What Separates the Best Interior Designers from the Rest?
While many interior designers can create a beautiful space, the best interior designers provide an exceptional client experience as well as a beautifully finished home, from conception to execution. Client Experience (CX) has become the buzzword in industries from home design and travel to health care and technology. An exceptional client experience goes beyond customer service.
Dane sets the tone for his team by personally connecting with his clients, and setting the bar high for excellence in all areas of his firm. The focus on a smooth process is beneficial to Dane’s clients, team members, and design partners (builders, vendors, and subcontractors) because it reduces confusion, miscommunication, and stress for everyone involved in the project.
Over the years, as DADI has grown and expanded, dedicated processes and systems have evolved, with our client’s satisfaction as our primary goal. In past Journal posts, we’ve explained our process, the importance of setting intentions and managing expectations.
Dane’s entire process is set up to avoid operating in overwhelm. “No one thrives in a chaotic environment. DADI is devoted to our client’s wellbeing,” says Dane. “Every system, every step of our process is meant to enhance the client experience by providing ease, efficiency, and enjoyment.”
PROJECT MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
“The business of interior design is 20 percent creative and 80 percent managing and running the project,” Dane explains. “Clients trust that we have the expertise to handle every aspect of their projects so they can relax and enjoy the process.”
Coordinating all of the design details, scheduling, and hundreds of moving parts for a project can test the most seasoned interior designers. The way for design firms to be efficient and profitable is to stick to their dedicated systems and ask that stakeholders do the same.
We have become experts in managing project through:
Defining the project scope
Establishing key architects and builders
Developing the design
Budgeting strategies
Clear and weekly communication internally and with clients
Schedule and timeline coordination
Procurement and purchasing
Shipping and freight issues
Storage and Delivery
Marketing and PR of projects
The reason that we share this is for the sake of transparency and thoroughness. The more our clients understand and embrace our practices, the better experiences we all have throughout a project.
Given that the design and building industry is still experiencing disruptions and delays caused by the pandemic, we feel it is vital to share this information with our clients and future clients, team members, and industry partners. We strive to make every experience a positive one and value our relationships with clients and team members.
CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS
Although we take particular care with the business of interior design, we also make time for fun and creative aspects. If you follow our @colorfulllife Instagram feed and stories, you’ll see much of what inspires us--from spending time in nature, to friends and family, and from the phenomenal work of colleagues to the wonderful stories in magazines online and in print. One of the true benefits of living and working in New England is enjoying the change of seasons.
Another source of inspiration comes from listening to and getting to know our clients. They bring their vision and stories to every project, and then we synthesize and interpret that knowledge to create homes our clients will love.