What we look for in an interior design project

If you have ever worked with an interior designer before, you understand it’s a long-lasting, collaborative relationship requiring good communication, patience, and openness to new ideas. 

Just as it is important for a homeowner to find an interior designer who is a good fit with their personality as well as their design aesthetic, interior designers also have a process for determining if a project will be a good fit for their company. As a small boutique firm, we take on a limited number of projects each year to allow us to fully support our clients and bring their vision to life and we work with our clients for typically a year or longer.

This is why it’s so important for us to make sure a project is a good fit from day one. By the time we’re revealing their perfectly designed home, we’ve typically become very close with our clients. 

Here are a few things we considers before we take on a new design project for a client:

1. Project Type

Interior designers work on a wide range of home improvement projects, from new construction to room remodeling to kitchen and/or bath redesign to furnishings and material selections. Here at Jede Interiors, our specialty is full service design, although we do take on smaller projects too! (Check out our services tab here to see what we have to offer).

2. Design Style

Some homeowners prefer a traditional look in their home, while others like clean-lined contemporary furnishings. Some like a casual farmhouse vibe, while others relish the reemergence of the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. There are those who love antiques and others who don’t want old pieces in their home at all! In certain areas of the country, a coastal look emulates the nearby shoreline and waterfront living. Other areas require paying homage to the desert, the mountains, or the flavor of a city. Mixing varying pieces, colors, and styles in a Bohemian or eclectic manner is appealing to other homeowners. 

Our signature look always includes sourced vintage items and lots of soft rugs. We love sourcing from a wide range of vendors, choosing items based on our client’s interest and background. Our clients are typically drawn to cozy and inviting homes. While we customize every design based on each client's style preferences, functional needs, and budget, we find that working with clients whose style aligns with ours makes for the most streamlined and enjoyable design process. 

3. Appreciation For The Value Of Good Design

We place a high value on thoughtful design and the creation of well-curated spaces. But we also make sure every space we design is livable, welcoming, and comfortable day in and day out. We love working with clients who relish good design in their homes as well. 

We tend to work with clients who have an appreciation for thoughtful design choices. They understand there should be unity between the home’s architectural style and the contents within. They recognize a functional layout and purposeful furniture selections lend to a space that feels intentional and personal. Homeowners who relish good design realize how that translates into quality experiences and cherished time spent with family within the home. Savvy homeowners know that quality furniture pieces are a worthwhile investment because they hold up to tough day-to-day use while also providing a luxurious look and feel. 

4. Trust

When you engage a professional to provide a service — [whether it's a travel agent to plan your dream vacation or a cleaning service to keep your home sparkling] you likely have confidence the job will be accomplished in-line with your expectations. We always hope the clients we work with feel assured that we are devoting our expertise and knowledge toward creating an ideal space for them and their families. We want them to trust the process and know that — even if they don’t hear from us every day — we are working behind the scenes to execute their vision, which is at the forefront of every selection we make for their home When clients place their trust in us, we can perform our very best work and create the most beautiful, unique spaces. 

5. Communication Style 

The design process unfolds more seamlessly when communication between the interior designer and client is open, timely, and respectful. We want our clients to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns with us, and it’s what we’ve built our entire design process around: proactive and well-planned communication. We send weekly email updates once construction/furnishings are underway.

6. Expeditious Decision Making 

Executing a design project typically requires a myriad of decisions. The faster and more confidently decisions can be finalized, the more efficiently the project can move forward. This means a homeowner should give thorough consideration to the scope of their project right at the onset or even before the project is launched. 

When both the client and the interior designer have an aligned and clear vision for desired project outcomes, the project can progress more seamlessly. After years of creating designs for clients, we’ve honed our design process so our clients aren’t involved in the million and one decisions required to bring their vision to life. We present to them only the most critical decisions and provide them with ALL the information they need to make the best decision for their home. Experience tells us that when our clients place their trust and confidence in our abilities and skills to execute a cohesive and thoughtful design, the design and implementation phases are much more enjoyable and efficient for everyone involved.

7. Professional Collaborations
Interior designers often collaborate with architects, contractors, carpenters, artisans, tradespeople, vendors and suppliers, and others. We have had the pleasure of working with many talented industry professionals. We've also worked with a few who have made our job and our clients’ experience much more difficult (and expensive) than necessary. During our initial call, we'll talk through who you've already contracted and are happy to share recommendations once we’ve been hired for your project and have a full understanding of your needs. 

As you can see, there is a lot we think about when we meet with potential clients to discuss their homes. We believe that the success of our projects (for both us and our clients) is directly tied to the time we spend making sure a project is a good fit. 

We know you have choices when it comes to designing, renovating and furnishing your home and we’d love to see if we’d be a good fit for your project. Learn more about working together by filling out our Project Inquiry Form.