An Interior Designer Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
A design professional reveals three important things she wishes every client understood before the start of a project
Georgia Madden
2 October 2017
Working with an interior designer on your home? Knowing a few simple things beforehand can make the design process quicker, smoother and altogether more enjoyable, according to interior designer Camilla Molders of Camilla Molders Design. Here, she discusses the top three essentials she wishes everyone undergoing an interior design project knew.
1. Sometimes articulating what you want is the toughest part – and that’s okay
Not every client will have a clear idea of what they want before we start working on a project, and that’s absolutely fine. But it is really helpful if they come to our initial meeting armed with images of rooms and pieces they like – whether it’s the shape of a chair, the colour of a lamp or the overall feel of a room. This helps me work out which styles they gravitate towards, so ultimately I can create a space they’ll love.
Having those conversations also gives us both the opportunity to delve into questions beyond aesthetics, such as the function and flow of a space.
Not every client will have a clear idea of what they want before we start working on a project, and that’s absolutely fine. But it is really helpful if they come to our initial meeting armed with images of rooms and pieces they like – whether it’s the shape of a chair, the colour of a lamp or the overall feel of a room. This helps me work out which styles they gravitate towards, so ultimately I can create a space they’ll love.
Having those conversations also gives us both the opportunity to delve into questions beyond aesthetics, such as the function and flow of a space.
You don’t have to look far for inspiration – interior magazines, Houzz and design blogs are all great sources. Online resources are particularly useful as I can easily reference them throughout the design process.
Tip: Save images of materials, rooms, styles and details you like to an Ideabook on Houzz and share it with your interior designer.
Tip: Save images of materials, rooms, styles and details you like to an Ideabook on Houzz and share it with your interior designer.
2. The best rooms are not time-stamped
Function is just as important as form; however beautiful or fashionable a piece is, you’ll never be happy with it if it doesn’t do the job you need it to do.
When selecting pieces for your interior, try not to get sidetracked by what’s ‘hot’. While you might like the look of a bathroom with an open vanity, for example, have you considered where you would store all your bathroom paraphernalia?
Searching for an interior designer? Find one near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Function is just as important as form; however beautiful or fashionable a piece is, you’ll never be happy with it if it doesn’t do the job you need it to do.
When selecting pieces for your interior, try not to get sidetracked by what’s ‘hot’. While you might like the look of a bathroom with an open vanity, for example, have you considered where you would store all your bathroom paraphernalia?
Searching for an interior designer? Find one near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
If you fall in love with a particular trend, small doses that you can easily swap out (and which won’t blow your budget) are the way to go – think cushions, artwork and vessels.
3. Fashion fades, quality lasts
When it comes to figuring out where to spend and where to save, I always tell my clients that it’s worth spending more on things you touch and interact with every day. These might include a good-quality sofa (you spend more time there than you think), soft-closing drawers in the kitchen and bathroom, and well-crafted tapware that feels good in the hand.
When it comes to figuring out where to spend and where to save, I always tell my clients that it’s worth spending more on things you touch and interact with every day. These might include a good-quality sofa (you spend more time there than you think), soft-closing drawers in the kitchen and bathroom, and well-crafted tapware that feels good in the hand.
And remember, very often quality is invisible to the eye but can make a real difference to your user experience. Take, for example, a good sofa made with a hardwood timber frame, reinforced stress points and quality foam cushions. You might not see the quality but you’ll certainly feel it, particularly a few years down the track when a poor-quality piece might begin to sag and deteriorate.
The one thing I always get asked is…
‘What is the benefit of working with an interior designer?’ An interior designer is going to work with you to achieve not just the look you want from your home, but to make sure it flows and functions beautifully.
A designer knows how, where and what to prioritise to get the best result. Plus, they will save you from making costly and time-consuming mistakes.
‘What is the benefit of working with an interior designer?’ An interior designer is going to work with you to achieve not just the look you want from your home, but to make sure it flows and functions beautifully.
A designer knows how, where and what to prioritise to get the best result. Plus, they will save you from making costly and time-consuming mistakes.
My golden nugget…
Don’t worry about what others will think about your design choices. Everyone has their unique style, and chances are your neighbour’s/mother’s/best friend’s taste may not match up with yours.
Don’t worry about what others will think about your design choices. Everyone has their unique style, and chances are your neighbour’s/mother’s/best friend’s taste may not match up with yours.
Choose pieces you love that make you happy. They are far more likely to have longevity.
Your turn
Which other experts would you be interested to hear from in this series? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, bookmark it or share it. Join the conversation.
More
Fancy more great insider tips? Don’t miss An Interior Stylist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Which other experts would you be interested to hear from in this series? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, bookmark it or share it. Join the conversation.
More
Fancy more great insider tips? Don’t miss An Interior Stylist Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
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I'm with Katherine, I'd like some articles about off grid building and living please.
At what point does the interior designer get involved to have the best result? For example, for a renovation on a home, would they be involved at the planning of the renovation to choose the best layout of room/s ?? I still am not 100% sure what the difference is between an interior designer (what they do and their qualifications) as compared to an interior stylist (and their qualifications) and also in some ways, where the archtiect's scope of work starts and ends. Who is the person that gives you the advice about the best layout to choose for a home reno?