What are some tools you use (or suggest your clients use) when it comes to planning, designing, and getting organized for the build?

One of my favourite parts of the process is the design phase! When a client signs on with AMC to design their home, one of the first things we do is send them a little bit of ‘homework’ to complete before we meet for the initial design meeting. And some of the things we get them to think about includes:

What are your non-negotiables? These are the things that if they weren’t included in the final design, would mean you never felt entirely happy with your home

What are your wish-list items? These are the things that you would like to include if you can, but that won’t leave you feeling empty if they don’t make it into the final design.

Functionality – what works well or doesn’t work well for you (and your family) in your current house?

Lifestyle – How do you (and your family) like to use your current house? Do you like to entertain? Do you all need your own separate spaces or do you like being present in the same space? Does anyone require a quiet workspace?

Design aesthetic – can you describe elements of your preferred design style or can you show us pictures to help convey your tastes?

Materials – are there any materials that you would love to incorporate if you could? i.e. aluminium versus timber windows, reclaimed brick, weatherboard, render, exposed timber beams etc

Not only does this help our clients to articulate what it is that they’re hoping to achieve, but if it’s more than one person involved in the design it helps them both to get on the same page.

We love Pinterest and Instagram as tools for pulling together looks that our clients love. Often visuals will help them to articulate what it is that they’re after better than words. It also helps us to get a snapshot of whether or not they’re committed to one style or they’re still struggling to hone in one particular style that they love.

Using an interior designer during the selections process is also a great way to ensure that the overall finish of the house is well resolved and to reach a point of making final decisions faster. If it’s the first time building for someone, there can actually be a lot of perceived pressure to ‘get it right’ so having a professional to guide and reassure decisions is a small investment to make.

Rafia

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