The beginning of any task can feel daunting. What lies ahead is vast and there is much to be done. Our Haute Design Experts revealed how they approach design projects and the goals they set for themselves in the process.
Photo Credit: Perla Lichi Design
Perla Lichi Design
When beginning a new project, we start with who the client needs and who they are as an individual. Getting to know who they are as a person and expressing that in the design of their home is a foundation to build upon. Whether it is done through astrology, calculating a numerology chart, or becoming friends with the client, we lay the groundwork with these intuitive principles. A lot can be learned from a numerology chart; things as preferred colors or styles for example. This has been a reliable approach when presenting initial planning and designs. It is an abstract and instinctive process, so this phase is not the same for every project. Every venture is unique with its challenges and every client has their requirements; but no matter what, the design always starts with inspiration.
Photo Credit: Christi Nielsen
The Nielsen Collection
To achieve anything, one must start by defining a clear goal. At the beginning of all projects, we define what we hope to achieve before, during, and after the completion of the project. Those goals are to maintain the budget, complete a project on time and ultimately produce client satisfaction. Setting goals gives us direction so that we can work more efficiently.
Photo Credit: Eric Soltan
Archetype Architecture
The initial goal is always to design a space working with the preferred style or aesthetic of the client. Alan Berman and the staff of architectural and interior designers offer creative, custom, and timeless solutions to each architectural project. Since 2001, we have worked on our clients’ behalf, working with Landmarks, Department of Buildings, and numerous consultants to successfully complete each project. Our top goal is to stay on budget, complete the project on time and produce customer satisfying deliverables.
Photo Credit: Leslie Saul
Leslie Saul & Associates
We are sherpas, leading our clients from the “island that is” to the “island of what can be”. According to Bing, Sherpas are very nice, friendly, and helpful people. So are the people at LS&A! (see photo above, showing current and some past team members who are still part of our LS&A family)
We are dedicated to providing architecture and interiors for PEOPLE who work, play, age, live, and learn.
We start by asking our clients to do some homework. They fill out a decision-making chart, a priorities chart, and they read our essay, “Let’s Talk about Money”. These assignments make sure that we are starting on the same page. When we meet for our initial consultation, we talk about what works and what doesn’t work in their existing spaces, and we also discuss their hopes and dreams, including sustainable ideas for protecting the health of the occupants and the planet.
We talk about what success looks like for our clients, so we can work for their success, and by doing so be successful ourselves.
Then we sketch, as we envision what the new space can be. We generate broad concepts, and then we develop the design to include the tiniest details as we continue to refine our collective ideas into the final design package.
We have learned that Open and Continuous Communication is critical to the success of our projects. Together with our clients, consultants, craftspeople, and contractors, we create a collaborative effort that results in timeless and often eclectic designs that can continue to work for our clients for many years.
