Our Approach - Design Process

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

Initial Consultation (2 HOURS):
Typically this takes place at the house, where Melissa can walk through each room and provide recommendations based on questions she will ask about your lifestyle, entertaining, family needs, and more. This is an invaluable opportunity to establish that you enjoy the joint creative process and appreciate the ideas and suggestions being made. Working with a designer is like adding a member to your family. Melissa needs an opportuntity to get to know you and determine your lifestyle, habits, preferences, and direction you are headed. The goal in design is to stay one step ahead of where you are so that the finished project provides a timely solution at completion.

Written Blueprint and Project Investment (Based on Consultation):
Melissa will put together a room by room written plan according to the discoveries made in the Initial Consultation. She will also apply hours to each part of the project at this time, completing the project estimate in time and furnishings investment. Coupled with her letter of agreement, this design detail initiates the project.

Spaceplanning:
Each living space on your plan is completely space planned working from the written blueprint. This establishes the optimal flow through each room as well as the scale and proportion of furnishings to be selected.

Color & Fabric Scheme:
Typically rug selection, or artwork are the starting point of establishing the color scheme and a direction for fabric selection. Following selection of a family of rugs or a significant piece of artwork to launch the project, a presentation is made with options for colors and fabrics for each living space, with particular attention paid to continuity throughout the spaces for a well coordinated, tailored look that meets the functional and aesthetic needs of your project. This includes selection of bedding for each bedroom and drapery fabrics throughout, and/or other window treatment options.

Sourcing:
Every piece of upholstery, all tables and casegoods are selected. All large pieces are submitted for approval, often by email photo, fax or FedEx hard copy if you are located out of town, and in person if convenient. Smaller pieces such as accent tables, lamps, pillows, throws, accessories, additional artwork, and greenery (silk or live, depending on your preference) are provided for approval if the project is within a 5 hour radius, if not these goods are also submitted for general approval by email photo, fax, or FedEx hard copy.

Purchasing/Ordering:
All custom goods are placed on order, often short ship programs are available to ensure meeting the 30-90 day completion. In the event any goods will take longer, you are apprised. All goods in stock are purchased and delivered to a warehouse to hold for installation.

Painting/Wallpapering/Faux Effects:
Any painting that needs to be done, wallpaper to install or faux effects to be applied is done during the interval that goods are on order. Most often this is the second month of a 90 day turn around, sometimes it can take place in the second week in an all stock (no special orders) project. Paint touch ups are scheduled following flooring installation.

Flooring Changes:
Following painting, any flooring changes desired and designed are made. This can included carpet, hardwood, tile, cork, stone and more.

Installation:
With the interior shell transformation complete or being enjoyed as is, installation will be scheduled when all goods have been received. This takes sometimes as little as a day, sometimes two or more days. Installation is a coordination of many individuals on both the design team as well as the delivery and installation crew.

Finishing Touches:
This is the stage at which the bath softgoods and accents, the bed linens, and kitchen china, glassware, and flatware are purchased. Even the refrigerators and pantry are stocked with appropriate grocery and gourmet selections.

At Home:
You are invited to come home. To date you have not visited the house in process as Melissa prefers that the reveal be a truly special experience. Maintaining the magic of design means that you don't see the process beyond the parts of it you approve. This enables you to focus on your priorities, while Melissa focuses on your home.

Housewarming Celebration:
Melissa works with you to provide a housewarming event, large or small, to celebrate your new haven. She will coordinate the décor, the caterer, and ensure a welcoming experience by one and all.

HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS

Design is a collaborative process and once Melissa understands your style, she can translate your ideas into the home of your dreams. There is always a bit of client homework first, nothing hard, and generally fun! In the case that you have seen particular images in Melissa's extensive online portfolio that you connected with and want that style, you may not need to do as much of the creative homework, and simply ask Melissa to use her previous work as a design directive, tailoring for your unique enjoyment, of course.

Be Open To New Ideas:
One of the reasons you hire a designer is an investment in their talent, unique ideas, and access to the latest design products. It is essential that in the design process you are open to new ideas, products and suggestions for achieving the custom interior best suited for you and your family.

Complete the Lifestyle Questionnaire:
Melissa provides a Lifestyle Questionnaire and it can be a valued tool in knowing how you live, what you like, and the elements you prefer. Melissa will email you a copy of the questionnaire to be completed prior to your Home Review.

Create your Wish Book:

• Gather current design magazines; tear out those images that appeal to you and note if it is just one element, the color scheme, the mood of the space, or the entire design. (Please don't save entire magazines, that adds to chaos and clutter!)
• Gather design publications, tab with postits or some other means those pictures that you like the most and note why.
• If you enjoy the internet, it is often helpful to gather a list of links to share with Melissa or print out and save images you have found that resonate.
• If you are creating this wish book for your family, it is vital that they have a voice in this as well. Melissa is often very successful at blending different tastes and styles for a comfortable and inviting result.

To Organize Your Wishbook:
This wish book can often be most effective when divided by room and put in a large photo album, kept in an accordion file, or organized in plastic sleeves or Ziploc bags.

Why a Wishbook:
It serves as a visual reference for your dream home and provides Melissa with a valued source of inspiration to understand and deliver your dream.

Note: It isn't important that you notice a common thread among the images, in fact often you will feel possibly "all over the board" as some clients suggest. Melissa is a guide and translator and can pull together the elements that are in common and that you truly gravitate toward.

Create your Wish List:
This is simply a list of accumulated design elements you may have seen in magazines, visiting showhouses, online, or even that your sister, your in-laws, or your friends have and rave about in their own homes. It could include a certain type of appliance, the granite on your countertops, or a favorite artist. This is the list beyond your Wishbook.