"The Design Process"

CONSULTATION:

The first meeting with a Decorator, the Consultation, is usually a one hour meeting where Client and Decorator decide if they will work well together.

It is imperative that both the Client and the Decorator trust each other.  The Client will be allowing a virtual stranger to enter and make changes to their home.  He/She must trust the Decorator to be confidential with any personal information.  By the same token, the Decorator will invest many hours working on a Design and must trust that they will be paid promptly.

During this meeting, they discuss budget and deadline. Next they walk thru the site while the Decorator creates an inventory of items the Client wants to see in the new plan.

Then they go over the "Menu of Services" sheet and "Letter of Agreement". The Client will then fill out and sign the "Menu of Services" sheet to document exactly what the He/She wants the Decorator to do for them. This sheet is used to determine the hours the Decorator will invest in creating a "Personal Design Package" for the Client. These estimated hours are then multiplied to the Designer's hourly rate of $60 and this determines the amount of Retainer.

At this point, the Decorator will collect the Consultation Fee ($99.00) and the Retainer and take photos and measurements, as needed.

*The Decorator will not proceed with the "Design Package" until the "Menu of Services" sheet is signed and both the Consultation Fee and Retainer are paid in full. This Retainer is non-refundable and is used solely to create the "Design Package".

DESIGN PACKAGE:

Work on the "Design Package" begins.  Photos are taken and developed, rooms are measured, a Project Inventory is created itemizing and prioritizing all improvements to be done and cost.  Sketches and drawings are created as needed.  Furniture, fabrics, flooring, wall and window treatments, etc. are selected within the budget.  Sub Contractors are chosen and scheduled to meet on site with the Decorator to gather estimates.

Once the Decorator has received all estimates and completed the "Design Package", the Presentation is scheduled with Client.

PRESENTATION:

Decorator and Client review the "Design Package" and make any changes needed.  Once the Client has approved and accepted the final "Design Package", a "Letter of Agreement" is signed by both parties and the Decorator will collect payment equal to 100% of "Design Package".

*LSI requires payment in full prior to placing orders and/or retaining contract work. LSI pays subs ½ to start and ½ upon inspected completion.

EXECUTION:

The Decorator retains all contractors and subs to begin work immediately. The final schedule is reviewed with each sub to assure that the project stays on schedule. Orders are placed for all items as noted in "Design Package" (furniture, fabric, wall covering, etc.) Final color selection and design details are made.  After all items are received on site and all structural work is completed, the DESIGN TEAM comes in for site cleaning and staging.  A final walk through is made and "After Shots" are taken.