PREPPING FOR A DESIGN CONSULT: Making the most of our meeting

Whether you're planning for a new build, renovating an existing home, or transforming a vacation rental, the design consultation is where the magic begins - and where overwhelm turns into excitement. This initial meeting allows us to thoroughly assess your space, understand your goals, brainstorm creative solutions, and begin shaping a personalized design direction so your project can move forward with clarity and confidence.

The good news? You don’t need to have anything figured out or even have a fully formed vision, before we meet. The majority of our clients come to us with a mix of early inspiration, questions, and the "I have no idea where to start" feeling - and that’s exactly where we can be most helpful. We’ll guide you through the process, help you prioritize what matters most, and uncover all the possibilities of your space.

So what do we need from you? Bring any ideas, inspo, and your most candid thoughts about what’s currently working in your space - and what's not. Even simple notes like “make it brighter” or “conceal the kids’ chaos” are completely valid starting points. From there, we’ll translate what that means for your layout, materials, lighting, storage, and the rest.

For Residential Clients:

This is where we take a deep dive into how your space actually supports your everyday life. During the consultation, we’ll discuss your daily routines, the way your household functions, and how your home can better align with your lifestyle and needs.

A few things to think about beforehand:

• What do you love about your current space?

• Are there future plans or upcoming lifestyle changes we should design with in mind?

• What do you constantly find yourself adjusting, fixing, or working around in your home?

• Where does your home feel visually “off,” even if you can’t pinpoint what’s wrong?

• What spaces do you avoid or underuse, and why?

• What would make life easier in your home from a functionality standpoint?

• How does your home handle your routines right now - mornings, evenings, hosting, downtime?

• Where would you most like to prioritize your investment within the home?

One important note - don’t clean up for us. Seriously! Seeing your home exactly as it is gives us valuable insight into how the space is truly being lived in, so we can design in a way that actually works for you.

If you’d like, start by gathering inspiration photos on Pinterest or Instagram - anything that resonates with you. Even a fabric texture, light fixture, color palette, or piece of art can help us understand the styles you’re naturally drawn to.

For Vacation Rental Clients:

Designing a short-term rental goes way beyond aesthetics - it’s about creating a guest experience that performs. During our consultation, we’ll evaluate the overall guest journey, identify key moments of opportunity, and determine how the property can better align with your revenue goals and market positioning.

Before we meet, think about:

• What type of traveler do you envision booking this property most often?

• What kind of experience are you aiming to create for them?

• What's currently limiting the property from performing at its highest potential?

• How do you want this property to be positioned in the market compared to similar listings nearby?

• Where are there friction points in layout, storage, or day-to-day operations?

• What expectations will your ideal guest likely have when staying in a property like this?

• How do you plan to manage the property - self-managed, co-hosted, or professionally managed?

• Where do you feel your investment would make the most meaningful impact on the property?

If the property is already operating as a vacation rental, come prepared with any guest feedback, recurring complaints, or insights into what guests seem to love most. This gives us valuable perspective into how the property is currently performing and where thoughtful design can make the biggest impact.

It can also be helpful to spend some time researching comparable properties in your market and strategizing with your realtor or property manager beforehand. Understanding what’s performing well locally - and where your property has opportunities to stand out - helps us create a more data-driven design plan from the start.

We're ready whenever you are.

No measuring tape marathon. No endless prep work. No pre-consult panic. Just bring your loose ideas, honest thoughts, and a space that reflects real life. We’ll take it from there - designing a space that’s intentional, functional, and beautifully tailored to you and your unique goals.