There’s always this unspoken pressure before a designer walks into your home.
Clients assume they need to clean, stage, organize… basically pretend they live in a showroom.
Let me save you the effort—please don’t.
If anything, I want the opposite. The more real your home is when I walk in, the better I can do my job. So if you’re preparing for our first meeting, here’s what I actually love (and need) from you:
1. Don’t clean up
I mean it.
I don’t need to see your home at its best—I need to see it as it really functions. Where things pile up, what’s always out, what feels chaotic… that’s where the design solutions live.
A perfectly cleaned house tells me nothing. A lived-in one tells me everything.
2. Come with a list
This is my love language.
If you walk me room-to-room with a clear idea of what you want addressed, we’re already ahead. It doesn’t have to be formal—notes on your phone, scribbles in a notebook, whatever works.
But knowing “we want to update this room, fix this issue, change this layout” gives me direction immediately.
3. Bring an open mind
You’re hiring me for a reason.
I’m going to see opportunities you may not have considered—and sometimes that means pushing things a little further than you expected.
Not in a way that feels uncomfortable, but in a way that elevates the outcome beyond what you thought was possible.
The best projects always come from a little trust and a lot of openness.
4. Have a general sense of your investment
We don’t need exact numbers—but we do need alignment.
For furnishing projects, I typically recommend starting around $90/sq ft as a baseline. From there, we can adjust based on priorities and scope.
Clarity here allows me to design responsibly and intentionally—without wasting your time (or mine) on things that don’t align.
5. Pull out what you already love
If you have pieces you want to keep—artwork, heirlooms, pieces from travels—take them out.
Don’t leave them tucked away in a closet or storage. I want to see them, touch them, and design around them.
Some of the best spaces are built from what already exists.
6. Send (and organize) your inspiration
You know I’m going to ask for this—and the more you give me, the better.
Inspiration photos help me quickly understand your taste, your direction, and what you’re drawn to. Even better if they’re somewhat organized or labeled with what you like about each image.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be thoughtful.
7. Tell me what’s not working
This might be the most important one.
I don’t just design for how a space looks—I design for how it lives. So tell me:
- What frustrates you daily?
- What feels awkward or inefficient?
- What do you avoid using?
These are not small details—they’re the blueprint for how I make your home better.
My Final Thought…
You don’t need to impress me.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to show up honestly—with a little preparation, a little clarity, and a willingness to explore what’s possible.
That’s where the magic starts!
