Ask A Designer: Online Design Dilemma Consultations are back!
When you’re managing the design for your own home reno or build sometimes you just need help getting through one design decision, because it always feels like there’s way too many options to think clearly. Getting paralyzed in indecision is one of the most common challenges of home design. Plus, everything is expensive, lead times can be long, trade’s time is valuable - and so is yours! No one wants to have regrets or not feel confident about a major design decision for their home. Often it’s like there’s literally this one thing holding you up from getting the rest of it done. I’ve been there, with hundreds of clients and myself. Most Designers will even tell you it’s easier to make design decisions for others than for their own homes. Its true! That’s why we love our friends who are also designers because they’re our go to for our personal design dilemmas (how doubly lucky are we!!). And our Design Dilemma consult is meant to be the same for you! Its like having a designer friend on call whenever you need design advice.
“It’s like having a design friend on-call
whenever you need design advice”
Even when you think you’ve got it all figured out, and you’ve chosen ALL the things (and even with a full set of design plans) questions from your contractor, trades and suppliers will arise (sometimes flood in!) throughout your entire project. For those who don’t do this for a living or haven’t gone through a home build or renovation before, I promise you’ll under estimate the level of detail and instruction your trades will require or the sheer number of design related decisions they’ll launch at you as work progresses. I’ve been through the gut-to-stud’s interior build process hundreds of times, I fully understand what information is needed and how its all related and communicated as every detail has a domino effect on a dozen others. Things like why baseboards or casings should be a certain size not just ‘standard’, when and how to transition materials properly, what heights all the things need to be and why you should never just leave it up to the tiler, plumber or electrician make the decisions on placement.
My passion for sharing design advice is the reason I began offerring e-design services back in 2005. Every week I received lots of general inquires about design services but I found it impossible to reject certain inquiries simply because it wasn’t a large enough project or budget. I always felt compelled at the very least to offer up advice or refer some sources. I knew this alone could prevent a regrettable mistake and would make a significant difference in moving them forward and lead to more successful end results So I added this level of help as a one-time Q&A consult to our e-design services - it remained one of the most popular options up until we launched the current version of TDS website last year. Finally this past month we reintroduced an updated version including the added option of a live zoom consult as well as fully integrated online submission forms and payments.
Design Dilemmas are a stand-a-lone consult providing convenient one on one access to design guidance throughout any point in your planning or build process - without the need to purchase a design package or engage in full-scope services. Through the focused Q & A session, by email or zoom, you'll get my expert opinion and advice on your most pressing design question or challenge, helping you move forward with confidence and clarity. Accessible at your fingertips wherever you’re located with turn around typically in 2-3 days.
Whether you're uncertain about materials, trim, doors or moulding details, which WHITE to use, fixture selections or finishes, this type of consultation offers you peace of mind that you’ve make the best choices with the help of a pro. It’s a small investment that ensures you’re on the right track and helps you avoid costly mistakes. It’s also a great stepping stone to working with us further. In fact some of the largest projects we’ve been involved in started out as simple Design Dilemmas and progressed to a complete home redesign.
We’re excited to once again offer these super productive Q&A sessions so more people can gain access to Good Design advice. My hope is taht you’ll not only just check it out but bookmark it for the next time your in need of advice from ‘a design friend’. Then feel free to enjoy a glass of rose or your favourite brew while crossing that problem off your list.
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Blog Author
Carol Reed | Interior Designer
Carol has been a practicing Interior Designer for over 28 years, focusing on residential interiors since 2005 as Principal of Carol Reed Interior Design Inc. Her work has been featured in Canadian House & Home, Style at Home and Canadian Home Trends magazines among others and frequently contributes as a design expert for their various editorial content. Honoured to be included in House & Home Magazines Top 100 Canadian Designers list.
