i used to love watching mcsteamy doctor up his patients on tv. but would i want him performing an operation on me? hard pass. would you?
the same goes for interior design and renovations. although tv shows are oh-so-much fun to lose yourself in, nobody would want (or trust) a thirty-minute home transformation. wouldn’t you prefer a team of professionals with vision and experience? ones who are willing to take the time required to handle every little project detail to a “t?”
and yet…what you will experience as a real life client isn’t even the full picture either. there is so much happening on our side that you may never see…or even know about. until now.
what’s really happening through the looking glass? i’m so glad you asked…
photography by vinícius carvalho
step 1: our delightful design presentation
what you see, as the client…
you sit down with our team (in person or virtually) and are showered with detailed drawings, stunning imagery, and material samples that will help tell the story of what your completed home will look like. this presentation is fun, glamorous, and the very first iteration of the visuals for your space. so exciting!
what really happens behind the scenes…
in order to get from initial concept to inspiring design presentation, our team does lots of leg work.
we spend hours and hours planning the layout of each room, finalizing the size and scale of every piece of furniture to be sourced, and creating computer-aided design drawings and elevations that detail our exact plan to help you visualize our selections.
next, we comb through hundreds of architectural options to find the perfect materials to be used for the backdrop of your space. that can include hardwood floors, stone work, tile selections, paint colors, plumbing fixtures and fittings, cabinetry, door styles, decorative hardware, and so much more.
then we source all of the furnishings, fabrics, window treatments, and decorative elements needed to finish off each room… all while performing an artful balancing act with the important information like lead times, pricing, finish options, performance, etc. thank goodness for our high-level tracking system!
finally, we compile all of the drawings, imagery, materials, estimated project timelines, and pricing into a practical (and very pretty) presentation that we bring to you…all wrapped up in a neat little package.
photography by vinícius carvalho
step 2: our final furnishing and material selections
what you see, as the client…
ironically, nothing. at this point you are simply patiently waiting and out living your grand life without a care in the world. lucky you. 😉
what really happens behind the scenes…
i wish i could tell you that this part is sexy or “fun and games” playing in the fabric bins, but each day that passes is filled with substantial vendor and contractor communication. we initiate a constant back and forth as we share numbers, product details, and conduct additional research. especially when it comes to those custom furniture pieces, which are always worth the extra investment and effort.
and even after we finish those conversations, there is still the business of inputting all product and material details into our order management software in preparation for creating vendor orders. this step takes time and requires a high level of precision. specifying a piece that’s even 1cm off is a big deal, and our process of verifying and cross-verifying ensures accuracy.
yes, this part is a bit tedious and lengthy on our end, but it is absolutely crucial to a successful finished project.
photography by vinícius carvalho
step 3: our product procurement for your home
what you see, as the client…
invoices…lots and lots of invoices. sure, this is to be expected and they will be aligned with the budget we already discussed and approved, but isn’t necessarily the most fun aspect of your project. just being honest here.
what really happens behind the scenes…
while you are going about your usual business, our team is handling business. we’re hard at work tracking, managing, and procuring every component needed for your stunning space. in reality, it’s nitty gritty, detailed work. we draft concise purchase orders and proposals (glamour alert!), place all of the orders, and check order acknowledgements against our internal paperwork to ensure correct product sizing, information, pricing, and shipping.
once the orders have been placed and confirmed, our team handles all of the tracking from the moment the product is completed to the time it arrives at our receivers.
throughout all of this, we continue to update our meticulously detailed spreadsheet with confirmations from our vendors and then receivers. all this is just in preparation for installation day. whew!
step 4: our communication and construction management
what you see, as the client…
while you’re living it up and waiting patiently, you will at least see some changes happening at this phase… and there will be a lot of dust! but dust equals progress. we share weekly updates with you to keep you in the loop and excited about our progress. (oh, and if you need a distraction from the dust and debris, now would be a great time to read about all the wonderful things that come out of a home renovation.)
what really happens behind the scenes…
regular contact and ridiculous amounts of communication are the name of the game in this phase. we conduct weekly site visits with our trades and contractors to ensure that the vision is coming together exactly as it was designed.
and when not on-site, we are in near-constant communication with our trades and contractors. these chats, texts, emails, smoke signals, and carrier pigeons are all about scheduling, providing design intent clarification, troubleshooting when issues arise, and staying abreast of project progress.
sometimes this stage will feel like a lot of waiting for our team, too… which isn’t always fun, but is completely necessary to get to the final, and most fabulous step…
step 5: our installation and your reveal
what you see, as the client…
you walk into the space and gasp…simultaneously at ease knowing that your home turned out exactly as you discussed (frankly, even better!), and yet also jumping for joy as this miraculous transformation is unveiled in real life to you for the very first time. it is a feeling like no other stepping into a gorgeous space all your own after months and months of patiently waiting and watching. pop the champagne!
what really happens behind the scenes…
before the moment described above ever takes place, our team has one final back-breaking day of hard work and breath-holding (mostly by me, i’ll admit).
on installation day, 4-6 delivery guys uncrate, unbox, and remove blanket wraps from all of the furnishings we’ve been sourcing for what feels like forever. and while this amazing team of guys installs, hoists, maneuvers, and shimmies everything into its place, i do my best to both direct and avert my eyes to keep from stressing out too much.
once they have everything in place, our cleaning crew comes through to make sure the space is spotless and ready for the all-important finishing touches.
at that point, the dhny team piles in with bags and bags of accessories to unearth and place… it starts out looking like a mess and soon transforms, taking your design from beautiful to brilliant…all in preparation for that very moment you walk through the door with a happy tear in your eye.
photography by vinícius carvalho
i know, i know…this is a lot more work than most people would expect…but the payoff is more than you’d ever dream possible as well. i mean, just check out some of these jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring renovations:
it is a privilege to do what we do…forming relationships, teasing out inspiration, sharing ideas, and designing custom spaces that perfectly blend your desired aesthetic with your daily lifestyle. and it is the dhny team’s absolute joy to do all of the heavy lifting on each turnkey project…creating bespoke interiors from concept to completion so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.
if you’re nodding along, thinking “yes, that’s exactly what i want and need,” i invite you to give us a call and let us do what we do best…for you.
