AMR Design's Christmas 2023 Ultimate Local Gift Buying Guide
The spirit of togetherness, warmth, and love that Christmas brings is best expressed through thoughtful gifts that resonate with our...
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WHAT TYPE OF CLIENTS DO YOU WORK WITH AND WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS DO YOU TAKE ON?
We find that we work best with clients who are ready to take action, make decisions, and trust the process. Trust is such an important factor of the designer/client relationship and we do not take that lightly. Your home is as personal as it gets, and it is important that we are able to work collaboratively. We work on whole home decorating projects, major home renovations, new builds/infills, and commercial projects.
See this video for more information about AMR Design Clients.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The first step is to fill out our Inquiry Form. Once we receive and review your information, we will call you to discuss your project further and answer any questions for you so you can proceed with the service that’s best for you and your project. We ask that clients fill out the Inquiry Form as it allows us to get some of those initial questions out of the way to make more time to answer your pressing questions.
HOW CAN WE BE SURE TO TRUST YOU WITH OUR PROJECT?
AMR Design has been operating in and around Edmonton for over 10 years and we come with not only a wealth of knowledge on design and decorating, but also on construction and the building process. We are not hobby decorators - we are trained, educated professionals and each design member on our team has graduated from an accredited program for interior design.
There is a big difference between decorators who assist their friends and share their homes on social media and a professional interior design team. Great design happens when there is an honest and intimate connection between designers and clients. We take the time to understand your needs and wants thoroughly so that we are designing a space that is unique to your exacting requirements.
For more information on working with AMR Design, see this video.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL CONSULTATION?
Once you have filled out the Inquiry Form and we have determined that we are a good fit, the next step is the initial consultation. This appointment lasts up to two and a half hours. This is a working session where we provide you with valuable and expert guidance, ideas, and information to get you on the right track with your project.
Our Principal Designer and your assigned Intermediate Designer will meet you in your home (or our studio if your home isn’t built yet) and we will get to work learning all about you and your design needs. We want to know about how your home functions now, and how you hope it will function in the future. We will go over our contract with you and answer any questions you may have about the process, our fees, etc. so we can start our relationship off with transparency.
Your investment for an initial consultation is $895.00+GST
See also Behind The Design: The Initial Consultation
WHAT CAN WE DO AS CLIENTS TO ENSURE WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT?
We believe that for a design project to be successful, it should be a collaborative effort between the designer and client. By working together and communicating regularly, the project will have a successful outcome. We rely on the information we obtain during the initial consultation and subsequent meetings to uncover your goals, ideas, and design style. We know the right questions to ask to understand your needs and wants, however, we need transparency and honesty from our clients in order to make their dreams come true! When you put your trust in the experts, beautiful things can happen. Learn more here.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR STYLE.
Our style is based on functionality. We work within the style each individual client prefers. This is so important as they are the intended receiver. But we always stress that it must be functional!
Our personal style includes clean lines, upscale architecture and timeless details. Some of our favourite projects are highlighted in our Portfolio.
See this video where we explain more about our style.
CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR PROCESS?
All of our Full Service interior design clients follow the same three phases:
Project Initiation: This step includes our Inquiry Form and discovery call, initial consultation, the signing of the agreement, and payment of your unique flat fee.
Research, Design and Presentation: This is where much of our time is spent when designing spaces for our clients. The Research, Design and Presentation phase is broken out into two parts: Conceptual Design and Detailed Design. This is the phase where we come up with the design, gather the quotes, present the information and samples to our clients, and get all of the sign offs before the project officially starts.
Design Management: This is where it starts to come together. We take care of booking applicable trades, ordering product, site visits, and communication with our clients and contractors until the final project is revealed!
For an in-depth look at our process, view our process page.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND CONTRACTORS FOR MY PROJECT?
You bet! There are so many added efficiencies when working with AMR Preferred Contractors:
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We all understand (and like) each other
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We have done projects and business together before
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We communicate well together
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Decisions and issues on your project are resolved quickly, without ego
We recommend Preferred Contractors that we think are the best-fit for the project and your personality. From there, it will be up to you to find out if you can work with them by meeting with them in person. You will be hiring the contractor(s) independently, so it is important that all 3 of us work well together.
We cannot stress enough that all contractors should be bidding with the same details and information. Providing favour to one over the other, or not sharing details, will result in disproportionate bids.
See also Choosing a Qualified Contractor and Four Reasons to Choose an AMR Design Preferred Contractor
CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT CUSTOM PRODUCTS?
We do offer many options that are customized to the individual needs of each client and the space we are designing. This includes upholstery, drapery, bedding, and finishes on case goods. Custom touches help give a space the uniqueness most clients desire. Of course, not everything has to be custom. We find the right balance of custom and stock merchandise can make a project stand out.
Regardless of whatever route you choose, we guarantee that the finished design will be personalized to suit your lifestyle and your taste.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT EMOTIONALLY DURING MY PROJECT?
No project is without its ups and downs. Renovating or building a home is a stressful time (although less so when you work with professionals like us). We can help you through all the emotional ups and downs that come with these major changes and big purchases.
We put together this fun graphic to represent the typical “rollercoaster” ride that a homeowner will go through when taking on a big renovation project.
WHY DO YOU TAKE RETAINERS?
Retainers are collected at project initiation and are held by AMR Design until project completion when they are applied to final invoices. They are used to ensure we have the funds to cover accrued design fees in the case of delayed invoice payment, as well as for any cash flow required for the project.
WHY DO YOU TAKE DEPOSITS?
When you direct us to purchase a product on your behalf, we ask for a 75% deposit (or 100% for products totalling less than $1000 to minimize Design Coordination time) to initiate the order. This is because our trades and suppliers request a 50%-100% deposit to begin the work or place the order. From there, regardless of any extenuating circumstances, AMR Design owns the product on order until full payment is received. The deposit is our insurance that we have sufficient funds to pay for the work or items we’ve ordered on your behalf.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT DESIGN COORDINATION
Design Coordination allows every member of your project to avoid costly mistakes and ensure the finished design matches your vision. This is a time heavy, but necessary, part of hiring an interior design firm which ensures that everyone involved in the project has all of the detailed and up to date information in a timely manner. Design Cooridnation time includes:
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Corresponding with clients, trades, and suppliers (to keep everyone involved in the project informed)
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Couriering of samples (to ensure we are all looking at the same product and understand all specifications)
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Quoting products and services (so we receive accurate pricing that includes all elements)
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Ordering, tracking, and inspecting product (so we can resolve any potential delays or issues quickly)
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Updating specification documents (so everyone working on your project has the correct information)
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Printing documents for meeting preparation (so we can show you our design vision in person)
See also Understanding The Fine Print Of Working With An Interior Designer
WHY DO YOU BILL FOR RESOLVING PRODUCT FLAWS?
If a product is received damaged or defective from the manufacturer (which happens with regularity) or a trade service requires touch ups, AMR Design will work with the vendor or trade to correct the problem in the timeliest manner, but this design coordination time is billable. This is because if the client worked without a professional, the client would have to spend their time to correct the problem. We are able to do this difficult work efficiently and effectively because of our longstanding relationships with the vendors and trades.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT INSTALLATIONS
Projects with decorating products (furniture, window treatments, artwork, accessories, etc.) are scheduled for installation at the end of the project (once all products have arrived and any renovations or trade work has been completed). This takes place over one to four days, depending on the size of the project. First, furniture and window treatments are delivered and installed (overseen by a member of the AMR Design team). After these larger items are in place and installed, artwork and accessories are placed - what we consider “styling”.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT STYLING
Styling and accessorizing is an additional design service we offer in order to provide our clients with a fully finished space; one they will enjoy for many years. Styling can be done with the client’s existing items but is often supplemented by new product sourced by AMR Design - our design team “shops the city” to source accessories (such as artwork, vases, throws, bowls, candles, etc.) for the completion of the project. These accessories are delivered to the jobsite on installation day and the design team places each item strategically either in the afternoon or the following day. This gives the client the opportunity to enjoy a fully furnished and completed interior. Two business days later, the Principal Designer meets with the client on site to review the styling product the client would like to purchase, and picks up the remaining product for return.
We regularly update our blog with practical,
real world advice on working with an interior designer.
See our most recent articles below.
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