What It Actually Looks Like to Work With an Interior Designer
Images are saved.
Inspiration is pinned.
A few pieces are ordered that should work… but somehow, something still feels off.
The pieces are nice. The vision is there.
But the home as a whole isn’t coming together the way it was imagined.
And somewhere between managing work, family schedules, and everything else life requires, there’s a realization… there simply isn’t the time, or honestly the desire, to figure it all out.
That’s usually the moment our clients come to us.
Not because they don’t have good taste.
But because they’re ready for it to feel finished, cohesive, and thoughtfully done… without having to carry the weight of every decision themselves.
So what actually happens after hiring an interior designer?
Let’s walk through it.
Chapter One: The Beginning
Every project begins with getting to know the client.
Not just their style, but how they live.
How their mornings flow. Where their family gathers. What currently feels chaotic and what they wish felt easier.
Before design begins, two detailed questionnaires are sent. These allow us to fully understand their lifestyle, preferences, how the home functions day to day, and what the client is truly looking for in a designer.
From there, we meet the client in their home for our Meet & Greet. This is where we walk the space together, taking note of what currently exists, what’s working, and what isn’t. It’s also an opportunity to introduce ourselves more personally, walk through our process, and set clear expectations for what it looks like to work together.
Through this conversation, it becomes clear where we can step in and how we can best support the project.
From there, a detailed Scope of Work is developed, outlining exactly how we will move forward and what the project will entail.
Depending on timing and demand, there can sometimes be a lead time before the design phase begins. Projects are intentionally limited to ensure each client receives the level of attention they deserve, which makes planning ahead incredibly valuable.
Once everything is signed and underway, the transformation begins.
Phase One: Research
This is where the overall direction of the home begins to take shape.
We take detailed measurements, document the space with before photos, and study everything the client has shared… from Pinterest boards to saved inspiration images.
At the same time, we begin developing our own concepts, creating mood boards, and exploring the direction we want the design to take. As ideas begin to form, they are carefully refined and tested against the home itself.
This is also when collaboration with the builder, contractor, and trades becomes essential. We meet to ensure that what we are designing is not only beautiful, but also feasible, both in execution and within the established budget.
Behind the scenes, lifestyle, aesthetic, architecture, and construction realities are all being aligned so that every decision moving forward has purpose.
This phase is thoughtful, layered, and highly intentional… because it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Phase Two: Development
This is where the vision becomes tangible.
Materials, finishes, furnishings, and fabrics are sourced, each selected in relation to the next so the home feels cohesive from the start.
As the design plan comes together, we continue collaborating with contractors and trades to finalize details and ensure every element is aligned before presentation.
Alongside the design, we also develop a comprehensive budget and a project timeline so the client understands not only what to expect financially, but also how the process will unfold moving forward.
Once everything is fully developed, we present the entire design in a highly detailed Design Presentation. This is where everything comes together at once, allowing the client to see the full vision clearly for the first time.
The presentation includes:
- a full color palette
- a flat lay with exact selections
- a space plan for layout and flow
- and, when requested, a 3D rendering for full visualization
For new builds or renovations, this phase typically takes:
- about 4–6 weeks for finish selections
- about 6–8 weeks for furnishings and final layers
If furnishing only, this phase is typically around 6–8 weeks.
This is also where the process begins to feel exciting. The ideas are no longer abstract… they are fully formed, thoughtfully layered, and ready to move forward.
This is where clarity meets confidence.
Phase Three: Procurement
This is where everything is taken off the client’s plate.
All ordering, tracking, and coordination are handled, as we act as the retailer for the project.
There is no sourcing from multiple places.
No managing orders or deliveries.
No piecing things together independently.
Everything is purchased through us to ensure the design remains cohesive from start to finish.
And importantly, clients are not paying more by going through us. In many cases, trade pricing can be extended or access is provided to vendors that would not otherwise be available.
But this phase extends far beyond placing orders.
Ongoing site visits take place to ensure every detail is executed exactly as intended. This includes:
- reviewing construction progress
- confirming lighting placement
- finalizing outlet and switch locations
- ensuring plumbing fixtures are properly roughed in and aligned with the design plan
- making final decisions on stain colors, trim details, and material applications
- identifying and resolving potential issues before they become costly problems
At the same time, deliveries are coordinated with a professional receiver who inspects every item, manages any deficiencies, and stores everything in a temperature-controlled facility until installation.
Shipping timelines can range from 2 to 12 weeks depending on the item.
Every detail is handled.
Phase Four: Installation
This is the moment everything shifts.
After months of planning, sourcing, refining, and waiting, the home begins to come together all at once. Furniture is delivered and placed, art is installed, and the final layers are styled with care. What once existed as samples, drawings, and ideas is now fully realized.
But what makes this phase so meaningful is not just the transformation itself. It’s everything that led up to it.
The months of decisions.
The investment.
The time spent waiting.
Living in construction.
Trusting a process they couldn’t fully see along the way.
And then, there’s that moment. The one where everything lands. It's now in front of them. Finished. Thoughtful. Completely reflecting their story. And it was all worth it.
For us, this moment carries just as much weight.
Installation day is the first time the vision we have been holding onto for months comes to life in its entirety. Every detail refined behind the scenes is now in place. It is the culmination of countless hours of thought and care. This is our art, and our project is finally finished.
We often refer to it as a “decorator’s high.” And it is.
A deep sense of pride. Fulfillment. And seeing something we have poured ourselves into exists exactly as it was meant to.
Phase Five: Follow-Up
After installation, final details are walked through, adjustments are made if needed, and everything is ensured to feel exactly as it should.
Clients also receive a detailed home manual outlining care instructions for their new finishes and furnishings, along with any applicable warranties.
Because a well-designed home should not only look beautiful… it should continue to function beautifully long after installation day.
Why This Process Matters
A well-designed home doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when every decision is made with intention.
When someone is considering the full picture from the very beginning… not just one piece at a time.
Clients aren’t looking for more to manage.
They’re looking for someone they trust to take it from here.
If You’re Ready
If a home that feels thoughtfully designed, like it truly reflects your story and your lifestyle is the goal…
We would love to be part of that process.