There seems to be a common emotion among clients that I see on a day to day basis.
One would think that people designing their homes would be excited, eager, elated or even ecstatic but that is rarely the case. Most clients I encounter are downright afraid and I can’t say that I can blame them. The choices people must make when renovating their homes can be overwhelming and the fear of making a mistake is often paralyzing.
I am fortunate enough to teach a lovely group of ladies every week about interior design and we are having fun learning about different aspects of design, colour and product selection. I believe that knowledge is power and with power comes confidence but I still hear the fear and apprehension in my group of ladies when it comes to making choices for their homes. It is my hope that once the course has been completed they will depart with a new sense of confidence in their decision making skills.
Preparedness and knowledge are the two most important tools to have when you are planning a project in your home. Decisions are long-term and expensive and it is advisable to research your purchases before making them. I can understand the fear that grips you when you are about to make a major decision regarding decorating your home but being prepared will help alleviate some of the stress.
The stress most clients face when choosing for their home lies in a couple of areas. First, most people don’t trust themselves to make these life-altering decisions and the fear can stop you in your tracks.
Secondly, they find that the more they search the more contradictory the information becomes. The way to combat the fear is to use professionals that you can trust such as designers and contractors, this will also help to eliminate the masses of often incorrect information that can flood you with indecision.
Professional designers and contractors will walk with you during all the steps of your project and will work with you to achieve the most satisfying results. I worked with a client this past year who started out taking my design course, terrified of the process and feeling like she had absolutely no power to make decisions.
We travelled through the large renovation project and I was thrilled to see her gain confidence and decision making as we worked through the many stages of her project. Her contractor Crozier Developments is a trusted colleague and we worked hand in hand to help this client achieve her dreams. Her decision to work exclusively with our team resulted in an efficient and low stress project and I have to say, her home is absolutely stunning!
This client prepared herself well, gained the knowledge she needed and locked in with people she trusted – the results are beyond what she had ever imagined.
There is hope for your projects and there are people available who are working to achieve your design hopes and dreams. I hope that if you are fortunate enough to be able to design or build a home that you have a wonderful experience while you create a fabulous space for you and your family.
Kim Lewis is an interior designer in Red Deer with Carpet Colour Centre. Contact her at 403-343-7711 ext. 227 or email her at klewis@carpetcolourcentre.com.
