The Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors Experience…A Series: Phase 3, The Purchasing & Implementation Phase.

And to close out our design phase series…Phase 3. So, what is the Purchasing & Implementation phase?

Let’s do a deep dive into the longest phase in our unique design process. This is both the most exciting and most frustrating phase in the design process.  This is where we purchase and place orders for all of your beautiful items, which is exciting!  But this is also the part where our clients have to wait for the furniture and decor to arrive, which can be frustrating.  But ALAS, that magical day when  your furniture finally arrives and is expertly placed and arranged is just so exciting…..like being a kid on Christmas morning, but BETTER!

How long does this phase take? Well, the Purchasing and Implementation Phase of our luxury interior design services is time dependent on the scope of the project.  If we are doing a renovation, it is also dependent on the contractor’s schedule. 

 

This phase includes:

  • Placing orders & assessing delivery times
  • Complete the purchasing of goods on your behalf
  • Clarify and communicate estimated delivery times
  • Manage open orders by efficiently tracking goods
  • Prepare the construction & installation timeline

Construction:

  • Oversee the construction and installation timeline
  • Coordinate project logistics with contractors and vendors
  • Provide site checks for project accuracy

 

Installation:

  • Coordinate deliveries and installations
  • On-site presence during deliveries and installations, where applicable

Furniture Installation and Styling:

  • Provide turnkey furniture installation, which means that all of the furnishings are delivered at one time,

Once any construction is complete:

The Reveal:

  • Identify any deficiencies that we’ve noted during installation in the format of a project punch list
  • Present the styling price list for each item installed, where applicable
  • Confirm what you want to keep or return from the styling price list, where applicable
  • Pick up and return any items identified to be returned, where applicable

Identify & Resolve Deficiencies:

  • Identify and resolve all deficiencies identified on the project punch list

 

If a high-touch, client focused and customized full-service interior design experience is what you are seeking, then we are the perfect design firm for you! 

Contact us now.

The Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors Experience…A Series: Phase 2, The Detailed Design Phase.

Last month we shared the first phase of our design process.  We continue to break down what it is like to work with our fun and highly organized design firm!  Now let’s dive into phase 2…what is the Detailed Design Phase?

The Detailed Design Phase takes approximately 6 weeks and is where we source all furnishings, procure all trade quotes and bring all finished samples to you for you to review. This phase exists to turn ideas into orders and consists of the following design services:

 

  • Selection of each item according to design direction, budget, and floor plan(s)

  • Procurement of written quotes from all trades and vendors

  • Completion of selections in accordance with approved inspiration boards and initial selections

  • Finalizing the approved floor plan(s) with actual selections

  • Drawing relevant elevations of the space

  • Completing any custom piece drawings as needed

  • Presentation preparation to communicate the design

  • Confirming the actual numbers against the approved budget

Detailed Design Phase deliverables includes the following:

 

  • Inspiration board(s)

  • Floor plan(s), elevation(s), and relevant custom drawings

  • Proposal of each item for your approval, with all details to confirm orders and the coordinating samples

  • The budget updated with actual costs

If a high-touch, client focused and customized full-service interior design experience is what you are seeking, then we are the perfect design firm for you! 

Stay tuned for the final phase of our unique design process, The Purchasing & Implementation Phase!

The Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors Experience…A Series: Phase 1, The Conceptual Design Phase.

When our Interior Designers look at a particular space to design, be it a kitchen, a powder room, or an entire floor, we look at that space with one goal in mind: WHAT IS THE FUNCTION? The moment we start designing, we take into consideration any structural elements that have to be incorporated into the design and how it will contribute to the functional part of that specific room

Our full-service approach for full service luxury interior design enables our designers to manage projects from initial concept to completion, designing your home down to the final detail. It is our job to take care of the major and minor design details that turn a house into your home.

The full-service luxury home interior design consists of three major phases:

  • Conceptual Design

  • Detailed Design

  • Purchasing and Implementation

Read more below and explore Part 1 of our three part design process blog series!

 

Concept Phase: WHAT DOES CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ENTAIL?

Laurie DiGiacomo Interiors follows a very structured, well defined and comprehensive approach for all their design and renovation projects.  After the onboarding and information gathering process, the first phase of the design process consists of the Conceptual Design Phase. This phase is crucial for the success of the design project. 

This Conceptual Design Phase is where we finalize floor plans and review concept boards. It exists to confirm your scope, layout, investment estimate and aesthetic direction. During this phase, the current condition of the rooms and of the entire house is evaluated, the plan is set, and frequent communication and collaboration takes place with the client to ensure that we are going in the right direction stylistically and budget-wise..

The Conceptual Design Phase takes approximately five weeks and includes the following design services:

  • We assess the current project space, take measurements and photos, and document any items that will be included or excluded from the luxury house interior designs.

  • Design the ideal floor plan to ensure the best possible layout for the project.

  • Create an inspiration board(s) to communicate what we envision for the project.

  • Determine initial selections to confirm the design direction.

  • Create a budget outline to capture the elements that will be needed to make the project a reality, from furnishings to trades.

  • Conduct “Trade Day” at your home. This is where we consult with our trades and vendors on-site to review

In this phase we take detailed measurements and meet with potential trades people on site  in order to receive accurate quotes. It is imperative for us to be on site with the trades to discuss obstacles and options at the outset and so they can evaluate the space so there are no surprises once work begins.

The conceptual design includes the following:

  • Floor plan(s)

  • Limited Initial selections

  • Updated budget for approval

During this phase, we will confirm the design direction, layout, and budget for the project.  We use our historical data of past projects to help guide our clients with how much their project will cost.  One revision is offered in this phase.  Clients can make as many changes as they’d like in this phase, we just ask that all changes be given at one time.

 

Stay tuned next month to dive deep into the second phase of our unique design process, the Detailed Design Phase!

5 Design Rules to IGNORE!!!!

Yes, rules guide us on the right path and are important in shaping our life.

But being always told what to adhere to and what to avoid kills the whole fun, don’t you think?

Think about it; you won’t be able to use your creativity!
No brainstorming!
No innovative ideas!

Of all the industries, wouldn’t this be especially scary for the interior design service provider?

A highly visual and subjective medium, interior design is a service that requires a creative “eye” for pulling it off, to determine whether a room looks stylish and successfully put together. The success or lack thereof lies in the eyes of the beholder. While designing requires one to follow certain rules, restricting would be limiting your bandwidth.

While I believe that there are some rules that keep one from making the most egregious design mistakes, there are others that are no longer relevant. Here are a few design rules that you no longer should fret over:

 

Only paint small rooms in light colours.

People’s hesitation is understandable, considering the myth that is being passed on as to how a dark colour makes a small room look even smaller. But such is not the case, and instead, a dark colour would visually expand a small space. A dark painted room can actually make a small room look larger because it allows the corners of a room to recede and disappear. Below is an image that illustrates this concept.

How you can further give the impression of a big room is by hanging mirrors strategically and opting for a few windows or none at all.

 

Large furniture should only be used in large rooms

Quite the contrary, I always recommend using large-scale furniture in a small room. Using larger furniture tricks the eyes’ sense of proportion. In addition to this, it causes one’s eyes to move around the room less. This allows us to take a zoomed-out view of the room. It is an optical illusion that works marvellously.

 

You can not mix modern design elements with traditional design elements

Quite simply, yes, you can; it is called transitional design! You can mix rustic with modern, the country with modern, etc…… Mixing styles add depth to any space.

Mixing vintage designs such as art deco, Victorian, or mid-century modern might look difficult, but can be easily done. Below is a modern and Victorian mix……

 

If the room has a fireplace, it should always be the focal point.

The fireplace undoubtedly makes for a beautiful focal point, but it does not always need to be the star of the room. If one’s home has access to a breathtaking view, or one should possess museum-quality art, both would supersede the fireplace’s status in that space.

The designer above smartly made the view the star of this room. The lack of window treatments allows the window moulding to “frame” this home’s gorgeous view.

 

The ceiling must always be white.

The ceiling is a room’s fifth (and forgotten) wall. Homeowners often forget that it also holds the opportunity to showcase your style. I love to paint children’s room ceilings a contrasting colour, and wallpaper the ceiling of a powder room or master bedroom closet.

The family room below makes the ceiling a focal point by adding coffered moulding and using a deep grey to showcase this detail. This look is always a show-stopper!  

Add a metallic ceiling to a dining room or a gold-flecked paper to your powder room. Don’t be afraid to try it. If it doesn’t work for you, a few swipes of white paint and you are back to where you started.

 

Interior doors should always be painted white.

There is nothing chicer than a black high-gloss interior door. The French have been doing this for decades. A black high-gloss door is dramatic and makes a statement; it is the exclamation point added to a room. It lets all those who enter know that those who reside on the other side of that beautifully glossy door, live a little North Of Chic. Try it and let your guests bedazzled with its sheer enigmatic presence. 

So, these are some of the rules that you shouldn’t mind overlooking when designing the interior of your home. Let your creativity flow! Or a better option lets a professional interior design service provider take care of it for you and give you the desired results.

Instaroll-Currently Coveting…..

Hello Friends,

When one’s job is to shop all day every day, it takes something really special or unique to grab one’s attention.  The physical rush when I see that perfect piece causes my heart to beat a little faster and I lose all sense of my surroundings.

Some of the pieces below are pieces I have recently found, and a few are ones that I fall in love with a little more each time I see them.  The lines and proportions of the tuxedo sofa below are simply perfect!!! The ebonized fluted cocktail table is the punctuation mark in any statement room.  Each of these pieces are beautiful  and unique and add that special something to any room.

I am at a place where I do my best to only buy pieces for my home that I truly love.  I have come to realize that if I am totally mesmerized by something and it gives me joy each time I look at it, it will not become a piece that I am looking to replace in 6 months.

I hope some of these pieces serve to inspire you.

 

Vanguard sofa and cocktail table, Serena & Lily basket, PB Teen zebra rug, Circa ceiling light, Worlds Away mirror