The pandemic taught us that a lot of designing can be done through a smartphone camera lens—but that doesn’t mean it should be. On-site visits still hold tremendous value, but where they now fall in a project’s life cycle may have shifted. We asked six designers—Jen Dallas, Amy Youngblood, José Schnaider, Tanya Paz, Lesley Ray and Ashely Gallion—whether their initial consultation includes a site visit.
Look & Learn
“My initial consultation always includes a site visit. It helps me understand the project and gives me insight into my prospective client’s life: What do they like? How do they live? [The visit] helps answer questions that I might not [otherwise] think of asking within the first couple of conversations. I can also get a better idea of what my fee should be and any additional services I might suggest. Many times on my first site visit, I find that the project at hand is only the first phase of what the client will need. Visiting a client’s home gives you so much information—it is always worth it.” —Jen Dallas, Jen Dallas Interiors, Santa Monica, California
One, Two Step
“If a client fits our criteria, our initial consultation is a phone call. If the call goes well, we meet clients at their home, place of business, or at our office for new builds. It’s usually a two-step process—this gives us access to their space and allows us to get information for our fee or proposal.” —Amy Youngblood, Amy Youngblood Interiors, Cincinnati
Virtual Assist
“[Whether we do an initial site visit] depends on the location of the project. We usually like to go and see the space in person to understand it, but if we cannot travel to the location, we do it virtually and request materials [from the client] to understand the details. We try to get as much information as possible, and site visits are very effective, even if they’re virtual.” —José Schnaider, Sten Studio, Mexico City
Test the Waters
“Our first engagement [with a client] is almost always a phone call or video chat. We like to get on-site as soon as possible, however, as there are often constraints or opportunities we can only assess in person. It also is great to meet in person to start building the mutual trust and rapport needed for a successful project. Since we tailor our approach to each project, this second meeting also helps us form our proposal and map out a process to best meet their needs. We sometimes even use the time to verbally test some initial ideas, as collaboration with clients is one of our biggest values. We believe that strategic execution starts with open dialogue and exploration.” —Tanya Paz, TAP Studio, Los Angeles
Signed, Sealed
“Our initial consultation is a 30-minute introductory Zoom meeting [because] the first step of any potential project is to establish whether or not working together is a good fit for both parties. From our point of view, we are looking for people who are excited to embark upon this process, open to pushing themselves creatively and respectful of everyone on our team. This is something we can gather during our initial [virtual] introduction meeting. If it feels like a good fit, we will send a proposal for design services, and upon signature and initial payment, we schedule a site visit.” —Lesley Ray, Lesley Ray Design, San Francisco
IRL Advantage
“A site visit is included in all of my initial consultations because it is so important to me. Visits aren’t always imperative, but they do give me a real feel for the space and what I am working with. I am a very visual person, so getting to do a walk-through in a home and putting my eyes on it is always best.” —Ashley Gallion, Shoppe Ayer, Montgomery, Alabama
Homepage image: Ashley Gallion stays true to tradition in the classic-with-a-twist lounge space, complete with wood details and antique lighting | Becca Frederick Photography
