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How to: manage interior designers or stylists

By Amy Collins-Walker โ€ข 1 Comment

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While not everyone can afford to employ an interior designer or stylist, if you can, it pays to think about how to make the most out of the relationship. Working closely with anyone can be fraught, but it’s especially the case when the project is as personal as your own home. And while in many cases the process is a smooth one, what happens when your expectations don’t meet the brief?

We caught up with interior designerย Jane Thomson to learn just how to manage your relationship with your interior designer, or stylist, the right way.

Jane Thomson
Jane Thomson

Agree at the beginning
Be sure that everything you want for your house is documented on the contract plan and everything is in writing. Itโ€™s crucially important to make your expectations clear to your designer. This can be down to the finer details and can be as specific as where you would like certain furniture or styling items placed.

Jane Thomson
One of Jane’s projects

Be clear about your needs and what you want to achieve
You must be clear about your requirements from the outset; tell your designer everything from your living space must-haves to design style preferences. A designer wants to hear everything! The more you can convey the better. As a designer the most important time spent with my clients is the initial discovery meeting. This allows us to gather as much info as possible to allow our journey to be a pleasant and inspiring one.

For example, what do you want to achieve? What is your main objective? Is it to create more space for your growing family or is it simply to create a new fresh look for your home? Perhaps you’d like to replace your old outdated kitchen with a brand spanking new, technically advanced smart one? Donโ€™t be shy; itโ€™s so important to divulge this at the start. No matter the reasoning, weโ€™re not here to judge. Hell, maybe you might just want to show up your next door neighbour with a superior renovation!

All of this information arms us with the relevant info to stay on track, and to distribute funds accordingly. Clients often forget about their initial goals, so it’s up to the designer to be your advocate.

Jane Thomson project
One of Jane’s projects

Be honest about your budget
Not being honest with your designer is a recipe for disaster and especially when it comes to money. Often clients will hold back on the real figure with fears that the designer may actually spend it! But what ends up happening is the designer is forced to go down a road that doesn’t meet the client’s expectations.

Do your research on colour selection
Get to know what you think you want. You need to be clear open and honest with yourself about what colours excite you, and which colours repel. Choosing the cosmetics of your home can be a huge decision. Make sure you have a vision of what you want before your colour consultation to reduce the back and forth communication. Chatting to your designer in the initial consultation ย allows you to showcase what your heart desires, and what it doesn’t. It also allows your designer to get a handle on you as a person. There’s a lot of psychology here folks!

Jane Thomson project
One of Jane’s projects

An interior designer is highly trained in colour coordination and it’s important to trust and let your designer take the lead at some point if you are unclear of what you want; we may push or challenge you in regards to your tightly held beliefs regarding colour and that’s not a bad thing! Remember, this is what we do best.

Communication is the key
There is nothing more encouraging then good feedback, and better yet, when work is appreciated. Likewise, if thereโ€™s anything youโ€™re unhappy with, make sure you communicate this to your designer and have it rectified before any further tasks are taken on. Interior design works with everything flowing and working in a room; if you don’t understand a concept, talk to your designer. While you may not have an understanding or vision right now, your designer will – just let them show you.

For more on Jane | SPOTLIGHT ON: Interior designer Lynne Bradley

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January 30, 2020

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Two little dancers in the family now๐Ÿชฉ Two little dancers in the family now๐Ÿชฉ
I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" ๐Ÿ˜‚

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says heโ€™s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. โ€œWe donโ€™t think our pieces are there just to look good,โ€ Jack says. โ€œWe love seeing our pieces in peopleโ€™s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. Theyโ€™re for real life.โ€

FEARONโ€™s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio.

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Comments

  1. Avataralex smoulder says

    February 1, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Great points on how to manage interior designers and stylists. Genuine and love the designs.

    Reply

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