An In-Depth Look at Our Design Process

"Where do we even begin?" is one of our favorite questions to hear. It tells us you’re ready to stop living with the kitchen that doesn’t quite flow, or the bathroom that’s 30 years aged. It tells us you’re ready for something that actually feels like you, and you’re ready for us to guide you through it. 

At Tailored Designs, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all floor plans or copy-and-paste finishes from a catalog. Every project we take on is as unique as the family living in it. With that in mind, we've created a design process that's deeply collaborative, thoughtfully paced, and a seamless experience from start to finish.

Here's exactly what working with us looks like from our first phone call to the final reveal. 

The Initial Conversation

Instead of lengthy questionnaires or overwhelming homework, we start with a simple conversation to talk about what you’re envisioning. 

We go through the scope, investment, and timeline you outlined in your contact form to get a feel for the project. We also give you an overview of our process, our timelines, and leave room for any questions you have.

These conversations shape every single decision we make later, so we take our time here to get to know more about what you’re looking for and if we are a good fit to work together. If we're aligned, we'll move forward and schedule an in-person visit.

Phase I: Drawings

There's only so much a photo and a phone call can tell us, so next we come to you. 

We walk your space, take measurements, photograph every detail, and get a real sense of the flow – the good, the awkward, and the full-of-potential. But the most important part of this visit? Hearing how you actually live here.

Do you cook a lot? Do the kids take over the living room on weekends? Are you newly empty nesters trying to make sense of your space again? Do you work from home and need a space that feels calm and focused? Are there spaces in your home you currently love and want to highlight more?

We also want to hear what drives you crazy. That awkward corner. The dining room that never quite feels right for entertaining. The entryway doesn't make the first impression you want it to. These pain points tell us exactly what to prioritize in your home renovation.

Once we've absorbed every detail, we hit the drawing board. We come back to you with two design concepts, each complete with a floor plan, 3D color renderings, and AI renderings so you can truly visualize the finished space. 

Why all three formats? Each format serves a purpose. Floor plans show you how the space functions. It’s the layout and the logic behind every decision. 3D color renderings bring the finishes and fixtures to life so you can see how everything works together. And AI renderings give you the most realistic preview possible, so walking into your finished space feels less like a reveal and more like coming home.

Then we return to your home to walk through the options together, talk through what's resonating, and refine from there. 

Phase 2: Procurement

Once the floor plan is finalized, we shift our focus to material selection. Over the years, we've developed an intentional, step-by-step formula for material selection that ensures every element works together beautifully. For a kitchen, we start with appliances (they anchor everything else) and work through: 

• Cabinetry

• Countertop materials

• Tile

• Plumbing fixtures

• Cabinet hardware & lighting

• Barstools & window treatments

For a bathroom, we lead with tile & countertops and build out from there:

• Cabinetry

• Plumbing fixtures

• Cabinet hardware & lighting 

• Mirrors

• Wallpaper

• Window treatments

Principal Designer, Sara Scott, is a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) with deep expertise in residential kitchen planning, from building codes and appliance specs to mechanical systems and consumer safety. She's the kind of designer who thinks through every detail before any material is ordered. Sara is also a UDCP-certified professional, skilled in integrating universal design concepts and the art of crafting spaces that are as beautiful as they are livable for people of all ages and abilities. Think barrier-free layouts, thoughtful accessibility, and interiors that move with you through every stage of life. Great design shouldn't just look good; it should work effortlessly for everyone.

Every selection gets added to our digital design boards in real time, so you can watch the space come together layer by layer. We also maintain detailed sourcing sheets that track every specification, down to grout color, edge profiles, and door styles, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Lastly, in this step, we determine the contractor if we don’t already have one. We're happy to work with your team, recommend someone based on your project's scope and location, or serve as the general contractor ourselves and keep everything in-house.

Jonathan Scott is a Licensed General Contractor. He brings five years of remodeling experience and a background built on meticulous attention to detail, quality craftsmanship, and clear communication. From permits to subcontractors to final walkthroughs — we handle it all, so you don't have to.

Phase 3: Project Management

This is where we make sure the vision we’ve crafted together comes to life.

As your design firm, we are on-site for the key moments: after demo, once new framing has been completed, during electrical and plumbing walkthroughs, at the start of cabinet installation, and again for countertop templating. We’re also available throughout construction to handle questions, troubleshoot unexpected curveballs, and coordinate with your contractor so you don't have to.

As your general contractor, our involvement goes even deeper. We're on-site multiple times a week to manage subcontractors, overseeing every phase, attending county inspections, and keeping you updated every step of the way. 

However you choose to work with us, one thing stays constant: we're with you from the first sketch to the final finish. Every decision, every detail, every deadline — we've got it handled.

If you've been thinking about transforming your space, we'd love to be the team that makes it happen. Let's start the conversation. 

WORK WITH US