Our 9 Steps to Creating Your Dream Home
We often get asked, “How does this work?” Even for those of you have worked with a designer before, people usually feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. Today, I'm diving into the nitty-gritty of our design process—every little thing we do to make your space shine.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-room refresh or a 4,000 sq ft home, our full-service design follows a tried-and-true 9-step design process. There are smaller steps within each of the 9 steps so I’ll break those down for you here.
Step 1: In-Home Consultation & Design Proposal
Our journey kicks off with a friendly In-Home Consultation, a cozy 1-2 hour tour of the space where we really dig into your project. We'll hash out your design dreams, budget, schedule, and unique style quirks. Some folks have their style down pat, while others could use a hand to find their flair – no worries, we're here for all of it! Our aim? Gathering every bit of info (even those room dimensions and snapshots) that we need to shape your design destiny. And speaking of shaping, the Design Proposal is where we'll unveil the whole plan – what we're bringing to the table for your project, along with the design fee and Client Agreement. Once the agreement is signed and the retainer paid, design services begin!
Step 2: Interior Design Concept
With the project essentials, Proposal, your tastes, and your insightful feedback all in our pockets, it's time to breathe life into your dreams with the Interior Design Concept. This captivating concept package will feature a mood board, a project snapshot, a preliminary layout, and a sneak peek at the budget.
Mood Board - Think of this as our visual love letter to your aspirations. We'll craft a mood board that captures the essence of everything you've shared so far. It's our compass to ensure we're on the same wavelength before we dive into detailed designs. After all, we're all about crafting spaces you adore.
Programming - We will summarize our notes our notes from our lively on-site exchange. This helps us maintain a clear sight of our overarching goals as we journey forward.
Step 3: Design Concept Presentation
Approval - Green light time! We'll lay out the Design Concept before you, eagerly awaiting your valuable feedback and approval. Brace yourself for an array of sketches, tantalizing material samples, and a bouquet of visual aids that paint the picture of our concept and strategy. Oh, and speaking of numbers, we'll also give you a ballpark figure to ponder. In your contract, we're thrilled to offer you 2 rounds of revisions for the Concept. Just so you know, any extra revisions will join the party billed on an hourly basis.
Step 4: Design Development
Once our vibrant Ladybird Designs concept gets your enthusiastic approval, our design crew springs into action to nurture that very vision. We start with what we fondly call "Trade Day."
Trade Day - We’ll schedule time to meet with any tradespeople deemed necessary for the project to be completed. These appointments will be in snug 30-minute intervals, walking through the design with them, so they can paint us a detailed quote canvas for your consideration. Whether it's the versatile contractor or the nimble painter, tile setter, wallpaper whisperer, or the electrifying electrician, we make sure everyone's on the same harmonious design wavelength. We hand each trade virtuoso a comprehensive "Request for Proposal" to ensure their estimates hit the bullseye.
Drawings - Those initial pencil sketches? We spruce them up, digitize them, and transform them into exquisite, professional drawings using our software sorcery.
Sourcing - We step into the realm of furnishings and finishes, guided by our program notes. Each piece undergoes a quintuple test:
Dimensions - Does it fit?
Style - Is it so you?
Price - Is it wallet-friendly?
Lifestyle Match - Does it blend with your life's rhythm? (Kids, pets, and all!)
Lead Time - How long's the wait? Is it worth it?
If a contender conquers all five fronts, it earns its stripes as a "specification" or "spec."
Sampling Soiree - We embark on a scavenger hunt for material samples that make your space sing. No relying on screens; we cherish tangible color and texture, sourced from our treasure trove or requested from our trusted vendors.
Presentation - With selections, samples, drawings, and quotes aligned like stars, we arrange a tête-à-tête to unveil the whole masterpiece, complete with a proposal. This is your moment – to approve, question, or suggest alternate avenues. And here's the kicker: we employ project management tech wizardry that lets us sculpt real-time tweaks together. Plus, you can continue exploring every nook and cranny online even after our visit. Conversations keep flowing through comments on specific items too!
Step 5: Hard & Soft Goods Proposals & Approvals
Once we've selected the perfect hard and soft goods for your space, we'll put together a proposal for your approval. This proposal is binding, so please take your time and make sure you're happy with everything before you sign off.
The prices in the proposal are the most accurate we can get, but there may be some minor variations in final pricing and shipping costs. If this happens, we will send a corresponding invoice for the difference.
Once the proposal is approved, you will receive an invoice for the items. You can then pay the invoice and we'll start ordering the goods!
Step 6: Goods & Materials Purchasing & Procurement
Purchasing - Once we've received payment for the proposal, we'll get to work ordering all of your approved merchandise. We have a strict internal process for this phase, so you can be sure that all of the details are accounted for. After everything has been ordered, we can estimate a date for installation.
Tracking Orders - Remember those orders that were placed several weeks ago? We didn’t forget about them and “hope” they arrive on-time an in one piece. We check weekly on every item until each one is accounted for. It has been my experience that items going on backorder or arriving damaged is inevitable. With Full-service Design, this isn’t your problem. We have a simple process for ensuring a replacement as quickly as possible.
Step 7: Hard Goods Installation
Once your hard goods have arrived, we'll coordinate with the installation team to get everything put together. This includes the delivery, installation, and final placement of all of your hard goods.
We'll work with you to schedule a time that works for your schedule, and we'll make sure everything is installed to your satisfaction. We'll also clean up after ourselves, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
Step 8: Soft Goods Installation & Final Reveal
In most cases, all furniture and other soft goods will be received and stored until the project site is complete. At this point, an installation and reveal will be scheduled!
Merchandise Delivery - Once the interior construction and/or finishes are complete, delivery is scheduled for furnishings and accessories. Upon arrival, a final inspection of each item is conducted. We require that you are away during this time so we have room to work and also preserve the reveal for the end.
Installation and Styling - Furnishings, art and accessories will be arranged in preparation for the Big Reveal.
Client Reveal - When all is done, we will invite you back and reveal your new space. This is the moment we live for: seeing the excitement on your face! We work hard to ensure the dollars you invest in your home are well appropriated.
Step 9: Photography!
The final step: photographing your beautiful, finished space! We typically schedule photoshoots for the day after the final reveal, while everything is still clean and in its place. We ask that you please be offsite during photography so that we can have the space to ourselves.
We'll use professional photographers to capture your space from every angle. We'll also take some close-up shots of the details, like the furniture, the artwork, and the lighting.
We'll send you the photos after the shoot, and you can use them to share your new space with your friends, family, and social media followers.
Thinking E-Design/Design-Only might be a better fit for you? Read about that process here.
