Process Overview

The custom home industry proves to be a significant challenge as there are literally thousands of decisions and processes...each requiring attention to overall composition as well as experience within a variety of industries. From my experience in the millwork business, owning a design showroom, and being a mom, I’m keenly attuned to achieving the highest level outcome within the constraints.

Note that at whatever stage I’m engaged in a project, the focus will be to achieve the highest level of authenticity consistent with your lifestyle and preferences.

Your Dream...Cultivated

As we meet, I begin to understand your dream for your home. I begin to understand your unique needs, as well as your style, even if you have not yet experienced living in an expression of it. I also process your concerns and reservations in embarking on the endeavor of remodeling your home, and committing to the investment that it requires. I have walked through this process, and know what can go wrong... and I also especially know what can go right. As many projects as I have worked through, and encountered challenges on, I still believe it is a process worth going through, and one that can be very rewarding on many levels. I do believe it is critical to come into the project with realistic expectations and a commitment to maintaining perspective throughout. It is a process, and if embraced, it will produce wonderful results.

Clearly, there is an incredible amount of minutia involved in a well-executed project, which, as the project designer, I take on the role of specifying, tracking and managing all the details, depending on the level of services you engage. Ideally, I am involved throughout, to make certain that all parts of the project detail, schedule and process continually dovetail together, and that the project stays true to the design and budget set forth at the beginning of the project.

Executing the Vision

Construction Design and/or completion of Construction Documents

We can either provide the complete construction design with construction documents and third party engineering, or we work with the your architect to achieve the design. Paramount is to identify your goals and desires and the dream begins to take shape.  We hone in on what is integral to the design and vision.

If the project has architectural plans, my role is to ensure that the interior architecture works to facilitate the interior design and function that is looking to be achieved. My goal is to maximize functionality of space, and insist on beautiful sight lines within the architecture. I look to keep plan adjustments, change orders, and re-permitting to a minimum. (Occasionally a major revelation or improvement is conceived that is worth considering.)

 Pre-Construction

The process of engaging a contractor begins, as well as engineering and permit processing. My firm generally works very closely with the contractor (often helping in the selection of the contractor,) to ensure a smooth working relationship. As my construction knowledge is extensive, I am looking to see many custom design elements executed well by the builders. This frequently results in my being involved in the entire construction process. 

Interior Construction Design specific to Rough In

Many times this is where a project begins, if it is an existing structure, and there is no remodeling in the scope of the project... In a project where we have designed the spaces with the end in mind, much of this process has been rolled into the initial design concept. However, there does remain a good deal of work to complete this phase of the project, including plumbing, AV, electrical, HVAC, millwork, appliances, surfaces, loose end specifications, and finishes planning.

Construction Project Management Advocacy

From the point of breaking ground to project completion, there is significant management required.  Dot diligently provides services for the following:

Detailed drawings for custom work fabrication i.e. Cabinetry, built-ins, light fixtures, metal work, and furniture; budgets awareness and price negotiation; scheduling & expediting; punch list preparation, oversight and execution; jobsite meetings with general contractors and subcontractors; construction documents related to interior architectural elements; specifications; selection review with clients; conceptual drawings, sketches, & renderings; elevations; source/ review subs to complete custom work and fabrications

Furnishings Implementation...Selection & Purchasing

Scheduling & Expediting (Management of orders, specifications, delivery coordination, scheduling, payments)

Installation Coordination

Direction and supervision of design elements to bring the project home; furniture placement; arrangement of rooms and accessories; specifications and management of artwork installation; specifications and management of window treatment installation

Your Dream...Realized

One of the chief thrills for me when the project is complete is seeing you live in the spaces...to witness the details serve your needs just as designed...and to reflect on the sight lines and ambiance created to enjoy the fruits of a long-term investment.