| Preparing to depart on an interior design project with Katie Anderson |
Design Philosophy Everyone deserves to live and work in an aesthetically pleasing and physically safe environment. We approach design from the standpoint of client need, preference and appropriateness to the existing architecture. We do not work in a specific style, rather we tailor and sculpt interior spaces to fit the requirements of function and aesthetic appeal to the client's needs and ideals. |
What
we do |
Process 1. We begin the design process with you by having a consultation. An initial meeting is scheduled for an on site visit and your preferences and ideas are discussed. 2. After the design services contract has been agreed upon the actual design parameters are developed. The existing conditions of the space or spaces to be changed are recorded and "as -built" plans are made. From these plans and the initial meeting a preliminary schematic design drawing is made. This will be discussed at length with you and then further modified to address any physical or aesthetic issues raised. Specific merchandise will then be discussed (i.e. cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, appliances, furniture, color schemes, etc.). A "master plan" is then completed and a submittal drawing set will be finished (if required) and given to the contractor and you for all permits necessary. You will then have us order for you all new merchandise specified for the new plan. When you receive your permits the contractor will begin the installation. We will stay involved and liaison with you and your contractor to assist in the solution to any problems or on site changes that may occur.
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| Common Mistakes To Avoid |
Time is a perception that you control; Many people decide to remodel their homes at some point in their lives. They look at magazines, search the web, regularly watch HGTV, visit home centers and spend years thinking about and saving for their remodel and/or new decor. When the time comes to hire a designer/architect and when the design process or construction begins there is no time. People suddenly perceive that nothing is being done fast enough, none of the elements are arriving soon enough, it’s never going to be finished, etc. Time is a perception and relative to an idea of something desired. I had a potential client tell me once at an inquiry that their previous remodel took “forever”. I inquired as to their definition of “forever” and she responded with a certain amount of indignation “the stairs took a whole week to be installed!” One week in contractor world is Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. This is not forever, this is a person getting sucked into impatience. When you feel that things aren’t going as fast as you think they should check in and ask yourself; it’s not happening fast enough…compared to what? Your desire to finish and be done is not a barometer or evidence of how long anything should take to complete. Too many people make spot decisions and settle for less just to “get it over with” only to then live with the result not being to their satisfaction or taste. This is an unnecessary experience and will only make you unhappy. The design process takes time. You want to be sure that whatever you agree to have happen to your home is exactly what you want to live with when it is finished. Remember, hurry and haste makes worry and waste. Budget properly; You must have a budget. I have had the experience over many years in this business with people telling me they don’t need a budget because if they like something they’ll just buy it, they don’t want to be limited. Unless you are Bill Gates you most likely cannot buy whatever you like nor is it necessarily your personal value system to spend large sums of money on a single piece of furniture Your budget is a tool that allows your designer to assist in meeting your value system, understanding you better to guide you appropriately. Without a budget it will be impossible for your designer to recommend design parameters or merchandise effectively. Your available budget should not be a secret from your designer, they must know the tools they have to work with in order to do their job, otherwise the process will not be smooth and will likely delay completion of your project. Budgets are important not only for décor, remodels often result in disappointment because the client did not research the costs for their project; e.g. they get a home equity loan but will it be enough? How can you be sure? The cost for a good quality remodel in the Bay Area is approximately $350.00 - $400.00 per square foot. To calculate what you should expect to pay a contractor and cost of building materials measure (depending on how much you are going to change, the whole house or a few rooms) wall to wall on both sides of the room. Multiply these two numbers together to get your square footage and then multiply that sum by the dollar amounts. As an example let’s do a 12’ X 14’ kitchen; 12x14= 168 sq.ft. 168x350= 58,800; 168x400= 67,200 The range you should therefore expect to pay is between $58,800 and $67,200 for a decent remodel of a kitchen this size. Of course if you want to use higher end products you will be spending a greater amount of money, however this formula will give you a realistic base to make decisions from. Keep in mind as well that your range could go over due to what is known as “unforseeables”; dry rot, foundation damage, water damage etc. No one has the ability to see through walls and the hired professionals may well discover these types of problems after demolition has begun. The caution here is to be able to have some financial wiggle-room, having only the exact amount with no reserve for potential issues will create panic. Take your time to research and plan your finances accordingly. Design services are never part of this formula. Your designer and/or architect will give you a bid for their services apart from your specified budget. Living inside the remodel; There you are, standing in your ugly kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. and it hits you that you are ready to look at something different, it is time to change your home environment. Great! You get a designer, hire a contractor and then they all arrive at your house with sledge hammers, park a dumpster in your drive way along with a port-o-san and proceed to demolish the home you have been living in for X amount of time. Think you can handle this? Think again. Change however much wanted is stressful. We have a vision of how we want things to be and take steps towards creating our desire only to then resist the unfolding before we reach the goal. Seldom do we realize that the starting point and the finish point have a long uneven path between connecting the two. Generally after a mere month of your home being in a state of flux and non-functioning (no water, no electricity, no heat) you will become very uneasy (or maybe not) about the whole thing and start to commit mistake number one, panicking about time. You (most likely) have not ever been through a remodel before but your designer has. She/he will tell you when it is time to panic (never) and when not to (always). They have much more experience and it is their job to liaison with the other contractors about whatever issues come up not you. This is the time to exercise trust and direct all issues to your professionals. It is surprising to many but every time you decide something without your designer present you will be a victim the change order. Conversations with your contractor should be kept to a minimum and always inform your designer what transpired, in fact write it down and let your designer make the decisions. Do not sign off on a change order without first showing your designer/architect. You must trust your design team to make the better and more cost effective decisions; it is part of what you are paying them for. What is the best way to avoid all of this? Don’t live in your house while under construction! Go on an extended vacation, rent a cheap apartment, stay with relatives, house sit for friends or co-workers, find a way but don’t live in your house while it is being torn apart with no amenities in operation. It makes even the most staid person uncomfortable to observe the changes and to not be able to live in their accustomed rhythm in their homes. You will get very tired of eating take-out and having to use your gym for showers to get ready for work in the morning. Fact: Most simple kitchen remodels require 5-8 months to complete from the date of demolition. This does not include the time necessary for design development, purchase and arrival of merchandise or permit drawing production prior to installation. The larger the project (square footage) the longer it takes.
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