Design By Numbers

by

Veronica Wakeham

For a decade and counting as a Vancouver interior designer I’ve shown many clients job satisfaction. The styles and fabrics draw attention away from the budget sometimes. But this has to be avoided. The design and the numbers must work together and get sorted out clearly right from the get-go.

To remove the guesswork from sourcing materials a designer has to have a good handle on how much is available. Otherwise the cost will spiral out of control. Too many items that make up a design sourcing list can chew into the budget well beyond their worth to the overall project. Start with the total and work within its constraints. All the space planning and color coordination concepts a designer can show on renderings and CAD drawings will fade if later they have to deliver an inflated budget to a client. Or worse if designers spend a lot of time on concepts that were never affordable to begin with they wind up as disappointed as the client. The client always wants to know how much the job will cost. My advice to any designer is to confront budget head on. Do this early in the relationship as you ask your client lots of questions. Find out the scope of work soon enough to inquire about the budget and to qualify the client. Otherwise you may do a lot of up front work in vain. You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings by asking how much they intend to spend for a design project. How else can you give a proper estimation of the quality and scope of work you can provide but to know the size of the budget. This conversation will lay the groundwork for building realistic expectations of what is to be delivered.In my town of Vancouver and in my location in the downtown core, I come across many clients who are busy professionals. They are used to working with the same, with partners and team player to reach corporate or career goals. They are usually short on time and want to give their interior design project to me to save them from wasting time and not getting it done right. Once clients decide on a budget they can be advised on what can be achieved. Each cost of a material or an accessory, a piece of art, the tile back splash, the type of wood for flooring, these all must meet the taste and function wanted by the client and still fit into the budget. Getting approvals and limiting surprises will make the job a whole lot easier for all parties.Finally when interior design projects are at completion and the concepts have been drilled, hammered, painted, hung, caulked, sewn and carried into their new residences, the clients will take to their new environment. When the design has been accomplished the renovated home reflects the client’s desire and never so much as when the job is done on budget.Vancouver Interior Designer

Veronica Wakeham is Resident Designer for The Living Show-Novus Network and owner of Terra Nova Linen House, a finelinen establishment located in the Sinclair Centre in Vancouver, BC. Visit Veronica for

interior design guidance

, window coverings, furniture packages,fine beddingand table linens, or contact her for more information.

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Design By Numbers}