It’s been fun to watch the 2024 Olympics in Paris over the last few weeks. There’s something about seeing those athletes push to cross the finish line first. Blessed with physiques perfectly suited to their sport, but also supported with a team of coaches and lots of practice. It’s gotten me thinking a lot about the parallels between design and the Olympics.
I watched Noah Lyles just barely get his torso over the finish line in the 100 meter dash before the others in his heat the other day. I realized we were seeing just a small glimpse of his life in those short seconds. I certainly don’t know all of the ins and outs of his life, but I did get a small glimpse into the life of Olympians in the Netflix Sprint Documentary. We see 10 seconds of glory, but these athletes have been on a very long journey for a chance to stand on a podium with a medal around their neck.
The parallels between Olympics + Design
I won’t go so far as to say Interior Design is a sport. It’s not. (Nor am I saying I’m an Olympic level designer!) But there are some real similarities between seeing a triumphant moment in the Olympics and watching 10 seconds of beautiful interiors flash past your eyes on a screen.
It’s so satisfying to consume the “end” of the story.
When I see those pretty images, I see something entirely different. I appreciate them, of course, but I can understand the steps it took to get there. The planning, the creativity, the revisions, the careful attention to details, all the selections at every step of the process. And then implementing the design through construction and install.
Most people aren’t prepared for the process they’re about to embark on when they set out to remodel or build. It looks easy on HGTV. 30 minutes and you’ve got a finished project! It’s just design, how hard could it be – anyone can do it! (insert knowing smile here) I don’t blame people for theses misperceptions. How could you know, unless you’ve been through it before. A lot of my work includes educating clients about what to expect about what it will take to get you from point A to point Z.
I recently made an Instagram reel reviewing all of the work that goes into the design of a bathroom. (Click the image below to watch!) It was by no means comprehensive, but it gives you a little taste. Each room will have it’s set of decisions. It’s my job to curate those selections and minimize decisions so it’s not so overwhelming.
Results Driven Design
Interior design is about all of the little details coming together to create something beautiful. It’s also about the bigger picture that involves planning the way the rooms connect and how your home flows and functions. (If you’d like to read more about how design shapes our behaviors, check out the first post in my Heathier Homes Series.)
I guess what I’m trying to get at is, while I enjoy the process of creating and designing, what I’m really after, is results.
Design that changes lives for the better.
Each person on a construction project has their own expertise to contribute. My contribution is vision for the design. I walk each client through the design process and then communicate effectively (through drawings + specifications) and working hand-in-hand with your construction professionals to ensure that the design we’ve worked so hard on is implemented in real life!
If you’d like the support of a design expert who can help you cross the finish line, let’s discuss what that could look like for your project!
