Project Highlight! East New York
Hello beautiful people!
This month marks the 2 year anniversary for my first renovation as a freelance interior designer and I wanted to take some time to look back where I started as I venture into new projects.
Setting the Scene:
Picture it! 2021, NYC. An associate of the family just closed on a 2 bedroom co-op in East New York that is in desperate need of repair and they required assistance to make their new place home. I was so excited to have design project that would be my own from start to finish.
The Honeymoon and the thereafter:
We secure a contractor and begin the approved demo. The majority of the specified items are approved on the first round with very few re-shops. Im ecstatic! My years of working for others were helping me glide through this process. Then reality sets in. First problem, kitchen subfloors need to be completely redone or the tile work won’t be guaranteed, then the exterior facing walls aren’t plumb and needs to be adjusted, then the circuit breaker doesn’t have enough breakers, etc, etc, etc.
This project definitely reminded me of a number of things:
Communication is king! Making sure all your drawings have the most detail possible even if you don’t believe anyone will notice or need it. It’s better to have a fully developed set of drawings so that at least if they don’t include what was depicted, the fault lies elsewhere.
Be present! I fell into bad habits from lockdown as well as previous employment that you can remotely design a project. It is possible, but you always need boots on the ground to personally inspect everything. It also makes the client feel well taken care of which is what they are paying for. Make sure to leave the client feeling you are dependable and on your A game so you can secure their next project as well.
Have a spec book! Whether you use an interior designer or not, you should have printouts of all the furniture and materials being ordered. This is a habit I am getting a better handle on, especially for renovations. It’s important that trades have all the necessary information needed to install the items correctly. It also adds some insurance, as if there are any errors made on site, it becomes more troubleshooting than trying to avert blame.
These 3 rules have become the foundation of my design work. It can be a lot, especially when running a 1 man show, but the benefits definitely make it all worth it.
Finale!
We finally come to the end of the renovation part of the project. Floors have been stained and look gorgeous, the kitchen is a gem, and the required rugs have been installed according to building requirements. This is where I concluded the project and working with this particular client. Despite all the work put in, and the potential commission from the furniture purchases, sometimes you have to step away from a project or client to make sure things end as amicably as possible. Due to personal reasons in their own lives it wouldn’t have been a great experience to continue the project at that time. Overall I learned so much from this project, and gained a great project showing my management and design skills for a renovation. Here are a few images of the project below! You can find the full gallery on the E54th Street Project Page.
Have you gone through a renovation project, as a designer or as the client? Tell me about your experiences, and what lessons you learned during the process below. I’d love to compare notes!
Till Next Time
XOXO
ME