What do I even do all day?
I like to imagine myself as a fairy godmother, waving a magic wand and pretty things happen. The reality is usually more arduous.
My service is to assess a project and client, apply solutions and style, and then select finishes, fixtures, and decor. The final product my client receives can be a set of specifications (paperwork detailing what goes where exactly) or the management and execution of those specifications (enlisting trusted vendors and subcontractors to provide and install).
There is support work that also goes into the day-to-day. A substantial part of my work/life is spent looking at pictures of pretty spaces and dissecting them for applicable inspiration. I visit vendors to see what is available and check pricing (shop), network new vendors, subcontractors, and clients (meet people for coffee), and build specifications sheets (the closest I get to “wave a magic wand and pretty things happen”). Site visits are for monitoring project progress, but also to get to see the imagined space taking shape. There is a lot of “oh my gosh, I love it!”, but also making sure processes are going as they should.
“What are specifications?”, you may ask? They are the who/what/where for houses. If it can be seen and/or touched, it has to be picked out. Most people think of paint colors and light fixtures, but it can also be the placement of light fixtures, the style and height of the kitchen cabinets, the patterns for the tile.
Successful interior design means the person living in the space can use it with ease and comfort. The opposite of this would be pain points around simple functions. Does the open dishwasher make it impossible to reach the sensible cabinet for the dishes? Is there enough space to store/display your completely appropriate quantity of skin care products in the bathroom? Do the paint colors make the space feel depressing? Design can address those things, and a good designer tries to think about and address those pain points before they happen and with style!
Hard-wearing quartzite countertops and bright under-cabinet lighting add gorgeous utility to this kitchen. Soft-close hardware on the cabinets is an unsung hero: not only eliminating slamming doors and drawers, but also extending the longevity of the hinges, slides, and cabinetry joins.
This design from 2019 has great features and places for improvement. Dual showerheads mean plenty of warm water for two, but the valve trims should be placed so they can be reached from outside the shower. There is a niche for toiletries, but was it large enough? Multiple niches or one long custom-height niche is the minimum for two sets of toiletries. The shelves beside the shower hold plenty of towels, but there isn’t a handy spot to hang one (or two!).