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sustainable interior design
What are the processes of an interior designer?

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Flippa Interiors is a residential and commercial interior design and space planning studio made up of a small team of employees and freelancers. Over the years we have won many awards, in large part to our clear communication around our processes. Clients know exactly where they are in their interior design journey with us, what to expect, and what we need from them, at any given stage.  

Here's how it goes!

Initially, when we're contacted by a new client we'll book a Discovery Meeting (either a Zoom call or in person meeting on site) to find out more about their project.  Before we meet we send over our welcome letter, questionnaire about their project and request for plans, photos or videos of their property. During the meeting we explore what they are hoping to achieve, look at plans, (or walk the site), discuss what they need from us, find out what their worries are, lead times and budget, and make recommendations for any trades a client may need to appoint.

After this we draw up a Proposal for the works – this covers a summary of the work (to ensure we've clearly understood), details the work we will be doing, and outlines the phases this will take. Once T&Cs signed and initial fees paid the real work starts!

Phase 1!

At Flippa Interiors we take a deep dive into colour and style with our clients with our in-house colour and style psychology questionnaire. We know finding your own style can be hard, and for couples aligning individual tastes can be tricky.  The insight gained through this is invaluable because it guides us how to create a space that will make you feel happy and relaxed. To this end, we also look at how you live, so that any floor plan and furniture layout we design can help improve the functionality of your home.

We also come and measure your space and take photos and videos to act as references for when we are working back at the studio, and we start to share images via either a Pinterest or Houzz board for feed-back and to help hone early ideas.

When all these parts are in place we will design Concept Boards. These will outline a ‘look’, colour palette, patterns etc and once agreed form the basis for working these concepts up into a Mood Board, which features a proper design and gives detail and structure to these concepts.

Phase 2 deals with plans and designs.

During this phase we will draw up 2D and 3D plans – these can show various different elements, such as a lighting plan or electrical plan and helps ensure all these details are right. Importantly, we also draw up plans which shows furniture layout (drawn to scale) to ensure the room flow is working and functionality of the space is carefully considered.

The Mood Boards develop and grow the ideas from the earlier Concept Boards. Guided by the results of the colour psychology and style questionnaire we are able to start designing a space showing suggestions for furniture, furnishings, colours, patterns, flooring, tiles, artwork, accessories etc. A client will typically receive 2-3 different Mood Boards for each room to either approve and sign off, or for us to make further iterations to ideas, before the client finally signs off their design stage. 

This is a really exciting phase for our clients as their design starts to come to life! Alongside our lifelike 3D visuals we are able to bring our designs to life for our clients, so that they won’t struggle to visualise their new space.

During this phase plans are finalised and any drawings of bespoke designed furniture are completed.

Phase 3

This phase is where we start to put everything into action. Where necessary samples are ordered for a client to see and sign off, if we need to make recommendations for curtain makers and contractors we do this now, and if a client wants to purchase their own items we would send them links to suppliers’ websites, but any trade orders that need placing are done by us, and, if a client would like us to handle all the ordering we start this process and will co-ordinate deliveries.

For some clients this is the final stage at which we will work with them, if they are happy to appoint any trades people and purchase their own items and handle delivery and installing.

Phase 4 is all about Project Management – if we are project managing for you we will be sending regular updates, managing purchases, co-ordinating and briefing contractors and subcontractors and drawing up specification lists where necessary, monitoring suppliers, lead times, stock amounts and checking deliveries.

Installation and styling are the last part of any project, and this is Phase 5. Deliveries are co-ordinated and once ready our installation team will assemble, hang and arrange all the deliveries. The team dispose of waste packaging and recycle it where possible.  Finally, should you wish we can style your new space to finish off the look and give you a home ready to enjoy!