18 Things to Remember When Working with Your Designer
I love HGTV as much as the next person. But a 60-minute episode with a commercial break doesn't exactly reflect reality. This list comes from years of real projects, real surprises, and real lessons learned — mine and those of other designers I trust. There is a method to the creative madness, and the finish line is always the same: a beautiful space and a happy client. Here are 18 things to know before we begin.
#1 — OUR GOAL
A thrilled client. That is the destination. Everything else is just the route we take to get there.
#2 — MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
It starts with an email, moves to a phone call, and if we're both feeling it, lands on a consultation. Think of it as dating before the commitment. We want to make sure we're a good fit — for your project and for each other — before anyone invests time or money.
#3 — CAN WE HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH
Paperwork first, magic second. We'll send you our service agreement before your consultation so you can review it with plenty of time to ask questions. Once you decide to move forward, we'll prepare an agreement tailored to your project for you to sign. No surprises.
#4 — MUTUAL RESPECT
Good communication is the backbone of any project. So is respecting each other's time. We answer non-emergencies during business hours, and we ask the same courtesy from you. After hours? That's for wine and binge-watching, not project talk.
#5 — PROBLEM SOLVING
Things will go sideways. They always do. The difference between a stressful project and a smooth one is who's steering when it happens. That's what we're here for.
#6 — NO STRESS
Speaking of steering — that's our job. Your job is to enjoy the process.
#7 — TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Quick decisions keep the train moving. Delayed decisions are how projects lose their momentum. We'll never pressure you, but we will nudge. Gently.
#8 — BE PROMPT
The same principle applies to payments. Timely invoices keep your project fed. Late payments starve the timeline. Everyone's happier when the money moves as smoothly as the design.
#9 — DOES THE SHOE FIT
Loving something and living with something are two different things. We design for real life — how a space looks, how it works, and how it holds up. Not just how it photographs.
#10 — TOO MANY COOKS
Your mother, your best friend, and your neighbor who "has a great eye" are lovely people. They are not your designer. Every additional opinion (even those from chat GPT) adds time and cost to your project. You hired us for a reason.
#11 — PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
Your furniture is built by people. Your tile is installed by people. People are not machines, and neither are the things they make. Industry standards exist for a reason, and we know exactly where they are. If something misses the mark, we will fight to get it right. But a slight variation in a hand-applied finish? That's character, not a defect.
#12 — BEST GUESSTIMATES
We don't ship things. We don't manufacture things. So when we tell you a lead time, that number comes from someone else — and it is a guess. A reasonably informed one, but still a guess. We'll keep you updated as things shift. Flexibility is your friend here.
#13 — FINAL SALE
Custom means custom. Special order means exactly that. These items cannot be returned. The ones that can must go back within the manufacturer's window, and restocking fees or service charges may apply.
#14 — YOUR PERSONAL SHOPPER
We've spent years building relationships with vendors who show up, deliver quality, and stand behind their products. We pass that trust — and the best pricing we can negotiate — on to you. We'd love for you to shop through us. It protects the design, supports our business, and means we can guarantee what shows up at your door. Cheaper online doesn't always mean cheaper in the long run.
#15 — "SURPRISE" IS NOT AN EMERGENCY
We know about your party. We're excited about it too. But a dinner date on the calendar does not make a sofa arrive faster. Pressure doesn't change ship dates — it just makes the process less enjoyable for everyone. Trust the timeline.
#16 — EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON
That perfect item just got discontinued? Backordered until next year? In our experience, the replacement ends up being exactly what the room needed. Plan B has a funny way of becoming the favorite.
#17 — STEP BY STEP
Between the warehouse and your living room, your items will be touched, moved, loaded, unloaded, and handled again. Shipping, receiving, delivery, and installation are four separate steps — and each one may carry its own cost.
#18 — THE BIG REVEAL
Installation Day is thrilling. For you and for us. But mid-installation is not the moment to evaluate the work — half the room isn't even dressed yet. Let us finish. Then walk in, take it all in, and tell us what you think. We'll make adjustments if anything needs a tweak.