July has been a bit of blur. I love to be busy and work constantly inspires me. Add in some holiday travels and you could say there hasn’t been a second in the day to spare. This morning I did a double take when I realised that we are now in August. Where have the last few months of my life gone? And why are my To Do lists still unchecked and unfinished?
It would be a lie to say that I try not to live life according to one big list. I love my lists and I embrace them fully! The give me clarity on my thoughts, and they help keep me focussed on all that the goals – big and small – that I am trying to work towards. However if there is one thing I’ve learned from experience is that it is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you’re trying to tick off said lists, and sometimes all those tasks can feel insurmountable.
I’ve had to learn that it is the small, but consistent steps towards those goals that add up over the long term.
We try to pass this mindset onto our clients too. We often find that clients come to us because they feeling overwhelmed by the scale of their project or the number of decisions that need to be made, from concepts and colour schemes, tile choices and tiling patterns, right through to those finishing accessories, rugs, textiles and scatters cushions. We get it. There is a lot to think through!
That’s why we’ve tailored our design service to offer a flexible approach to a client and their project. We’re here to create the design concepts, source the required materials, furnitures and finishes and put the interior design plan into place, so they can roll it out as and when their budget allows. In this way a client can approach their project step by step, day by day. These small steps allow them to make progress, no matter how small, when it suits their schedule.
The same can be said those undergoing a renovation project when they are staring down the barrel of the finish line and just want it all to be over. This is certainly one of the most frustrating parts of a renovation project, and anyone who has lived through it knows that feeling of wanting your home to be clear of any contractor, clean from all the dust and ready for you to enjoy.
If you asked us what the two most important things to know for any upcoming renovation or design project, first would be having a design plan in place, followed closely by not rushing the process. With any project – big and small – creating a clear vision of how you want a space to look and feel, is extremely important BEFORE you start doing the work. While it can be tempting to jump right and start making decisions on the fly, putting your design concept into place should always be the first task to any design project. Then once you get started, it becomes a matter of patience. Renovation projects are well known for taking longer than planned, and this should be factored into your timeline. Having a realistic expectation is critical, as a rushed job is never a good job.
As someone who loves move through life at full pace and to finish tasks and see results, I constantly need to remind myself to stop, to take a breath and to enjoy the moment. The best part of the process is to enjoy where I am right now.
With that in mind, this month we’re focussing on all those small steps that make the big difference, and sharing our best tips and ideas for getting there.
Thanks as always for following along!
Xx