For Emily Connolly, a design project is the beginning of a relationship. Clients are more than just customers. Emily sees them partners in the process. And she can’t wait to get to know them.
Emily loves working with people in their homes and has traveled to Arizona, Las Vegas and Florida, but she’s also done virtual consultations via Skype, Facetime, phone, email and text. “I once completed a big project all via text message,” she says. “A picture sure is worth a thousand words!”
Whether in person or at a distance, relationships make Emily’s work better – and her clients happy. “I want to make people feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process,” she says.
“That’s my focus,” she says. “I always focus on getting to know my clients, getting into their home and learning about their space and their entire home’s existing theme – even if we’re just working on a small project – to get a feel for their style and what they will love. I often notice many things about their current lifestyle and interior design that they themselves would have never pointed out.”
“I draw up floor plans for my clients to see a visual – it also helps them trust in my process,” she says. “I will have them come in to try product and narrow down options. After that, I create the color palettes and bring in the finishes touches – what I call the jewelry of the project – once furniture is decided on.”
Emily appreciates the inspiration people can find on the internet, but it’s no substitute for working with a designer.
“Too often clients will get products that are too large for their space or simply don’t go with their space like they thought it would on Pinterest,” she says. “The inspiration is nice, but it doesn’t help find focal points or understand the heights of ceilings and lighting, color palettes and furniture that will fit your lifestyle. That’s what I’m here for. I try to emphasize the home’s foundation by bringing out what’s great about what they already have.”
Whether in person or at a distance, relationships make Emily’s work better – and her clients happy. “I want to make people feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process,” she says.