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The LMID Experience: Part 2 - Project Kickoff & Design Presentation Meeting

Business

If you missed part 1 of this series CLICK HERE to read all about the first step in working with Laura Mitchell Interior Design, the consultation. In part 2 I am sharing what happens after you hire us on and we kick off your project! It’s an exciting time! In part 2 I am sharing what happens after you hire us on and we kick off your project! It’s an exciting time!

In part 2 I am sharing what happens after you hire us on and we kick off your project! It’s an exciting time!

LMID takes your project from this (conceptual)….


To THIS (reality)!!

My Design Process

The first step is communication, communication, communication. Getting things right from the get-go ensures the project goes off without a hitch! (Fewer revisions, My Design Process

My full service design process is broken down into 4 phases:

1 – Consultation

2- Project Kickoff & Design Presentation

3- Design Implementation

4- Installation

Project Kickoff & Trade Day

Project Kickoff

Once you have signed our letter of agreement and your design fee proposal, as well as paid 50% of the design fee we schedule our project kickoff meeting. The project kickoff meeting is a 1-2 hour meeting where we dive deep into your style preferences as well as function needs for your home! We typically find that our clients really don’t know what they like or need, so no worries - we lead this meeting with very guided questions to help you understand what exactly it is that you like and don’t like! It actually ends up being quite an eye opening and fun experience.

Before the project kickoff meeting you will receive an invitation from us to participate in a Pinterest board where we will share inspiration images. During the project kickoff meeting we will dissect 5-7 of these images per space (for example if we are transforming your living room we will deep dive into 5-7 images of a living room). We will do another walk through of the spaces that are within the project scope and discuss your functional needs. For example, we will have you actually sit on your sofa and tell us what you like and don’t like about it. Do you like the rolled arm or do you prefer a deeper sit? Those kinds of things. Those questions you may not even know to ask yourself - we got your back.

Finally, we will wrap up the meeting by taking measurements and before photos. If you need to get back to your day at this point you are more than welcome to!

Trade Day

If we are bringing on any tradespeople for your project we will schedule a meeting with them in your home to review the project and obtain a bid.  Examples of tradespeople we work with include: drapery workroom, contractors, carpenters, tile installers, painters, electricians, plumbers. Meeting with the tradespeople prior to our design presentation meeting allows us to come fully prepared with budget numbers.

Design Concept

Within 2-3 weeks following your project kick off meeting you will receive your design concept. This is an initial moodboard with a “vibe” direction for your project. There will also be 1-2 key fabric/finish options that we want your approval on before moving forward with full designs. The design concept also has a floorplan showing the layout of your space. No specific selections have been made at this point - just an initial concept to make sure we are on the right track. We highly encourage our clients to provide feedback within 1 week of receiving their design concept in order to keep the project moving on schedule.

Here is an example of a kitchen design concept we completed for a client’s kitchen remodel (currently under construction - stay tuned to see the completed space!) Again, these are conceptual images to represent a vibe for the space - not actual selections.

Design Presentation

Within 4-6 weeks following your project kickoff meeting we will schedule your design presentation meeting, which is probably the 2nd best day we spend together!

The design presentation meeting is where we go over the full details of your custom design plan! This includes all drawings, color scheme, mood board, fabric samples, furniture selections and budget breakdown including estimated costs for any work by our trades and artisans.

When I say we come fully prepared - I mean it. We provide you with a binder detailing your custom design plan that you are able to keep and refer back to. Here are some examples of deliverables you will receive.

Final Floorplan & Design Concept Boards

Elevation Drawings & Renderings

Furniture Fee Proposal

Each furniture selection is given it’s time to shine providing you with detailed specifications and pricing.

Investment Breakdown

As part of my business model I share a portion of my designer discount with my client, giving you awesome pricing!

The design presentation meeting typically lasts anywhere from 1-2 hours (depending on the scope of the project) and I leave you with all of the presentation materials so you are able to discuss with any other decision makers in your household. I encourage my client’s to provide feedback within 1 week to keep your project on track.

Keep in mind - the longer we wait to place the orders the higher the likelihood that there may be inventory changes  and/or vendor price changes, so we strive to place those orders within 1 week of design presentation.

After designs are finalized the remaining balance of our design fee is due, plus 100% of the furnishings budget is required to move forward to the next stage of the design process, design implementation.

Stay tuned for part 3 & 4 of my “What it’s like working with a full service designer” series where I will share the next steps in my design process!

If you haven’t booked us just yet, what are you waiting for?
  BOOK YOUR DISCOVERY CALL HERE, and let’s get to know each other. 
Choose boldly, style fearlessly, and most of all live beautifully!

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