INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION IN FRANCE
What are the different stages of an interior decoration service ? What defines a good professional? We answer all your questions !
We reveal all the steps that our firm, Perspectives Architecture & Design, follows with its clients for an interior decoration service ! Hang on... there are a few abbreviations, but once you overcome these obstacles, it’s quite simple, and you’ll be able to understand any interior architect !
If you happen to work with a different company, the steps may vary, or there may be other methods, and that’s okay! However, we believe that this approach is the best way to proceed.
The journey of a decoration project with an interior architect
Sketch
Preliminary Project
Final Project
Construction contrat assisantance
Project Management
Site reception
Let’s dive into the adventure of turning your vision into a reality -complete with sketches, swatches, and maybe even a little glitter !
The first meeting with the interior architect
Before starting any phase of the decoration project : a meeting is essential ! A real one !
After a quick email and phone exchange, we prefer to meet you in person. This allows us to create a list of your expectations and needs while also getting to know the property you’re discussing with us. To be honest, as interior architects, the first meeting with a client serves two main purposes :
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We ensure that the project is coherent, appears realistic, complies with regulatory requirements (especially the local urban plan), and that we are competent to carry it out*.
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We check for a good rapport and whether we are ready to collaborate together.
From your perspective, the first meeting with your interior architect is a crucial step. You are looking for a professional who can understand your needs, translate your ideas into a concrete project, and guide you throughout the process. Here’s what we believe the perfect professional should be able to do during this initial exchange :
LISTEN
It’s essential ! If a professional interrupts you and isn’t attentive: run away !
Listening allows us to gather as much information as possible about your project, and this must be done without judgment and with kindness. This is the starting point where we collect everything necessary for the smooth progression of the project.
UNDERSTAND
If you’re reaching out to an interior architect, it’s likely because you’re facing a problem... That problem is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
This is why an experienced professional practices active listening, aiming to understand your tastes, constraints, expectations, and vision. They dig deeper into understanding your real needs.
INFORM
Finally, we are here to provide you with information. You’ll have an experienced professional by your side, so take advantage of the opportunity to ask all your questions ! There are no silly questions! It’s the interior architect's role to inform you right from the start about what they believe is possible or not, the legal framework, an estimated budget, and more.
* We are an interior architecture firm, and while we have a DPLG architect on our team, some projects may exceed the scope of our expertise. It is our responsibility to identify if your project falls outside our area of competence and to refer you to the appropriate professional (such as a consulting firm, HMONP or DPLG architect, land surveyor, etc.).
The sketch phase
in interior design
Once the estimate and the interior design mission contract are signed, the project is officially launched ! We can begin the sketch phase of your interior architecture project.
We set aside three weeks to complete the sketch phase of your layout or renovation project and to schedule our next meeting. This meeting is the most impressive one—the one that takes your breath away and makes you say, "Wow!" You'll see your property conceptualized in 3D for the first time with different proposals. Here, you'll discover it fully, whereas in future meetings, you'll be a collaborator and active participant in your project, so the element of surprise will be slightly diminished.
So, what happens during this first meeting, and what deliverables will you have in hand ? It's the moment to :
TO AGREE
We begin by establishing a project brief to agree on the objectives of the interior architecture project. This includes :
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Project presentation : an overview of the main lines, objectives to be achieved, and client expectations.
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Potential constraints : any technical, budgetary, or legal limitations to consider.
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Description of the work to be done : an outline of the tasks involved and the spaces concerned.
DIAGNOSE
We study the feasibility of your decoration project. Analyzing the various constraints helps us determine whether your renovation project is feasible and if the budget is sufficient...
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ENVISAGE
From the sketch phase onward, we use 3D views to help you visualize your space better. This is an opportunity to see which ambiance you like or to eliminate certain options right away. This process is guided by your tastes, our ideas, and the possibilities available. Be aware that some proposals may be unconventional ; they aim to push you out of your comfort zone or help you see things from a different perspective!
Are you wondering what 3D views look like and what we're talking about ?
CHOOSE
Finally, during our meeting, we will present you with different axonometries and 3D views.
At that point, you'll need to choose the layout and arrangement of the spaces that you prefer.
Of course, these layouts have been thoroughly studied by your interior architect. They have already worked using overlays, zoning, and flowcharts.
Some interior decorators enjoy doing this work in co-construction with their clients. At Perspectives Architecture & Design, we have chosen to present you directly with axonometries and keep the more complex sketches to ourselves !
REFLECT
Once the meeting is over, it’s your turn to reflect on your interior project. Some clients prefer a quick pace, but it’s important to take time for consideration. Rushing through the sketch phase can lead to having to revisit earlier decisions, ultimately wasting time as you start over. For this reason, we ask our clients to take at least a week to think about their interior project and share their feedback with us. Some clients may take several months !
Preliminary project
summary in interior design
We are now in the co-construction phase. The design project is feasible, we have a budget, and we are making good progress ! We have taken your feedback into account and are refining our 3D views to get closer to your tastes! But how do we know what you like ? It's simple ; as we’ve already mentioned : the best interior decorator is the one who listens to you ! Throughout the project, we discuss your preferences, listen to your desires, and gather your inspirations...
During this phase, we work a lot with samples and also enjoy organizing shopping days. This is an opportunity for you to spend a few hours in good company but, more importantly, to step out of the theoretical and touch and see the materials in person, as well as test the furniture... We are gradually getting closer to your dream project !
The preliminary project summary concludes when we have a final and definitive proposal. The ambiance is perfect, and you know that this is the apartment you want and not another. You have no further comments : everything is perfect. At this point, you receive the 3D views of the final decoration proposal ! They are more detailed, more precise, and more realistic. They allow you to visualize your space as close to reality as possible. They can also be accompanied by a 3D video tour of your apartment or house. The dream is within reach !
Definitive preliminary
project in interior design
This is the long-awaited file ! The one that contains all the necessary information to turn your dream into reality: budget, furniture selection, technical details... Until now, everything has been preliminary, but here we finalize everything, as the name of the phase suggests : layout plans, electrical network plans, plumbing plans... It's also the moment to hand over the custom furniture plans to the specialized craftsmen so they can bring them to life. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of what your final deliverable, carefully prepared by your interior architect, contains :
Final Plans
Layout, Custom Furniture...
Images of the final proposal
In 3D images, video, or drawings to help you envision the space.
Materials and shopping list
List of orders corresponding to your budget.
Description of the work
Details of the tasks to be performed by each trade.
Estimated budget
For understanding and adhering to the budget.
Estimated timeline
Estimation of time and key dates for the construction site (if project management is included).
The choice of the contractor or construction contract assistance
When you want a complete service and we are your project managers, we provide assistance with the construction contracts. This means Perspectives Architecture & Design support you in choosing the company that will carry out the work !
We regularly work with the same contractors, which allows us to establish a trusting relationship. Therefore, we always prefer to work with these companies to have enough flexibility during the execution of the project. However, we are open to new opportunities !
We always obtain multiple quotes (at least two), and our role is to analyze the quality of the services and products offered, the prices, the timelines, etc. We then provide you with recommendations regarding the selection of companies to undertake the work. The final choice of contractor is yours !
Project management assistance
This is a project management and coordination service. Our interior architects are familiar with the field and their contractors, making them well-equipped to provide expert advice. Thanks to their experience, they have a 360° vision that allows them to handle last-minute surprises, but more importantly, to anticipate them and be proactive. If you would like to learn more before committing, here are the details of what we handle during a construction monitoring service :
MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION
Before the start of the construction, we begin by defining the project timeline.
We are also responsible for part of the inventory management : placing orders related to the layout, handling deliveries, coordinating, and managing after-sales service.
Part of our job is to coordinate the different trades working on the site. We organize meetings with each trade to monitor the progress of the work. This allows us to ensure the quality of the interior design project and to make sure that the plans and ideas are well understood throughout the construction.
As the client, you are kept informed of all this through summaries and reports that outline the progress of your decoration project.
OUR COMMITMENTS AT PERSPECTIVES
We are often on-site to manage the technical details directly with our contractors. We provide directives and ensure the quality of the work. We handle all unforeseen issues, make necessary decisions, and remain available to the contractors throughout the entire interior design project. If there's a problem on-site, you might not notice it yourself... However, we are there to bring our expertise, as interior architects, and, for example, request that a finish be revised if the result does not meet the required standards.
Our interior architects commit to visiting each site regularly. This presence is essential for any project owner in order to detect and anticipate potential defects or errors. These visits result in detailed or concise reports, accompanied by photos and/or videos to document the progress.
This service is time-consuming and comes with heavy responsibilities, which is why increased vigilance is necessary. We are responsible for ensuring the quality of the work carried out.
Our company, as well as all of our contractors, are covered by a 10-year warranty, providing our clients with optimal safety and protection.
We also handle the drafting of the completion report alongside you during the final inspection to address or lift any reservations.
And finally, we are here to celebrate when the design project is complete!
Contact our interior architecture firm
Learn more about
our areas of intervention
Our regional expertise extends throughout Paris intra-muros. Although our interior design firm is historically located at 261 rue du faubourg Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, this does not prevent us from working everywhere! Currently, we have completed projects in the 9th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 19th arrondissements.
We also work in the inner suburbs (Hauts-de-Seine 92, Seine-Saint-Denis 93, Val-de-Marne 94). In Hauts de Seine, we mainly work in Asnières-sur-Seine, Bois-Colombes, Colombes, Courbevoie, La Garennes-Colombes and Levallois-Perret since these are the towns around where we live. We are also keen on projects in the surrounding areas: Reuil-Malmaison, Issy-les-Moulineaux, Boulogne Billancourt....
We have an extraordinary advantage for getting around: we are on a motorbike! So we no longer have any limits (not even traffic jams): in this way our radius of action also extends to other cities in the Île-de-France, covering Essonne (91), Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (78) and Val d'Oise (95). Among the many cities, we can mention La-Celle-Saint-Cloud, Charenton-le-Pont, Chatou, Le Vésinet, Versailles, Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, Marnes-la-Coquette, Vaucresson, Maisons-Laffitte, Sceaux, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, and many others.
We also offer to carry out projects remotely, as was the case, for example, with this project in Athens . Once the quote has been taken, we work on our computers, so it's easy to work remotely! And let's not lie to ourselves, since COVID, it has become a habit to hold meetings on Zoom, Googlemeet, or Teams...