13 WAYS TO BE THE PERFECT CLIENT

Interior designers give you the inside track on how to make your dream home happen...

Top tips to help make your dream home happen

1 first things first

Know your brief. Reflect on your existing home; what you like best and why; what works well and are there any frustrations? What are your morning and evening routines? Think about how you want to use your home and how you want it to feel. It’s just as important to know what clients don’t like as much as what they do.

Suzy Hoodless, founder and creative director, Suzy Hoodless

2 know your priorities

We can help clients to maximise their budget by agreeing priority areas during the first phase of the design process, creating a hierarchy throughout the house. Additionally, having an understanding of which rooms we will focus on and when means that the clients will have plenty of time to bring their own ideas and suggestions to the table.

Clara Ewart, senior interior designer, Kitesgrove

3 be open

All I require is a willingness to chat and an open mind. I begin with a couple hours of brainstorming with the client, which I’d liken to speed dating. We talk about everything and anything: music, food, fashion, fragrances, favourite hotels, album covers, books, a Netflix series. It’s from these initial discussions that I’m able to distill a mood and direction – it’s so collaborative. Designing for people is a real

4 plan well in advance

Even simple proposals often need local authority approval to ensure you’re meeting regulations. More substantial builds require planning permission. Depending on the scheme, or if the property is listed, this can take 8-20 weeks. Lead times on furniture can be 8-12 weeks, sometimes longer. We often have to remind clients that it will be worth the wait! Fiona Blanchot, co-director, Studio Ashby dance, and if they’re willing to Tango, the end result is always amazing.

Jo Berryman, founder, Jo Berryman Studio

5 build a picture

Come to a first meeting armed with an idea of what you’re looking to achieve. Think about everything; how you want to live in the space, your likes, dislikes, inspirations and aspirations. Nothing is off limits. Some clients like to create mood boards on Pinterest according to rooms, themes or colours, or with tear sheets from magazines. Others produce fabric samples, photographs of artwork and objects or places they’ve lived in or visited that influence their sensibilities.

Lucy Barlow, founder, Barlow & Barlow

6 early involvement

The best results usually come from early meetings. The interior designer needs to fully understand the scope of the property – the fundamentals, widths, breadths, etc; and any additional companies that the client has instructed need to be aligned as early as possible to ensure that the project stays within budget. All of the teams involved need to have a holistic view of the design of the home. Once each team has been briefed early on, then we can all work on the project independently with a common goal in mind.

Matthew Williamson, interior designer, Matthew Williamson

7 break it down

Photographs and plans (estate agent/architect’s drawings) can help us to understand the space and how light falls. Break large projects into smaller sections, as making too many decisions at once can be overwhelming. Hayley Robson, creative director, Day True

8 don’t forget the details

From paint to soft furnishings, to lighting, they all play a part when bringing a space together. It may seem like accessories and smaller items are not significant but they can play a huge role when finalising a budget. So consider a maximum budget that you don’t want to exceed.

Enass Mahmoud, creative director, Decor by Enass

9spread the spend

We appreciate that clients don’t always want to set a budget for fear of it being exceeded. However, clearly communicating what you wish to spend from the outset will mean time isn’t wasted specifying items at inappropriate price points. It is important to balance the spend. The base construction work and fit-out should always be commensurate with the property, but it is very important to not get carried away with the build and leave nothing to furnish and decorate – all the items that bring joy, practicality, humour and make a real home. Henry Miller-robinson, co-founder, K&H Design

10 ’fess up

Being a decorator is like being a slimming mirror. The home you create should be a reflection of the client at their most glamorous. In addition, a decorator has to be a psychiatrist, marriage counsellor, clairvoyant and a maid! I ask clients to dispense with niceties and be honest about

11 gather inspiration

Prepare a visual scrapbook of things you love – they don’t have to be relevant to the design of your home but could be anything from paintings and pictures to ceramics, antiques, fashion or architecture. We ask clients to explain why that item touches them. Mood boards are a vital part of the process and help keep both the designer and the client focused on what they are looking for. Tricia Guild, founder and creative director, Designers Guild their habits. Do they watch TV in bed; do they eat in front of the telly; do they love their inherited china or want to see the back of it; do they want to appear richer than they are or more low key? I keep my clients’ secrets safe, safe, safe. Honesty is key. Jonathan Adler, founder, Jonathan Adler

12 do your homework

Although you’re employing professionals, a renovation will still involve homework from you. Be clear on who’s involved in the decision-making. We can present beautiful solutions, but without regular meetings and/or email communication, the project will grind to a halt, which can become frustrating and costly. Ideally respond the same day to emails (whenever possible) and be decisive.

Irene Gunter, director, Gunter & Co

13 trust your decision

Look at the past work of the design firm and find projects they have created that speak to you. Discuss what aspects of those projects appeal. Once you have chosen your designer, have faith in them and their vision. Trust your decision and be involved, but don’t micromanage the work, or you might end up with a project that makes neither you or the designer happy. There is a reason you picked that designer so let them lead you to your dream home. Robert Novogratz, principal designer, The Novogratz