Susan Van Meter, a member of the Society of British Interior Designers and winner of 'The 50 finest interior designers 2024’, with over 30 years' experience; and one of our chosen Winkworth collaborators tells us how to navigate the interior design process.
Susan Van Meter provides a complete design & build service with a sustainable ethic, a one-stop shop, from contemporary to traditional, creating beautifully curated luxury homes.
Susan’s monthly Winkworth newsletter informs our clients about new design trends, the best products, and how to design your property to maximise rental yields and sale value.
This month Susan talks about: Preparation for your Luxury Interior Refurbishment. A well-managed interior-designed project will always save you money and add value to your home, so the key is, to consult your interior design professional before you buy.
The importance of design is often misunderstood and undervalued in the UK market. A well-designed property will stand out amongst the norm, produce high rental yields, and attract the best sales price for a small investment upfront, but foremost, you will enjoy and benefit from a unique curated space, created especially for you.
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse secondary dining area
At Susan Van Meter we ensure that every detail is professionally prepared and managed from the get-go! Every aspect of a design scheme influences another. Each element fits into a puzzle to create the finished picture. Every part of the house needs to be planned, from your lighting, plumbing, ironmongery, joinery, furnishings,and every finish, colour, and texture to create a beautifully curated scheme and luxurious space.
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse, bespoke master bathroom
When to get the designer in?
If you’re buying a property, it’s the moment you find the house you want to live in. This is the time to review the property's potential and what’s possible within your budget. Planning restrictions, garden access for landscaping, which walls can be removed and how much value can you add to the property. These are the questions for your design and build expert before, you put that offer in.
When should the design process begin?
On exchange of contracts is the best time to start the ball rolling. Your designer has viewed the property and completed all the due diligence required. We work closely with our clients to produce unique, and beautiful spaces that reflect your lifestyle and personality.
The designer will create a design scheme, apply for planning if required, and consult with builders. We like to have everything prepared and ready to go on completion of the purchase. The construction package includes a Scope of Works, technical drawings, and the specification of products. When the scheme has been approved any amends or issues ironed out, the builders are prepped and ready to go.
We recommend using our experienced and professional builders who have a proven track record and work to our exacting standards. This saves the client time, money, and expensive mistakes.
Blackheath project new build, mood boards for joinery and bathrooms
Blackheath project new build, staircase render
Blackheath project new build, bathroom
Blackheath project new build, staircase redesign
How to budget
Budgeting is one of the first things to review for any project large or small. Susan Van Meter and her team will review every detail of the project to ensure that your budget is appropriate, fit for purpose, and well-controlled. You are informed at every stage of the project by being provided with weekly or bi-weekly updates along with valuations of each stage.
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse, staircase with Roger Oates runner.
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse, architectural detail of dining area
When should purchases be ordered?
Sourcing products for soft furnishings, furniture, flooring, kitchens, and bathrooms can have long lead times depending on the product, so we ensure that all purchases have been approved are fit for purpose, and are ready to send to our trusted project storage suppliers once you’ve completed on the property. Tracking orders and ensuring safe delivery are essential in this process.
Cotswold kitchen using Devol cabinetry
How to manage the process
Managing the project to a successful completion can be very stressful and time consuming, dealing with tradespeople, councils, if applicable, suppliers, and overseeing deliveries within expected timeframes whilst maintaining the agreed budget is 80% of the job and not for the faint-hearted! At Susan Van Meter, we have the management skills to deliver the project on time and within budget. We are dedicated to our clients ensuring the best possible outcomes and customer service at all times.
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse, bold bespoke bathroom redesign
Grade II Listed Belgravia Townhouse, detail of bathroom redesign
"Susan’s experience, flair, creativity, fastidious attention to detail, and refusal to accept substandard work has meant that we have a house that is both beautifully finished and a joy to live in."
Contact Susan Van Meter for a free consultation to discuss your project. We look forward to meeting you.
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