‘The Client Deserves to Get What They Want’ and Other Pro Advice
Design and building professionals share lessons they’ve learned from recent client projects
Design and building professionals learn a lot from every client and project. This knowledge goes toward recalibrating business practices, client relations and more for the future. Here, five professionals share tips and advice they gleaned from recently completed projects.
2. Adapt to a Client’s Style
Designer: VW Fowlkes of Fowlkes Studio
Location: New York City
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
The project. Update a New York City condo.
“What I learned.” “We went in with a vision for what the overall project aesthetic should be, but quickly learned the client already had a strong sense of what they wanted stylistically; they just didn’t know how to bring it all together,” architectural designer VW Fowlkes says. “Our job was to help them curate their choices so the end result [would represent] them completely but is tailored to the space, and everything is cohesive, complementary and refined.”
Designer: VW Fowlkes of Fowlkes Studio
Location: New York City
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
The project. Update a New York City condo.
“What I learned.” “We went in with a vision for what the overall project aesthetic should be, but quickly learned the client already had a strong sense of what they wanted stylistically; they just didn’t know how to bring it all together,” architectural designer VW Fowlkes says. “Our job was to help them curate their choices so the end result [would represent] them completely but is tailored to the space, and everything is cohesive, complementary and refined.”
3. For Large Projects, Pay Extra-Close Attention to Project Management
Designer: Michele McIntyre
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
The project. Designer Michele McIntyre had full creative freedom on this new-construction spec house. She chose “easy-on-the-eye yet interesting details,” she says.
“What I learned.” “I learn something new on every job, even after almost 10 years in business,” McIntyre says. “This job was all about project management tools. The house was 5,000 square feet with 6.5 baths, a huge kitchen and butler’s pantry, and laundry room, roof deck, pool — it was a full-time task to keep the design details straight with all the different trades. Good communication was the key to success.”
Designer: Michele McIntyre
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
The project. Designer Michele McIntyre had full creative freedom on this new-construction spec house. She chose “easy-on-the-eye yet interesting details,” she says.
“What I learned.” “I learn something new on every job, even after almost 10 years in business,” McIntyre says. “This job was all about project management tools. The house was 5,000 square feet with 6.5 baths, a huge kitchen and butler’s pantry, and laundry room, roof deck, pool — it was a full-time task to keep the design details straight with all the different trades. Good communication was the key to success.”
4. ‘Don’t Be Afraid to Combine Styles’
Designer: Diane Gordon
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Size: 263 square feet (24 square meters); 13½ by 19½ feet
The project. Combine midcentury and mountain styles in a 1960s-built kitchen.
“What I learned.” “Don’t be afraid to combine styles,” designer Diane Gordon says. “By combining midcentury style with rustic Colorado mountain elements, we ended up with a final product that is true to the roots of the home but also warm and inviting for this homeowner and his daughter.”
Designer: Diane Gordon
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Size: 263 square feet (24 square meters); 13½ by 19½ feet
The project. Combine midcentury and mountain styles in a 1960s-built kitchen.
“What I learned.” “Don’t be afraid to combine styles,” designer Diane Gordon says. “By combining midcentury style with rustic Colorado mountain elements, we ended up with a final product that is true to the roots of the home but also warm and inviting for this homeowner and his daughter.”
5. Source and Buy All Key Selections Before Getting Too Far Into a Project
Designers: Morgan and Jamie Molitor of construction2style
Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Size: 42 square feet (3.9 square meters)
The project. Update a guest bathroom and free up space by removing the tub and large vanity and installing a walk-in shower and floating vanity.
“What I learned.” “Before getting cruising on any project, it’s important to have all of the key selections sourced and bought,” designer Morgan Molitor says. “Sometimes there can be material delays on specific selections, and then you are forced to source new selections, when in reality the same faucet and shower head might not be the same gold.”
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Designers: Morgan and Jamie Molitor of construction2style
Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Size: 42 square feet (3.9 square meters)
The project. Update a guest bathroom and free up space by removing the tub and large vanity and installing a walk-in shower and floating vanity.
“What I learned.” “Before getting cruising on any project, it’s important to have all of the key selections sourced and bought,” designer Morgan Molitor says. “Sometimes there can be material delays on specific selections, and then you are forced to source new selections, when in reality the same faucet and shower head might not be the same gold.”
More for Pros on Houzz
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: Phoebe Schuh of PS & Daughters
Location: Bronxville, New York
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters); 20 by 20 feet
The project. Create a cohesive kitchen with a palette that includes blues, grays and brass accents.
“What I learned.” “We had many, many revisions on this job as a whole, because it was an educational process for this client to find her way and become comfortable with who she was in the design,” designer Phoebe Schuh says. “I would love to be able to draw a line in the sand with clients and say, ‘You only get two revisions.’ But I just can’t do it. The client deserves to get what they want, and a lot of the time I know we can do better.”