What to expect
Are you wanting to find out how the process might work? Every project is unique but there are some ground rules and processes that I always follow which means we keep everything in check and you in the driving seat. With a background in project management you can expect me to help keep everything under control and on time for you along with creating a beautiful and practical home to live in.
For an in depth look into what happens when you first pick up the phone to me click here so there are no surprises for you!
With a number of years of experience working with clients across different projects and budgets from full home renovations, Regency and Victorian properties. extensions and new builds - I have the experience to help you. I can be on hand to identify quick and simple solutions to problems for you at every step of the way.
I always start with a discovery session where we delve into exactly what you need and can then tailor your journey with me from there. There are lots of different ways you can work with me from full turn key design (where I manage everything through to completion), in person design and implementation support to e-designand consultations and they can suit every budget.
The process below gives you some information on what to expect when hiring an interior designer in Brighton and Hove.
Or jump to the FAQ's which are straight up answers to honest client questions - some of which you may have too.
DISCOVERY
First things first, let’s chat. I send over a Discovery Pack ahead of our session full of questions to help start you thinking about how you live, what is important to you. Practical questions. Easy to answer questions.
And then we spend 2 hours (at your home or online) going through it all. We talk, I get to know you properly and we explore what’s needed. It’s not frightening, it’s often eye opening and most clients will say it's genuinely enjoyable. This is the point you finally feel that your dream home is becoming real.
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I then digest everything we have discovered, work out practical plans and approaches at a high level to ensure everything is achievable within budget and your timeframes.
And then I create concepts of the rooms and the home to reflect back what we have discussed and make sure you feel confident about the approach we want to take. Once these are developed, we discuss the options and look at mood, style, aesthetic direction - getting the feel right.
CONCEPTS
DETAILED DESIGNS
Once concepts are agreed with you I start work on the detail.
I look at space, storage and flow - how these will impact how you use and live in the spaces. I use 2D/3D renders where needed to plan the detail of how everything will fit and work together maximising flow. I look at lighting and electrical layouts to ensure you have the right sockets in the right spaces and the ambience you need. I produce detailed moodboards and look at colours and textures that feel cohesive. We work on planning or support with trade quotations - everything is considered and consolidated.
This is an iterative process. We review designs and I gather your feedback. I then tweak designs, order samples to see how it feels in real life, we might tweak again and we finalise plans. You have control at every single stage over decisions - I just help with my experience to narrow down those decisions so you don't get overwhelmed
Work then begins on detailing everything and rechecking that all sourced items work, measurements are correct, colours and textures align. This is all captured in a spreadsheet with costs, links, even down to what light bulbs you need for fittings - every detail is covered.
DESIGN REVIEWS
GUIDED SUPPORT
The level of support is up to you. I can help write final briefs for trades/you to use which detail anything from bespoke joinery, colours and which finishes and exactly what to paint where to purchasing and using my trade discounts. I can arrange quotes from multiple selected trades to review and help decide on who you want to work with. I can be a sounding board for questions ad hoc as you begin implementing the designs or I can take everything off your hands and provide full project management and implementation support
If you have taken my support for the implementation, then I will set up communications with the trades involved. We will work out timelines for work to be done, purchasing to be completed by and have regular onsite meetings to review progress and resolves any questions that arise.
It can be reassuring to have a third party involved to ask the difficult questions and to help smooth the way. How much of that you need is down to you though.
The end result though will be a home you have dreamt of, knowing you have spent your budget on the right things and making it practical to live in as well as beautiful.
IMPLEMENTATION
FAQ's
01/ What if I don't know what I want? Will I need to have decisions made already?
Absolutely not! My job is to listen carefully to you and understand what you need. We talk first and then I share ideas and get to know you so that I am able to offer you design solutions that work for your lifestyle and home as well as designs that make you smile every day. It's a process and that's all part of my job.
It can be helpful to have a session chatting through your aspirations for the updates or renovation so that we can work out a brief that would solve any sticky current issues and help you budget sensibly as a first step if you are unsure. No upselling - it's about doing what is right for you and your home.
02 / How do I plan a whole house renovation without it becoming a nightmare?
Planning is the key word here. Before any decisions are made we will work out what you need to support your lifestyles in order to make sure the money you are spending is used correctly. That might be changing layouts to flow better for your family, making sure you have a hardworking boot room, fitting in a walk in pantry. Once the needs are met then we start designing around that.
My aim is to work with architects and builders so that we have a seamless implementation with no delays and everything thought through ahead of time. It's a collaboration of multiple trades and ensuring nothing drops between the gaps is important.
My role is to use my experience and think through all of the permutations of a decision before I even give you ideas to select from. I can support you with the order in which decisions need to be made so that you are not missing anything that will be costly to retrofit later.
I will support you choosing the right materials for your home renovation, help you choose layouts, furniture and finishes, bespoke carpentry and colours for the whole house. And this is all detailed online for you to see as we progress so there are no hidden extras.You can see me as your renovation planning checklist as well as an interior designer.
03 / Do I really need an interior designer if I have an architect and a builder?
A great question and one I often hear clients confirm they are pleased they had DEN LIFE as their interior designer once we get started as they feel they would have missed key things.
The design part of the process is not all colours and cushions. It's experience in working with architects, tradesmen, understanding products available and knowing common pitfalls to avoid. It's an eye for detail and ensuring everything will flow and fit properly in the space. It's an understanding of regulations and what's possible. That is where the value of using an interior designer over doing it yourself comes in.
As a residential interior designer in Brighton with all its glorious types of architecture, it is even more important to get a team of people together and the interior designer can be the glue between the architect and builder. We communicate across all trades and can even translate builder speak for you (!) Our role is to focus on how you will live in a space and use it. Is it sensible to place a door there if you need more storage on that run of units? Or do you need fully open plan spaces with young children running around? How do you design for longevity and more.
In order to select the best interior designer for you, you will need to consider what level of support you need, whether you feel you can work with them (we are in your lives for a while), whether they can support with the areas you need (from design to project management, communication to purchasing - there are a lot of hats we wear)
Always check reviews from previous clients as well - the reality is the key here not Instagram and AI simulated pictures. To see reviews of DEN LIFE interiors click here
O4/ Do I offer support for full home renovations and extensions
Yes I work across East and West Sussex, Surrey and South London to help homeowners transform their new or current houses into homes that work perfectly for them and are designed for them to enjoy to the fullest.
From supporting you with processes and how to budget for a whole house renovation through to looking at phased house renovation designs to help you work at a slightly slower pace. I offer a mix of design only, design with guided support or a full service design and implementation with project management depending on your needs. Everyone is different and so is every home.
05/ How do I make sure all the rooms feel connected when we renovate floor by floor?
Getting a cohesive finish across all rooms in the house is a regular client concern. Whether you are renovating in one go or phased over time. Either way I plan the holistic whole of the house up front. I understand how you want to feel in the home and individual spaces and work from there. I look at what furniture is being incorporated into the space and what we need to purchase to fill gaps. It's about a combination of elements from shapes, textures, colours and more and how they repeat through the home so rooms feel connected. So we think about the whole up front and that then dictates how I choose finishes, materials and colours for a whole house renovation or one done in phases.
06/ How do I add character to a new build property?
A new build property can be fantastic and you have security in knowing that everything is built to current regulations. But often these properties lack personality (and storage!). So when you are thinking about how to update a newly bought house and how to add character, an interior design can bring ideas.
Tackling storage is always key so that the space can remain uncluttered. I then work with you to understand your personalities and lifestyles, look at your treasured mementoes and blend that into a mix with colour, soft furnishings and lighting to make sure every room feels like it was made for you.
Personalising a new build home doesn't need to be a frightening task. It is about getting some support on how to bring the spaces together cohesively and make them feel like home.
07/ Where do we start? What will it cost?
A phone call. I offer free no obligation initial chats so that I can see how I can offer my support and what approach would suit you best. I offer a whole range of services and from the very affordable Power Hour Consultancy and e-designs through to turnkey design service.
I won't design something you simply cannot afford. I work with you to look at where to spend and where to save. What is key to invest in and what can be repurposed. Whether you have a large budget or small it is important to me that we make the money work hard for you (after all you've worked hard to earn it).