How We Work
Although each Service we offer differs, and not all services include each stage, the information below explains our general approach from Design Concept through to Detailed Design and then Implementation - this is however always customised to your project. As we believe in providing a clear and transparent service we have included a lot of detail here (for the detail orientated amongst you!), so if you have any questions please do get in touch. Our Terms & Conditions are also available to view here.
1/ Design Concept
The most important step in the design process is for us to get to know you and your home. Our bespoke client questionnaire is the first step in this process, and gives you the opportunity to share your vision. We ask you practical questions about who uses the rooms you want help with, when they use them, and what they do in the room. We also ask about what works and doesn’t work in the space. We explore your style likes and dislikes, any inspiration you have for the scheme, and any restrictions or challenges. We also ask for indicative timescales and budget.
The questionnaire is also a great tool to use where you and others sharing the space have different ideas, for example if your partner has very different taste then you should both complete the questionnaire and we can work together on identifying common preferences.
We also encourage you to contribute to a private Pinterest Board that we will set up for our exclusive use. This is a great way for you to share your visual inspiration with us.
On receipt of the questionnaire, we then spend time analysing your responses and start developing the Design Concept. This is the building block for your scheme and sets out the mood, style, colour palette and finishes for the scheme. It takes the form of a series of annotated Digital Mood Boards, and we may present a couple of options to ensure we have nailed the brief. It may be supported by physical samples if appropriate at this stage, dependent on your brief.
2/ Detailed Design
The Detailed Design takes the agreed Design Concept through to implementation. This is where the detailed plans and schedules are produced to either enable you to deliver the scheme yourself, or to employ us to manage it for you. We may produce some or all of the following depending on what is required for your scheme:
Spatial Planning: Whether you are buying new furniture, rearranging existing furniture, extending or remodelling, spatial planning is critical to ensure good flow - the movement of people within the space.
2D Plans and Elevations: These are scale drawings showing the placement of furniture, fixtures such as lighting and fittings, and any equipment (such TVs or audio equipment). We use them to set out the layout of the room following the spatial planning activity, and may present alternative options for your consideration alongside our recommendation. For self implemented schemes the plans can also be shared with your trades people.
3D Photorealistic / AI Models: The cutting edge of interior design. These scale models are used to better convey the layout and space within a room or series of rooms as a ‘real life view’. They show how natural and artificial light will work within the design, show the finishes in a realistic way, and can include a video walkthrough of the space. Generally used to help clients visualise the scheme in an extension or significant renovation.
FFE Schedule: Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment i.e. all moveable items within the design. We provide these as digital annotated Mood Boards, supported by an itemised matrix showing the proposed items, the supplier and cost.
Samples Pack: Physical samples of proposed finishes such as flooring, wall coverings, paint, fabric, tiles, hardware, furniture/cabinetry.
3/ Implementation
Where you are employing us to implement your scheme, once you have signed off the Detailed Design document we will start purchasing* all products and booking trades to complete the work.
We produce a detailed Project Plan setting out all tasks required to deliver the scheme, when those tasks will happen and whose responsibility it is to deliver the task. We always include realistic contingencies based on our experience, and note dependencies between tasks so everything is clear. We will also highlight any risks or issues, and advise you when we will need you to make key decisions to keep the plan on track. We’re happy to share this plan with you if you like detail.
We manage all on-site trades so you don’t have to, including on-site spot checks. We proactively resolve any issues that may occur, and any changes required as a result which we will seek your agreement on before implementing.
We provide you with a status report on progress against the plan, highlighting any risks or issues and what we are doing to manage these. The status report will either be delivered face to face, by phone (including by Zoom or Teams) or by email depending on your preference, and at a frequency agreed with you.
Finally, once all work is complete we carry our an on-site check and if necessary compile the snagging list, which we manage to resolution.
We also offer a styling service at completion, where we position all furniture as per the agreed layout, hang pictures, and arrange all accessories to bring the room together as the Detailed Design intended. We may also take photographs ourselves, or use a professional photographer to capture the final finish.