The Details We Handle

For those of you who’ve spent a little time on the studio blog, you’re probably familiar with the basic run-down on our design process. You know our client experience is carried out in four main phases, which takes us from initial outreach all the way through final styling on install day. And while we’ve previously covered those high-level phases of our work, today we want to hone in on the details. I’m talking about all the lesser-known (yet equally important) components we handle as a design firm to bring any interior concept to life. To keep ourselves organized, we’re breaking down these details into three key areas: design, logistics and procurement. Whether you’re well-versed in the design space or you’re brand new to the scene, we hope to shed some light on the full scope of an interior designer’s role and share what makes the Mackenzie + Co. approach so special. 

The Design Details

Once our clients have officially signed on to work with us, it’s time to dive right into the fun details of design! We set meetings to discuss a client’s vision at length, curate our top sources of inspiration, and work towards developing a formal design presentation. Of course, you may be envisioning a pretty mood board (which we’re big fans of, by the way), but that only scratches the surface. Our design presentations feature incredibly detailed, room-by-room floor plans complete with fully vetted components rather than a more conceptual approach.  As we present to our full-service design clients, we showcase products that have been hand-selected for their homes, all from our trusted network of industry vendors. While we love sharing favorite products sourced from major retailers with Mac + Co.’s blog and social media followers, our clients always receive a highly curated collection of new, vintage, and custom pieces sourced from suppliers that are unavailable to the general public.  Along with fully customized selection, we also ensure that each piece is vetted for availability. This allows us to showcase real, tangible design plans that our clients can engage with as we make decisions moving forward. Once we present and make any necessary adjustments, we follow up with a proposal of all the items highlighted within the presentation. We sit tight for our clients’ final stamp of approval, and then it’s time to let logistics take over.

via Graybarns

The Logistical Details

Now that we’ve talked through design, let’s touch on the logistical details that take place behind the scenes. Our role as interior designers often involves working alongside architects (more on that here!), tradespeople, and subcontractors for any new build or remodel projects. Some people may assume an interior designer’s work ends with furnishing and accessory selections, but that’s most definitely not the case. Along with comprehensive project management, we coordinate and schedule all subcontractors for any renovations prior to installation, including painting and custom work for kitchens, baths, mudrooms, built-ins and more. As designers, we also coordinate window treatment installers, electricians, plumbers and any handy-people who may be needed on the day of final install. Our work involves many moving parts that requires constant organization to keep a project on schedule, on budget, and always on track.

via Decor8 The Procurement Details

There are so many details that go into procurement, but they all revolve around ordering, project management, and the general logistics leading up to a final install. At Mackenzie + Co., we assign one of our team’s trained project managers to each client and provide ongoing client communication throughout the entire process.  Our team works hand-in-hand with our receivers as they inspect each and every item that’s received in our offsite warehouse. We closely track pieces from the time an order is placed to the day it is received at our warehouse. That also includes handling any damages that might have occurred along the way and making arrangements for replacements right away. All this careful work on the frontend helps ensure our final install day goes off without a hitch. 

via Mindy Gayer Design Thanks so much for joining us on this deep-dive into our role behind the scenes. If you have any questions on the process or just want to say hello, drop us a line and we’d love to connect!