Resolve to start – and finish – a design project in 2022
Dec. 26, 2021 — The end of a year is a time of reflection.
It’s when we reminisce about wild and crazy or small and meaningful adventures we took over the last 12 months. We look through the hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos celebrating a year of birthdays, weddings, baby showers and anniversaries, and possibly feel a little faint after tallying the many gift receipts.
We can also think back on the home projects we managed to complete. Or maybe the projects we started that just won’t quite make the Dec. 31 finish line.
Now is the time to really hone in on our resolutions about what we intend to carry out in the new year, making it a fantastic time to start planning next year’s design projects.
Planning
A good chunk of any project is focused on the planning. If you intend to tackle a big design project in 2022, start this phase of your project immediately. This may require finding an interior designer or architect to help you reimagine your space, depending on the size or difficulty of your project.
This phase will potentially consist of drawings that show your existing space and how it will be remodeled. Explore decorative building materials and collect photos for inspiration. As you narrow down these components, you begin to see the once-scattered puzzle of your project slowly begin to take shape.
There isn’t a time limit on this phase of the project. Everyone has their own design timeline, but one thing is certain: This part of the process is not a speedy one.
Take time to process every material, every new or moved wall and every electrical wall plug, so the end result is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional.
Finding a contractor
The next phase would be partnering with a contractor and requesting a bid. Depending on the details of your project, it might make sense to contact a contractor while you are in the midst of your design plan.
Regardless, having a visual plan for contractors to review will make the bidding process a lot easier. To find good contractors, network with your friends and your community. It takes time to find someone that understands your vision, your budget and your timeline.
Sought-after contractors are booking four to six, even eight months out, which can be discouraging. But as you move through the design process, more often than not, you will need that time to potentially obtain a building permit and order tile, flooring, specialty appliances, lighting and so on.
The last phase is construction, when contractors and their crew truly “bring good things to life.” The famous General Electric slogan originally referred to anything from light bulbs to major transportation systems, but this slogan couldn’t describe the design and build community any better.
During this phase, you finally get to witness that infamous wall pushed out into your backyard 15 feet to make room for the trestle-based dining table that set this entire design project into motion. It’s when windows get placed in existing walls and you discover a spectacular view of Mount Diablo. It’s when your living space has finally come together from hardwood floor to vaulted ceiling, and all the time it took was totally worth the wait.
Contact Jennifer Leischer with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.
Jennifer Leischer
Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton, CA. Combining a public relations degree from California State University, Chico, with further studies in design and interior architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, Jennifer began her career as an interior designer in 1998, working for various firms in San Francisco and Orinda, and Denver, Colorado. She describes every designing moment, throughout her career, as a wonderful tutorial about the importance of relationships, open communication, and getting down to the basics of functional, yet stylish, living spaces.