You don't need an interior designer.
6 reasons not to hire a designer
So this may be a little tongue in cheek but, in all honestly interior design may not be right for everybody. Don't get me wrong. I believe everybody deserves to live in beautiful well designed homes. However, I've managed to identify some great reasons why interior design should be avoided.
1. I prefer to spend more money to achieve a lesser outcome
If you want your project to stay on budget, hire a designer and be clear about how much you want to spend. Designers know where to splurge and when to save. We also have various go-to vendors where we can get products at your price point. Ok so I can't begin to tell you how many clients try to renovate or decorate their home without a designer. In fact the before and after picture above is of a past client that renovated and decorated their house themselves. Obviously they were not satisfied with the outcome. The room did not look and feel how they hoped. They regretted not hiring a designer and ultimately asked us to fix the mistakes they made. Starting with a designer would have saved them so much money, time, and effort.
2. I love when projects take twice as long as they need to.
We've been in business for over a decade. We bring valuable experience on the process that makes projects run smoothly and efficiently. For instance, we plan out the project in its entirety from the beginning. We factor in everything from design time, shopping, permits, construction, etcetera. We even factor in vacations and holidays. We make sure the project is pacing according to schedule and can quickly see when it's derailing. A big part of that is empowering homeowners to make timely decisions and holding consultants, vendors, and contractors accountable. One great example is knowing that we need to order kitchen cabinets and appliances prior to demolition. This ensures that the cabinets and appliances are ready and available exactly when you need it. Overlooking details like this can set a project back months.
3. I want to make costly mistakes that are going to set me back.
Design is a very complex process. As a designer I'm not only creating a mood and artistically making your space incredible. I'm also negotiating my client’s personal preferences, timelines, schedules, budgets, and all other constrains. All of these factors need to be thought of collectively in order for a project to progress smoothly and yield a beautiful outcome.
We present a holistic plan to our clients prior to pulling any triggers. This empowers them to make educated decisions with a wholistic view of the project.
4. I prefer to spend my free time arguing with my spouse.
I've seen relationships suffer because of the stresses of a renovation. Don't allow this to happen. Let us manage all the details so that you can focus on your work and your relationships. We'll deliver a finished product that exceeds your expectations.
Furthermore we have built into our process fun meetings and milestones that will help keep you and your family aligned to the vision. For us the design process is not a burden. It's healing and exciting.
5. I have great taste.
All of our clients have impeccable taste. Thats what draws them to us in the first place. However, taste is only part of the design process. Knowing how to refine and edit your vision is an important part of the process. Then you need to know where to source, how to manage. There are thousands of details like "what's the countertop edge detail?" "How low should the chandelier hang?" "Is this rug too small?"... And so on... Each of these details separates an amateur project from a designer project.
6. I just want a modern farmhouse.
Ok... so you've been binging some Chip & Jojo and think you've identified your style. Unlike some other style-driven design philosophies, Biographical Design, our unique process was developed to celebrate YOU- your legacy, history, culture, language, craft and people. Our hearts are dedicated to telling your story so your spaces read like your biography. A simple style just doesn't cut it. We believe that people deserve to experience beautifully enriched spaces so that they are inspired to live positively and gratefully. We promise to create an environment that hugs you when you walk in and pats you on the back when you leave. Rooms should live with you, grow with you and continue to travel through the next phase of your journey. We can help you achieve that.
If you're like me; you desire for your projects to be on time and under budget. You want to avoid costly mistakes. You want somebody to refine and develop your vision and great taste. You won't settle for a "modern farmhouse" a "Restoration Hardware" look. You want something that is unique to you and your family. You want a home that nurtures you and uplifts you. You want an interior designer.