The Process Of Working With a Designer!
Hi! Lately, I’ve been inspired to share more about the phases of my design process. This will help you understand how I work, set expectations if you're considering working with me, and give insight into what working with an interior designer typically involves. While my process might not be standard, it’s proven to be effective and adaptable to different types of clients over the years.
I aim to keep things simple while still offering a customized service that helps guide you through decision-making. Living in Portland, I work with a wide range of budgets and client preferences. Some clients prefer a more DIY approach, while others like a more hands-off full service experience. My process is designed to accommodate both.
There are generally three ways designers charge: hourly, flat fee, or a combination of both. I’ve found that the hybrid model works best, which is why I divide my process into the following phases:
PHASES OF DESIGN:
DISCOVERY
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
BID
CONSTRUCTION
1. DISCOVERY - Complimentary
This is the exciting "dreaming" phase! I get to know my clients, define the project scope, and present a proposal outlining my process and fees.
2. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: Flat Fee
In this phase, you’ve chosen to work with me—yay! It’s a crowd favorite phase because we bring your vision to life with 3D renderings, choose finishes, appliances, and more. We’ll work through every design detail, including layout, materials, fixtures, and problem-solving any challenges.
Note: If we’re working with architects, this may shift to an hourly fee to accommodate their process.
3. BID PHASE – Hourly
Once the design is complete, we move on to getting bids from contractors. You can handle this yourself, or I can assist to ensure contractors are aligned with the design and avoid any surprise costs. If you’ve already chosen a contractor, they will usually manage the bidding process.
4. CONSTRUCTION PHASE - Hourly
This is where the real excitement (and stress!) begins! While I don’t recommend overseeing construction alone unless you have experience, I’ll be there for regular check-ins to ensure everything is on track and the design is executed correctly. Whether it's on-site or virtual, these meetings help move the project forward smoothly.
That’s a quick overview of the design services I offer! If you have any questions about pricing, feel free to reach out HERE and I’ll send over my design services guide.
Much Love + Big Hugs!