As interior designers we start projects with so much excitement. Before we’ve demolished the first wall we already know what it’s going to look like. There’s something so gratifying about seeing the project morph to completion. We usually share photos of that process on our blogs or socials with the promise that you, the viewer, will also be able to see the final product. However, sometimes that doesn’t happen! Where did all of those projects go?
I’ll answer that using a few of my own examples and photos from our projects.
Project 1: WEST HAMPTON
One of our clients in New York City called one day and said, “I bought a house in the Hamptons and I’m closing next week (end of April). Here’s the thing, it needs some work but it’s going to be rented starting Memorial Day weekend.
Can you come look at it this weekend and can you help me furnish it on the fly?” We were up for this challenge!
The house was fully furnished and ready for occupancy as needed! During the time we spent furnishing it we also took note of the areas that would benefit from updated interior design and remodeling such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Our second challenge would have been to create the design, rent a storage container and move all of the furniture out to keep it safe from remodeling debris. However during Covid the house was occupied and as real estate prices shot up, especially those outside of the city, the house sold for a generous profit without the remodeling! Great for our client, but sad for me/us because we’d already “knew what it was going to look like!”
Project 2: JEWELRY STORE
A young couple planned to open a jewelry store in the Miami Design District. The design was to be modern with a luxurious and urban twist which made it seem like a fun project to take on. Plus, I have a sweet spot for the Design District…after all, I spent so much time there when it was the place almost exclusively occupied by and for interior designers.
The finishes were specified, the work was underway, and we even went to the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas to pick out the perfect jewelry lighting for the store. I was so excited to see this campy green and black marble installed on the bar of the private lounge and jewelry cases!
My work was done and I was looking forward to final photography. During the process of the construction, several changes were made which extended the opening date of the store. I’m not sure that it ever opened to the public, however I was later informed that it closed and was demolished! I do not know what happened, however this is it nearing the final stages..
In real estate they say that time is of the essence. In interior design, as a byproduct of real estate, the same saying applies. Here are just two personal examples I’ve experienced in my business of why a project may not be completed. Some designers will still present a life like rendering of a project as if it were completed, but I wanted to give you a peak behind the scenes into the reality.
