When it comes to designing your home, we want to know all about you – so much so we dissect, inspect and analyze all aspects of our client’s lives – even those that may seem trivia!

After managing and completing numerous design projects over the years, we understand that having great rapport between us and our clients sets the foundation for a successful project. Of course we have a lot of experience behind us and we use our own skills and design flair when it comes to designing a space, but every project is different and every client is unique so to ensure we are designing a space that is specifically targeted to you, we need to ask the right questions…. 

Today we are sharing some of the questions we ask your clients before kick starting any design project! Let’s dive in….

How will the room(s) be used?

This is one of the first questions we will ask our clients, understanding what people and activities will exist in the room(s) now… and in the future is vital prior to starting any design work.  Our lives are everchanging, so you want your home and the design of it to grow with you.

How do you want your home / room (s) to feel?

It’s important for us understand how you want to feel in the space, is it a place of relaxation? Focus? We won’t know you want a formal conversation living room, or a relaxing one unless you tell us! Emphasising this from the beginning will tell us a lot about how we approach the design.

Are you considering future / proposed changes to any other room(s)?

Like I said before, you want the design of your home to grow with you.  Designing with the future in mind will allow for a timeless design specifically catered to the client.

What do you want your home to say about you?

Your home is an expression of you, and as much as we use our own design skills, we need to understand who you are as a person and how you want to reflect that throughout your home!  Specific hobbies? Favourite colours or fabrics? Do you love to travel or love photography?  We love to know these things so that we can curate the design language to reflect yourself as a person.

Do you have any pieces that you would like to use or retain that are currently not in the room? And are there any pieces that are in the room that you would like to retain?

We know that you have consulted us to change the design of your home, but we understand that every home has it’s sentimental pieces that you just can’t get rid of.  So, we need to know that grandma’s favourite vase from the 50s – since at the end of the day, all of these existing elements form part of the brief as we will need to work with them (not against) when designing. 

Smart features? Are they important to you?

Technology is advancing day by day, especially in our homes, and you’re either rolling with it, or against it.  As designers we will like to keep up to date with advancements in technology and design as a whole, so understanding whether you find value in investing in smart features within your home is important. 

How important is sustainability or eco-friendly products to you? Do you value locally or handmade pieces?

Being in the design industry, focusing on being more and more conscious about waste and sustainability is vital.  Focusing on eco-friendly, local or handmade products do tend to come with a higher price tag, so ensuring we all understand where your values lie and what you’re willing to invest in will help guide us in the right direction. 

How would you describe your style?

Describing your style in writing can be difficult, even for us as designers! What you may understand an ‘industrial’ may not be the same as our interpretation of ‘industrial’.  Therefore when it comes to describing your style we love when we are shown images! Whether it be your pinterest board or just a document of images you’ve collected that you feel best describe your style – the more the merrier in this instance!

Have you worked with a designer before? If yes, is there a particular reason you are not working with that designer again?

This may seem like a strange question, but it’s key to building the best relationship possible. It can help us understand how to approach the design project, and have the best outcome possible for everyone involved. Knowing what you enjoyed about working with a designer previously and even what didn’t go so well will ensure we understand what you value in the relationship.

Do you have a specific budget goal you would like to achieve?

The is the age old question that every body is hesitant to answer, but is the most vital.  When it comes to all materials, fabrics and furnishings the spectrum of costs can range from a couple zeros to four even five! We really appreciate transparency when it comes to budget, the more detailed the better.  When a solid budget is in mind it makes for a much smoother process, otherwise there will be a lot of back and forth thus delaying the over all schedule of the project. 

Do you have a desired timeline for the project? Goal completion date?

Before any work starts, it’s really important everyone is on the same page and that timeframes are realistic and achievable. This comes down to impecable planning and organisation – that’s where we come in 🙂