My Design Process

Deciding on a design style when remodeling or re-furnishing your home can be confusing and overwhelming for some people, so I thought I would share how our company determines our client’s design style(s), and how that transforms their space into something more personal, functional, and beautiful! Welcome to part I of working with Kelsey Herrick Design LLC.

The origin of my design process started back when I was working with my mentor, Kristina Wolf, in 2012. She shared with me her design process and how she uses the information she gathered from her clients to make structural changes, furniture, and fabric selections, and more. I was so intrigued by her process and chose to adopt it as my own once I started my company in 2019. I have outlined our process below and have listed the steps we use to determine our client’s design style and transform their space.

• One of the key benefits of working with an interior designer is that we focus on how people live in the space. Asking lifestyle questions like “How do you want to use the space?” and “What is/isn’t working for you with your current setup?”, help to determine the intent of the space and creates the baseline of functionality. Because no matter how beautiful a room turns out, if it isn’t functional, it won’t be truly enjoyed as it should be.
• The next step is to determine the client’s design style(s). I give them a design exercise to complete before our next meeting. This exercise comes in the form of a design book with several distinct design styles and hundreds of photos. I ask my clients to mark the images that they are drawn to, and the ones that they don’t care for. (Sometimes knowing what someone doesn’t want is just as important as what they do want!) This process helps me determine their own personal design style and the essence of what they are drawn to. For couples, I ask that each person complete the exercise individually, so I can hear both singular voices, and see where the common ground is. Those voices also have to echo with the home. As Kristina would say, “the house has a voice of its own, and we want to hear what it wants, too.” This helps with overall harmony and flow throughout the entire space and makes it feel as though it was meant to be that way from the beginning.
• Once the clients complete the exercise, we’ll get together to walk through the book and the selections made. When reviewing what has been selected, I look for a pattern – is there a certain look or feeling that is repeating itself in the selections made? Is it consistent? Is there a certain feature, texture, or color palette they are drawn to? I always look for ways I can incorporate the key elements that appeal to a client and translate that into the materials and overall design of the project.
• During this meeting, I will also take photos, get accurate measurements, outline the project timeline, and go over the budget. These steps are instrumental in making sure the project stays on track and is clearly outlined. Planning for a project is the most crucial part of the whole thing and should be given plenty of time and consideration to ensure a smooth process.

Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter, where we will share how the design process continues throughout the rest of the project! If you are interested in transforming your home to make it more functional, reflect your inner voice, and harmonize with your home, please feel free to reach out for a consultation with Kelsey Herrick Design LLC.