Space Encounters

All of Angela Lee’s work begins with interviews. “The client may not know what they want, but I’m able to guide them at the end of the process.” Design work can be very emotional, she says. Lee, who has a Bachelor of Arts in interior design from Louisiana Tech University, is the principal designer and owner with her husband, William, of Evolution by Design (www.evolution-bydesign.com), a 12-year-old interior design firm based in Houston. She has learned that the interview process gets to the heart of what clients desire. “I interview everyone in the house–parents and children–to get a sense of likes, dislikes, and lifestyle. Do they entertain regularly? Are children over all the time?”
Lee’s firm specializes in a range of concept-to-completion services for both residential and commercial dwellings that include custom furniture design and project management.

These are her recommendations for hiring the right team in creating your dream home.

Designer or decorator? Know the difference.
Decorators tend to focus on the aesthetics of a space that include colors, accessories, and window coverings. Designers have the same creative ability as decorators, but are usually credentialed and have technical training in areas such as architectural design, cabinetry, developing floor plans, and furniture design. Designers can conceptualize and alter structures or make recommendations on structural changes, and some, like Lee, work with construction teams. “[Clients] often hire me once they hire their builder and architect,” says Lee, originally from Tyler, Texas. “I then sit down with the architect and red line the entire plan. I’m looking at it from a different standpoint. I can do floor plans and work out all

the details on paper.” The architect delivers rooms, while the designer gives it perspective. “I determine how those rooms will turn out because I’m thinking about how it will look fully furnished. I can tweak the room and make adjustments as it’s being constructed.”

Do your research. You shouldn’t use anyone who can’t show you what they’ve already done, says Lee. “Designers should have a portfolio of their work.” Because designers complete projects to the sat

isfaction of clients with varying tastes, new clients should judge work based on color selections and overall execution. “Examine their use of color and how well everything is put together. You may not like the style, but there should be elements of the design that draw you in.”

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Make sure it’s a fit. The designer—client relationship is an intimate one–and one that could last weeks or months. Lee suggests checking if a designer is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (www.asid.org), as well as asking for references not only about design outcomes, but everything from manner

to time management. “I’m a realistic designer,” she offers. “I believe in telling people the truth. Design can sometimes be a ripple effect. When you remove one thing, you find something else, especially in an existing home. I allow enough time–because of my experience to know what the outcome might be. I’ve never given a completion date that I haven’t met. Sometimes clients don’t want to hear that it will take that long and they will push you, but you must stay firm.”

Create a budget. Not everyone knows exactly what they want to spend, explains Lee, but designers can help create one during the consultation stage. “Any budget can be manipulated,” she says. “We can suggest substitutions that will satisfy your pocket.” Expect to pay a retainer fee of roughly 20% of the total costs at the time of contracting before any work has begun, says Lee. There are usually two options for payment: hourly or a set fee. Hourly rates can start at $150 per hour. But even set fees are usually what a designer averages as an hourly rate per room. “A room takes a minimum of 20 hours from concept to shopping and execution. Depending on the size, one room can average between $3,500 and $4,500.” Lee offers discounts for multiple rooms, but as in all business exchanges, she says, “Everything is negotiable.”