How To: Virtual Interior Design
Virtual interior design is more important than ever and we’re thrilled to be featured in the recent Redfin article “13 Reasons to Choose E-Design for Your Next Home Refresh". We’ve spent more time at home this past year than ever before, and it’s changed how we approach our spaces. We’ve all gained a deeper understanding of what works for us and what doesn’t, and what is most important. My goal as a designer is to offer solutions that transform people’s home and work environments into spaces that help everyone recenter and create their best lives. E-design is a great way of offering those tailored design solutions to more people, regardless of we live.
If you’re someone who is a DIY self-starter and doesn’t mind measuring and implementing a design project, then e-design is perfect for you! I can work with you wherever you are and you can implement your design project at your own pace. From virtual design consultations to virtual design plans, I make it easy and fun to get your questions answered and create your dream space with my virtual design packages.
One of the most important parts of an e-design project is getting an accurate measurement of the space and sharing as much as possible about your space and vision with me. There’s nothing worse than realizing your favorite new sofa doesn’t fit. I’ve shared the steps in our process below and for every e-design client, I provide a How-To Guide with instructions and templates for measuring, photographing and other helpful tips.
Step 1: Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call
Everyone starts here, regardless of the project. A Discovery Call gives us a chance to get to know one another and talk about your project. It’s helpful to submit the questionnaire before you call so we can make sure make the most of our time. I’ll also make recommendations as to what design service is best suited to your project, and then we go from there.
Step 2: Submit the Client Questionnaire before the Discovery Call
This questionnaire is essential for any project and it’s great for me to have it prior to your Discovery Call. The more information I have from you, the better I understand what your vision is and how to help. It’s easy to do and built right into my website. This process saves time in the long run because we’re able to get on the same page from the very beginning.
Step 3: Consultation
Consultations are the next step after a Discovery Call. I offer a a one-hour and two-hour Virtual Design Consultation to get the ball rolling. They’re a great way to get answers to your design questions and help you to move your project forward. I review floor plans, help space plan, look at your accessory choices, you name it. Sometimes this is all you need, but sometimes it just lays the groundwork for me to come on board and design your whole space.
Step 4: Choose your Virtual Design service
After the consultation, you’ll get a proposal with a summary PDF of the consultation. If you decide to move forward with one of my Virtual Design packages, then the next step is a Letter of Agreement!
Step 4: Letter of Agreement
I’ll share a Letter of Agreement in your project space through my online studio. This agreement maps out the scope of work and all the other details so that everything is transparent for everyone involved. You can e-sign right there in the studio.
Step 4: Payment
Once the letter of agreement is e-signed, you can submit payment through my online studio. Just choose the design package we discussed in the Discovery Call or Consultation. Once I receive payment, we can get started on your project! I’ll send you a follow-up email with confirmation and you’ll find the Virtual Design Guide with checklists and templates in your project space in my online studio.
Step 5: Pull together 5 inspiration images
Son’t forget to share 5 inspiration images or links to images that communicate your vision and style for the room. If you’ve already provided these through the Questionnaire, add in any additional images that will assist me in designing your room. You can easily share these in your project space in my online studio. For e-design, the more you share your wants, needs and vision with me, the better!
Step 6: Photograph the room
Take photos of all 4 walls of your room, making sure to photograph the entire wall from side to side and ceiling to floor.
If there are unique architectural details, floor vents, or anything you feel is important in your design vision or challenge, please include some photographs of that as well. If the room is part of a larger space or adjoining one, include a photograph of that area as well because we want the design to complement the existing space.
Step 7: Photograph the exterior of your home
Seeing the exterior of your home aids my design team in understanding how your room fits into the bigger picture of your home. If it’s an apartment, it’s up to you if you’d like it to reflect the architecture or era.
Step 8: Measure your room
This step is called an “As-Built.” It’s extremely important that these measurements are accurate so that we can be sure that what we’re recommending to you will fit perfectly into your new room. These steps give you a general idea, but I provide my Virtual Design Guide to every client.
Draw the outline of your room on either graph or unlined white paper as if you’re looking down and viewing it from above.
Measure the overall dimensions of the room. This means measuring the length of each wall, corner to corner, and the overall width of the room. If the room is not a square, make sure you measure all overall widths.
Measure the window and door openings. Measure from the wall to the beginning of the first opening (window, door), measure the actual opening, and then from the opening to the other wall/opening, and so on. For windows, measure also from the floor to the bottom of the sill to capture the Above Finished Floor (AFF) height. Note the trim width around doors and windows if applicable. If measuring walls with built-ins, notate accordingly. Also, if built-in has cabinets that are deeper than top shelving, make sure to note that and include measurements.
Measure and note the placement of any outlets, vents, radiators, and existing lighting like wall sconces, chandeliers (is it centered room?). Include measurements if possible. If you have baseboards, make sure you also note and measure - is it 4” or 2” high?
Measure ceiling height. Check it in a couple places to make sure it’s fairly even - you’d be surprised by the variation in some ceilings.
Measure and include note on existing furniture and placement that is to be incorporated into the re-design.
Step 9: Upload all materials
Once these preliminary tasks are completed, you can upload everything right into your project space in my online studio or email it to us.
Step 10: We get to work!
Once we’ve received your To Do List materials, we will look over everything you’ve provided and be in touch with any questions via the online studio or if you prefer via email. I love creating a design that is tailored to your unique vision and lifestyle. Depending on your project’s scope, it can be anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks for a completed design package.
Step 11: Time for you to Implement!
Once you’ve received your design, you can start planning, shopping, painting, and pulling it all together. We love getting photos of our clients’ finished spaces, and we can’t wait to see the final result!
Virtual Design Made For You
Now that you know about how we make online design work for you, I’d love to hear about your project! I always encourage people to be really honest about what they want and how they operate. If taking a project and running with it is up your alley, then DIY design is perfect for you. We’ll give you the roadmap for the project and you’ll give us what we need to deliver. Once we send you your final design with specifications and shopping list, you get to do the rest. You can also choose my DIY with option to buy and let me handle purchasing. This package gives you access to my exclusive industry resources and peace of mind knowing that ordering and shipping will be handled. Clients just need to make sure to be home when everything arrives.
It could be that you need a space plan with new furniture and paint selection or a total overhaul for your bedroom but can shop and install everything on your own. Perhaps you want a design that utilizes biophilia and other holistic approaches, but don’t know where to begin. There are many ways to make client-implemented design work for you. My goal is to make good design accessible to everyone and e-design is a perfect tool for that purpose. When you feel good at home, or in your place of work, it positively impacts everything you create in your personal and professional life.
So, whether it’s shopping on your own or buying through me, client-implemented design is best for those people who love design, are self-motivated and excited to handle things on their own. We give you all the tools you need to make your dream space a reality, and will guide you through the initial steps of gathering the materials necessary to start your project. Whatever path you may be interested in, I love having fun in the creative process with my clients. Schedule a free Discovery Call and we can start making your vision a reality.