Can I select materials and fixtures myself?

Sure! I am not going to tell you your likes and dislikes.

What I am going to do is ask lots of questions to see how you plan on using the space and make sure your selections are appropriate for the way you will use it and maintain it. I’ll tell you if they are not. I am also going to look at your selections in the overall scheme of things and make sure each selection compliments the others. If they don’t, I’ll let you know.

There are many ways for us to do this. Many clients start by looking online at sites likes Pinterest and Instagram which are great for inspiration so please, do this! But when it comes time to make it real, we need to start looking at materials that look good, fit your budget and are appropriate for the space. 

How we collaborate will depend on communication. Early on I will ask if you are interested in picking items out yourself through a questionnaire before your consultation. Some people love to do this, some are overwhelmed by the number of choices and others simply do not have time. We will account for every one of these scenarios. The most common one? A little of both.  Most clients have a few favorites selections but when it comes to ALL of the selections that must be made it becomes overwhelming. 

Tile is a big one! Tile is one of my favorite materials but the right tile in the right application is crucial. Slippery floors are good for no one and the level of maintenance certain tiles receive over time is key to how the tile will look. Your level of commitment to maintenance will determine which material is right for you. 

If you love the look of a free-standing bathtub, I am going to go over the pros and cons of such an item. Hint: think about how you will clean around it and even under it with a claw foot tub.  We will also determine if your existing plumbing configuration is going to work with it and if not, how will we change it. Each plumbing and lighting fixture will be reviewed in this manner. 

We will work together to ensure every selected item will look good, is appropriate, safe and within your budget. That being said, I am not a stickler for the conventional use of items when safety is not an issue. Do you want to use black plumbing pipe for a pot rack? Let’s do it!  Or maybe, you built a door from salvaged materials and you want this for your pantry?  We will make it work!