Design: The differences in similarities
If it is just similar, there’s a difference; and that means “heads up!” You will want what you want — not an almost.
In all Interior design projects we make substitutions, go for similarities, make alternative choices and make it work! Usually, it turns out just fine; everyone is satisfied. So many factors come into final choices and ultimate decisions! Everything from colors to lighting to textures is subject to outside circumstances — some way beyond our personal control. Availability can change an entire color scheme; supply and demand rule!
When a client has to make an alternate choice, your Interior designer sends up a big caution message. Not all similarities are smart alternatives!
So, what is the caution about? For one thing, having to change a previously careful choice can be disappointing. Maybe it is a fabric with the perfect texture and with color choices right in line with your chosen scheme. A little hesitation deciding, and it’s on considerable back order — or even discontinued. Back to space one, and time for secondchoice caution.
We all confront the need for change in other aspects of our daily lives; this is just another, true. But the decisions, and the unexpected need to make alternate choices for your Interior design project, are decisions you will live with for several years — if not permanently. So, when changes in first choices confront a client, their Interior design team must be ready with the appropriate guidance. There is something different in having to go in another direction after having made definite choices. Maybe it is a combination of disappointment and irritation, but it can throw a temporary wrench into the process.
Part of that particular challenge is the fact that one small and easy change — for instance an accessory — is an easy slam-dunk. Those aren’t the ones that can be disruptive! It is an unavoidable change, that impacts other aspects of the project plan, that can cause problems and misunderstandings.
The first and best advice in situations of change is not to play the blame game. While honest mistakes can and do happen, most changes are unwanted by all concerned, unexpected yet understandable. Your Interior design team, the manufacturer’s representatives, the suppliers and even the freight guys are NOT out to get you!
Your Interior designer will probably go over the industry anomalies during the planning process, including the importance of clean decision-making. Once a decision is made concerning any aspect of your project, it sets a lot in motion! The choice and decision ripple effect gets things more and more complex; and a change can affect everything up to and including your expected completion date.
It is always the Client’s prerogative to make changes, and your Interior design team is prepared for that. However, frivolous decisions that are really decisions-to-decide (later) can cause real trouble for the project flow!
Choosing something similar that isn’t really right can come back to haunt the project! Sometimes, in the frustration of having to redo a choice, a substitute is hastily made out of sheer annoyance! Chances are, your Interior designer won’t let that go by! Having become well informed about your tastes and preferences, he or she will spot a dismissive “OK!” a mile away!
Your team does not like unexpected changes any more than you do. The facts of the matter are that things happen all along the chain — from concept to turnkey — that can throw a wrench in the flow. Mistakes in a catalogue, an error transmitting an order reference number, a discontinued element not noted as such, a bungled freight schedule… the list of possibilities is long.
Taking responsibility for avoidable mistakes or delays goes without saying. The other kinds just require patience, mature understanding, quick acceptance and remedies. Make sure the fix is right — not just something similar enough to make the change go away!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink. net. To contact him call 707263-7073; email him at rb@ BusinessDesignServices. com or visit www. BusinessDesignServices. com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.