ARE INTERIOR DESIGNERS OVERHYPED, part II

In an earlier post, I talked about some things a licensed interior designer can do for you. Well, there's actually more!

Decide on your material specifications.

What exactly does this entail? It means suggesting the most appropriate pattern, style, color and type of fabric that is suitable for you. It also touches on types of metal, wood, tile, wallpaper, paint, glass, flooring and any other material related to building your space.

Why is it important? For example, do you know that stainless steel has many grades? Yes, I found this out the hard way (before I was an interior designer) when I bought my shower caddy from a local department store. No wonder it was cheap, it was the wrong type and thus, after a few months, you guessed it, it rusted and broke off! Yes, not all stainless steel is equal!

Talk to all those involved in the building of your space.

We talk to architects, engineers, suppliers, contractors, carpenters, painters, electrician, plumbers... ok, all sorts of people. We do this to ensure that everything in your approved design is thoroughly understood and implemented correctly. Different things happen in a job site. No matter how specific we are with our drawings, there are times that clarifications are needed and construction problems need to be solved.

Ergonomics

What is ergonomics and why should we even care? Ergonomics, or human factor engineering, optimizes a human's well-being through proper design. That is why when we talk about ergonomic chairs, it means that the chair was specifically designed for your comfort--less strain, less back problems with the proper lumbar support. We as interior designers are trained to design the proper sizes of furniture and how it affects the user. That is why there are chairs that you can't figure out why they are uncomfortable and there are those that are simply right! I've seen this on many restaurants. You know how the booth seating is one of the most occupied (at least locally here in Manila)? There are some that make you sit awkwardly or simply isn't right.

Light your space!

Light can do so much for you. Whether you want a romantic evening or a casual dinner with the family, the right lighting design helps you achieve that. Lighting can also highlight your book collection or a certain artwork. Even for mundane tasks, we need the right light. 

Look for suppliers!

I don't know if this is normal but I love hunting for suppliers. You know that perfect moment when you finally found the perfect piece! Whatever it may be, I like going to home depots, furniture stores, thrift stores, art galleries, other obscure places... Yes, I guess I love shopping! hahahaha! It's fun to look for elusive things. Although it surely isn't fun when you still can't find it. Anyway, part of my job is to search for items (whether decorative or non-decorative) that you need for your home. It's not just the pretty pieces but also even hardware that makes your life easier--hardware that enables you to just push on the drawer for it to open smoothly... things like that. I guess I'm weird in the sense that I like hardware stores!

Style and beautify. 

With all the processes and details involved in interior design and construction, normally what you see is the result of all that work. Of course, we want your space to look gorgeous! Who doesn't? We studied history of art and architecture and we constantly update ourselves to ensure that we know the rules. When you know the rules, then you'll know how to break them, right?!

One of the best things that make me happy is after all the hard work, when I see the delight and happiness in my client's eyes, I truly know that I had done my job well!

In case you missed my earlier post, check HERE!

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ARE INTERIOR DESIGNERS OVERHYPED, part I

Mood/Swatch Board

I get this a lot. I don't want to hire an interior designer because they are only for the wealthy. I myself, to be honest, did not hire one when I had my home constructed. I thought I can save the money and use it for my Spanish tiles... Boy, was I mistaken! The problems I can see especially now that I am a licensed interior designer are numerous. Had I invested in one at the very start, I think I wouldn't have to redo a lot of things in my home. The mistakes I did make were quite a number, it's embarrassing.

First, I had the wrong color for my doors. Yes, believe me, it didn't work and at the time, I didn't know why. So yes, I had it repainted. Second, my kitchen is a nightmare! I literally have so much stuff on my countertop. Yes, I'm planning to renovate it next year. Third, I have the wrong height for my kitchen cabinets that I have a stool to reach the very back parts. Yep, the contractor did not know that! Fourth, my furniture selection didn't match. I bought my dining tables first because who can live without a dining table, then I purchased my living room set the year after. Well, my living room set looks real good but when it was placed beside the dining table (as I've got an open living/dining room set-up), it did not match and I was literally having nightmares for days... Yes, I now have a new dining table and chairs. And yes, I had a difficult time selling my original dining table even though it was of good quality.

Ok, I probably have more stories for you but let's get on with it shall we? What can a licensed interior designer truly provide for you?

Define your style.

It really isn't easy to define your style. As you grow and change, your style continues to evolve. We can help you remove all that noise in your head and nail it down for you.

Satisfy your style with your husband's.

I'm lucky my husband defers to my style. However, it does not mean that there are things he wants that I don't consider. Of course, it's a marriage and both parties need to be delighted. We help you capture a style that marries yours and your husband's.

Display your collections.

For those collectors out there, whether you're into art, books, figurines, china, or other collectible items, we can assist you in planning your collections and displaying them into something that's worthy of their value.

Help you in your purchases.

Purchasing can be done by either the client or the designer. It all depends on your agreement. If you do hire a designer, consult her/him on your planned purchases whether it’s accessories or furniture to make sure that you are buying the right size, style and quality for your needs. I’ve seen plenty of sad stories where the buyer did not get the right furniture and the problem with that is the store will not refund the item to you because you changed your mind. So now, you’re stuck with something you bought that did not work and who wants that?

In line with your purchases, assist you in your budget.

Ahh, that budget word. Yes, I don't simply buy something because it looks good and it's expensive. Right? I'm sure you feel the same way. After all, we need to be practical. I, for one, worked in finance for eight years that I believe that's definitely something I've nailed down. The usual practice is that you allot 10% of your budget to other miscellaneous items. Why? Prices are volatile. Sometimes, there is something in the design you want changed or redone. Then, definitely, this will affect construction cost. Or even if you're only doing minor renovations, the same thing goes. Proudly, I've got to say my actual miscellaneous for my home and my clients has been 2% so far. Of course, along with that, I do have to say that you need to be realistic as well. You can't expect high quality finishes with low price. What you should expect is a reasonable price for a good quality. That is what's important for me. Value for money.

Plan for safety.

Safety might be a boring topic but it's importance cannot be underestimated. This means planning for all types of people who live in your space, whether they're babies, children, teens, adults, or senior citizens. Each person has a different need. Even if you are a capable adult, that does not mean simply drawing whatever comes to mind but ensuring that your safety needs are considered. 

Give you the following important documents:

a.    Floor plan with furniture arrangement

A floor plan gives you the flow of the space and what is contained in each area. It dictates how well your space is maximized and what furniture (and size of furniture) you can place. Although we cannot magically increase your space (after all a 50 square meter area can only be 50 square meter, right?), we can help you make full use of your space, including all those nooks and crannies. 

b.    Mood board/Swatch board

The mood board gives you a feel of your space. It can include photos of furniture, colors, fabric, floor swatches, lighting, window treatments.

c.     Interior perspectives  

These are views of the interior so you can visualize them properly. It conveys an idea of how your final project will look like.

d.     Elevations

These include design details of each wall like the wood moldings, wallpaper or paint finishes, wall sconces, door finishes and any other treatments.

e.     Lighting and Ceiling Plans with specifications

This gives a comprehensive plan of the ceiling design together with all the lighting included like chandeliers, pendant lights, cove lights, and the type of lights, wattage, and housing of the light as well.

f.     Furniture list and specifications

A furniture list includes all types of furniture, fabric, photos or drawings and the type of material used for the furniture. For example, the size and type of wood, glass, metal and the finishes for each material as well.

g.     Custom furniture drawings (if applicable)  

An interior designer can make custom furniture for you. Your space is very unique to you. Especially for smaller spaces like condominiums or townhouses, the selection or the size can be prohibitive. The nice thing about bespoke furniture is that you can have the exact material and size specified uniquely for your space. I have experienced quite a lot of times trying to search for furniture that are either the wrong size, the wrong style, the wrong fabric… It’s a nightmare sometimes. A good combination of furniture, custom and off the rack can be a good choice. Just be aware that custom furniture takes at least a minimum of 2 months for production.

I hope this post enlightens you on what we can provide. There are many responsibilities that we as licensed interior designers have for our clients. To continue reading more about this, click here.

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