Creating a home that works before work begins.
Creating a home that works before work begins.
So far in this series we've walked you through choosing your architect, selecting your building contractor, and navigating the often-overlooked world of insurance. If you've been following along, you'll know by now that a successful project is really about getting the right people around you at the right time. This month, we're looking at a question many homeowners ask:
When should I bring in an Interior Designer?
The answer is often much earlier than people expect.
Many people assume we're involved once construction is underway and its time to choose furniture, colours and accessories. In reality, some of the most valuable decisions happen long before work begins on site.
Some clients come to us before planning drawings are complete. Others get in touch when they're already deep in a project, overwhelmed by decisions. Both approaches can work, but the earlier we're involved, the more value we can add.
Before construction starts, we can help shape how your home will function day-to-day, identifying opportunities you may not have considered, and ensure the spaces work for the way you live. Once you've lived in a place for a while , its not always easy to see its full potential. Looking at a floor plan is one thing; understanding how it will feel and perform in real life is something quite different.
With experience across a wide range of projects and access to trusted suppliers, crafts people and specialists, we can often help clients avoid costly changes later in the process and open up options you may not have considered.
Avoiding expensive surprises
We know the word "budget" can make even the most enthusiastic renovator grit their teeth, but it is one area where early involvement can makea significant difference.
Here's something that surprises many people: a builder's estimate will often include only the most basic allowances for finishes. A light socket, for example, might be budgeted at £5. In reality, investing around £30 per socket can make a quietly significant difference to the overall look and feel of a room, and that's just one small detail among many.
Flooring, wall finishes, internal doors, ironmongery, lighting, sanitaryware, joinery details, soft furnishings and furniture can quickly add up. Without a clear picture of costs from the outset, it's all too easy to reach the end of a build and find that the budget has been spent before you've reached the parts of the project that really make a house feel like home.
Our role is not simply to help you select finishes. We help create a realistic picture of the overall investment required so that decisions can be made with clarity and confidence throughout the project, without any nasty surprises.
Free Renovation Budget Spreadsheet
We're always happy to share our budgeting spreadsheet with anyone embarking on a project. It's a useful tool for understanding the many elements that contribute to a renovation or new build budget and can help to identify costs that are often overlooked.
If you'd like a copy, simply reply to this email and we'll send one over.
Getting the foundations right
Once the build is underway, there's a whole layer of decisions that need to be made in good time. This is where things can quietly unravel if there's no one keeping an eye on the bigger picture
Flooring, paint colours, internal doors, radiators, sockets and switches might sound like finishing touches, but they're actually foundational decisions that need to be made long before they are required on site. Left until the last minute, they can become rushed choices made in isolation. Planning thoughtfully, and in relation to one another, they help to create a home that feels cohesive, considered and effortlessly resolved.
We also believe strongly that these interior elements should reflect not just your personal style, but the era and character of your property. The most successful homes feel considered to their architecture and surroundings, creating a sense of harmony between inside and out. It's this attention to the bigger picture that helps a home stand the test of time.
Designing the individual rooms
Once the foundations are in place, the really enjoyable part begins. We work with you to understand how you live, your practical needs, your aesthetic preferences, the way each space needs to function. From this, we develop a clear brief for every room in your home.
Through 3D plans and a wide range of samples from our studio, you'll be able to visualise your home before anything is ordered. Clients consistently tell us how valuable this is. It's a very different experience from scrolling online and trying to imagine how colours, textures and materials work together in reality.
Once every detail has been agreed, we take care of the ordering, delivery and installation process. And when the day comes to hand the space back to you, we're there for the final styling too.
For many clients, the relationship doesn't end there. Homes evolve, families grow and needs change. We take great pride in the long-standing relationships we build and are always on hand as our clients' homes continue to develop over the years.
A final thought
Whether you're planning to have everything finished before you move in, or taking a more gradual approach over several years, having a clear vision for your home helps you make confident decisions at every stage. Even if some things have to wait, knowing about them means you can plan for them with confidence.
If you'd like to talk through your project, however early it might be, we'd be delighted to hear from you. You can learn more about our services on our website. Alternatively email us, or give us a call on 07542 030544 if you'd prefer an informal chat about your plans.
Next month we’ll be turning our focus to Kitchen Design, often the hardest-working room in the home, so keep an eye out if a kitchen project is something you are considering. You can find all our newsletters on our website under the 'Newsletters' tab, if you'd like to read the series as a complete guide to planning a successful renovation or building project.
Best wishes
Becci x
P.S. Save the date and join us for our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, Friday 25th September.