You’re more likely to find designer Rhett Judice of Pasadena, California recreating an original fresco or stained glass window in a house of worship, than choosing window treatments for desperate housewives. “Every designer has their forte,” he says. “What they do best is what they like to do.”  But that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t enjoyed his share of very special private residence projects, although he admits that most of the homeowners who call him are already familiar with his background and want a more traditional style rather than the glass and chrome crowd that’s after a contemporary palace.

When he does take on a residential design, Rhett’s list of ingredients for what he needs to pull off the perfect project is to the point.

1. Know Thy Client – The most important thing a designer can do right off the bat, Rhett feels is to listen to the client. “I learn their personality–wht they like and what they don’t like.  I also take an inventory of the furnishings and elements they already have that I’ll be designing around.”
2. Guidance Counselor – The flip side of having listened to what the client wants is also guiding them out of potentially hazardous design decisions.  “Sometimes I need to educate the client as to the best color palette for the architecture of the home and the other furnishings they have,” explains Rhett. “If they still insist on that purple and pink dining room, the best I can do is suggest more muted shades–try to get them to tone it down.”
3. Tipping the Scale – The size of a project easily affects the cost, since there are many ways a designer can charge the client: fixed rate, hourly, per diem, and cost plus (the cost of any purchases, such as furniture and accessories, plus a fee on top of that).  “I’ve got to know the scale, whether we’re just talking about a bathroom or two, or an entire house.”  Rhett says that the most common way designers charge is a combination of hourly and cost plus; this method covers the time spent creating the design concepts, as well as a commission for shopping time on any purchased items.
4. Upper Management - Rhett is extremely conscious of the details of the installation.  Kitchens are especially tricky, he says, and he likes to keep close tabs on his subcontractors to be sure they do not alter the design in any way. “The details are infinite. For instance in tile patterns the difference in whether it’s an overmount style or not is significant to the design.”
5. A Smooth Finish – Last but definitely not least, is to make sure the client is happy with the end result.  This can often mean returning products or redoing certain items, but to Rhett, it’s well worth the effort.  “I’m only as good as my last job.  The client needs to be happy.”

While Rhett is happiest himself as a designer in the sanctuary of a church, he’s always open to the challenge of a residential project.

Author: Kelly Thacher

Kelly has been a writer since she was in grade school where she received early recognition for her Young Author's project. Magazines like Home Entertainment, Luxury Consumer Electronics, Vertical Living, Luxury Home and the Robb Report were happy to have Kelly's editing talents on various projects. A series of career twists and turns has offered her invaluable experience in journalism, magazine and book publishing, and fiction writing.

Kelly Thacher has written 30 articles for us.