The risks run high, so it isn’t often when your Interior designer decides to say “No,” in firm and deliberative disagreement with you about an element within the project path. The meaning here is about a “no” serious enough to indicate potential for delay, stoppage — or even a deal-breaker.
In an Interior design project, supporting the client is paramount – challenged only by the integrity of a mandatory No! on the part of your project coordinator, your Interior designer or a significant sub-contractor.
So, what would qualify for a mandatory No?
One example, would be an untenable situation such as a client insisting on engaging a sub known to your Interior designer to be unqualified, unethical, incompetent and with or about whom your Interior designer has first hand experience or knowledge. In a situation like that, your Interior designer could not cooperate with your choice and risk connecting their company’s reputation to that of a disreputable party.
Difficult situations such as the above example (as well as others I will discuss below) do arise from time to time. When they do arise, they are usually resolved amicably, because most Interior design clients respect the advice of their experienced Interior designer. Nevertheless, when this particular kind of problem arises, diplomacy, excellent communication between client and Interior designer and mutual respect come importantly into focus.
In many of the articles in this series, clear and consistent communication has been cited as the key tool at all levels of the path. Whether choosing a location for a new build, or choosing the color scheme that fits the use of a specific Interior space, your Interior designer has multiple layers of integration to consider.
Knowing the preferences and choices of one’s client, understanding the client’s end use of the Interior environment, and clearly communicating with the client on all aspects is probably the best insurance against a mandatory “No!” arising in the project path.
In most aspects of an Interior design project enough alternative choices exist, that a mandatory “No!” from your designer almost never occurs. There are, however, some soft “no’s” that occur when your Interior designer has “impact knowledge” you may not know about! For instance, the affects of light on colors and textures, the power of sound in enclosed space, the impact of temperature on textures!
Mandatory “No’s” usually occur where quality, integrity, cooperation, risk, durability, qualifications, capability, skill level, and compliance are concerned. An important part of your Interior design team’s responsibility is about protecting you, your financial investment and your Interior Design Vision! That often involves identifying negative circumstances and conditions that the client could not have experienced or known about, concerning an individual, an entity, a product or a needed skill.
So, what’s the best way to handle a mandatory “No!” if it comes up? I would say… carefully, diplomatically! (What if the unacceptable sub is a friend of a friend of the client? What if it’s just-plain-dear-Uncle Joe? )
Levity aside, your Interior designer must reasonably “stand behind” all of the products, finishes, materials, equipment, furnishings, etc., that are recommended, advised and suggested! That positioning is anchored by product warranties, services and professional licensing or other forms of qualification, reputation, and exhibited expertise. Your Interior designer wants to be able to point to your completed project with pride and confidence!
It is also important to say that an Interior design project client may also, occasionally, declare a firm “No!” When that occurs, clean communication and respectful diplomacy are the best tools to implement!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.
