Interior Designers' Contract
This agreement made the _________________ day of ______________ between Customer(s)__________________________ & company(s)_____________________________ for the following Project: ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Resonsibilities _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(In agreement: Terms and Conditions: The design company will complete tasks called the "Scope of Work," the design company will produce a service or instruments called the "Documentation," and the client will pay the fees and reimbursement of expenses, called the "Project Fee.")
Scope of Work (Problem solutions)
Notice of Cancelation
Notes and questions
Schedule Objective
Scheduling or writing a work schedule is a plan or method to complete a job. The written schedule is for a planned objective of completing a design and supplying the appropriate materials in the design job. This schedule will reference the sequence of the work specified, the contractors used on the job, and the operation of timeframe to complete the job as per date agreed upon. As an example, it allocated the work in a three-week completion date.
Scheduling
A planned objective for completing a design: A schematic of the work, and an outline of what the client and designer want to achieve on the job. This complete design needs to be estimated out and decided on by the client and designer. In this aspect, can the client afford this work, and does the designer want to take on the Job?
Supplying the materials in the design: Make a list of materials, fixtures, hardware, paint, lumber, plumbing, electrical, flooring, etc. Get a set price on the materials, where to buy the materials, availability of the product, and installation of materials, and the installers agreed upon by the client and the designer.
Contractors used on the job: Make a list of potential contractors and have three to five options for the client to choose from. Have the client meet the contractor and review the scope of work schedule and business qualification. The operation or timeframe to complete the job as per date agreed upon in writing.
Reference the sequence of the work specified: Make or create a timeline or a work schedule for the time allocated IE: three weeks to four months. One way is to create a Gantt chart.
You can find a template copy online under "Gantt Chart for Construction" or through an Excel program if provided by your computer.
The four
items that need completing before the designer can think of designing
for a client are as follows.
Client Profiles
The method of developing a client profile aids the designer in learning what they need when going to a job for a potential success of the design. The designer should accomplish this for every job.
The first
and most important part of a client profile is the contact section. The
designer needs this information from the beginning to the end, so they can
communicate with their clients when needed.
·
Name(s) or Contact(s)
for the project
·
Physical address
·
Phone, email, and fax numbers
General Information
This information helps the designer
understand how the space in the home is used, what they need to complete the
task, operating schedule, project time frame, and personal accessorizing. The
following list is part of the general information needed. The designer may
create whatever question he or she feels is necessary for the project.
What area(s) involved in the remodel, and how long have you been in the space?
How long do you intend
to stay in this space?
What is the budget for
this project?
What is the time frame
for the project?
What is your favorite
aspect of the space?
What existing items are
to be kept in the space?
Do you entertain;
explain often, occasionally, or never?
When you entertain, is
it more formal or casual?
Do you prefer a lot of
accessories; some or very little?
Would you like to
include paintings, awards, or accessories/artifacts?
Would you like to
include plants? Yes, no, live, or silk
Please list any allergies, health conditions, or special requirements that need to be met.
This last question pertains to animal hair, smells, natural products (Down or feathers), and fibers in fabric, latex, or asthma. Many design products could have one or these items that could cause issues.
Lighting
Types of lighting helps the designer
understand their uses and how natural or artificial light in the home, what is needed
to make the general, ambient, or task lighting in a design, and personal
accessorizing with structural or portable fixtures. The following list is part
of general information needed to add lighting. The designer may create whatever
question he or she feels is necessary for the project.
Does the space have too
much, too little, just enough light?
Do you feel there is a need
for additional natural or artificial lighting?
Do you prefer
fluorescent, incandescent, LED, accent lighting or ceiling fans?
Do you prefer warm or cool lighting?
KEY: WARM light begins at a 2700K (Kelvin) measurement or orange on the CRI gauge, and then it rises to 3000K (yellow), 3500K (Pale-yellow), 4000K-5000K (Dark blue), 10,000K (light blue) or COOL.
The color scale above is used to explain warm or cool lighting by temperature or Kelvin rate. The Kelvin scale is a useful gauge to use when comparing warm white light or cool white light, whether incandescent, fluorescent or Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs/lamps.
Color
This information helps the designer determine what colors the client prefers. Color used in the home can make a room look larger or smaller by what color is chosen. Colors visually reduce or expand the space. The designer can achieve this by using a dark color to reduce the room’s appearance, or light paint colors to expand the space. The color accompanied by lighting can make a space look different as well, and the designer will explain this when he or she explains the 60-30-10 rules when choosing a color.
The 60-30-10 rules are simple. A designer recommends that 60% of the home is painted in a light color so the house will not lose size or appearance. The 30% of a home should be an accent color that coordinates to the light color. Last, the 10% is a pop or dark color added to a space. This is the “wow” factor of the entire color scheme. By following this rule, it helps the designer offer the maximum design experience for the client.
The following list is part of the general information needed while using color. The designer may create whatever questions he or she feels is necessary for the project.
What colors we will use in the spaces?
What colors do you like?
What colors do you
dislike?
What do you prefer
light, dark, bright or dull paint colors?
Would the designer visually expand or reduce the space?
Windows
Information on windows helps the designer offer window fashions for the home. Window fashions used in the home can make windows filter more or less light into the various spaces of the home. The designer can achieve this by determining where the sun configuration is located, and how much light or heat enters a room. When the designer explains different treatments for the home, they can communicate the various choices available. The color, accompanied by light, and the window fashions can make a space more functional, and the designer will explain this when he or she discusses the various window fashions.
The following list is part of general information needed while choosing window fashions. The designer may create whatever questions he or she feels is necessary for the project.
How many windows are in
the space?
What direction(s) North, South, East, or West do the
window(s) face?
What type of treatments;
blinds, shutters, curtains or draperies do you prefer?
Do you have any specific ideas for the window treatments?
Wall coverings,
This information helps the designer determine
wall-covering applications the client prefers. Wall-coverings used in the
home can give a room character from the various patterns available. The
designer may use various sizes of pattern to make a wall have a different
appearance. The space in a home takes on
a unique design dictated by the print on the paper. There are thin
patterned textures, or thick patterned textures,shapes, stripes, colors, and residential or commercial
grade wallpapers.
Other wall coverings could be paint,
plaster, wood paneling, and fabric. Depending on the texture, pattern, and colors
can also make a space visually reduced or expanded.
What wall
colors/coverings will remain in the space?
Do you have any specific
wall treatment in mind?
Do you prefer paint,
wallpaper, faux finishes, or other finishes on the wall?
Note: If the homeowner wants a faux finish effect, the designer will need to ask if the homeowner wants a negative or positive application.
Floor
Flooring information helps the designer determine
what the homeowner is looking for in creating a foundation to the home. The
client may favor carpet, hardwood, tile, or natural stone. The flooring used in
the home can give a room a base or foundation to the remaining design the
designer creates. There are thousands of flooring variations to choose from,
and if the designer is familiar with the home décor, he or she will know where
to affect the room with the proper flooring.
The designer may use various styles,
sizes, patterns, and loop count to make the home have a different appearance.
The space in a home takes on a distinctive design stated by the motif of the
floor. There are several sizes in tile or stone, and countless textures in
carpet. The many colors of carpet and wood are endless depending on the
manufacturer, and the residential or commercial class flooring can be low or
very high in cost. The product, and the labor to install the product in a home, drives the cost.
The following list is part of general information needed while choosing window fashions.
The designer may create whatever questions he or she feels is necessary
for the project, but don’t make this too long of a process, or the homeowner
may become frustrated and impatient. After the designer receives the client
profile information provided by the homeowner, he or she can make a proper
decision how to deliver the best design, styles and themes desired.
Designing a home is difficult if you focus on just accessories.
Many times, accessorizing is determining what is good to use and what not to
include in your design. So many of the remaining accessories could be
heirlooms, and that distinguishes the use of an accessory that has an
attachment.
Comprehending concept through principles and embellishment of
elements can be very easy. The best way to learn what the homeowner has
available is to look through his or her home; the garage, the basement, the
attic, or any storage. This is how a talented designer finds accessories to use in
design. Usually, the object one uses in design or displayed in the home can
create an attractive design layout. The designer should always make a list of
what they can use on the property.
Objects a designer may use in displays are collectibles of
figurines, plates, rocks, mirrors, nostalgic memorabilia, books, plants,
glassware, antiques, awards, and bowls. The designer will know when enough is
enough. The designer doesn't have to use everything, so use what needs to fit in
the space properly.
But, if the client has a plethora of decorations—this happens when
the homeowner buys everything they like, and not pay attention to where it will
go when they get home—from different styles, and they put it together. The
designer needs to explain that every space needs an attractive transition of
style from one area to the next and show proper placement to the homeowner.
A designer will echo a brilliant design using the following groups
for design elements or color by using the following items as a theme.
·
Color story in the home or homeowner's desire
·
Interests of the homeowner
·
Favorites of the homeowner
·
Desires of the homeowners
·
Layering of the owner's belongings
·
Focal point or Buffet
The designer will create arrangements of dolls or a decorative cylinder filled with corks or hotel keys. Antique stores, craft galleries, and flea market are fun places to shop for collectibles.
A memorable something can be an attractive and exciting story to
boot. By making a pleasing display of accessories, family, friends, and
neighbors will get a tickle from the way the house looks with various displays
of personal interests or memories.
Avoid placing like items at opposite ends of a fireplace mantel.
Don't be dull and show symmetry on shelves and mantels. Instead,
rely on clusters of objects to balance one another. Propped and overlapping
photographs feel more casual Help unite a vignette on either end of the mantel.
Skirt distributing or using a single accessory to a room, and
the designer should arrange groups and combine items that share a similar palette, character, and
texture. Vary the size of pieces and use odd numbers for each vignette arrange
elements in a pyramid tallest object in the back, from highest to lowest, if an
item is small, group it with other minor items on a tray or in a bowl.
If an object is low, set it atop a decorative box or books. Unless
you live in a library, mix accessories with books. Place paperback books in the
bedroom or some place low-key. Books are treasures that warm up a room, and the
most inexpensive accessory you can find. Don't forget the foundations of design
and make a space warm and inviting.
The tall candles (gradation) on a coffee table, weighs down or
holds the arrangement surrounded by objects of descending size. Minor items grouped tastefully on a tray, display a presence of similar items. The bowl of
fruit works like fresh flowers--think "living" arrangements"
never place something that looks old or outdated in space, as this can create a
never moved or never touched look in the home. Pay close attention to scale;
your arrangement should not be too big or too small for the surface of the item
that the accessory is displayed. Think of a 1⁄4 piece of pie, and then look at
your table using 1/4 of the space for arrangements.
Don't fill every tabletop with various accessories or too ornate.
Design needs a chance to sink in, and one needs to rest from too much of
everything. Always stagger sizes on coffee tables or flat surfaces. A stack of
books can sit horizontally or vertically. Large to small Use books that
coordinate or tie into other close objects within sight group objects that
share a common character with consideration use unified colors, multiple
finishes or texture.
Add individual items or unique pieces add a characteristic of the
class, style, and passion. Don't hide an emotion in a closet if one is a
collector. Group items together on shelves or tabletops display groupings on a
wall. Only use curio cabinets when one's objects are valuable, or delicate
Escape looks that often look tired or repeated and hinder interaction. Keep
items moving in one's direction in any design. Combining lots of similar items
make a combined weight, and this works well in grouping a design.
Whenever using mass or the volume of belongings, whether heavy to light, consider these accessories when designing the spaces in the home. These are not the only items, but they are four of the best to use in space to show various masses.
· Color/Style/Stone/Glass
Collections do not need to be of high value. A display of PEZ
dispensers, Asian fans, straw hats, or Tsum-Tsum characters can have a
significant influence on your design. Frankly, practically anything can look
decent if you group enough together. Fret not If you have a few right pieces, toss in a few "phonies". One can always replace the
few phony items with better ones as you gain them.
Be diligent in finding great value for frugal décor, and resonate
an accent color when rooms have accent colors that are dominant. Repeat the
colors in the accessories to tie the chamber together. Keep your eyes
entertained. Provide your eyes with some place to travel. Display the
accessories to pick up the dominant accent color in the room. One will actively
look for the color in another location or object.
Glass accessories on the coffee table make even ordinary objects
look unique because it makes things stand out or sparkle. Look for balance, and
use sculptures or adjust lamps on a console table or use art groups to equalize
large or tall photographs.
Equalized photos will bridge the distance between furniture and
the ceiling in high spaces or large gallery style walls. Be open to surprise
when everyday objects are taken out of perspective and titled as a work of art.
Use old weight scales, horse tricycles, radio flyers, cups on a chandelier,
books for a table base, hubcaps for wall art, and trunks for tables; there is
no end to the possibilities of what you use to make a statement. People
decorate with vintage microscopes, scissors, and magnifying glasses, or even
old telephone glass insulators that look like old bells.
... The only limit to design is your imagination.
Remember the kitchen is the heart or the hub of any home. This is where the family and friends’ conjugate; they visit, prepare food, make decisions over a cup of coffee, and quite often laugh. The kitchen is a brilliant investment.
Key Considerations
FUNCTIONALITY
Household size Shopping Habits
Lifestyle Kitchen Function
Cooking Habits Body Heights
Eating Habits Items Stored
AESTHETICS
Cabinet Style Lighting
Countertop Backsplash
Appliances Sink Style
Flooring Finishes
DESIGN
Depending on the extent of the work being done, the client will decide on hiring a designer. If the work involves a renovation, moving walls, adding rooms, and a kitchen in whole, it would be in their best interest to hire an Interior Designer. With a designer, this includes a space planner, and a contractor to complete the work. With hiring professionals, their expertise is in advice for materials, adding special features, and other functional elements that are important to the space.
LAYOUT & SIZE
The starting point is the available space which the kitchen layout is defined, and the important aspects are considered.
STORAGE
Storage and counterspace is key in designing a kitchen. Extra storage by using corners in the design can be beneficial. Many kitchen designs use Lazy Susan’s or easy reach cabinets. The cabinets can hold roll-out drawers or trays in base cabinets. Accessing your cookware or pantry contents, easily aid in officiant food access and preparation.
Here are the benefits
Pantries provide an organized storage.
Pull-out trash bins can be hidden with waste, and a practical solution for out of the way storage.
Appliances can be fitted or integrated into the cabinetry to create a sleek look.
Utensil trays or Wine racks, which helps with organization and storage
Soft-close hinges aides in slamming cabinets and pinching of fingers
WORK TRIANGLE
This is in regard to the areas between the cook/top range, the refrigerator, and the sink/dishwasher. Where most of the activity in the kitchen leads to the most direct path in navigating your kitchen movements.
Refrigerator
Cook top/range Kitchen sink/dishwasher
This minimizes the steps from function to function. The work triangle is based on a 21-foot grid.
KITCHEN AND DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE
When starting the planning and design process, it is important to consider all options, taking time to think about what you want versus what you need. Throughout this questionnaire, we will help you define and prioritize your desires to ensure your project stays on-track and on-budget.
Must Have __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nice to Have __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What you dislike about your current kitchen?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you like about your existing kitchen?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is most important in your new kitchen?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What style or look/feel do you want?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DÉCOR CHOICES
Cabinet Style _____________________ Trim/Crown Moulding _____________________
Cabinet Color _____________________ Disposal _________________________________
Counter Tops _____________________ Hot Water Dispenser _______________________
Back Plash _______________________ Air Gap __________________________________
Range/Cooktop ___________________ Air Switch Disposal ________________________
Ove/Speed Oven __________________ Coffee Maker _____________________________
Refrigerator ______________________ Ice Maker ________________________________
Wine Fridge ______________________ Lighting _________________________________
Microwave _______________________ Under Cabinet Lighting _____________________
Dishwasher _______________________ Switches _________________________________
Sink _____________________________ USB & Special Plugs _______________________
Faucet ___________________________ Trash Bins ________________________________
Utensil Tray _______________________ Hinges ___________________________________
ESTIMATED TIMELINE
Timing is another consideration. Is there a deadline for your renovations? When would you like to begin? Can you renovate in stages or does it need to be done all at once?
Here is an example of what to expect:
Days 1-7 Demo. electrical. rough plumbing, sheet rock, texture, prime walls
Days 8-12 Cabinet install, countertop template, trim
Days 13-18 Trim work, flooring
Days 19-23 Counter Tops, plumbing installation, trim and base
Days 24-30 Backsplash, trim
Days 31-35 Appliance install, trim, clean-up, flooring, paint
Days 36-45 Trim, electrical, clean-up, hardware, toe kick and base shoe
