The first step in the interior design process is to get to know your potential interior designer with a discovery call. This initial meet-and-greet is the perfect opportunity for you to determine if working together is a good fit. 

The in-person, on-site consultation kicks off the start of your project. Our initial consultation typically lasts one to two hours and is a paid service. During your consultation, you will start to have conversations about functionality and style. This is your time to tell your designer all your hopes and dreams for your space!  Your designer may make some suggestions or have some design ideas to consider, but this meeting is largely about gathering as much information as possible to understand your needs.  This is also when your designer will go over the entire design process and your contract. 

During the conceptual design phase, your designer puts together their vision for your home! They will conduct a site survey to take measurements and photos of your space. You are also likely to receive access to a shared Pinterest board during this phase so that you and your designer can start to get inspired. This phase is also when initial floor planning develops good flow patterns and adds desired features to your project. At the end of this phase, your designer will meet with you to review the initial plans, conceptual design ideas, and an estimated budget to ensure they are on track with the design intent. 

After the initial plans are approved, the design development phase begins. This phase is kicked off with a “trade day,” during which your interior designer will review the preliminary design ideas with the contractor and tradesmen to get initial bids for construction. Next, all drawings and specifics will be finalized while simultaneously sourcing all materials, fixtures, and furnishings. They will carefully select every detail finish for your newly renovated home. Once the refined plans for your design are complete and selections are made, your designer will request pricing from vendors and update the budget as well as the timeline.

At the end of this phase, you will meet with your interior designer to review a finalized design presentation, tear sheets, and the physical material samples. This design plan will be the most finished product up to this point. If something is not approved, the designer will reselect items, refine any construction drawings, and present you with the updated design. Once everything is approved, we move on to the final design phase. 

In the final design phase, a few big things are happening. First, your interior designer will create a specifications binder for the contractors and tradesmen on the job site, including all floor plans and specification sheets of finishes, fixtures, and furnishings. At this time, all final drawings will also be given to you, the client. If the general contractor has not done so yet, this is the time they will obtain any required permits. 

Additionally, once construction is finished, your designer should begin collecting accessories to complete your design. At DL Design Studio, we compile a list of accessories and final touches needed and then collect a retainer before purchasing what we need to style out your project. Once that is done, “purchasing and procurement” of all merchandise will begin. The designer will coordinate all deliveries and, when necessary, work with a receiver who will make sure everything is in excellent condition.

The final design phase will also include many project management tasks. For example, the interior designer should host a walk-through meeting with the contractor to kick off construction and then make periodic visits to the site to ensure design execution is going as planned. Inevitably, issues may arise, so your designer should always look for solutions and adjust plans and drawings when needed. During this final design phase, the designer will verify locations of light fixtures, tiles, and other flooring, refine details on site, and coordinate additional vendors (like an upholster, wallpaper installer, or window treatment workroom).

Finally, the stage when we get to see it all come together! Once construction is complete, your designer will schedule a time to take photographs and will install all furniture and décor.

After a long journey, the day has finally come for the last walk-through! I want to make sure that you are totally and utterly thrilled with your new design. Your interior designer will walk through your space with you and note any deficiencies that need to be resolved while coordinating solutions. This is also when your designer will take pictures of your beautiful home and provide the final invoice.