Process
Our Process
Interior Designer in Los Angeles, CA
Design projects will vary one from another in the scope of services which is required based on the desired goals of the client. The following is an extensive explanation of what the scope of services would include if fully redesigning a room or an entire house.
Programming Phase
- Meet with Client to determine all project requirements. Inventory existing furniture and art to be used.
Design Development
- Prepare scaled floor plans of project spaces. Prepare preliminary space utilization plans.
Design Finalization
- Complete space plans and prepares final working drawings as required. Complete furniture floor plans.
Contract Documents
- Prepare working drawings and schedules for the construction of the space. This would include a dimensioned floor.
Construction/Installation Phase
- The designer will assist the client with scheduling for construction, delivery, and installation during all phases of the project.
Project Completion
- Upon completion of the work of each supplier, contractor, or vendor, the designer will inspect the work to review.
Programming Phase
- Meet with Client to determine all project requirements.
- Inventory existing furniture and art to be used in the new project.
- Obtain scaled floor plans of the project space from the client (the landlord or architect).
- Measure job site to obtain necessary dimensions of the site. Meet with the landlord concerning building standards and regulations.
- Ascertain building code, life safety code, and barrier-free regulations as might affect the project.
- Determine feasibility of meeting the client’s requirements; determine and inform the client of any restraints that will affect the feasibility of the project.
Design Development
- Prepare scaled floor plans of project spaces.
- Prepare preliminary space utilization plans.
- Prepare preliminary space plans of project spaces.
- Prepare preliminary furniture plans of project spaces.
- Make preliminary selections of interior architectural finishes as applies to the project.
- Make preliminary furniture selection as applies to the project.
- Make preliminary color selections.
- Prepare preliminary budgets.
- Prepare preliminary design construction elevations for any custom furniture, cabinets, or architectural treatments.
- Prepare relationship diagrams or charts from the information provided by individual interviews.
- Meet with architects, contractors, or others as required.
- Review all materials prepared in the design-development stage with the client.
- After approval of these conceptual design elements, the designer will proceed with the Design Finalization phase.
Design Finalization
- Complete space plans and prepares final working drawings as required.
- Complete furniture floor plans.
- Complete working drawings concerning custom furniture, cabinets, or architectural treatments.
- Make final recommendations of architectural finishes.
- Make final recommendations of furniture and furnishings.
- Prepare final color boards showing finishes, fabric samples, and photo representations of products specified.
- Prepare renderings or other representational graphics (perspectives, isometrics, axonometric, elevations) as might be appropriate.
- Prepare a budget of expected costs for all construction, and furnishings as specified.
- Review materials prepared in the Design Finalization Phase with the client. After approval of the documents, the designer will proceed with the Contract Documents Phase.
Contract Documents
- Prepare working drawings and schedules for the construction of the space. This would include dimensioned floor plans, electrical location plans, reflected ceiling plans, shop drawings, and non-structural design details and schedules.
- Prepare written specifications to accompany working drawings and schedules.
- Prepare furniture and equipment scaled drawings needed to accompany bid specifications.
- Prepare written specifications to accompany furniture and equipment drawings.
- Provide information for the preparation of bid specifications for architectural finishes, furniture, and furnishings (specifications written by others).
- Assist client in obtaining competitive bids for all phases of the project.
- Provide counsel and guidance in the selection of necessary contractors to perform the required work.
Construction/Installation Phase
- The designer will assist the client with scheduling for construction, delivery, and installation during all phases of the project.
- Assist in the procurement of furniture and furnishings by submitting purchase orders to suppliers and installers.
- Assist in the procurement of furniture and furnishings by administering purchase orders to suppliers submitted by vendors.
- Make periodic visits to the job site as determined by the designer to ensure the work is being done in accordance with the specifications and bid documents.
- Supervise installation of furniture and furnishings as described in the bid documents.
- The designer can be authorized to be responsible for receiving, inspecting, and accepting in the name of the client of furniture, furnishings, or other materials required for the project.
- The designer can be authorized, in the name of the client, to reject nonconforming work, approve of change orders, or stop the work or terminate the contract of suppliers or contractors.
Project Completion
- Upon completion of the work of each supplier, contractor, or vendor, the designer will inspect the work to review that the work has been done according to the specifications, bid documents, and reasonable work of its kind.
- When the project is constructed, delivered, and installed, the designer and the client will walk through the project and prepare a punch list of any needed repairs, omissions, or other details needing attention. This punch list will represent the final obligations of the designer and or vendors to the client in regards to the work as described in the contract. The client and the designer must both sign this punch list.
- Any work in addition to that covered in the contract or work requested at the time of final walk-through is in addition to the original contract and will be billed separately.
Get In Touch
There is nothing I love more than someone passionate about what they do and Suzan definitely is. Her ability to... read moreThere is nothing I love more than someone passionate about what they do and Suzan definitely is. Her ability to decipher what I told her I wanted along with her understanding of who I was and what I liked allowed things to happen in a very organic way and without me having to worry about any of it. Suzan is also funny and easy to talk to, something I really appreciate in a business where it is frequent to be given attitude and where egos can be big. I her recommend wholeheartedly for any design needs. read less
I have only three words to say: HIRE THIS WOMAN. Okay, so maybe a few more words. ... read moreI have only three words to say: HIRE THIS WOMAN. Okay, so maybe a few more words. Suzan has a grasp not only of color and layout and flow, but her spaces are richly textured and layered. If you want, that is. Suzan also listens and observes, tailoring the furnishings and accessories to the client and how they will be used, at work, at home, at play.Desk a mess? Closets look like they've been hit by a tornado? Suzan's organizational skills can sort through the detritus and make it all come together to function well for you.Suzan recently helped me sort through my elderly father's life; masses of paper and things crammed into a two bedroom apartment. My father is still here, but the increasing dementia of the past 5 years made a total muddle of his place. Suzan sorted through the dross to find the pieces worth saving, and helped spot things that will become a sort of portable representation of my dad's memories of his life. Her work let me focus on the documents that I needed to focus on, enabling me to get through an avalanche of material in less than a week. She organized his desk so that he could use it, respecting his need to still feel useful, along with understanding the comfort he feels sitting behind his desk in the office where he spent so many years.Talented, grounded, funny--these are all facets of Suzan. As for your space, Suzan can transform it, or help you make it what you wanted it to be but weren't sure how to get there. read less
I worked with Suzan two times and she designed my treatment centers. Both experiences were AMAZING! All my... read moreI worked with Suzan two times and she designed my treatment centers. Both experiences were AMAZING! All my clients in both locations love the environment she created, colors, wallpaper, flooring, lighting, and others. My salon is so cute because of Suzan. She saved my time and I could sleep at night knowing that I am in good hands and everything will be super beautiful and in time. Also she guided me in choosing very affordable and stylish solutions to my design problems. She has super great resources; reliable and reasonable. I love Suzan! I highly recommend her.Oksana Skin Esthetics323-933-93337763 1/2 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca 90036 read less
Invite Suzan for a design consultation and experience her ability to make creative decisions that have meaning and context, with... read moreInvite Suzan for a design consultation and experience her ability to make creative decisions that have meaning and context, with the power to transform the mundane into artistry in a very practical way. She is expert at making spaces truly liveable and beautiful by respecting architecture and history, combining her knowledge with the whims of the client to fully express their individuality and enhance their lifestyle. Color selection, fabrics and furnishings, lighting schemes-Suzan does it all with consideration and love-the secret ingredient . read less
Suzan left her design mark by the creation of a truly magical room that embraces everyone who enters. She... read moreSuzan left her design mark by the creation of a truly magical room that embraces everyone who enters. She created a space that is truly breathtakingly beautiful from every angle. No matter who comes into my home, I know the exact moment they spot the room across the house … they stop talking, take a deep breath and walk straight towards it. They enter speechless and just stand there. They look from wall to wall, turn in circles taking in every angle and every view as they too experience and feel the embrace of the room.
With the use of her exceptional design vision, keen eye for color, texture and lighting, she combined my existing furnishings with a few additional pieces and created an exceptional space that is a completely sculptural experience. The sculptural experience is achieved by the shapes created by the placement of furnishings, the shapes created by the empty space around the placement of the furnishings, the spectacular shapes created by the lighting and how it accentuates the wall galleries she created, the dynamic colors of the walls and the manner in which it all interacts with each other.
The idea of using an interior designer was very intimidating to me. I had no idea what to expect. The minute I saw Suzan’s gallery on her web page and read of her love and appreciation of historical architecture and the preservation of the style of old homes I knew she was the only person who would appreciate (or maybe more likely tolerate) my situation. With trepidation I called and left her a message. She returned my call.
I met Suzan for the first time when she arrived at my home for our consultation. She walked through my home just looking around. We chatted about everything and a little about interior design. I knew within minutes she brought with her much more than the design skills and professionalism of an interior designer. Who really came through the door was a truly artistic, sensitive, intelligent, intuitive, strong and kind human being whose personality, calm demeanor, wit, sense of humor and just plain humanness wrapped around and permeated the atmosphere.
I presented her with many challenges and limitations. I needed a family room put back together after a water leak. My home is 97 years old and I didn’t want any kind of construction work done, I didn’t want anything “new” or “modern” and I wanted to preserve the few Tudor Revival elements in the room. I was reluctant of any kind of change and I had never thought about, nor cared much about, interior decorating, (although I do love beautiful rooms but never had one of my own). Additionally I wanted to use furnishings I already owned. The pieces didn’t relate in any way, the fabric on the sofas was only a favorite to me (black and gold), I had no lighting to speak of and my slim collection of decorative art lacked any specific or consistent theme.
Over time she collected items around my home, some of which I didn’t particularly like, and cleaned up pieces I intended to throw away. She showed great respect for my ideas, likes and dislikes, clearly and articulately explained her thoughts and choices and gently reassured me and responded to my questions and concerns with great patience.
This beautiful room is more than the result of Suzan’s meticulous attention to the medium of interior design. She uses these tools with the vision and touch of a sculptor. Now that I live daily with a stunning room of my own, I realize that Suzan’s concept of design and space is to start with, as its first priority, the soul of the person who lives in the space. In her own subtle way she came to know my emotional and sense of identity. Not just the colors I thought I liked or the style I thought I liked but who I was, what contribution my presence in the room would bring and how the final experience of the design would focus on my presence. As I said, when I am in this special place, I’m not just in a simple beautiful room, I am in a three dimensional atmosphere that safely and warmly invites and embraces me into it. read lessBest thing I did for my house and budget was to hire Susan.She did an amazing job of helping me... read moreBest thing I did for my house and budget was to hire Susan.She did an amazing job of helping me realize my vision rather than imposing her style on me which is the best thing you can say about a designer IMO. I've never met anyone better at working with space and color. Her ideas were things I never would have thought and even a year later I look at the fabrics and paint colors she chose and they give me joy. Blue kitchen with green vinyl alligator print stool seat covers? YES!! I never in a million years would have made those choices alone yet they express my tastes and personality perfectly!! Susan knew I had a modest budget and took me shopping at thrift stores and pulled amazing things I never would have noticed on my own. She took me shopping in my own house and moved artwork around in brilliant ways to give my house a fresh new look without spending a dime. She took one look at my guest room and rearranged all the furniture making the room 100x better. She moved my set of antlers from my office and hung them over my fireplace in a way that catches the shadows of the overhead light in such a striking way-guests always comment on it. Dont get me wrong, I spent money on my project but Susan helped me spend it in the right way on the right things. I wish I had met her sooner. read less
Susan is creative, thoroughly professional with impeccable taste!
She is at once efficient and knowledgable!
She exceeded our expectation! I highly... read moreSusan is creative, thoroughly professional with impeccable taste!
She is at once efficient and knowledgable!
She exceeded our expectation! I highly recommend her for her work ethics and her ability to meet deadlines! read lessI have only three words to say: HIRE THIS WOMAN. Okay, so maybe a few more words. ... read moreI have only three words to say: HIRE THIS WOMAN. Okay, so maybe a few more words. Suzan has a grasp not only of color and layout and flow, but her spaces are richly textured and layered. That is, If that's what you want. Suzan also listens and observes, tailoring the furnishings and accessories to the client and how they will be used, at work, at home, and at play.
Desk a mess? Closets look like they've been hit by a tornado? Suzan's organizational skills can sort through the detritus and make it all come together to function well for you.
Suzan recently helped me sort through my elderly father's life; masses of paper and things crammed into a two bedroom apartment. My father's growing dementia made a total muddle of his living space. Suzan sorted through the dross to find the pieces worth saving, and helped spot things that will become a sort of portable representation of my dad's memories of his life. Her work let me focus on the things I needed to focus on, enabling me to get through a veritable avalanche of material in less than a week. She organized his desk so that he could use it, respecting his need to still feel useful, along with understanding the comfort he feels sitting behind his desk in the office where he spent so many years.
Talented, grounded, funny--these are all facets of Suzan. As for your space, Suzan can transform it, or help you make it what you wanted it to be but weren't sure how to get there. read less
Suzan left her design mark by the creation of a truly magical room that embraces everyone who enters. She... read moreSuzan left her design mark by the creation of a truly magical room that embraces everyone who enters. She created a space that is truly breathtakingly beautiful from every angle. No matter who comes into my home, I know the exact moment they spot the room across the house … they stop talking, take a deep breath and walk straight towards it. They enter speechless and just stand there. They look from wall to wall, turn in circles taking in every angle and every view as they too experience and feel the embrace of the room.
With the use of her exceptional design vision, keen eye for color, texture and lighting, she combined my existing furnishings with a few additional pieces and created an exceptional space that is a completely sculptural experience. The sculptural experience is achieved by the shapes created by the placement of furnishings, the shapes created by the empty space around the placement of the furnishings, the spectacular shapes created by the lighting and how it accentuates the wall galleries she created, the dynamic colors of the walls and the manner in which it all interacts with each other.
The idea of using an interior designer was very intimidating to me. I had no idea what to expect. The minute I saw Suzan’s gallery on her web page and read of her love and appreciation of historical architecture and the preservation of the style of old homes I knew she was the only person who would appreciate (or maybe more likely tolerate) my situation. With trepidation I called and left her a message. She returned my call.
I met Suzan for the first time when she arrived at my home for our consultation. She walked through my home just looking around. We chatted about everything and a little about interior design. I knew within minutes she brought with her much more than the design skills and professionalism of an interior designer. Who really came through the door was a truly artistic, sensitive, intelligent, intuitive, strong and kind human being whose personality, calm demeanor, wit, sense of humor and just plain humanness wrapped around and permeated the atmosphere.
I presented her with many challenges and limitations. I needed a family room put back together after a water leak. My home is 97 years old and I didn’t want any kind of construction work done, I didn’t want anything “new” or “modern” and I wanted to preserve the few Tudor Revival elements in the room. I was reluctant of any kind of change and I had never thought about, nor cared much about, interior decorating, (although I do love beautiful rooms but never had one of my own). Additionally I wanted to use furnishings I already owned. The pieces didn’t relate in any way, the fabric on the sofas was only a favorite to me (black and gold), I had no lighting to speak of and my slim collection of decorative art lacked any specific or consistent theme.
Over time she collected items around my home, some of which I didn’t particularly like, and cleaned up pieces I intended to throw away. She showed great respect for my ideas, likes and dislikes, clearly and articulately explained her thoughts and choices and gently reassured me and responded to my questions and concerns with great patience.
This beautiful room is more than the result of Suzan’s meticulous attention to the medium of interior design. She uses these tools with the vision and touch of a sculptor. Now that I live daily with a stunning room of my own, I realize that Suzan’s concept of design and space is to start with, as its first priority, the soul of the person who lives in the space. In her own subtle way she came to know my emotional and sense of identity. Not just the colors I thought I liked or the style I thought I liked but who I was, what contribution my presence in the room would bring and how the final experience of the design would focus on my presence. As I said, when I am in this special place, I’m not just in a simple beautiful room, I am in a three dimensional atmosphere that safely and warmly invites and embraces me into it. read lessPeggy B.6/20/2020Best thing I did for my house and budget was to hire Susan.She did an amazing job of helping me... read moreBest thing I did for my house and budget was to hire Susan.She did an amazing job of helping me realize my vision rather than imposing her style on me which is the best thing you can say about a designer IMO. I've never met anyone better at working with space and color. Her ideas were things I never would have thought and even a year later I look at the fabrics and paint colors she chose and they give me joy. Blue kitchen with green vinyl alligator print stool seat covers? YES!! I never in a million years would have made those choices alone yet they express my tastes and personality perfectly!! Susan knew I had a modest budget and took me shopping at thrift stores and pulled amazing things I never would have noticed on my own. She took me shopping in my own house and moved artwork around in brilliant ways to give my house a fresh new look without spending a dime. She took one look at my guest room and rearranged all the furniture making the room 100x better. She moved my set of antlers from my office and hung them over my fireplace in a way that catches the shadows of the overhead light in such a striking way-guests always comment on it. Dont get me wrong, I spent money on my project but Susan helped me spend it in the right way on the right things. I wish I had met her sooner. read less
Liz Bronstein5/03/2019