Handbook

Hello!

My experience and achievements in designing living spaces have firmly convinced me of the necessity of authorial supervision during the execution of a design project. I want to share my thoughts with you, dear readers.

Consider this scenario: Imagine a famous orchestra performing a symphony without a conductor. Each musician is talented in their own right, but without the conductor’s guidance, the performance could turn into a cacophony rather than a harmonious masterpiece. This analogy perfectly illustrates what can happen when authorial supervision is missing in the process of renovation and creating an original interior.

So, what exactly does the project author do during its implementation?

 

The Author Strives to Bring Their Project to Life

 

We, designers and architects, consider the complete realization of our project as the culmination of our work. Conceptualizing, sketching, and developing detailed plans are only part of the job.

The most crucial aspect is the actual recreation of the idea, accurately conveying the spirit of the envisioned interior, which is reflected in small but significant details. Our creative ambition often surpasses even the client’s desire for an ideal living space.

We won’t allow builders to leave a slightly crooked ceiling line or settle for an approximate color of the approved tile. Because then, it wouldn’t be our project anymore, but a mishmash of the builders’ half-measures.

Each interior designer has their own portfolio, filled with photos of the interiors they’ve created. These works must look impeccable in photographs, which means they must be just as flawless in reality. Therefore, we meticulously monitor the construction work and ensure only the planned materials are used.

Only the original author of the renovation idea knows what the final result should be and how to achieve it. We act like conductors of a grand construction orchestra, creating a “symphony of renovation,” guiding the often “self-knowing” workers towards our vision.

Our authorial supervision saves the client from a heart attack upon discovering an unplanned step into the bathroom or a windowsill protruding 10 cm more than required in the kitchen, which prevents the custom-made furniture from fitting.

 

The Author Always Provides Consultation and Prevents Redoing Work

 

Unfortunately, builders don’t always keep up with new design possibilities. Well-known are cases where only the designer’s presence averted a disaster during renovation. In my practice, I’ve encountered this too.

In new design materials, it’s not always immediately clear which side is the front and which is the back. Builders sometimes confuse them. Only a specialist’s presence ensures that the surface is correctly oriented.

No renovation goes without unexpected construction problems. Sometimes we need to deviate from the project – it’s essential to choose the direction and extent of this deviation wisely. If a change in materials or colors is required, the project author makes these adjustments in line with the overall interior concept.

 

Irreplaceable Functions of Authorial Supervision

 

A developed project always requires adjustments during renovation. Only in the renovated space does the designer choose paint shades. It’s a complex, lengthy process that involves considering color options at different times of the day and under various lighting conditions. A slight mistake in tone can lead to an unacceptable result.

Often, the project author also takes on the managerial role of project support. A professional designer with extensive experience continually interacts with businesses involved in creating interiors – furniture makers, decor, and textile firms – and can accurately convey the project idea, set tasks, and even negotiate discounts.

 

Force Majeure in Renovation

 

When renovating an interior in a secondary housing, it’s challenging to make accurate measurements before the furniture is removed and the wallpaper is stripped. Dismantling some structures can also reveal surprises that were impossible to anticipate at the project’s planning stage. In this case, only the author can make quick, correct decisions, adjusting the project to the new circumstances without losing the original concept.

Sometimes, during renovation, the client needs to reduce the initially allocated budget. In this case, only the author can determine which details can be replaced with lower-budget alternatives, how to integrate them with what has already been purchased and implemented. The designer can seamlessly blend new elements with the project design.

 

The Professional Works, the Client Reaps the Benefits

 

Authorial supervision helps the client save time, mental health, and money.

For those who decide to venture independently into the unpredictable world of major renovations and home finishing, be prepared that the ideal home from the project might remain on paper and not be realized in life.

 

Every artist makes sketches before creating a painting, but not everyone can turn these sketches into a masterpiece…