THE DESIGN PROCESS
Layout
Make sure furniture does not cover
Windows
HVAC locations
Recessed lighting or fans/vemts
Recessed speakers
If this in an existing space, we are about painter taping out the furniture layout on the floor. Live with it for a day or so.
Material & Color Palette
Woods
Metal Finishes
Paint Colors or wallpapers
Main Fabrics
General Rug Material
Selections
Furniture Selections, list of furniture by room
Rug Selections
Light Fixtures
Ceiling Fixtures
Sconces
Table & Floor Lamps
Window Treatment Selections
Style
Fabric
Hardware
Wallpaper or Paint Selections
Make sure to put samples on the walls in the space that your are planning for. Look at it in different lights.
Accents Selections
Art
Pillows
Accessories
(THIS NEEDS TO BE SORTED AND MAYBE MUCH MOVED TO THE LIGHTING GUIDE)
Order Light Fixtures. See our Lighting Guide with our tips on what to think about while going through this process. Here is a list of things one should consider with each fixture.
Create a Lighting Schedule. This is a useful thing to give the electricam with all locations, descriptions and specs. I like them to review everything prior to ordering. Things the Electrical will want to know in advance
Review AV. You need to consider where the TV is mounted, does the wall have enough blocking to support the weight. Does the TV have built in speaker or will it require speakers, are they in the ceiling or will they be mounted to the wall or on bookcases. All these details matter. Also the relationship of the TV height and a fireplace mantle matter. The more information you have and can consider in advance, the better off you are.
Lighting Walkthrus
This is something I advice you do a few times along the way. You should know in advance where the:
Cabinets are
Furniture Layout
Dimensions of selected fixtures
Look at Outlet Locations
Great to avoid outlets in middle of a backsplash, I love to stack them to the side where I can hide them with accessories or where I know where we will be placing an appliance. (MJ DO DIAGRAMS)
Look at switch locations
There is noting worse than wanting to hang a piece of art and there is a freggin light switch in the middle of the wall. Get ahead of that, Know where you want art and plan in advance. Look at how many switches and what fixtures each box will control/ (MJ EXPAND ON THIS)
Write all this down!! This can be confusing. Keep Record
Paint Schedule. See our Painting Guide for our Tips on Painting
Window Treatments
Romans
Motorized Window Treatments - if motorized you must know to add wiring
Curtains (make sure you have room above to mount hardware
Shutters (heights, boxes, can they open, window crank thing
It is good in advance to know how much fabric you will need.
The window treatment hardware, romans or shutters should not be ordered until window casings are in. At times rods can be shortened on site at installation, I try and avoid telescope rods.
Measure for Rugs so that you can in advance check for stock availability and also discuss binding issues. You will need to know where wood floors or stairs meet wall to wall carrels and decide on those transitions. They will have to come back when baseboard is in to do final measure.
Order Furniture, Rugs and Fabrics. See our Guides. Advice on blue taping out a space
Order Window treatments (when window casings are done)
Order Art and Accessories