Aspiring Interior Designer Interviews J. Chandelle of Furniture Fashion

Recently a current interior design student from my Alma Mater wrote in and had some questions about what it took to become a kitchen and bath designer, and as that is one of my favorite parts of the industry, I was glad to answer her questions. Upon further review, I thought it would be great for my readers to see as well. It helps to give insight into how designers work and learn. Below is the Q & A session I did with this aspiring designer:

Hello JChandelle-

I am currently a student at The Art Institute of Houston and I noticed that you graduated from there as well. I am taking a kitchen and bath design class and was hoping that you could answer a few questions for me regarding the kitchen and bath industry? Your time and answers are greatly appreciated!

Hi There Brandy,

I am happy to help you! I will answer to the best of my ability.

Q) Do you only design kitchen and baths, or do you also design other rooms in the house?

A) We typically focus on kitchen and bath projects, but also have done bars, utility rooms, closets, wine rooms, and outdoor kitchens.

Q) What challenges in a kitchen and bath design make it different from designing other rooms?

A) The clearance requirements are not suggested clearances only for comfort, but also for the user's wellbeing. You must consider function, design, aesthetics, and above all, SAFETY of your client. There are far more hazards in kitchens in bathrooms than other spaces in the home. If you specify a polished marble floor right in front of a shower, the client could slip and hurt themselves, and you could be liable. If you have informed them of this hazard and they insist upon using it, get something in writing saying that you have made them aware of the dangers, and they are choosing to use the material against your professional advice.

Q) Which is your personal favorite to design: kitchen or bath?

A) That is a hard call to make, they are very different spaces, and yet they are the same in the fact that they are both very personal to us. A kitchen is typically a public space, and needs to reflect a client's taste, as well as their lifestyle (do they entertain or not... just family or large groups of friends?). A bathroom is a much more private and intimate space where people tend to want to relax and reflect on the day ahead, or on the day that is just finishing. If I were forced to make a call though, I really enjoy creating a relaxing bathroom.

Q) On an average, how many clients do you work within a year?

A) That depends on the year and the demand, but I would say around 40 per year. At any given time, I have between 8-12 projects going, all at different stages in the process, and new leads come in every day.

Q) How do you elicit client requirements?

A) We begin as soon as they call to inquire about our services. We ask how they heard about us, what area of town they are in, and what they want to achieve in the remodel or design. If they are a good lead, we follow up with an interview meeting to make sure that the designer and client "click" and determine if they need hourly consultation or a design retainer in which we actually do all of the drawings and elevations, pricing, and selections with them. We also hand out a kitchen or bath survey (about 13 pages of pertinent questions) to help us meet their needs.

Q) What are the major challenges you face when working with different types of clients?

A) Different personalities are definitely a challenge you must adapt to. Some clients need a lot of personal attention, others just want you to present a few options, they select what they want and give you the go ahead. You must also resign yourself to sometimes being a mediator between spouses, and there will be times when things get heated, but you must remind the clients that this is a fun time to help transform their space for the better.

Q) How important is the barrier-free design in kitchen and bath?

A) Barrier-free design is a very important movement that we like to emphasize to our clients, and there are many who are interested in it, but lots of others that are more interested in their vision of the space and what they do or don't want. As an example, I was designing a bathroom for a lovely lady who wanted a large new shower in place of her tiny shower and unused whirlpool tub. We had plenty of space inside the shower area so that water wouldn't go into the rest of the master bathroom, and there was no real need to have a 4" curb, so I had called for a barrier-free entrance that you could walk right into. She didn't like the idea, fearing water might still come out, and couldn't be convinced to leave it open. She got her 4" curb back, and that was that.

Q) Are there any common concerns clients have with their existing kitchen or bath?

A) Usually it is because the look or fixtures are dated, the space is too small, or the lifestyle of the client has changed. This occurs a lot when young families grow into empty nesters. Their life has changed from pampers, soccer, and dance, to dinners with friends and quiet evenings at home, and they like to reflect the changes in their lives by changing the space around them. Every person and family is different, from the way we entertain and the way we choose to relax, to the style of design we like.

Q) Do you remember coming across any unusual client requirements? What was your solution and why?

A) That is a loaded question. Almost all clients have a request that seems unusual in some way or another. I'll give you an example of a recent client who had always wanted to have a sink in her island, but the husband strongly opposed it. The island was all one height, so there was no splash guard to hide anything in the sink. She really liked the look of having the sink positioned in the island, and she had looked at tons of magazines that had the exact configuration she wanted. He argued that he didn't want to see dishes in the sink, because the island was supposed to be a focal point as well as a place for them to eat with their family. So we came up with two solutions. The kitchen was very large, so we added another single bowl sink and dishwasher drawer in an inconspicuous part of the kitchen to handle the dirty dishes, and the island sink was now a focal point that only handled light dishes and food prep. The second solution was to create a mobile splash made of the countertop material that could be set behind the sink, that way if they were entertaining and needed the second sink for heavier food prep or cleaning, the mess was still hidden.

Q) Has green design gained popularity in kitchen & bath design?

A) Green design is a major consideration in kitchen and bath design, and many clients are now asking about ways to lower their energy bills with efficient appliances, and want to know what the manufacturers of products are doing to minimize their impact on the environment. It is the responsibility of all designers to be informed, and to inform their clients on green products, issues, and practices.

Q) What are the most important or rewarding experiences that you've had in this profession?

A) Some of the most important experiences you can have are in the wake of your mistakes. In design, this is how you learn. You learn first of all you learn why not to design something that way again, and in fixing the mistake you learn how it should have been done in the first place. You will also learn how to fix situations you have gotten into, and to never assure the client of something without being 100% certain you know what you are talking about. As the principle of my firm has always told us, there is absolutely no shame in saying, "I don't know the answer, but I will find out for you." In fact your clients will respect you more for being honest with them, and will appreciate the time it takes you to get their questions answered. However, DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THROUGH!

Q) Is there any advice, best practices, or tips that you can provide to new kitchen and bath designers?

A) Definitely. Never believe you have all of the answers. Find a good firm with a solid reputation and begin to work for them, because trying to start this kind of business on your own with no experience would be irrational. You will feel awesome when you graduate, but your training is far from over. Find someone who has mastered the art of kitchen and bath design and cling to them like a sponge. After time with your firm, take all of your certifications, they all count to making you a credible designer. Join associations like NKBA and ASID and NETWORK! When you are ready to take on clients, you need to have a solid base of friends around you that can refer their clients to you for help specifically in kitchens and baths.

I hope this helps you Brandy, and thank you for the opportunity to help you in your education. Please let me know if you have any further questions. That goes for any of my readers, so please send me your questions and comments! I would love to hear from you.

-JChandelle