Home & Property
Five key questions to ask your interior designer
Attempting something for the first time can be overwhelming and hiring an Interior Designer is no exception. Will your visions will align? Are they qualified professionals? How long will the project take to complete? And most importantly; what is billable?
Identifying what a client and Interior Designer partnership is going to look like should always be considered at the very beginning. Most Interior Design studios will earmark a certain amount of consultation time without charges before design fees commence.
Interior Designers are experienced professionals who have met with a variety clients and so of course will have their own pre-prepared questions as without detailed thought before an initial consultation clients could feel ‘put on the spot’ and have inaccurate or unrealistic expectations.
I’ve put together five key questions to ask any Interior Designer as well as five important questions to ask yourself – for clarity and peace of mind from the very beginning of the process!
1. HOW DO I KNOW THAT YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE?
There is a difference between hiring an Interior Designer to that of an Interior Decorator – Interior Designers are technically skilled, experienced and formally trained in executing bespoke structural visions. All good Interior Design practices will be able to demonstrate skill, knowledge and experience through a portfolio of work.
If you are presented anything that you don’t understand, technical drawings for example, ask the designer to explain these to you – this will provide you with an even better understanding of both the designers technical knowledge and experience.
2. DO YOU HAVE A PREDEFINED DESIGN STYLE OR ARE YOU ABLE TO DESIGN BASED ON MY AESTHETIC ASPIRATIONS?
Some clients seek a particular Interior Designers services as way of achieving a particular predefined style – which in most cases the designer is well known for, whilst others prefer to work with a designer as a means to finding their own unique aesthetic.
A reputable designer will be able offer both, catering to the individual client their own vision through various principles. At The White House we consider many factors when designing a space; with an emphasis on textiles, colour, function & ambience, we’ve developed a reputation for capturing the nuances of our clients needs and aspirations.
3. ARE YOU ABLE TO WORK TO MY BUDGET, WHICH IS…
It is extremely important to approach design budgets with a realistic and transparent approach. Experienced designers are able to design spaces which meet budget requirements and will provide honest feedback from the beginning if a budget doesn’t align with the clients aspirations.
An Interior Designer won’t be able to provide an exact figure for the project as a whole from the very beginning as it takes time to develop a design and to identify the specific associated costs. They will however be able to explain what is billable such as design fees, admin and project management as well as how they invoice and purchasing procedures.
4. HOW DOES YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN PROCESS WORK?
Every interior design studio will have their own processes and structure and will be able to explain this in advance, clearly and concisely. Interior design is a process and takes time, anyone promising short time scales for deliveries should be approached with caution – it’s likely that the work produced will not be thorough.
Good designers will be working with multiple clients in tandem and producing works catered to each individual client, managed effectively with specific studio time allocated to each client.
5. HOW MUCH INVOLVEMENT IS REQUIRED FROM ME?
The purpose of paying for an Interior Designer is to outsource the time, knowledge and skills required to create a truly tailored, beautiful and functional space so make the most of the opportunity.
Your Interior Designer should be happy to do everything possible for you, whilst encouraging any feedback and thoughts at key stages during the design process – to ensure their vision aligns with the project brief. As a client it is important to make time for meetings with your designer and to eliminate any distractions so that honest and thoughtful feedback can be used to progress designs in a timely manner.
In a pioneering initiative aimed at making the dream of owning a home more attainable, the new “Rate Reducer” mortgage scheme has been launched. This innovative program, developed through a collaboration between Halifax, Virgin Money, and Barratt Developments, is set to revolutionize how first-time buyers in Bedfordshire approach home buying. This unique opportunity could see eligible homeowners enjoy mortgage rates as low as 1.89%.
How Does Rate Reducer Work?
The mechanics behind Rate Reducer are ingeniously simple and highly beneficial. The scheme uses incentives provided by housebuilders to directly reduce the interest on mortgage payments over a fixed term. For example, if a builder offers a 5% discount on the purchase price of a home, Rate Reducer uses this amount to decrease the mortgage interest. Homebuyers have the flexibility to apply this discount over the first two or five years, depending on the lender’s terms.
Immediate Benefits and Long-Term Gains
The immediate advantage of Rate Reducer is the significant reduction in monthly mortgage payments, making it easier for new homeowners to manage their finances as they settle into their new homes. Eliot Darcy, the founder of Own New, expressed his confidence in the scheme, stating, “Our ethos is to make home ownership and mortgage lending in this country open to more people, and we are confident that the launch of the Own New Rate Reducer will achieve that.”
A Smoother Financial Journey
Craig Calder from Virgin Money sheds light on the emotional and financial comfort that Rate Reducer brings to the table. “Buying a home is a major life event, and this first-of-its-kind mortgage product will help customers feel happier about their big purchase,” he explained. This scheme allows new homeowners to focus on personalizing their new space without the stress of high initial mortgage payments.
Supporting Dreams and Providing Choices
Halifax’s Amanda Bryden emphasizes the choice and support offered by Rate Reducer. “This product gives customers more choice in the way they can benefit from builder incentives and is especially helpful to those who want to see a lower initial mortgage payment as they get set up in their new home,” she noted.
Step Forward with Confidence
Rate Reducer not only makes the initial years of homeownership more manageable but also ensures that buyers are making a sound investment. The program requires buyers to consult with regulated mortgage brokers who have been specifically trained to guide them through this new scheme, ensuring that each homeowner makes the best financial decision for their long-term goals.
This partnership between leading lenders and housebuilders is a robust step toward fulfilling the homeownership dreams of many. With thoughtful planning and the right financial advice, stepping onto the property ladder in Bedfordshire has never been easier.
Luxury housebuilder Mulberry Homes is sharing its top tips on defusing stress at home this National Stress Awareness Day, taking place on Wednesday 2nd November, to help its residents beat the mania of modern life.
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Clear out unwanted clutter
There’s never a perfect opportunity to declutter and sort through all your belongings, but it can be a very cathartic experience. Removing unwanted items from your home can help you focus on the things that really mean a lot to you.
A clear and organised space can help you feel more relaxed, and it’ll be much easier to destress without being surrounded by clutter.
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Maintain a healthy sleep schedule
During particularly stressful times, it can be easy to slip into bad habits like not getting enough sleep, which can make the stress worse.
A full night’s sleep will help you to recharge quickly, and provide you with enough energy to get through the busy days.
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Eat healthy
It’s easy to take comfort in junk food, especially with the convenience of takeaways. But eating unhealthily will put your body at a disadvantage when it comes to coping with and recovering from stress.
A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, is a great way to improve wellbeing.
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Make use of your garden
Being in the outdoors is proven to be beneficial for your mental wellbeing. Surrounding yourself with greenery and breathing in fresh air is an excellent thing to make sure you do every now and again, especially if you’ve been indoors all day.
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Stay active
Many of us nowadays lead very inactive lifestyles, both at work and at home, looking at screens. However, short bursts of physical exercise are proven to boost your mood.
Releasing those endorphins into your system is an excellent way to unwind and to prepare yourself best for dealing with the upcoming stress of the day. Try going for a run in the morning, or a walk after work.
About Mulberry Homes
This year, Mulberry Homes has been running a monthly community fund, called The Mulberry Community Chest.
As part of the programme, charities and public organisations local to its developments are invited to apply to receive a one-off donation of £1 to £1000, and each month, a judging panel will select a beneficiary to secure the requested funding. For more information or to submit an application, visit https://mulberryhomes.co.uk/news/distinctly-local/.
Established in 2011 and based in Warwickshire, Mulberry Homes is a medium housebuilder that provides quality properties across the wider midlands. It specialises in individual and small developments with their own looks and personalities and builds traditional homes with modern layouts.
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‘All about the community’, The Almere prides themselves on making living easy for their residents. With residents set to move this month, the exciting new community boasts co-working, communal and event spaces within the building.
The ground floor ‘Gathering Place’ is bookable to the local community and to residents, whilst upstairs on the 11th floor sits an amenity space for residents, where part will be for co-working, roof terraces to hang out, barbeques and yoga classes. Additionally, there will also be a fitted kitchen and dining area which can be closed off for a private dining experience.
The Almere Neighbourhood Hero initiative
With community at its heart, The Almere aims to build relationships and work collaboratively with local businesses to guide residents to the best spots and products in town. The Almere’s new Neighbourhood Hero initiative has handpicked local, and predominantly independent businesses to connect residents with the true value of living in Milton Keynes, highlighting all that there is to offer.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic having had such an impact on small, independent businesses it’s key to get people back out there and supporting locally. The Neighbourhood Hero initiative is a fantastic example of this, helping businesses to thrive and regain their position within the economy. Current Heroes include Bogota Coffee Co; DeRoka; Fuuudgelife; Suds; Sweat Studios; Doorstep Cocktails; Mollys Pantry; Pup Club; Headonist Hair and Beauty; and Moxy Hotel.
Benefits of the Almere led scheme include:
- Feature on The Almere website, with regular spotlights and tags on social media channels
- Exposure to over 600+ residents, and the ability to send offers and deals to them, without incurring any marketing costs
- Welcomed as a core part of the community, allowing the businesses to use the communal spaces to hold pop-up events for residents and the local community
- Include collateral in the ‘move in packs’ for new residents, for free
- Invited to all community events at The Almere, and work together on collaborative event activations
Community Manager, Holly Birmingham explains, “Community is so important to us at The Almere – it is all about meaningful connections both within our own four walls and the wider neighbourhood. At The Almere, we aren’t just a building, we are a new community in the heart of Milton Keynes. We want to support the brilliant local businesses around us, create lasting relationships and of course, show our residents the best our town has to offer.”
The new scheme offers an exciting experience for local businesses to work on an exclusive basis with the upcoming, Milton Keynes hotspot, offer discounts to residents and in turn help show the rest of the UK what Milton Keynes has to offer!
About The Almere
A pioneering new rental community for Milton Keynes, The Almere, is a collection of 294 rental apartments built across two buildings with neighbourhood and outstanding service experience at its core.
