This is the phase where all these decisions must be finalized. It is typically this phase where we do any shopping trips. A trip to the appliance store, the granite yard, the tile showroom, the plumbing showroom, etc. will help us see the preliminary ideas we have developed and determine whether they work as well in person as they did conceptually. Sometimes, samples need to be ordered and other times there is no way to view the item in person, so we work with what information we have to ensure the finishes match and/or complement one another. 

One of the biggest problems we face with employing a General Contractor, an independent contractor, or a design firm is simply the misunderstanding and miscommunication of expectations. It is easy to see how this happens, because renovation projects are a discovery process as the project unfolds. Sometimes we just don’t know that we want a custom item until we realize that the items on the market don’t match needs, or the opportunity arises in the budget that was not expected.

So, how do we protect ourselves and develop realistic expectations?

In a way, the design process is like writing a research paper.

Programming can be compared to doing the research. Schematic Design is our project outline. Design Development is the rough draft and Construction Documents is the final draft. It sometimes seems as though the final set should be the easiest part. It's all done, right? But, remember finalizing those papers and getting it from rough draft to final? It is detail work that requires reviewing again and again and again.

One of the challenges in working with furniture as a designer is that my policy is to give my clients the absolute best their money can buy. Sometimes, retail is the best match, sometimes designer, and sometimes a little of each. So, when does one make sense over the other, and what is the difference? Let’s break it down:

What is involved in replacing a window- can it be a larger window than what was there? Taller? Wider? What about placement? Read on for some quick thoughts!

Anyone who gets reviews in a year on Houzz automatically gets a customer service award. That’s it. Not only that, but Houzz treats people, particularly designers very poorly. Those badges they give us as an “award” actually pulls internet traffic away from our websites and to theirs instead. It is filled with code that directs consumers to them, where they take rights to photography without consent, and use designers’ work to tell their cheap knock offs. Read more…

In a time of empowerment and understanding of self-worth, use this day to shower yourself with love! You deserve a beautiful, sustainable, functional home. I also know that realistically we can’t always gut and remodel our homes (most of the projects I work on), but that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve a little kush.

We have cherry (?) in the kitchen, fir trimming the doors and windows, bamboo flooring, AND knotty pine on the vaulted ceilings upstairs and basement ceilings downstairs. Without replacing major elements, and painting out a bunch of gorgeous woodwork, how do we make all these different finishes work together?

One of the challenges to additions, is making sure that the addition feels as though it has always been there. We need to either really emphasize the difference between the new and old space or work hard to create a cohesive connection.

Bamboo was a huge sustainable trend in the 90’s. It has a naturally modern look, is a rapidly renewable resource, and does not require masses of pesticides and labor to produce. This makes it kind of a no-brainer. The problme with huge trends is that they have huge collapses, regardless of how much sense they make. So, sometimes, we just need to look at bamboo in a different way.

When working with a designer and a general contractor, it is important that they work well together. How does an owner ensure this if the pair have never worked together before?

I LOVE General Contractors. I have many that I work with happily and truly enjoy every interaction. I can name at least three that I talk to regularly just to catch up and talk about work. Most contractors I work very well with and am very impressed by their knowledge, experience, and professionalism.