If you are looking to collaborate with a professional on a home project such as an architect, landscape designer or interior decorator, it is important that you communicate your needs clearly and concisely.
This will help your designer understand exactly what you want. You can gather inspiration by thoroughly understanding your preferences and needs. This will enable you to have these important conversations with your designer.
Create a Love List as well as a Not-for Me List
It's a good idea to take photos and ideas of what you like when you meet with interior designers. But have you ever considered making a list about the things that you don't enjoy? These dislikes, perhaps not surprisingly can be just as important.
Try to get Visual
Interior designers are primarily visual. It makes sense therefore that images are the best way to convey your thoughts and feelings. This makes things simple and clear.
For example, you might think of "desert style" as southwestern with lots of natural wood and vibrant textiles. But your designer envisions a Palm Springs midcentury desert feel. Conflict is inevitable.
Your design professional and you can quickly get on the same page if you can point at a photo and say, "I really like that look" or "I don't really like it." This is how it looks.
Include images that relate to your job immediately
It is a great place to begin: currently, collect images of jobs you like and dislikes. Photographs of landscapes are a great way to start if you're working with a landscape architect or landscape designer.
Our interior designer recommends that you search for photos of exteriors and whole-house design before you hire an architect to remodel your home or build a custom-built house. Start looking for kitchen photos if you're redesigning your kitchen. We think you see the whole picture.
But, you can also include some less-on-topic photos
You don't have to include images that aren't directly related to your project, but they can still be a great example for a style you love or loathe. Images of lifestyle, food, and gardens can provide great examples of color palettes. They can help your designer get a better understanding of your overall design than the project photos.
Practice Being Picky
When you fill your idea books with photos, you will have the opportunity to choose as many photos you like. Enjoy it! It's time to be picky when you are ready to return in for another look. Focus on reducing each list to the 10-20 best examples.
This will allow your designer to have a smaller number of images to look at and it will also help you to practice making design-related decisions. It will be easier to discuss your design strengths the more you use them.
Try to Get Specific
It is useful to be able to point at an image that you love or loathe, but it can lead to confusion and miscommunications if you don’t clearly describe what you want or don’t like about the space.
While you might be thinking about color palettes, your interior designer may be focusing on furniture design.
A notice below each photo in your idea book will help you to understand what the space is all about.
Take the following checklists and use them as a guide to help you decide how many to include on your own lists.
The Things You Love Checklist:
Your favorite color or combinations of colorsFavorite color or colors
The NOT FOR ME Checklist
You have strong aversions to certain colors or shades of color. You deserve a big pat on your back if you've made it this far. It can be difficult to nail down your design. Your design expert will usually be able to guide you through the entire process. Your designer and you will have a more productive working relationship if you put in more effort on the front end.
If you are still having trouble defining your style after going through the exercises, you might think laterally: Are there restaurants, brands, or stores that reflect your love and hate?
This can add a lot of style information to your portfolio, provided that the designer knows about the locations you chose.
Remember that it is crucial that you communicate your preferences to an interior designer. However, once you have done this, it is equally important to take a step back and allow your designer to come up with creative ideas.
All the things you love will be there. You might not love them all, but you can always work towards finding the place you love. You might be surprised to find that you love something you didn't know you loved, thanks to the creative vision of an interior designer.
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