Have you ever started a DIY project and quickly realized you were in over your head? This recently happened at my house. Our microwave stopped working. It looked like it was running properly, but everything came out cold. My husband and I agreed that we should order the broken part and fix it ourselves. A couple of hours into the task we realized that we had no idea what we were doing, and we ordered a new microwave on Amazon. At least now I can say that I know what the internal mechanisms of a microwave look like! While it wasn't a huge loss, those were two hours that we could have spent relaxing in front of a movie, as well as a tedious week in which my kids learned how to reheat leftovers on the stove "like in olden times."
Now imagine that instead of a broken microwave, you are trying to renovate an outdated kitchen. If you have the time, energy, and resources, you can probably design a beautiful kitchen yourself. If your goals are simple, you can ask a contractor to use his standard plan and materials. However, if you are trying to create your one-of-a-kind Pinterest dream kitchen in your off hours between work and taking care of your kids or training for your local 10K, you will benefit from the help of a professional interior designer.
How can a designer help? Here are some key areas:
KITCHEN LAYOUT:
Whether your kitchen is large or small, it's likely that you'd like to tweak the layout for improved flow and efficiency. An interior designer can discuss various options and design challenges with you (awkward corners, high or low ceilings, lack of pantry space), and then take it one step further by developing floor plans, elevations, and renderings that will help YOU visualize how a new layout will actually look when it's built. In the example below, my client had a physical disability that required some creative thinking. I can't even count how many potential layouts we worked through, first with freehand sketches and then with more specific AutoCAD floor plans, before we landed on her ideal multi-level island layout with a prep sink, outlets, and trash bin at chair height, as well as lowered wall ovens for easy access. The cabinet maker and general contractor were then able to use these detailed drawings to build a kitchen that fit her unique needs and matched our exact specifications.
KITCHEN COMPONENTS:
At first glance, the elements in your kitchen seem basic and familiar. But when you really get down to planning, there are A LOT of details to be considered. Selections include appliances like your oven, cooktop, microwave, and dishwasher, cabinet frame style (do you know the difference between framed and frameless cabinets?), door style, and cabinet color or finish, cabinet hardware, countertop material and edge finish, backsplash material and height, tile layout, types of lighting (under-cabinet, recessed, accent), essentials like garbage disposal units and concealed trash bins, decor like counter stools and window treatments, and so forth. The list could go on! A designer will guide you through the selection process. We can list all of the elements that should go into your kitchen with personalized consideration of your habits, like how and where you prepare your morning coffee. Next, we can help you estimate and track pricing and costs, figuring out where to save and where to splurge to achieve a space that feels luxurious but is, in fact, aligned with your construction budget. And perhaps most important for your sanity is a designer's ability to guide you through the selection process, so that you know where to focus your attention first to keep progress on track and ensure that all of your choices will coordinate beautifully.
MATERIALS AND FINISHES:
This tends to be the area that people get excited about. Tile! Slabs! Color palettes! Unlaquered brass! Hurray! But then... you walk into a tile showroom with enthusiasm and excitement, and walk out feeling overwhelmed by all the beautiful options. How can you choose just one??? Or worse, you walk out feeling disappointed that you didn't instantly find "the one", and wonder where to look next. A designer should be familiar with an assortment of local resources, as well as access to brands and samples that may be harder to find or see in your area. After gathering samples for you (or directing you where to go if tile showrooms are your jam), a designer will help you coordinate and choose elements that work together to bring out the beauty in each other and align with your overall style preferences and goals. And don't forget maintenance! A designer can help you look past superficial appeal to assess which materials (quartz versus marble countertops, for example) fit your lifestyle so that you can actually enjoy your home without stressing out when your 8-year old decides to prepare their own snack and leaves splotches of tomato sauce on the kitchen island.
Okay, this all sounds helpful, but how does it actually work?
People often find the idea of hiring an interior designer to be confusing or intimidating because the process is vague and mysterious. Unless you've worked with a designer before, you probably don't know what to expect. And even if you have worked with a designer, the process can vary from person to person and design firm to design firm. Here at Heather Zerah Interiors, I believe that design is NOT one size fits all. That's why we have two distinct approaches for clients to choose between.
APPROACH 1: FULL SERVICE DESIGN
The term "full service" is thrown around a lot in the world of interior design, so let me explain how it works. Full Service Design is all encompassing, from initial brainstorming to the final punch-list walkthrough. It's ideal for those individuals who are ready to upgrade their kitchen but who don't have the time, interest, or energy to do it themselves. The process is collaborative in the sense that we still take the time to identify your vision and goals, learn about your lifestyle and habits, and guide your through an efficient selection process so that you can personally approve every detail, but it saves you the time required to visit showrooms, ponder infinite options, and manage the construction process. Full Service Design typically includes CAD floor plans and elevations that help you see how all of the elements fit together, and which builders can then refer to when putting all of those elements in place. It also includes visual tools like mood boards, sample boxes, and renderings. On the administrative side, full-service design includes getting quotes and purchasing items and materials that are outside of the contractor's scope. With regard to project oversight, the process includes working with your team of contractors and subcontractors , or even architects and engineers if required, to make sure that everyone is clear on what you want, and to ensure that every design detail is executed properly.
APPROACH 2: PARTIAL SERVICE DESIGN
As the name implies, Partial Service Design is ideal for those individuals who want to be more involved and hands-on in the process, but who still need and want a designer to guide them through the process. Partial Service Design is very collaborative. Our clients can take on the specific tasks that they enjoy, whether that means visiting all of the tile showrooms themselves or personally supervising the backsplash tile installation, and delegate the remaining tasks to the designer. Partial Service Design typically includes frequent meetings to review and discuss the tasks that we've been working on separately, review materials and make selections in a progressive and efficient manner, and coordinate the next steps. If you have the time and like to be involved, Partial Service Design can be a fun approach that allows you to explore the areas that excite you without the overwhelm of managing all of the details that don't bring you joy.
No Judgments, Just Joy
My motto for working with clients is No Judgements, Just Joy. Interior Design is a very personal business, and you should not feel judged when you invite design and building professionals into your home and share your hopes, dreams and ideas with them. A designer really needs to understand your personality, your aesthetic preferences, and your lifestyle and habits in order to create a space that serves you and your family or pets on an emotional and functional level. It's important to find a designer that you like and feel comfortable with. A successful kitchen renovation or remodel requires transparency (from all sides!) when discussing budget, timelines, personal needs, and style. You are bound to feel some stress and anxiety when your home is ripped apart, strangers are walking in and out, you're ordering takeout every night, and you are paying large bills without having anything to show for it yet. Regardless of the service approach you take, your interior designer should be able to ease your burden, answer your questions, and prepare you for what to expect. And if they can bring a bit of fun and humor to the experience, then you know your project is in good hands.
Designers, They're Just Like Us
If you are interested in hiring an interior designer to help with your kitchen remodel (or any other home renovation you have in mind), don't be shy. Ask friends for referrals, or simply search for local designers on Google. When you find a designer or studio that interests you, don't be afraid to reach out and inquire. Despite the glamorous photos you see on Instagram and Pinterest, designers who specialize in renovations tend to be creative types who don't mind getting their hands dirty on the job site. The initial inquiry phase typically goes like this:
You submit an inquiry via email or a contact form.
You and the designer schedule a Discovery Call to discuss your project in more detail.
If the client-designer relationship seems like a good fit, you move forward to an in-personal consultation. Depending on the specific designer, this might be paid or free, and in their office or at your home/job site.
After the consultation, the designer will create a proposal and scope of work that outlines exactly what the project entails and what they will charge for design fees.
Once you have approved the proposal, the contract will be signed, any initial design fees or retainers will be paid, and the design process will begin.
Remember, it never hurts to ask questions. If you are interested in enlisting the help of an interior designer for your kitchen remodel, contact one (or several) designers in your area and ask about their process, pricing, and current availability. And if you are in Northern California, reach out to Heather Zerah Interiors today. Heather is currently working on kitchen remodels and whole-home renovations in the immediate vicinity of Rocklin, Roseville, Loomis, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Newcastle, and beyond.
Heather Zerah Interiors is an interior design studio based in Rocklin, California. Heather takes the overwhelm out of home updates by providing full service and partial service interior design for home renovations, new builds, and furniture refreshes. Do you live outside of Northern California? Reach out today to inquire about long distance and virtual design options.
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