The Reno Reveal: Inside the Process with Michelle’s Designs
Working with an Interior Designer can be a new and exciting experience for a lot of people. At Michelle’s Designs we want all of our clients to have a good organized step by step process that ensures a smooth transition to your newly designed space. Our 8 step process is designed to keep things organized, clear, and enjoyable, so you always know what to expect. From the initial contact to the final walkthrough, we guide you every step of the way to ensure a smooth journey into your beautifully transformed space. Let’s walk you through exactly how we do it.
Initial Contact
Every great project starts with a simple conversation. Whether it's a phone call, text, email, social media, etc. We will chat about your ideas, what you’re hoping to achieve, and get a general feel for the vision you have in mind. It is also a chance for us to see if we are a right fit for each other, this is important because great design is built on great collaboration.
Consultation Meeting
Our initial client meeting is where we dive into the details of the project. We'll meet on site to walk through the space together, this helps us get a real sense of the layout, lighting, and overall potential. During this visit, we’ll take all the essential measurements needed to begin our drawings and start shaping your vision. We’ll discuss your goals, your style, and most importantly, your budget. We like to dream big in the beginning, this gives us a clear picture of the full potential of your space. From there, we can identify where to invest for maximum impact and where we might find opportunities to save. Once we have gathered all the key information, we will get into the drawing and design phase. This meeting is roughly 1 hour or less depending on the space.
Concept Development
After our initial meeting we get straight to work transforming everything we have discussed into a personalized design plan tailored just for you. This process usually takes about two weeks. We begin drafting the drawings, depending on the type and scope of your project we see what type of drawings we create. Some clients prefer detailed technical drawings, while others are happy with simple renderings that capture the overall vision. We’ll also explore different material combinations digitally to see how they might come to life in your space, like cabinetry finishes, tile selections, flooring options, and more. At the same time, we start reaching out to our trades for quotes. The timeline for receiving all pricing can vary depending on their availability, but you can expect this to take anywhere from two to four weeks.
Second Meeting
This is where the fun begins. We dive deep into the design, starting by viewing the drawings and getting into the nitty gritty details. We will explore materials, layout ideas, and your vision for each area, from textures and colours to must-have features in your new space. Once we have talked through every detail, we will review the quotes we have received from our trades. This is where we decide whether we are sticking to the original plan or making a few adjustments to align with your budget. As we begin finalizing the design, we will also chat about the desired involvement you want from us and walk you through our pricing structure. Once everything feels just right, we will sign the contracts and officially move on to the next step.
Trades Day
Following the second meeting, we place orders for all materials, appliances, furniture, and fixtures, whatever is needed for this renovation. At the same time, we coordinate with all of our trades to align timelines and keep the project flowing smoothly. One of the key steps in this phase is what we call Trade Day. This is when all or most of our trades meet on site at around the same time to walk through the space together. It allows everyone to scope out the project, clarify responsibilities, and address any questions or overlaps in real time. This approach helps minimize disruptions to the homeowner by reducing the number of separate visits and saves time by avoiding delays or miscommunications. This stage can be one of the longer parts of the process, as we wait for all materials to arrive, typically from 3 to 10 weeks, depending on what has been ordered and which trades are involved.
Prepare
The design process is only half the story, what comes next is where the real transformation begins. While it is an exciting process, it can come with a few plot twists. You can help keep things on track by having your home renovation ready: clear out work areas, remove personal items, and ensure easy access so trades can get started without delays. We may run into delayed shipments, damaged or incorrect materials, or unexpected trade schedule changes. These little hiccups can impact the timeline of the project, sometimes just slightly and occasionally a bit more.
Execution and Working
Once all planning is complete and the materials have arrived on site, we enter the execution phase of the design process. This is where the energy shifts, tradespeople begin their work, from demolition to rough ins to installation and finishing touches. It is a dynamic, often fast paced stage where your home becomes a hub of activity. Different trades are coming and going, coordinating timelines, and working within the space to bring your design to life. This can be both exciting and unpredictable. Sometimes things run smoothly and other times, hidden issues will emerge from behind walls or under floors. This is why flexibility and clear communication are essential. As the designer and project manager we take a hands-on approach overseeing progress, solving problems that may arise, and ensuring everything stays true to the design and on schedule. This is the phase where trusting in the process and your team really pays off.
Final Walkthrough
After a busy time of coordinating and bringing your design to life, we will meet one final time on site for a full walkthrough. This is our chance to review every detail together and ensure everything is just as you envisioned or even better. Honesty is key, we want your unfiltered feedback so we can ensure you are genuinely happy with the final result. Once the walkthrough is complete, we will hand over a detailed FF&E package that includes all material specs, appliance details, and trade contacts for your future reference. From there, it is time to pop the champagne as your new beautifully designed space is now complete and ready to be enjoyed.
At Michelle’s Designs, we believe that great design is more than just beautiful finishes, it is about creating a seamless, collaborative experience from start to finish. Our 8 step process is designed to take the stress out of renovations and replace it with clarity, creativity, and confidence. We know that renovations can be unpredictable, sometimes seamless, sometimes a little chaotic, but our goal is to make the journey feel just as exciting as the final reveal. With the right team by your side, transforming your space can actually be really fun and we are here to prove it.
