5 Recent Projects That Changed How These Pros Do Business
Design and building professionals share elements of recent renovation projects they learned from
With all that can go wrong during a renovation project, it’s important to go into one prepared for anything. Reading and hearing about what has worked for other design and building professionals could help you expect the unexpected. The following five design professionals share a learning experience from a recent job that might better prepare you for your own next project.
2. Select Everything Before Construction Starts
Designer: Heather Poulliot of Lenton
Location: Lancaster, California
Size: 324 square feet (30 square meters); 18 by 18 square feet
The project. Create a timeless, durable kitchen with a handcrafted feel in line with the home’s Mexican ranch and hacienda style.
What I learned. “This project, to me, is a spectacular example of why I love doing design,” designer Heather Poulliot says. “It’s like a scavenger hunt to select things that are uncommon and be able to detail parts and pieces to bring it all together as a cohesive whole. This process may have taken a bit longer than others, but I would stay true to Lenton Co.’s model of selecting everything before construction starts. It made it clear that our vision would be successful. There were a lot of job site visits and pop-ins to the client’s office for confirmation on things like how much glaze was too much or too little. Overall, it gave our client the confidence to know we had her vision in mind and that we would execute it perfectly.”
Designer: Heather Poulliot of Lenton
Location: Lancaster, California
Size: 324 square feet (30 square meters); 18 by 18 square feet
The project. Create a timeless, durable kitchen with a handcrafted feel in line with the home’s Mexican ranch and hacienda style.
What I learned. “This project, to me, is a spectacular example of why I love doing design,” designer Heather Poulliot says. “It’s like a scavenger hunt to select things that are uncommon and be able to detail parts and pieces to bring it all together as a cohesive whole. This process may have taken a bit longer than others, but I would stay true to Lenton Co.’s model of selecting everything before construction starts. It made it clear that our vision would be successful. There were a lot of job site visits and pop-ins to the client’s office for confirmation on things like how much glaze was too much or too little. Overall, it gave our client the confidence to know we had her vision in mind and that we would execute it perfectly.”
3. Communicate Your Vision Clearly
Designers: Em Shephard and Jessica Helgerson of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 520 square feet (48 square meters); 16 by 32½ feet
The project. Build a functional kitchen for large parties and casual, comfortable weekends with family.
What I learned. “Clear communication is paramount,” designer Em Shephard says. “We rely on the expertise of the contractor, subs and other vendors to execute our design vision, but we must first be sure we’ve communicated that vision clearly and coherently. We’re a team working together to balance the aesthetics with function and feasibility in order to reach the clients’ goals.”
Designers: Em Shephard and Jessica Helgerson of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 520 square feet (48 square meters); 16 by 32½ feet
The project. Build a functional kitchen for large parties and casual, comfortable weekends with family.
What I learned. “Clear communication is paramount,” designer Em Shephard says. “We rely on the expertise of the contractor, subs and other vendors to execute our design vision, but we must first be sure we’ve communicated that vision clearly and coherently. We’re a team working together to balance the aesthetics with function and feasibility in order to reach the clients’ goals.”
4. Visit the Site Frequently and Have Ongoing Communication With the Build Team
Designer: Alexandra Ford of Cummings Architects
Location: Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters); 20 by 25 feet
The project. Establish an open kitchen with a fresh and casual take on a historic farmhouse for a couple and their four young children.
What I learned. “There were so many details on this project that it was important for me to be at the site about one to two times a week during the height of construction to make sure everything was properly executed,” designer Alexandra Ford says. “It’s really important to have ongoing communication with the builder and his team, even when I’m physically not at the site.”
Designer: Alexandra Ford of Cummings Architects
Location: Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters); 20 by 25 feet
The project. Establish an open kitchen with a fresh and casual take on a historic farmhouse for a couple and their four young children.
What I learned. “There were so many details on this project that it was important for me to be at the site about one to two times a week during the height of construction to make sure everything was properly executed,” designer Alexandra Ford says. “It’s really important to have ongoing communication with the builder and his team, even when I’m physically not at the site.”
5. Learn Your Client’s Cleaning Routine
Designer: Jenny Martin and Michelle Poitras of Jenny Martin Design
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Size: 57 square feet (5.3 square meters); 5 feet, 6 inches by 10 feet, 5 inches
The project. Create a casual but easy-to-clean guest bathroom with few transitions, allowing accessibility for an aging couple.
What I learned. “Ask the client a lot more very specific questions about how they use and clean the space,” designer Jenny Martin says. “This is something that we’ve learned really helps in order to make the space as functional as possible. Knowing who will be using it and how, and the clients’ current pet peeves about their existing space, allows us to create a space that meets both the homeowners’ daily needs and style.”
Your turn: What have you learned on a recent renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
5 Things These Professionals Learned During Recent Projects
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Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Find out how to join the Trade Program
Designer: Jenny Martin and Michelle Poitras of Jenny Martin Design
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Size: 57 square feet (5.3 square meters); 5 feet, 6 inches by 10 feet, 5 inches
The project. Create a casual but easy-to-clean guest bathroom with few transitions, allowing accessibility for an aging couple.
What I learned. “Ask the client a lot more very specific questions about how they use and clean the space,” designer Jenny Martin says. “This is something that we’ve learned really helps in order to make the space as functional as possible. Knowing who will be using it and how, and the clients’ current pet peeves about their existing space, allows us to create a space that meets both the homeowners’ daily needs and style.”
Your turn: What have you learned on a recent renovation project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
5 Things These Professionals Learned During Recent Projects
Read more articles for home remodeling professionals
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Find out how to join the Trade Program
Designer: Jenny Baines
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 437 square feet (41 square meters); 19 by 23 feet
The project. For this new-construction home, designer Jenny Baines was tasked with including a comfortable, not-too-precious living room with a timeless, quiet color palette that alludes to the water that surrounds the home.
What I learned. “The best thing we did was set up weekly site meetings between myself, the contractor, the client and whichever trades were involved during that stage of the process,” Baines says. “By doing this, everything was on the same page throughout and any issues were headed off immediately.”