Lorin Turner

Does it seem suspicious? An Interior Designer giving you advice on what to do instead of hiring her? Of course I want to work with you. But I also don’t want you to fail if you don’t.

Perhaps you don’t see the value in our services. I mean, I get it. Designers are expensive. When material costs are astronomical, and tradespeople are charging premium hourly rates because there’s such high demand for their services, something needs to be given up. 
Maybe you’ve done this before. Sure, you may have dabbled in the art of home decor. Maybe you’ve gussied up your kid’s bedroom or played consultant when your brother needed help with paint colours. Your Pinterest board probably oozes with stunning aesthetics. Perhaps you’ve even tackled home construction or supervised a renovation in the past. You like your style (as you should), and you trust your instincts. But let’s not kid ourselves here.

The business of Interior Design is much more than just a good eye and tasteful intuition. While design development and product selection are certainly the most fun part of the job, it’s the execution of such projects that can be excruciatingly stressful, laborious, and intolerably expensive. Over the course of their career, a practiced designer has worked on hundreds of projects, great or small, new or old. With experience comes expertise, and invaluable wisdom. It takes years to cultivate knowledge, product understanding, and trusted relationships with craftspeople. When you work with a designer, they bring these priceless connections with them, turning a complex project into a frictionless journey.
Okay, I said my piece.
Now let’s talk about how you can ensure your renovation project is a success.

Be prepared, but start small.

Make one decision. Great or small, every interior design project comes with endless questions. It can be overwhelming to know where even to begin. For each project, I try to find one aspect to get the creativity flowing. Sometimes it’s a specific photo a client shows me; sometimes it’s a fabric sample or a unique tile. Consider one thing about the project that is an absolute must, and expand from there. Do keep in mind that it is imperative first to address what’s broken or in need of replacement. A beautiful wallpaper is secondary to the leak in the wall behind it.

Research, plan, then research some more.

Without a designer, you are responsible for formulating and implementing a game plan. First question: How big is your project? The answer to this question includes three parts: scope, budget, and time. List every aspect of work, every choice that is required to get your project to completion, even the obvious bits. Yes, there will be unknown factors that crop up; that’s inevitable for any project. Do you require professional construction drawings, or can you make do with sketches on a napkin, or photos from the internet? Can you act as your own contractor, or do you need to hire a professional builder to project manage multiple trades and orders? Do you require building permits or planning permission? Find out what the requirements are for your district or municipality. Attempt to answer as many questions as possible before you get started. If knowledge is power, then a Building Inspector is omnipotent, and you do not want to get your project shut down due to a lack of understanding or ignorance of bylaws and building codes.

Think outside the (big) box.

Finding a good deal doesn’t mean you need to run to the nearest big box store or order the design deal du jour from that fast home décor website. First, try your favourite home store, lighting, or plumbing showroom. Oftentimes, you can find heavily discounted items that were incorrectly ordered or no longer wanted. If you’ve been coveting a particular brand or company, start with something small (like a candleholder or a cushion) that embodies the core aesthetic of what you love but not the hefty price tag. Search online marketplaces for local artisans just getting started in the home design business.

Be honest about the money.

You must have a serious monetary plan in place before you start the process. When you work with an interior designer, they will help develop the design based on costs, availability, and realistic, attainable goals. The most knowledgeable designers know which aspects of your project are worth the expense and which can be omitted to keep costs under control without affecting the completed design. When working on your own, you will be responsible for project management and budget allocation. It’s easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of a renovation and say yes to everything without knowing the financial ramifications. Before anything begins, make a spreadsheet or list of the funds you must allocate to this project. List every item and person you will need to help bring your vision to life. Research the average costs of materials, labour, and any additional services you may require. This way, you’ll have a clear understanding of the financial commitment involved in your project. Remember, as much as you may want to say yes to every idea that sparks your interest, staying within your budget is key.

Admit to your limitations.

You are neither a plumber nor a drywaller, so if you do not have an expert to help guide you through each step of the process, you will need to lean on your hired tradespeople. Do your homework and research the necessary trades for all the areas in which you will be responsible: cabinetry, flooring, finishes, and fixtures. Get referrals from friends, but be sure to dig into their comments or critiques to understand whether their recommendations will meet your standards. Just because your friend’s cousin did a great job on their reno doesn’t mean you will get quality work on yours. Look for certified or licensed trades; some companies have journey apprentices who work at reduced hourly rates as they build their hours toward their certification.

Decision fatigue is a real thing.

And it happens to us all. Decision fatigue refers to mental exhaustion and a decreased ability to make effective decisions due to an overwhelming number of choices. In the context of an interior design project, decision fatigue can result from the numerous design options, material selections, colour schemes, furniture choices, and other decisions to be made. At every project stage, from conceptualizing the design to selecting finishes, furnishings, and accessories, there are countless choices to be made. Each decision carries weight and can significantly impact the overall outcome of the design. However, as the number of decisions accumulates, it can become mentally draining to evaluate and make choices continually.  It can manifest as second-guessing, avoidance or just plain old giving up. It’s a big part of why all those weekend DIY projects stay half finished.

Managing decision fatigue is crucial in maintaining a successful design process. It’s important to be mindful of the signs of mental exhaustion and take proactive steps to manage it. This can include breaking the decision-making process into manageable chunks, setting clear priorities and goals, seeking guidance from a trusted professional when needed, and taking regular breaks to recharge and refresh the mind. Consider separating a larger project into phases, which can allow you to course-correct or pause. 

Stay organized.

Create a plan and then be prepared not to stick to it. The most difficult aspect of any design project is understanding the order of progress. Compare it to cooking a Thanksgiving dinner. There are multiple dishes, each with its own cooking time. The end goal is to get everything onto the table hot and ready at the same time. There are some things you can prepare ahead of time and others that require your immediate attention. Big-ticket items such as windows or appliances must be ordered well in advance; these days, it’s nearly a year out to get that super fancy built-in fridge delivered. You must remember the initial reasoning behind your choices. It’s common for various trades to make recommendations on the job. But if you aren’t mindful of the next steps, it’s easy to forget the reasoning behind your initial choices. No worries, there’s an app for that. Consider a project management app like Re: Build or HomeZada to help.

Document & read everything.

I cannot stress this enough. Make folders. Make a list at the start of each workday of what will get done. Keep every email. Every decision or agreement you make should be in writing, even if just in text; save it. If you are making decisions on the fly, you can’t keep track of what was decided before and how this decision will affect your future choices. Every decision affects the next and the next. I create an email folder for every project and keep the lot for roughly three years. There may be disagreements with estimated costs or start times, and if you save your correspondence, it will be easier to determine what was said and when.

And yes, read every word before you sign. Our design proposal is six pages long and contains a jaunty paragraph about extreme weather conditions and other unforeseeable issues, like global pandemics. Never thought we’d need that clause, but here we are. Understand the limitations and scope of each person’s capabilities within their expert fields.

Be ready.

The onus is on you. The buck stops here. You are now responsible for answering every question that comes up on-site. It can be very overwhelming, which is why you need to have a firm plan in place before construction begins. If there are errors, unforeseeable issues such as asbestos or if you even just plain change your mind, all repairs and redoes will be charged to you. Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay for the work. If the work is subpar and there is a disagreement between you and a tradesperson, you may need to take legal action to stop payment until the work is remediated. Negotiate holdbacks (retaining a percentage of the final payment) until goods are delivered so that you can assess for damage or imperfections before the product is installed. Once it is, there are no take-backs without high cost to you.

Ask for help.

Perhaps you can’t afford to have an Interior Designer by your side to guide you through every step of the process, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek a little guidance. Many Designers (like me) will provide hourly consultations. Search the websites of your local interior designers to find one that pairs with the design sensibility you’re aiming for. Bring in samples (paint, tile, fabric) of what you’re considering so that they can understand your intent and project goals.

Be gentle.

Go easy on yourself. As with any new endeavour, there will be a steep learning curve. You need to treat yourself with kindness to navigate this process successfully. You will probably make mistakes, but lean on your hired experts to guide you through the big stuff. Sometimes we regret a fixture or a colour we choose, but it can always be changed down the road. Allow yourself to not strive for perfection; that’s a movable target you will never hit. Instead, try to create a space that best embodies who you are and supports your lifestyle.

Best wishes, Lorin