How We Work: The Phases of Design
Phase 1
Consultation
The first step to any design project is a consultation with a member of our design team. Consultation is where our design team meets with you to talk about your project! We review the scope of work, establish lifestyles, wants, needs and preferences. We also chat about inspiration and how we can tackle your project. We might look at your pinboards, help define scope, discuss budgets and help you set some priorities. The visits can be very therapeutic — just put it all on the table! We LOVE to sift through it all!
We then follow up with an estimate for our services. Should you accept our quote, we schedule your next visit to begin your design concept.
Phase 2
Design Concept Phase
The design concept is where our work begins. We begin your project study with site visits, photographs, detailed measurements, intake of all site conditions and revisit the parameters. Then, our team of professionals will begin a period of research and inspiration.
Next, our design team will create as-built drawings, multiple floor options of floor plans, numerous 3-D views, renderings and material boards to explore possible finishes, materials, fixtures, and furnishings for your project. Once this is completed, we meet to present your CONCEPT! This is a super fun, informative 2-3 hour meeting in our studio.
After the concept presentation, we will follow up with the next phase proposal. We present a solid proposal for us to oversee the details, selections and fine-tuning of your project, or you can choose to DIY from here.
Phase 3
Design Development & Selections
The design development phase is where our design team fine-tunes your concept. We adjust your concept further to your feedback, discuss more preferences, start selections, refine the budget, meet with your contractors, and begin tackling the details and specifications.
The Development Phase is the most complex phase. We like to remind our clients just how important details are. Proper planning can make or break your project!
As this phase continues, we meet several times, as we work to finalize selections, look over bids or estimates, begin sourcing and creating orders, perform job site visits, and review contracts. In some instances, with more complex projects, we may be writing more intense specifications, creating additional working drawings, continuing to meet and direct tradesmen for solutions, and reviewing large amounts of bid documents and budgets.
Finally, after many. many hours, and reviews, it’s time to pull the trigger and spend some of that budget! We commit to products, contractors, contracts, and items of delivery. Our design team works out timelines, work orders, budget-specific line items, coordinates delivery and logistics, and more.
Phase 4
Project Management
Construction or oversight of deliveries begins. There might be demolition, the start of remodeling, the arrival of materials, painting, the arrival of furnishings, and more. This is where the physical work begins and things begin to really transform.
If our design team is hired to manage your project, there is continued check-in to see how the project is going. This may include site visits, communication with contractors, punchless, or staying in the loop on all materials and purchase orders.
Finally, the contractors are done, the furnishings are wrapping up and it’s looking like what we imagined! If desired and contracted, the finishing touches and styling begin! We accessorize, stage, style, decorate, hang art, and prepare for your “after” photo shoot. Soon, you are able to enjoy your new space!
