Considering Hiring an Interior Designer in Portland?
Half of our clients haven’t worked with an interior designer before calling our Portland studio. Working with an interior designer is more common these days for busy people. Sure, the interior design marketplace is full of options, but that in itself can lead to confusion. What contractors do I work with? What changes to my home will make the most impact? What will last ? What is the best value? Am I spending too much? Am I spending too little to have my goals met?
If you are seeking an interior designer in the Portland area, you may have a lot of questions about the process. Over the past 12 years as an interior designer, I have made it a priority to create a process that nets a better project for all of us – you, me and any contractors working on the project on our behalf.
How we design with you in mind
We will ask a lot of questions when you call us and during our first meeting. What are your priorities? What do you like about your home now? What is on your wish list of items to tackle? How do you want to use your space? We will also ask you to gather visual ideas of environments that appeal to you that we can review together. Houzz.com and Pinterest are both wonderful online resources for gathering ideas.
Next we listen. We pay attention to your interests, where you have traveled, and finally what you have already created in your surroundings. Our job is not only knowing great design, but being able to understand and visually articulate what you desire is in visual form. You probably won’t have all the words to describe what you want and that is okay. This process of getting to know you allows us to put together an initial concept for your design that speaks “YOU”.
Tell us your vision and let go
Our next step will be producing a design concept that may include space planning, surface selections, furniture, fixtures, lighting and hardware. This is a pretty exciting appointment and if we are doing our job right, you will likely see some ideas you hadn’t considered. For some clients, new design ideas may take a bit of time to digest. We ask that you keep an open mind, and when in doubt go back to the reasons you hired us. If you didn’t see anything in our portfolio you loathed, and our client reviews are exceptional, chances are very good you will be extremely pleased with the designed outcome.
Details make the space
Details in the design are what makes the space special and impactful. It isn’t uncommon in the end for a client to end up loving the element that was scariest for them to approve in the design concept. Sometimes this includes a whimsical chandelier, a bold fabric or wallpaper. While we sincerely want to know if you don’t like the direction of an idea, do your best to be open-minded. Too many changes and concessions water down the impact of the design, and neither of us want that.
You can count on us
We always have your best interest at heart. We are committed to a design outcome that is better than what you are imagining. We want to give you something you have not already seen and most of all we want it to all feel good – the space and the experience.
Angela Todd
Owner & Principal Designer
Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.
