Steven La Fonte's work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Florida Design, Miami Design, Broward Design and the Palm Beach Post. Steven has worked with clients throughout the United States and has extensive experience in interior design for the ultra-luxury real estate market. He made the following suggestions when selecting and working with an interior designer:
* Whether building a custom residence or undertaking a major remodel, it is important to involve your interior designer from conception. Your designer will be addressing the complete picture and will introduce you to items you may not be aware are available.
* Research your designer's background, portfolio and referrals to ensure he/she is experienced in the luxury market and has a proven ability to create the design important to you.
* Involve your designer in the selection of the forms and surfaces, as these items will create the back-drop for the interior design theme of your residence and influence your furniture and artwork selections.
* Take the time to brief your interior design professional so that they understand your personal lifestyle and taste.
* Be comfortable with your designer so that you trust him/her to make selections or assist you with choices throughout the process which should be fun, not stressful!
* At the onset, pay particular attention to the Interior Design Contract to ensure that you understand the costs and charges. Review your designer's fee structure and billing procedure with him/her. Also, be aware of timeframes in manufacturing and material availability and the costs for freight and shipping.
* Ensure that your budget guidelines are realistic for the size of the residence and the desired detail from the beginning. Also, be aware of the time it takes to complete a residence.
* Review the architectural plans with your interior designer so that your project is functional and beautiful. For example, your lighting plan needs to coordinate with your artwork and furniture layout.
* Walk through your existing residence with the designer. Let your designer know if there are any particular pieces of furniture or artwork that you wish to incorporate into your new home.
* Remember, interior designers are experts in working with color, different finishes and scale. Details are extremely important in a custom home.
* Remember too, the client must be conscientious with the progress of the project. This includes being available and signing off on approved selections and drawings in a timely manner.
* A good interior designer will have access to many fresh and exciting finishes, furnishings and craftsmen to create the custom look that you are seeking. Start collecting a scrapbook of ideas you wish to incorporate and share these with your designer from the beginning.
* Staging your residence for sale... Steven and his team have completed several projects in The Hamptons in Long Island, New York where he was responsible for staging estate residences priced at $7m plus. In today's market, the staging of a residence can reduce market time and improve the sales price by making the property stand out against the competition.
Steven La Fonte's office, Design Elements, is located at 401 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 130-114, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Steven welcomes any inquiries and can be reached at 954-763-6000, stevenlafonte@mindspring.com, or www.deselements.com
Julie Jones - www.LuxuryRealEstateFtL.com
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