HOW’S IT DONE?

STAGE 1: INTRODUCTORY

Approx 1 week

Once you get in touch, we generally offer a free onsite or zoom consultation, so that we can better understand your project, and give you some ideas as to possible designs, costings and time scales.    

If you decide to take it further, we send you our proposal, which sets out our understanding of your project, our terms and fees, and how they would be applied, information about how we work and what we will require from you, likely timescales, and our access to trade discounts and how we share those with you.    

Once signed, we set up our first proper client meeting, which leads us to Stage 2.   

STAGE 2: THE BRIEF

Approx 1 - 2 weeks

Each project is a combination of client aspirations, their personal tastes, the property type and its location. This creates a unique scheme each time.

We will need to take a detailed brief and organise a site visit. We need to know - and advise on - your current and possible future practical requirements, your aspirations, how you live and what matters to you

We also explore your aesthetic desires, and the likely budget, so that we can obtain an overview of what you require, and can discuss possibilities within this framework

Together, this forms the brief - the starting point for any project, and it is now our role to understand and interpret your brief, by being creative and ambitious and showing you what would be possible

This stage normally takes 1 - 2 weeks, depending on the back and forth with the client

STAGE 3: THE CONCEPT

Approx 2 - 4 weeks

Once we have the brief, the next stage is the concept stage, to create the style touchstone of the project

We develop and explore your brief, and then present to you how we are interpreting it, in order to create an aesthetic and practical direction for the whole project

To explain our ideas, we create beautiful lookbooks showing the suggested style, vibe trays, with proposed materials and textures, and prepare floor plans and drawings, to show spatial planning, furnishing and lighting placement

On a practical note, we also consider your budget, and prepare a draft outline of the scheme costing, following preliminary discussions with contractors or suppliers to be able to give a broad brush estimate for the whole project

This stage usually takes around 2 - 4 weeks, depending on the scale of the project

STAGE 4: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Approx 4 - 8 weeks (upwards in complex projects)

Once the concept is approved, the development stage finalises the design, and all of its details before any works commence, or any orders are placed.

During design development, we source all of the pieces for the project, prepare construction drawings for contractors and artisans, produce the schedules and information required for the fit-out of the interior design elements, liaise with any necessary experts, and collate the budget

We present to you all of the developed details, through costed specifications and detailed drawings, so that you are able to confirm that you are happy with the proposed scheme.

We are highly proficient in CAD (computer aided design) and, along with sketches, believe it is an amazing way to be able to communicate ideas to clients, so that they can “see” and even “walk around” the proposed spaces, before they are built. This means that everyone is fully understanding of the next stage in the project, and avoids any potentially expensive misunderstandings

This stage usually takes from 4 - 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project, level of construction to be undertaken, and the quantity of bespoke items being installed or made.   

The larger and more complex the project, the longer this period of work requires, and we will advise you of any change to these estimates.

STAGE 5: CONSTRUCTION

Approx 4 - 12 weeks (upwards in complex projects)

Once everything is agreed, and if your project requires any construction or restorative works,  the physical transformation of the property to bring the design to life can start

We will coordinate, curate and supervise a wide range of contractors and master trades. Comprehensive and meticulous snagging will be undertaken to ensure the highest quality of workmanship is delivered

Whilst the installation works are underway, we acquire furniture, lighting, antiques, accessories and artwork through carefully selected artisans and suppliers, ready for installation after completion of the works

The length of this stage depends on the level of construction and whether items are being bought “off the shelf” or bespoke. We will give you a firm time estimate as part of stage 4, Design Development.   

As an estimate, a light refurbishment including some repainting, joinery etc may take in the region of 4 - 12 weeks, depending on how many spaces we are dealing with.   Adding in bathrooms and kitchens can move that to 20 weeks, and significant construction projects including extensions or other structural works will be at least 20 - 24 weeks and upwards.

STAGE 6: INSTALLATION/STYLING

Approx 1 - 2 weeks

Once the works are complete, including the installation of fixtures and fittings, the property is finally ready for the free standing pieces to be delivered and installed

We oversee the final placement and installation of all of the pieces and accessories, and then style the finishing touches to the project, before handover back to you to enjoy

This takes around 1 - 2 weeks from the completion of the main construction work and all related trades who are installing specialist finishes, or kitchens/bathrooms etc. Once the work is all complete, we can arrange for a final site clean, and then can install soft furnishings, curtains or blinds, accessories etc