main reason why many of our clients hire us. Bringing us on to help with a project means that they no longer have to worry about what style plumbing fixture to choose, or when their backordered sofa will finally be delivered. However, hiring a designer can also be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect! That’s why we try to be as transparent about our design process as possible. Our process is already on our website here, but in case you haven’t seen it, here is our 7-Step Design Process in detail:
Step 1: Consult
It all starts with the initial consultation. Here at Rebecca Ward Design, we have two consultation options: a Color Consultation and a Project-Starter Consultation. Most of the time, a Color Consultation is a one-time meeting where we select paint colors and/or a color scheme for the home.
The Project-Starter Consultation is designed to kick off a new project. Our consultations are more than just a meet and greet, they’re working meetings where we really get the ball rolling. The meeting takes place at the site of the project, and can last up to 2 hours. During the meeting, we’ll not only get a grasp of what work needs to be done, but we’ll also select paint colors, hone in on a design style, sketch layout ideas, discuss budget, and start looking at finish samples. We’ll also review the design process and our contract in that meeting so that everything is 100% clear moving forward.
As you can see, a lot of work is done in this meeting, which allows us to get the project started as successfully and efficiently as possible.
Step 2: Gather
After the consultation, we’ll gather any more information we need before starting the design process. The better prepared we are, the easier the design process will go. The information we gather at this time often includes measurements of the home, so that we can do furniture layouts and draw up floor plans and elevations. If you’re moving, adding, or taking away an exterior door or window, it also affects Title 24 which means we will have to not only measure the entire house, but also place every door and window on the plans, which, yeah… it can take a while!
We’ll also take photos of the existing space for our own reference, and answer any more questions that might need to be addressed before we begin designing.
Step 3: Design
This is when the magic happens. The design step is when we use all of our creative juices to problem solve and create the most beautiful spaces possible. We’ll draw up floor plans, furniture layouts, and elevation drawings, and select finishes, fabrics and all furniture for the project. This is one of our most time intensive steps, typically taking between 6 & 8 weeks. Unsurprisingly, a majority of the design fee budget goes into this step. During this step, we will also schedule a “Trade Day” where all of the contractors and tradespeople involved in the project will come out to visit the project site so that they can provide accurate bids.
Step 4: Present
This step is so important and so much fun! We get to meet with you at our office to present our Design Boards, drawings, and all of the pretty samples we’ve collected for your project. You’ll get to touch the area rugs and upholstery fabrics we’ve selected, and see the details up close and personal. After all, we want you to be as excited about your new space as we are!
Step 5: Implement
Once we receive a deposit during the presentation step, we’ll get started placing orders as quickly as possible, to avoid watching our selections go out of stock. We’ll keep you updated on estimated lead times, and take care of returns or repairs on any items that may come in damaged. It’s during this phase that we will also get to work on coordinating the contractors. Once construction begins, we’ll ensure that your contractor implements our drawings and specification sheets accurately, for a smooth remodel process.
Step 6: Install
After all construction-based phases of the project are wrapped up, we’ll bring in a cleaning crew to tidy up your home before we start bring in furniture. Providing that all of your new furniture and decor has arrived at our warehouse, we’ll set a date and come to your home to deliver and install it for you. Our team will also accessorize and style your home to complete the look and make it picture perfect!
Step 7: Conclude
Yay! Your design project is done, and it’s beautiful! The only thing left is for us to make absolutely sure that all of the boxes on our list were ticked off efficiently and completed beautifully. We’ll walk through the finished project with you, and if anything is not quite right, we’ll come up with a plan to get it resolved as quickly as possible. Once you’re satisfied, we’ll wrap up any outstanding invoices and then it’s time to enjoy your completed space!
We hope that you find this helpful and that it answered any questions you may have about what it’s like working with a designer. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or (916) 668-9590. If you’re ready to start a project, click here!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
XOXO,
