The benefits of using an Interior Designer.
As we approach a year of living in a pandemic, I’ve been thinking about how businesses have changed, and how many of us have had to make changes to adapt to our circumstances. Of course, there are restrictions on how much I can interact with people and visiting homes can’t be done as easily anymore, but there is a big desire for people to get on with their projects and home improvements, and I’m delighted to say that interior design is thriving.
I’ve been able to broaden my portfolio with some wonderful new clients, including the redesign and refit of a farm shop in Wickham, and home improvements such as bringing some rustic warmth to a new bathroom. As much as this has been the most difficult year, there is a sense of focus and renewal in there too. We are spending so much more time at home that it’s providing motivation for many to update rooms they may have put off before and create the beautiful spaces they’ve always dreamed of.
In recent years, I have seen more and more people use interior designers as expert support, and in the last twelve months particularly there has been a shift of mindset. People are thinking less about the visitors to their homes and more about themselves, making indulgent choices that truly reflect the colours, themes and feelings they love. Let’s be honest, we all deserve to treat ourselves right now!
If you’ve never used a designer before, it can be hard to know exactly what you get and how their insight can add value to your project. I get asked these questions often so I thought it would be useful to share a little insight here.
Prestigious Textiles
Often the most value I can offer is to advise clients on realistic budgets required, especially when embarking on a building project. There are many costs involved in a building project itself, but once constructed you’ll want to furnish your lovely new space too. I can help you consider the plan and decide how your décor can fit in without compromising the overall budget.
An interior designer can also help you work out which items to invest in and where you can make compromises, while still achieving the look you want. Often there are ways to save on items of furniture or textiles that people haven’t thought of, and these can free up money to indulge elsewhere in the room.
I support clients in dealing with suppliers and I’ve been told so many times how helpful this can be; it’s been crucial during lockdown when people can’t get out and about to shop around for themselves! I have worked with a wide range of different suppliers and have accumulated knowledge about their products and services, which means I can make recommendations about the style and design of an item as well as its quality.
Using a designer also means you only have to deal with one person, which makes the process incredibly easy. I am like a personal shopper for your room or home; I give you a selection of choices, and once you’re happy I arrange the work or delivery and you simply enjoy your beautiful new space!
I like to think that as well as my services and expertise, my clients are also paying for the experience of having a designer to support them. I love working with people, hearing their visions and helping deliver it as a reality in their own homes or businesses. Seeking out the best options and knowing what a difference it will make to them, creating places that fit perfectly with their routines and personalities. And all this while I remove all the of the admin too, so I make the calls, chase suppliers and fit all the different elements together in the background.
I’m a very visual person and I can see how colours, textures and patterns fit together in my head, which is something not everyone can do and ends up being valuable for clients who are struggling to see their end design. My favourite part of a project can be in encouraging clients to be brave, showing them options they haven’t thought of and how exciting it is when it all works together and they fall in love with the end result.
Working with an interior designer really is open to everyone, I see such a variety of different clients and I love how each project is so individual. I can be working with clients and architects at the concept stage of construction, through to build and then interior fit out and furnishings, or at the other end of the spectrum helping someone choose paint colours or window dressings. It’s all in the mix!
If you’re interested in using a designer, I’d love to chat you through the process and hear your ideas and inspiration. Drop me a line here .