THE CONSULTATION PROCESS When asked how an initial design project consult should go, Laura replies, “I think the most important factor in the consultation is to get a feel for your client and also for the client to get a feel for who you are.” She emphasizes that it’s crucial to find “someone that you really work well with. I mean, renovations can be very stressful, and you have to have some very personal conversations about budget, and you're having meltdowns at times, and you want your designer to be there for you.”
Laura views the consultation process as an opportunity to see firsthand how potential clients live in their space and learn what changes they wish to make. A good designer will be able to tell you what’s realistic (and in your budget) or provide alternatives to meet your goals and expectations. Expect to be given the chance to express both what you want and what you need in your living space. Also, be prepared to identify the current elements that aren’t working for you. Through her years of expertise, Laura has learned to facilitate these discussions but admits it “can be a little bit tricky” because often people aren’t sure of exactly what they want or how to describe it. However, she finds that “people really know what they don't want and what they don't like….The client may be unable to verbalize their goals or their perfect aesthetic or what they want in the space, [but] they can absolutely, almost 100% of the time, tell you what's not working in the space.” So, if you find yourself in consultation with a designer and you are having difficulty describing what you want from a remodel, take Laura’s advice and start by explaining what’s not working for you in your space. This gives professionals the opportunity to offer solutions for changes and additions that can be made to transform the space into what the homeowner needs and wants it to be. An in-home consultation is usually best. Laura shares that she learns quite a lot about people’s tastes and lifestyles simply by being in their homes. She will point out some things she sees, describe what she could imagine creating, and hear more about what the homeowners wish to achieve. Having a consultation in your home, you and your designer can relax and speak more freely, agreeing or disagreeing with ideas as they come up, until you collaboratively develop a plan that resonates.
Photo credit: Laura Chappetto, Element Design Network
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April 2025
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