Working With A Designer
STORY MICHELLE BERWICK
Well hello design lovers! Hold up – wait a minute. You’ve never worked with an interior designer?! You love design, you’ve tried the DIY but, you still need professional design help. Grab a coffee and let’s chat. I'll let you know why hiring an interior designer will change your life.
Meeting with a designer for the first time may seem overwhelming, but don’t you worry your home is in the best hands! Before meeting with an interior designer, you the homeowner should assess your space and create a thorough list of what you love about your home and, well… what not so much. A designer will often ask you to outline your wishlist during an initial consultation, so giving this some thought beforehand is always helpful.
Get this, designers want to see your clutter during an initial consultation! Forget about the classic ‘in-laws are coming ten-minute tidy’ we want to see the problem areas within your home because it will be our job as designers to address them in a new design. That stack of mail on the kitchen counter – leave it! Kids’ toys in the living room – leave it!
After the initial consultation, a brief quote for the project is typically sent out to the client. Buckle-up. Sometimes the client’s estimated cost is slightly different from the realistic project costs presented to you by your designer. Before a designer sends out a quote, costs are gathered for all aspects of the project including millwork, contracting, furniture, and finishes. If the project is over a client’s budget, we often recommend completing in stages or offering a ‘look for less’ option by using similar finishes at a more conscious price point. Whether the budget is big or small, a beautifully designed space is coming your way!
At my firm we invite our homeowners to an in-person meeting to discuss the finishes chosen for their home. No finish will go unlooked! Experiencing flooring, fabrics, tile, and countertop materials up close and personal brings the project to life and for some clients makes their dreams into a reality. In this same meeting, plans for the millwork, furniture layouts, and even lighting plans are looked over to make sure everything will be functional for our client.
Once a budget and a design plan are nailed down, that’s when the magic happens. Say it with me DEMO DAY! Depending on the project size, construction could take anywhere from a few months to a few years on a new build. Designers encourage homeowners to be patient, but ultimately, we are just as excited as the client and cannot wait to see the project completed! Can we link arms and go through this messy stage together? It’s the only way to get to the other pretty side.
Finally, before you know it, it’s install day. Furniture, rugs, pillows, and accessories are all moved into your completed home ready for everyday life to resume.
Trust me when I say you will spend the next few hours/months/years looking around and wanting to pinch yourself that you get to live there. If you don’t cry at the end we haven't done our jobs.
Now let’s start to love your home again!
About Michelle Berwick Designs
Award winning Designer Michelle Berwick is the Principal & Creative Founder of Michelle Berwick Design. For almost a decade, this notable GTA firm has become sought-after for providing livable stylish and uniquely personal interiors.
Learn more: michelleberwickdesign.com
