Tag: design on a dime

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Designer Q & A

Below I answer a few of the questions I get asked most often! Feel free to ask me any question you may have about design and I’ll try my best to answer. I could even make this a monthly blog series! Happy designing friends!

Are you seeing prices drop a bit due to COVID-19?  No.  Actually, in my industry we have remained busy, especially on the residential side. I think with people being stuck at home they are itching to do home projects because that one space that wasn’t “that bad” 3 months ago, now really bothers them. 

How are you/your industry able to still work during this time?  As mentioned my industry is actually quite busy.  What we are struggling with is getting samples and product/furniture in a reasonable time.  Luckily I have the ability in most cases to check stock, so if it’s a quick turn around situation we will make sure we ONLY select in stock items.  Also, like everyone else technology has played a huge role. Zoom, Facetime, and even just texting…are all very powerful tools!

How do I know if I’m going to like the finished design?  I will do everything in my power to paint a picture for you of what the finished space will look like.  This will include: floor plans, elevations, samples of everything, cabinet company renderings and if you still aren’t sure we can put things on Sketchup (a 3D rendering program) as well.   

How long will it take the contractor to complete my job?  My contractors will not start a job until ALL material is here.  This is because things could end up being backordered and that throws everything off.  Using a guest bathroom as an example, if everything is here than it should not take longer than 7-10 business days (pending the extent of the design and if walls are being added/removed).  If there is glass involved (i.e. a door) than that will take about 10 additional business days after the tile has been set.  We can’t measure for and order glass until tile has been installed. 

Can I get a discount on product?  If I have an account with the company I will do my best to make sure my clients pay below retail on product that they purchase thru me.  This does not include most big box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Floor & Decor (these companies don’t provide discounts). That’s a benefit in hiring me.  You’ll save money!  I have accounts with numerous companies and vendors to provide my clients with options that range in price and style. 

Do you have a good referral for…..? I have many trusted vendors, sub-contractors and contractors that I use and have used for quite some time.  Tell me what you are looking at doing and I’ll probably have a name of someone you can use!

How do you clean that glass shower with the frame? **See pictures of classic white bathroom** 😊 it’s a secret…. (The frame is on the outside only!  You can clean the shower side the same as you would any glass door in a shower) 

Will this design stand the test of time or will it be dated in 10 years?  There’s really no way of knowing this.  Design trends shift just as fashion, cars, etc…  I try to design for my clients in hopes that even WHEN trends do shift that it will still be in keeping with the client’s taste.  Also, I try to keep the major finish selections pretty neutral and than if we want to play with an accent tile, color, wallcovering, etc in a smaller area than in the future it would be fairly easy and inexpensive to just change that portion.   

Why are the prices on my favorite HGTV show so different than the prices I am quoted?Prices for product and labor is based largely on the region in which you live.  Prices in Waco, Texas are lower than Tucson, Arizona whereas prices in San Diego, California are much higher than Tucson.  Also, the HGTV shows get huge sponsorships and freebies from companies because they are using the product on a TV show.  Most of the shows will show you a finished room with furniture and accessories, but the homeowners have to later purchase all this as an add on.  More often than not once the show ends most of the furniture and accessories are taken out of the house. 

Why didn’t you name your business 360* Designs? Because if it’s a 360 you are back to where you started!

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Extreme transformation on a budget!

In order to flip this house there were major areas that the designer and sub-contractor focused their limited budget and attention on. One of those areas was the master bathroom. What was once a boring and outdated space was transformed into a unique and tranquil master bathroom. This bathroom feels expensive because of the creativity that went into the overall layout of the space. The designer was able to reconfigure the bathroom so much so that there was room for a walk in shower that doubled in size, a beautiful freestanding tub and an accent wall that was centered in the room serving many purposes including creating a focal point upon entering. Finding budget friendly finishes became the easy part once the blueprint of the space was hammered out. Rich wood tones found in the porcelain plank flooring and the floating vanity (which was purchased at a steal through an online vendor), provide a striking contrast to the sparkling glass accents and the crisp whites of the vanity top and tub. Soft highlights of turquoise, cool tans and silver bounce around the room to provide a feeling of calm and freshness. The transformation, while extreme was all done on a budget and became the main selling point of this home’s flip.  Below are the before and after pictures side by side.  To see all the after pictures be sure to check out the portfolio section!

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Design is for the couple with a baby, the girl in her first apartment and even you too!

The biggest myth surrounding the interior design profession and the one that I’m working hard to debunk, is that the average person cannot afford an interior designer. Here are a few reasons why this isn’t true and how a designer can actually SAVE money, time, headaches and maybe even a marriage!

Work with what you have!: Designers are like everyone else, many of us cannot afford the newest trends (even though we dream of them nightly), so we WORK WITH WHAT WE HAVE!  A few simple changes to a layout like placing the sofa here rather than there, using that chair that’s been tucked in the corner of the guest room, hanging a picture a little lower, adding a couple accent lamps, some greenery, an area rug and VOILA!  A complete transformation.  I’m going to have to see if I have a before photo of my fiancés “bachelor pad” before I came around…. Talk about an overnight transformation!

A Room at a Time: More than ever it is quite common for people to complete their home or commercial space in stages.  Spreading out projects over time helps keep finances in check while still making improvements.  If there is not room in the budget to purchase furniture, accessories, rugs or art the designer can provide you a spreadsheet from most important to least along with pictures of appropriate styles, colors and textures, so when the time is right…you can purchase at your leisure!

Designers SAVE Money, Time, Arguments…(fill in the blank!): Yup, I’m ready for my designer hero cape to come in annnny day now!

As a designer I hear all the time, I bought this but I’m not sure what to do with it so it’s just been leaning on my wall…for a year!  Or I have painted this wall about 3x already and I’m still not happy!  Hiring a designer will help you define your space and your goals.  A good designer will help you coordinate your purchases and give you ideas of what you need.  This eliminates unnecessary spending!  When it comes to remodeling….having a designer on board from the start of the project is the smartest thing you can do!

Some Tips: Be transparent with your designer about your goals, budget and timeline.  Most of the designers that I know will take that to heart and be able to tell you that you can’t remodel an entire kitchen with new appliances, cabinetry and slab for $10,000.  They might be able to see the space though and suggest tips to upgrade it within that budget.  Such as: changing out the cabinet hardware, adding a backsplash, adding updated pendent lights and painting the cabinets.  Sometimes just simple changes WITHIN BUDGET will work wonders.