I completed a brief for a new project in Preston this week. The project is a full house refurbishment. In any project but particularly in large projects a brief is a critical document. The heart of an interior design project – the brief acts as a road map. A document that contains, functional problems, wish lists, ideas, preferences and and so.
The Brief
As the brief is the foundation of any interior design project. It’s the information gathering stage that helps me with my design work. Get an intimate understanding of the client and the space so that I can present suitable design solutions.
Absolutely every single project I work on whether it’s hospitality design, accommodation or residential, starts with a brief. The brief is the beginning of the design process which includes design and concept, implementation, and styling.
During a brief meeting, the client and I will discuss style goal, colour scheme, function, furniture layout, among other things.
Every client is different. Their style goal and colour preferences are unique to them. Their functional goals and interior aspirations need to suit their individual lifestyle.
For another client I was working with their home office, when we discussed function in the brief, client was clear about the ‘working’ aspect of the home office but also wanted a ‘retreat’ space. With three kids, she wanted a space to have some time out, for reading and browsing.
With this information, and with the measurements of the space, we agreed on a furniture layout and for the ‘time out’ function of the space, I specified a love seat. A love seat is generally smaller than a sofa. A super cute piece for Brosa.
Client Feedback
During our meeting last week the client’s feedback was that it was too small, that she wanted a piece large enough to nap on.
At this point I felt like banging my head against a brick wall because I’m really thorough with the interior design brief stage of the design process and had my client told me that the function of the time out zone of her home office was reading, browsing AND napping, I would have selected and specified a completely different piece.
I don’t like my client’s to be disappointed in any way. But my client was perfectly reasonable and understands the interior design brief process, so I had to specify another piece. Easy done, in no time I found this piece, slightly bigger, which she loves.
When this piece arrives we’ll have another meeting to discuss the finishing touches, complete the project to allow my client to just enjoy her ‘time out’ space.
The interior design brief is the heart of the project and impacts the direction and one change means a review of everything in the space.
