More and more my established “clientele” are thinking about their second home options. Over the past five years, with increasing regularity they have called me to confer as they look, shop or design their next house. Whether it is Napa Valley, Florida, Delaware, or the beach at the New Jersey Shore, their wish list is strong.
Here is what I have been asked and what my answers are:
Question: Do you work in…..?
Answer: I work wherever you are.
This establishes a level of comfort because we have established a language over the years that makes the result easy. I know my clients, they know me. They do not want to establish yet another relationship that requires an energy that they are expending towards moving, building or playing “golf” with new people. I can travel through the choices that they have , establishing what to save if they have the need to travel with existing pieces , or edit what may have come with an existing home in the region of their choice.
If you are a new client, the benefits of working with someone you trust that is local to your main residence is quite advantageous to you. While you are “at home” you are able to work on all of our designs and your decisions in a methodical way. With meetings at your home or our studio, we are able to efficiently design and execute your decisions right near you instead of having to do all the work on site where ever the new “second” home is.
Question: Will you work with an architect or builder?
Answer: When it comes to new build, I can work with their architect or builder establishing the floor plans that work best for the lifestyle that they have established over the years.
Question: Do different states have different rules?
Answer: Every state and municipality has rules and laws governing these projects and we closely align ourselves with local municipalities to make sure that the rules are followed and we have chosen proper trades people and permitting when necessary.
Question: How does the design process work from a distance?
Answer: The process doesn’t vary much from our local tristate projects. With all of the technology at our disposal, we fully incorporate email, photography, texting and on site management (if necessary). I also travel to the destination at first to get familiar with the job site and the people involved. After that I arrive to inspect at every major stage of the project, or when a client feels the need to have us around.
Questions: How are furnishings handled?
Answer: As you know, all things are shipped in from everywhere around the world. We coordinate and assemble and deliver in large stages, or as many clients prefe,r we assemble everything and install all in one big “event”.
We also have people with whom we travel, that create our unique and special backgrounds, either paint or faux techniques, custom built-ins and drapery installations (manufactured locally and shipped and installed by local installers.) Everything is handled at the complete convenience and ease of the client.
We walk you through every detail that you desire so that the experience of furnishing your home is as memorable as the result.