In an effort to demystify the design process, I’d like to shed some light on what it’s like to work with a Designer. I am often asked what my ‘style’ is as a designer. While I don’t subscribe to a distinct style category, my aesthetic is vibrant and layered with a balanced mix of color, pattern and/or texture. I work closely with my clients to find out what appeals to them; the most important goal for me is to bring out their personality in their homes.

In this blog post, I will be going behind the scenes of my first furnishings project as Via D’sa Interior Design - The Soma Loft Furnishings Project. I was referred to my first client by a friendly neighbor. (Thank you thoughtful neighbor!)

The client, a young busy professional, had just bought a loft style space that needed to be furnished. It was his first major purchase and he wanted it to convey thoughtful design and style. He also wanted to spend his money wisely & make validated purchasing decisions. While lofts are revered for their modern open layouts, double height ceilings and tons of light, they often pose a decorating dilemma - how to make the boxy space look cozy and welcoming while highlighting the modern architecture.

Discovery Call

We started out with a discovery phone call to introduce ourselves and briefly talk about the project. We discussed overall project goals and the spaces to be furnished. He mentioned his overall budget and asked if that was a reasonable amount.

I explained that we might have to do a mix of high and low budget items to get the best value for money. However, in order for me to provide budgetary numbers, I would need to detail a scope of work with the required furniture items. He agreed to move forward with a paid in-home design consultation.

Design Consultation

On site, we walked through the spaces and talked about how he envisioned using the space, how often he would entertain, what his lifestyle was like. Aesthetically, I probed into how he wanted ‘home’ to feel. We talked about must haves vs nice to have furniture pieces, possible layouts and the need to incorporate the design elements in the existing kitchen. We went through a design questionnaire and multiple rooms on Pinterest to establish style direction. I realized that his style was very Contemporary; but he had an affinity for color. We discussed the idea of mostly neutral furniture emboldened with colorful accessories.

I explained the next steps after the meeting - I would send him a proposal outlining the scope of work (the requirements) we had talked about.

Proposal

We agreed on a proposal where I would:

1. Provide furniture layouts & a preliminary furniture budget

2. Make furniture, lighting, art & accessory selections

3. Provide inspiration boards of furniture groupings so that he could visualize the pieces together

4. Accompany him on shopping trips to test sit sofas and chairs

5. Do the final styling with art & accessories

Space Planning

Once we had a contract in place, I did a site visit to measure and document the space. Space planning is a critical part of this project. It ensures that all the functional requirements are met and encourages a flow through the space that meets your lifestyle. I started with Layout A below which shows a 3 seater sofa across from the TV centered on that wall. Ideally, the dining table, coffee tables and swivel accent chair would be rounded elements to add curves and softness to the boxy room.

I was not completely satisfied with the layout and what seemed like wasted space to the north of the living space. This led me to Layout B where I moved the TV - sofa grouping further north. This provided space for a larger dining table that could seat additional people. I also changed the sofa out to a sofa with chaise. The chaise creates a visual separation between the living and dining areas and breaks up the long narrow box into ‘zones’. The client liked the idea of a secondary desk space in the living room so that he would have an alternative working place to his home office.

Furniture

Furniture Layouts provide a good sense of pieces to plug into a budget for purchasing. The client had expressed a desire to shop together so that he could understand what I was looking for. This was actually a fun part of the project, where I was able to impart some knowledge that would help him make future purchasing decisions with confidence. On these trips we talked about quality of materials, balance in forms, visual texture and other elements that went into creating the feel we were trying to achieve. 

For the living area, we looked for a sofa that was contemporary but plush so that it felt warm and cozy in the space. I incorporated nested coffee tables that could be moved around for flexibility as well as create dimension and movement. I wanted the accent chair to be a swivel so that the client could turn around and appreciate the outdoors.

For the dining area (images below), I wanted to create an illusion of space and draw attention to the beautiful oak floors. Instead of bringing interest in through a rug, I selected contemporary chairs with a bold pop of color to complement a sleek white table. The upholstered chairs were able to soften the hard elements and the color added instant energy. The existing chandelier in the dining area, provided good light but was traditional. I selected a sleek modern fixture that would not disrupt the line of sight into the living room. I think adding a statement fixture here made a huge difference in transforming the feel for the space. A quiet but elegant piece of art helped in finishing out this ‘zone’.

For the lofted bedroom, the client wanted to create a warmer, more organic feel to contrast with the sleeker look downstairs. We went for an upholstered bed with a graceful profile. Bedding in mixed patterns completed the cozy organic look with the bright blanket being the bold cherry on top.

The client in this project enjoyed the design process and wanted to be heavily involved with the decisions. Most clients do not have the time to be so involved. The prefer to be presented with a few options so they can make a quick decisions. Also, I did not help with actual purchasing on this project, but as a full service design firm, I can take care of the purchasing down to delivery and install if that is what you prefer. Every client’s needs are unique and I can accommodate those needs with an understanding that pricing structure varies accordingly.

I hope this post clarifies the process of working with me to furnish your home. It is a structured, thoughtful process that focuses on creating spaces that support and lift you; spaces that are personalized to you and your lifestyle.

If you’re interested in a home refresh or looking to furnish your new home, schedule a call today to find out more!