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Who Is Happier When It Turns Out This Well: Client or Designer?

4/25/2013

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Honed and sealed stone floor is the perfect background.
After having worked for this one client for a long number of years, this last one she says is by far her favorite.  

When she first walked in after much  of the furnishings were delivered, her reaction was a short gasp followed by a big grin.

We first thought this is due to being a bit surprised that we actually got as much accomplished with such a very short time frame or that perhaps she was just glad that she didn't have to make yet another decision.  ( You know how pesky designers can be when they keep asking for decisions.)     Or just maybe it was both.   
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Keeping to a neutral color scheme makes this space appear much bigger.
What we do know is that we are just as happy to get this project wrapped up, given that we had but three weeks to pull it all off including cabinetry.  Yes, well actually a bit less than three weeks... certainly not three days... nor three hours as some on HG-TV would have you believe.  We painted, papered, hung fixtures + track lighting, delivered the upholstery, thru our the rugs + installed her TV so should could watch LPGA tournaments on the big screen on the first night of occupancy.  Not too shabby, eh?

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The concrete counter makes a great bar top.
What else made us happy as the design team was the great rapport we had with she and partner.  It makes a difference when client and designer truly have a great time with one another.  

We will say it helps when a client says "you know better then me on such things."   And it of course helps when the client has a great eye for art and let us "select" pieces that would work well in this residence from their Chicago condo.  Sweet.

So who did have the best time?  By far, we did.  It was a challenge to assemble all the parts + pieces together in a cohesive plan and meet our scheduled installation date.  And while we are still buttoning up the details + finishing the punch list, we're happy to know that we made this client happy again once more.  But the best part?  Just how much she appreciated all our efforts. ;-) 


• Psst. Next project we do, Ms. S....we're definitely going need an extra few days. You good with that? 

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Case Study 101: Design Is So Important Because Chaos Is A Bitch. 

1/18/2013

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In his first of a series we are calling Case Study: Design Is Important, Michael A. Thomas, FASID explores the harsh reality of designing spaces. 

During an initial interview with a client, I was asked about the role an interior designer might play in a remodel of a condo she was purchasing.  Her questions were typical of a client who had never before worked with a designer. 

• What is our design philosophy?

 It is very often clean and basic, with textured neutral backgrounds that create the best interiors when punched up with hits of color, pattern, art and accessories.

• What types of projects have we been doing?

Three decades of practice provide a range of experience and expertise, from residential new construction and remodeling, to historic preservation and boutique country clubs.

 • Do we have a portfolio of work to be reviewed?

Yes, of course.  It is located online in our three websites.

During our conversation, she admitted that she often bounces from one part of the job to another, making decisions when needed but often without a frame of reference, and jumping to other parts of the project without a single focus.  

What was clear was her concern that at the end of the day, at the close of the project, the whole space would not hang together well and that critical details would be overlooked. This is often the result when no master plan has been established.  

While it appeared that she is was doing a bang-up job in pulling together a lot of the work, she indicated a need for someone to reel her back in from time to time and perhaps help her avoid mistakes that cause delays and cost money.  In other words, the desire for someone to develop a vision and establish a strategy to get the job done.

So I told her that the role of an interior designer is actually simple:

•  Help the client define the dream. 

•  Communicate in drawings and written instructions the design intent.

•  Help manage the process. 


The analogy that I also often use to describe the process is when one goes to a doctor. The doctor will ask questions,  identify what is wrong and will then write a prescription to make it all better. The master plan of an Interior Designer is a prescription. And a good client (i.e. patient) will be able to follow it as a path to a successful environment. 

There is also an additional consideration.  Knowing that design is so very important, people will become deeply stressed over the simplest of details, delaying the work and derailing the project for fear of making a mistake.  This can result in a measure of chaos. 

And designers can actually get stressed for the same reason. Designers do know the important role design plays in ones life.  

For me, I am also reminded of the following.

• Design, of all types, both good and bad, impacts the human existence.

• Good design influences human behaviors for the good.    

• But great design inspires the human experience and lifts spirits.

So I gave her some advice as we concluded our time together. 

First take a deep breath.  Take a step back.  Take a moment to return to “the dream.”  

Keep in mind that if the small details are so critical, imagine how important it is to have a master plan in place when making the big decisions.  And a design plan, specifications and strategies do one thing. 

• It ensures a great design outcome rather than chaos. . . Because chaos is a bitch. 




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    Michael A. Thomas, FASID interior designer in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ
    ................................................. • Michael A. Thomas, CAPS, FASID is a passionate interior designer that constantly examines the impact design has on the human experience.
    Michael is an award winning interior designer based in Palm Desert, CA. He is a  Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a member of the ASID College of Fellows.  

    As a Certified Aging In Place Specialist, he creates smart looking spaces that are safe and secure and create homes for a lifetime.

    And with thirty plus years in the profession, he has honed his humor, elevated his passion for design and sharpened his wit to not take anything too seriously except his design work. 
    View my profile on LinkedIn

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  • Welcome Home
  • Who .
    • Contact Us.
  • In My Humble Opinion
  • What .
  • When .
  • Where .
  • Why .
  • How .
  • Portfolio .
    • Living Spaces
    • Kitchen Spaces
    • Bedroom Spaces
    • Bathroom Spaces
    • Club Design
    • Office Design
    • Other Spaces
    • Recents Spaces
  • Get This Guide
  • Providence Project
  • Condo Project
  • Monte Sereno Project
  • La Quinta Project
  • Rancho Mirage Project
  • An Artful Home Project
  • Testimonials + Awards
  • Client Access
  • mitchscott
  • Project Portfolio
  • thompsonhardesty
  • Alta Residence
  • Phillips
  • Bella Cara Way Residence
  • SilverSands
  • johnstevecabana
  • DunnCapitalFinal
  • NickbargCashen
  • 3D Renderings
  • Makie Residence
  • Sun City Palm Desert
  • 67 Canejo Circle Residence
  • Citrus Renovation
  • WardGade
  • M Bathroom @ Citrus Country Club
  • TrilogyCMCDesignConcepts
  • PCA-Interior Finishes
  • Ledesma Residence
  • Olivier MBath
  • Ritchie Great Room