My number one rule is to never, ever leave my clients to their own devices. My greatest examples are the tile and paint stores. Where can you walk in and see SO MANY choices? It quickly gets overwhelming and sends your senses into overdrive. Just too much to look at in one afternoon! So, I do that for you.
Whenever I can, I encourage my clients to know their ABC's and 123's. This simple formula can help ensure a smooth process and most importantly, GREAT results.
A - Apparent: clearly visible or understood; obvious.
This is such an important part of the client relationship. Be apparent, be open, be honest and forthright.
Prior to picking up that phone or sending out that e-mail;
- Know what you like: Are you a traditionalist who likes warm, earthy colours and a lot of wood? Let us know.
- Know what you dislike: Do you hate the colour green and grandma's shabby chic influence on your home? Let us know.
- Know your budget: Do you have a fixed budget? Let us know.
We don't ask about your budget so we can spend it all. We ask about your budget so we know what we can accomplish with it. We may ask you to consider a $1200.00 vanity, based on your tastes but if you only have $ 500 budgeted for the vanity, then we certainly have to re-evaluate that plan. Let us know.
- Know your needs: Do you need guidance only? Do you want us to "get at it" and reveal your home to you when it's completed? Do you want to be involved in every single detail or just the general terms? Let us know.
The more details we have at the start, the easier it will be to service you.
B- Bare: open to view, unconcealed, undisguised
The more open you are, the more we can accomplish together. Design is always a work in progress. I am not there to tell you what to do. I am there to guide you and open your mind to options you may not have thought of. You know what you like but just can't get there on your own. THAT is ok. I am not living in your home so can give you an impartial look at how things can be done in line with your tastes and budget. I can also tell you what will be feasible and what will be not. I can also ensure that when the time comes, the changes positively affect the value of your home.
C- Confidence: the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.
Go forward with confidence. While entrusting your home to an outsider can be scary for some, rest assured that it is not in our best interest to displease you. We WANT, more than anything, for you to LOVE your home. You must trust and move forward knowing that we have your best interests at heart. Lean on us, rely on us and share with us. We want you to have the home we can ALL be proud of.
1. Build a relationship
This will come, in time. And it all comes back to how open you are. While I would love to be a mind reader (maybe), I rely on your feedback. We have been blessed with clients with whom we have developed real, outside of work relationships with and others we've just simply had a lot of fun working with. I want to hear your ideas. I want to know if I am on the right track and I want to know if I've missed the boat. It's the conversations that will keep us in motion.
2. Have patience
Good design, like good relationships, take time. I was contacted by a potential client recently who wanted her kitchen gutted and completely redesigned. Dream project, really. But, she called me with only a week's notice and needed it done immediately. When I regretfully informed her that I could not meet her deadlines, the response was, "You can't take an hour to draw me up a kitchen!?"
Design drawings take time. LOTS of it. (just so you know, for next time)
While I am inspired on a daily basis, making it all come together, takes time too.
We travel. A LOT. Tile stores, paint stores, hardware stores, manufacturers, plumbing stores, lighting stores, online stores...you name it. We are out there. If you don't hear back from us immediately, don't worry. We are on it.
3. Trust
All comes back to the "C" in ABC. Go forward with confidence. While it may take time (or happen lickety-split), trust in the results. You may not be able to envision the future space but we can and can ensure that it will all come together for you.
We will not hesitate to tell you, "No, that won't work" or "No, that's not feasible with your budget" but we will offer you alternatives to achieve what you want.
"Know what you absolutely love and what you dislike. Don't worry about how it will all fit together or if it will work. Those are challenges we are more than happy to take on for you." - Tracy Biggs, Phancy Design, Inc.
