Interview with Amanda Simmons Interiors
I have had the privilege of working with Amanda Simmons of Amanda Simmons Interiors and I thought she would be the perfect person to interview about the interior design process. The following is the first installment of our conversation. Please review Amanda’s Web site here and contact her for any of your interior design needs. Here is our conversation.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give someone who wants to work with an interior designer?
A: Don’t be intimidated by the process. I think that most people are intimidated to work with a designer because they think they need to spend X amount of money or meet a certain minimum, but not all designers work that way. Some designers offer to work on a consultation basis where the client pays them by the hour to give advice on existing projects or new projects. Working on a consultation basis is a great way to get started with a designer if you’ve never worked with one before.
Q: Why do you think someone should hire an interior designer?
A: Because there are so many moving parts to a project, if you don’t have someone that has the vision to see the design through from A to Z it can get kind of muddy in the middle.
Q: What are some important questions for a potential client to ask an interior designer prior to choosing an interior designer for a project?
A: In my opinion, the most important questions are about how the designer charges and to make sure a particular designer is a good fit for their project’s budget and timeline.
Q: Are all interior designers the same? In other words, what differentiates one designer from another?
A: No. Not all interior designers are the same. Things that differentiate designers are a particular design style or how they bill.
Q: Is personality important when selecting a designer?
A: It’s a very personal relationship working with an interior designer because they are trying to blend style and aesthetic with how your family functions. If you find a designer you can build that relationship with, your project will be better in the end.
Q: How do you design and what should a client expect from an interior designer during the design process?
A: I start by getting to know my clients. I get to know how they live their lives, what their priorities are, and how their family functions. Then, I create two to three options for each particular room. Next, I present the rooms to the client. So, if a client liked a dining table out of option A and a dining chair out of option B, they can mix and match individual aspects of each design. In that way, the client can be part of the process and have their hands in the design.
Q: How do you create value for your clients?
A: I think relieving my clients of the daily management of their interior design project is something that adds value. The typical family or household operates under a very tight schedule, so I am handling the day-to-day operations that they just don’t have time to manage. My job is to communicate to them updates and keep them informed on the process.
Q: My follow up question would be why choose to pay an interior designer, which is usually viewed as a luxury good, instead of designing it myself?
A: I think this goes back to my other point about how there are so many moving parts in a project. If you don’t have a professional to guide you, you could make costly mistakes along the way. Then you are having to pay to fix your mistakes instead of just hiring a professional and doing it right the first time. One of my first interior design bosses Kristen Nix told me, “buy once, cry once.” She learned that through her process and I feel like that speaks volumes in this industry.
Q: How long does a typical design take from start to finish?
A: The timeline depends on the client. It depends on the scope of the project, how many revisions need to be made to the original scope of the project, and the client’s ability to commit to a decision.
Q: How much should someone budget for a typical project? Is there a good rule of thumb for people when they are budgeting for furniture, drapes, etc.?
A: I would say it depends if we were going to design a room around a big box store selections or if we were going to design a room around custom, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Q: I watch a lot of HGTV and I have a Pinterest account. Doesn’t that make me an expert too?
A: No. The things you see on TV and the things that have been photographed and posted to Pinterest have been tweaked. Whether it’s lighting or it’s perfectly staged for a viewer’s consumption, it is not a real, lived-in home. Most of the lamps you see on TV haven’t even been plugged in!
Q: How do you prevent interior design from just being a consumer good?
A: I think it’s about caring. I care about my clients and I care about how things function for them. Sometimes I overlook things that I wouldn’t necessarily support as an interior designer because it functions for their family and their household. I am happy to support them and help see their requests through. I feel like when I am putting my client first, it prevents it from just becoming a commodity.
Q: What is your main goal when designing for a client?
A: My main goal is functionality because I am only on the project six months to a year. Then, I leave and I go home to my home and my family. If I know that the design that I’ve created functions for my clients for years to come, I am happy. I rest easy.
Q: Don’t you also want to make it beautiful?
A: Of course! But sometimes I will look over perfection if it doesn’t make any sense for the client.
The second installment of our conversation will be posted shortly. Please visit Amanda’s Web site here and follow her on instagram (@amandasimmonsinteriors).