November 12, 2020 -  Toni DeWaal on The Professional Scope of Interior Design

Working with homebuilders and remodelers is a large part of Toni's practice.  Her big question to owners is "How do you like your neighborhood?" (the house).  In her profession, the biggest variables for a job are budget, timeline, scope and team. A number of illustrations were given.  Budget informs every decision and makes a great difference in the quality and durability of the final product.  Team is critical, and an architect, contractor and designer who are on the same page reliably produce a high quality product that will stand the test of time.  There are frequently cost surprises, like Code changes ("Title 24") that require expensive upgrades in, for instance, electrical and plumbing installations which are otherwise not that old.  

 

Toni gave illustrations of the phases of a project and the process of design iteration as the project moves forward.  She paid a great deal of attention to rapidly developing kitchen features (steam ovens, induction cooking, custom refrigeration, work sinks and layout versatility.  Color selection is very sophisticated now, with the industry aiming for where it believes trendy colors will look like three to four years ahead.  

 

Toni is a real believer in quality furniture and furnishings, and gave illustrations of high quality furniture construction (frame, foundation and and upholstery) as opposed to cheap construction.  

 

Toni's presentation elicited some good questions and the Club thanked her for her presentation.