Shaping the Design Process Through Client Insights

A traditional living room is the latest project for Molly's client of five years. Molly has worked in all rooms of this house building a great working relationship with the family.

Shoes off or on? That's my first question after greeting a client at their front door to ensure I follow their home's customs. If there is a dog in residence, that's my next greeting as I'm a dog (and cat) lover. With my computer, fabric, and paint samples in tow, our design meeting begins.

Most of my meetings are in clients' homes-not in an office or via Zoom. Interior design is a personal service, and I get to know my clients on a personal level. Think about how much you tell your hair dresser or barber-well, I think I can top them!

This month I'm reflecting on the personal nature of interior design and what I've learned and valued from being in countless homes over the past nine years. Many of my client relationships grow into what I would consider friendship, and all of them have given me experiences that I treasure.

Walking into someone's home is like walking on sacred ground. Home is a place for nurturing, rest, and privacy from the outside world. A home is where the family spends cherished time together. Reverently, I enter homes to offer assistance and guidance without judgement.

There are a few main categories of households that call upon me. The young-family category always feels the need to explain the toys everywhere. Don't worry-been there, done that! The empty-nester category. Yes, I can reuse what you want to keep and update your house at the same time! The starting-from-scratch category. I can design your whole house-not a problem! The just-a-little-help category. I got you too!

Regardless of a home's design challenges, the process always starts with getting to know each other. They tell me they need a reclining chair to read their medical journals, tables to assemble puzzles, and a sofa long enough for naps. Clients share with me their backgrounds and sources of influence like growing up in New England or Mississippi, or having an affinity for cabins and lodges.

In the homes where I've worked, I've seen collections of Precious Moments figurines, train sets, silver, and Lenox Christmas ornaments. One client told me about her collection of high heels, which I hope to see one day.

My clients have given me tours of their home temples, shown me their decorated Jewish marriage contracts, and explained how their living room is used for Bible studies. It is through intimate discussions such as these that our relationship builds.

One of my clients paints abstracts as a hobby outside of his career as a journalist. His paintings are hung throughout the family's home. I told him I was intimidated to select art for an artist, but he remained confident in my abilities to do it. Another client said, "That looks like my sister's house." (Then I knew she didn't like that particular wallpaper sample).

In the decision-making processes, I admire the couples that make selections through a give-and-take fashion. I also respect situations where one spouse works with me and the other couldn't care less about decorating, because we all have chores that we like to delegate to our spouses. Some couples warn me that I will have to play the role of counselor/designer. No worries-I am good at finding common design ground. In fact, one family told me they just ask,

"What would Molly do?" That made me laugh.