Reframing the Design Process: Vision to Reality

Casey: 00:00:32

Hi, I'm Casey.

Rainey: 00:00:33

And I'm Rainey. Welcome to the Reframing Design podcast. If you're a new designer, a seasoned designer, a homeowner, or a home enthusiast, you are in the right place.

Casey: 00:00:44

We are going to talk about all things design. Our stories, our opinions, our experiences. And we're probably going to chase a few rabbits down a few rabbit holes.

But one thing we can guarantee, we will not talk about politics.

Rainey: 00:00:58

Aloha.

Casey: 00:01:00

Aloha alone.

Rainey: 00:01:02

I'm so glad we have, from Houston.

Casey: 00:01:04

Texas, something to greet each other with. Now we're really fumbling, but I think we landed on it.

Rainey: 00:01:09

It makes me. It makes me smile. I can't say it without laughing.

Casey: 00:01:12

You kind of can't say it without such a happy feeling, right?

Rainey: 00:01:15

Maybe that's the whole point.

Casey: 00:01:16

I think that's it.

Rainey: 00:01:17

I think that's it.

Casey: 00:01:18

Okay.

Rainey: 00:01:19

Oh, gosh. Another podcast episode. It's good to see you.

Casey: 00:01:23

She's like, this is a job.

Rainey: 00:01:24

You look stunning today. You.

Casey: 00:01:26

I'm just loving everything that's happening here. I've been seeing some leg. I haven't seen leg much. Cause the winter, you know, it's been winter here for two weeks. So it's.

Rainey: 00:01:34

It's our whole two weeks, so. Which brings me to my win. We just got a really big contract with a repeat client. It's a project in Galveston, and it was sort of cool.

So when we were in Santa Fe in October for the Balloonfest, which, you know, last year, that was one of my things on my bucket list. I got a phone call from this client and it was so good to see her name pop up on my screen.

And she said, we're looking at buying this house in Galveston. It'll be a total remodel. But we're not buying it unless you say you'll do it. And I said on the spot, of course I'll do it.

And so we went out there last Friday as a team and looked at it and of course got the project. And so super, super thankful for that. So we'll be spending a lot of the spring in Galveston.

Casey: 00:02:24

Oh, my gosh. And what's better than. I mean, truly, the spring in Galveston. And spring is lovely.

Rainey: 00:02:29

It's lovely.

Casey: 00:02:30

It is.

Rainey: 00:02:30

So looking forward to that great win. How about you?

Casey: 00:02:35

I Woke up at 4:30 this morning, which is sort of one of those. It's middle of the night. So you're like, do I go back to bed for a couple more hours or do you just ride this wave? So I decided to ride it.

Rainey: 00:02:46

Yep. I Wouldn't expect anything different from you, actually.

Casey: 00:02:49

But there's a lot where you're like, you've got that soft pain. Anyway, rode the wave, got up and just got my morning done in a different way. I didn't have coffee first thing. Never done that before.

Rainey: 00:03:00

Was that intentional?

Casey: 00:03:01

Yes, it was. Mel Robbins spoke about it yesterday that you really shouldn't jam straight to the coffee machine first thing.

You should have water for the first listen hour to two hours before coffee. And that, nope, that is not going to happen. But I did the water.

Rainey: 00:03:17

We did two minutes.

Casey: 00:03:18

I gave myself 55. 0. But I'm quite solid that I slept in my chair for those 50 until I got my call. But it was so nice.

And then I was rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise. And it was on every sky I could see. You know, it's not just.

Rainey: 00:03:33

Anyway, and we were texting this morning and I know you're sort of nursing a leg injury and it's a big time runner. That's a bummer for you. And you voice texted me and you were on the. What? What? That was the ellipse.

Casey: 00:03:46

I finally figured out I can do that.

Rainey: 00:03:47

That's so. And it just made me laugh. And I did get about every fourth word that you said. And so I was able to paste together what it was you were talking.

Casey: 00:03:57

Was it my heavy breathing or just bad taping or my headphones?

Rainey: 00:04:01

Just no shades?

Casey: 00:04:02

All of it. All of the above.

Rainey: 00:04:03

All of the above.

Casey: 00:04:04

We almost got a video, but I put it on selfie mode to show you what I was doing. And all I could see was the two little horns of gray. And then what the. The reserves of not sleeping till 4, you know, so I would.

I quickly turn that camera around and audio.

Rainey: 00:04:23

Did you book a hair appointment?

Casey: 00:04:24

I did.

Rainey: 00:04:25

From the elliptical.

Casey: 00:04:27

God, I love technology.

Rainey: 00:04:28

I know you did that.

Casey: 00:04:30

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:04:30

So, so exciting to do another podcast. And today we're talking about something that is like the bread and butter of what we do. And I think maybe something that baby designers.

I sure didn't take it as seriously as I should have when I was a baby designer. I don't know about you, not at all. But it is the da da da.

Casey: 00:04:54

Da da da design process, which can sound so daunting.

Rainey: 00:04:59

I feel like we should say it like that. The design process.

Casey: 00:05:03

Doesn't it feel. Because it does. Everybody who talks about get a process. Write down your process just for creative.

Rainey: 00:05:11

Does that make your heart just.

Casey: 00:05:13

I can't. I can't. I'm like, where am I writing it. I've got 89 different books. Books all over the house. Like, and what is my process? I don't even know.

But you realize you have a process, even if you haven't documented it. You do step ones anyway, in whatever order. But now we are.

Rainey: 00:05:28

And then being able to articulate that, because I think when clients come to us and we've talked about how daunting the whole process of engaging an interior designer or a new build or remodel can be, that when there is a process and you go, this is our flowchart. This is what we're going to do, and this is what we're gonna do next.

And next, until finally you move into your gorgeous home, it is sort of comforting, right?

Casey: 00:05:54

It's very comforting. It's that the deliverables, which is another word that just sort of is all out in the ether.

Rainey: 00:06:00

Do you know that every time I put that in my phone or in a document, it, like, says that it's not spelled right? I'm like, when are we gonna add deliverables to the dictionary? Can we do that, like, today?

Casey: 00:06:10

Oh, is that. Yeah, I just assume I'm always got it wrong, so I'm like, no, I.

Rainey: 00:06:15

Look at it several times. No, it's spelled correctly. But can we. Can we, like, start a campaign to add that word to the dictionary this year?

Casey: 00:06:23

People are listening. I think that's true. I think. Yeah. Because there's a lot of words that we make up on here.

Rainey: 00:06:27

Hit me up if you need the definition.

Casey: 00:06:31

But no, I think those processes are. Oh, my gosh. Okay. So important.

Important for our clients to understand, because if we don't know how to verbalize it, they don't feel like they're being led in a really. In a meaningful way. It just feels a little bit like you're throwing spaghetti against the wall.

Rainey: 00:06:48

Exactly. And then the question is, why do they need us? Right.

Casey: 00:06:50

Yes. So when you have all this going. Yeah, it's huge. But so what. When did.

Did you do the sit down and, like, really document it, or was it more organic that it just sort of floated?

Rainey: 00:07:02

I did. I did the sit down. This was several years ago. We were putting together an internal processes design binder, and this was advocated.

My husband was like, we really need to do this. And I was like, I know it. It's in my brain. Which is where a lot of things live for the creatives. Right.

But the process of putting pen to paper was super important. And an analogy that I like to use is from the time that a client Initially contacts us. Us until the time we write a contract with them.

That is like dating. Right.

I feel like that first phone call is like you've met them for the first time at a social event, or if you're using an app to meet people, zero judgment there. And then you sort of have your officially dating, and then you get engaged, and then the contract is like, we're.

Casey: 00:08:02

Getting Maui happening with me at least one year.

Rainey: 00:08:06

That's exactly correct. Oftentimes it's more than that. Yeah.

Casey: 00:08:10

Like you said, you have a repeat client. Yeah. Yeah. So it's a long relationship.

Rainey: 00:08:14

It's a long relationship.

Casey: 00:08:15

I like that analogy a lot.

Rainey: 00:08:16

So after somebody contacts you, what's the first thing you do?

Casey: 00:08:20

It depends. That's a great question. So, you know, we get people who text, right? They'll say, hey, got your name from somebody.

Which is always the nicest possible thing of it. But text is always hard, too. So I always lead them kind of to my website, to the intake form, which has. It's on.

It's like third or fourth iteration, because you just keep realizing there's different questions that we need to be asked. And so once that comes through, then we reach out for the phone conversation, the phone consult.

And so from that, then you really get a feel based on all the information they already gave and if we're a good fit for them and vice versa, because not everybody fits all the time. Not every project can work totally.

Rainey: 00:09:00

Okay.

Casey: 00:09:01

But it's okay. And I tell. And it's funny because so often I'll know. You'll get the same calls from the same clients. Right.

Rainey: 00:09:09

So they're vetting because we have parallel firms. Yes.

Casey: 00:09:12

Right. And builders refer us both. And it's so nice we do the same, but for them. But, you know, I've said before. Oh, and I'm sure you're talking to.

And I did. Sure.

Rainey: 00:09:22

You're talking to Rainey. I'm sure you're talking to Rainey. Yeah.

Casey: 00:09:25

I'd hire her, too. And you spanked me for that. But our hand slapped.

Rainey: 00:09:29

Well, I said the same thing. If I was gonna have my house designed and it wasn't gonna be designed in these four walls that you are who I. So.

Casey: 00:09:35

Yeah. So. But it's huge. Because you want to be able to give people if you can tell that you're not vibing. Right.

Rainey: 00:09:42

It's like the stepsister trying to force on the shoe in Cinderella. Right. And all that's going to lead to is blisters and sore feet and how fast can I get out of these shoes.

And it doesn't mean that we're wrong or the client's wrong.

Casey: 00:09:56

It's just not the right fit.

Rainey: 00:09:57

It's just not a right fit.

Casey: 00:09:59

And I love that there's an opportunity to share.

Rainey: 00:10:01

Yes.

Casey: 00:10:02

Yeah. So you can.

Rainey: 00:10:02

We also refer clients to other design.

Casey: 00:10:05

Friends all the time.

Rainey: 00:10:06

If it's not for us, if the project isn't in our sort of niche space, our ideal client, it's not our avatar, we will say, that isn't for us. We can't take that on right now. But can I refer you to. And you know what? We're the fourth largest city in the United States.

There's enough design business for everyone.

Casey: 00:10:26

We do not have to. Because in the beginning, I took everything.

Rainey: 00:10:30

Yeah.

Casey: 00:10:30

Everything.

Rainey: 00:10:31

Yeah. What's a project that you took on that you remember that you're like, so is not for me. And I. Oh, my gosh.

Casey: 00:10:37

Just. I mean, probably everyone. I took the first. Just standing out in front of people's houses in August, picking exterior paint colors.

Rainey: 00:10:45

Stop it.

Casey: 00:10:47

Can you just. Is there any. I'm like, Sherwin Williams says this for free, I promise. And they're probably better because I'm hot.

But no, I've done plenty of those where you're like, it's just. And I will say, though, it never gets better than that. First, like, you're saying the dating. Right.

When you've got the butterflies and things do feel good, if you have even an inkling that this is not the right. Do not take that job. Don't think it's gonna get better. It's not going to be yours. So pass that little diddy along. Right.

Rainey: 00:11:15

And even if somebody referred you and you know, you have a mutual friend in common, and that also doesn't mean that it's automatically a natural fit.

Casey: 00:11:24

Yes.

Rainey: 00:11:25

You've got to go through the vetting process to see if it's something that. That works for you.

Casey: 00:11:30

Well, that's such a good point, too, because somebody might have referred you and from somebody who used you 10 years ago.

Rainey: 00:11:37

True.

Casey: 00:11:37

When you were doing paint colors on the outside and it was $35 an hour or whatever. It's a very different process and experience now. And so you really might not. Really might not fit.

Rainey: 00:11:47

You really might not be for that.

Casey: 00:11:48

But when you do fit and so that. Yeah.

So we have the conversation and then ultimately the site visit or the in person, if, obviously, if it's a new construction, they come to my office. If it's the remodel, we go to Theirs or if it's.

Rainey: 00:12:00

You know, I think for me, it's very much the same. We just. I don't do a zoom call. I do the phone call. And then the very next thing is I want them to come into the studio for a couple of reasons.

I want us them to see that we actually do have a location we're not designing out of our car. Not that anything is wrong with that. It might be too much. It might be bringing an Uzi to a paint gun fight. Right.

And then they realize themselves that this isn't a good fit. Or they can see that we are set up like you are with a library and design tables and presentation stations.

And we have designed our firm with all sorts of built ins and stuff so we can show clients what it is we're talking about.

Casey: 00:12:46

You did do.

Rainey: 00:12:47

Well, your studio is stunning as well.

Casey: 00:12:50

But we really created it for the experience for the client. So you can say this can be done anyway.

Rainey: 00:12:55

Yeah. This is an inset cabinet. This is an overlay. This is all of those things. And so that is really until the end of that meeting.

I'm not sure if it's a fit or not. No matter how well that initial phone call goes. And then as a team, we're all at that meeting.

And then as a team, we discuss when that client leaves, if we feel like it's a good fit, if we saw anything that we're kind of like we need to circle back with that client and make sure that that's not a red flag. And if we're ready to move forward and then we go to sort of the inspo phase. And I'm not sure is that where you would go next or so then.

Casey: 00:13:35

Well, from that initial, if we decide yes, this is a thing, then it's I. It's contract time.

Rainey: 00:13:41

Yeah.

Casey: 00:13:42

I won't even start even talking design until this.

Rainey: 00:13:46

That's signing paid until you're married and.

Casey: 00:13:49

And then it never ends and the.

Rainey: 00:13:50

Down payment is made.

Casey: 00:13:51

Y. And then it's. Then it's. Yeah, so. But I have a question about that though. For you not to backtrack a minute is.

So in that meeting though, if you do y'all feel the feels and the client feels it like, are you already talking with the, you know, investment possibilities are. Are you already talking about cost and stuff like that that they have to.

You bring up your fees during that meeting and then they leave and then you discuss.

Rainey: 00:14:19

Yes.

Casey: 00:14:19

And then do you invite them to the next conversation in the sense of then do they know they're leaving and they're being kind of thought about and considered or might be dropped, really.

Rainey: 00:14:30

So dropped is a big word. And usually I would say nine times out of 10, if it's not a fit, both sides know that at the end of that meeting. Right.

But during that meeting, we do talk about budget. If it is a new build, we talk about our price per square foot and what that contract would look like and deliverables would look like.

In that case, if it's a remodel, then we talk about the next step is to. To walk the project and get a very concise scope. And then based on the scope, we give them our flat fee for our design work.

And then we would go to the remodel bidding stage, since we also remodel. But that's a really good question.

And so once we know we're headed towards a contract, like in a remodel stage, it takes a long time to sort of get through that very established scope. We will go ahead and ask for inspo photos because for some clients, that's a fun, easy thing. And for others, it's like, so while.

Casey: 00:15:35

You'Re waiting for the contract to be done, you're. We've given them guidance and you're getting that. Okay. So at that point, you're pretty confident you're going to hand over that contract.

They're signing it and they're.

Rainey: 00:15:46

Yeah, we've given them sort of a range and they understand what to expect and they're investing the time. Because when you do a remodel, how many visits do you do to establish your scope and to really understand the nature of where that project is going?

Casey: 00:16:00

Honestly, it's typically one. One can pretty much get a good handle on just because there's so much backed data, which thank goodness, again, with, like, processes. Right.

So I never, like, tracked time early. Early because it was hourly. And then when I went to fee, it was lovely because I was like, oh, I don't have to track time.

Which is completely wrong because you still need to see you so that you understand. Yes. So but based on that, I've been able to kind of just on that first one and, and knowing the level that, you know, I guess the inspo is helpful.

It makes sense that you would get it on that first just because you want to know what level finishes. Yeah, that's a great idea. I hadn't thought of that. It's always kind of in that.

Rainey: 00:16:42

You know why? Because we take so many notes from what people wear and what they drive and that sort of Thing, and it can inform that.

So you're probably getting that data without getting that data. You know, you get to where you're really good at that.

Casey: 00:16:57

You kind of just can read what. Yeah, and it's. Yeah, you're right. Cause it's very rare that you get it real wrong on what you're gonna show somebody.

As far as selections, blowing budgets are too low or whatever.

Rainey: 00:17:11

That's exactly correct.

Casey: 00:17:12

But has there been a time where you really thought it was a match made in heaven and then they kicked you? They said, no, ma'am.

Rainey: 00:17:18

Yeah.

Casey: 00:17:18

You are not my match.

Rainey: 00:17:19

That just happened last year. We had the most amazing meeting. Loved this client. We still interact on social media. And I know who she hired.

She mentioned the designer in the meeting and said her friend used her and that she was going to interview her. But the very last question they asked me at that meeting was, if there's some of the design work we want to do ourselves, is that okay?

Like, if we want to keep some of the rooms out of the square footage and do them ourselves? And that's not our ideal client. And so I walk them through sort of how that would look for us, and that.

That was sort of a sticking point for us, because then we get into things like scope, creep, or does that overlap what we're designing or not designing is so hard. And then you're one of the hardest.

Casey: 00:18:10

Yeah, yeah. You're giving feedback because you're in there, and they want your feedback. So you're really are designing.

Rainey: 00:18:16

Exactly.

And then sometimes if is something that we wouldn't do because we know about that product and we know the problems with it, and we get involved in that. It just opens up sort of this can of worms. And so from experience, we've just understood that that's something that is. That is not for us.

And so I sort of knew when they walked out, I was like, that is going to be that sticking point. Because the designer they did hire, I highly respect and love in our industry, and I knew that she was more flexible in that area.

Um, it's okay, though, because the way the timing worked out, we wouldn't have been able to handle that job.

Casey: 00:18:55

That is.

Rainey: 00:18:56

But we didn't know that at the time.

Casey: 00:18:58

You're so like, oh. And then what comes next? You're going, oh, my gosh. Thank goodness that didn't.

Rainey: 00:19:04

Yeah. What came next was that huge wedding venue that we're doing, and it's a collection.

Casey: 00:19:10

And that's just the wedding.

Rainey: 00:19:12

It's just gotten huge. The wedding venue and luxury apartments and conference space. And, you know, we are not really commercial designers, but this sort of has an overlap.

And I'm the target audience. Right. I'm the mom.

Casey: 00:19:25

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:19:26

Of.

Casey: 00:19:26

Of the bride or of whoever.

Rainey: 00:19:28

Exactly.

Casey: 00:19:29

Three of those.

Rainey: 00:19:29

Yeah. Three daughters. I. I. So I kind of know. And it was something exciting and a way to stretch a little bit.

Casey: 00:19:35

That's so awesome.

Rainey: 00:19:36

Made some space.

Casey: 00:19:37

I love that. Yeah. Because that can be.

Rainey: 00:19:41

So how do you do your inspo?

Casey: 00:19:44

So you know the beauty and the beast of Pinterest, right. Everybody's familiar with it. Most people know how to use it.

So people do have their Pinterest boards, so I request those or any tear sheets or anything that anybody has.

Rainey: 00:19:56

I was gonna say, have you had the stack of magazines?

Casey: 00:19:59

To be honest, I'm such a tactile, so I rip out constantly still, so that's where I like to go. Pinterest, I'm. I like. But I can go down too many rabbit holes on it. So, yeah, I start with that. They send that in kind of that first week, right?

You have your great meeting, kickoff meeting and all. That's good. And then they get that first week to send all their inspo, and then.

Rainey: 00:20:25

Are you, like, after that first week, no more inspo. Are you that person?

Casey: 00:20:29

I can't quite get to that point yet. Although I want to so bad. There have been times where I'm like, okay, that we're done. That has left the building.

That ship sailed, because it just keeps coming, and they keep looking, right?

Rainey: 00:20:49

And then they go off in a totally different direction. And you're like, so are we.

Casey: 00:20:54

Where are we now? And I think, though, what I've learned for myself is it's because I haven't been forthcoming with the process enough to.

Rainey: 00:21:07

Say, this is when we quit.

Casey: 00:21:08

This is when we quit. And so I send out a Friday email every week to every client, whether any progress has happened or not.

Rainey: 00:21:17

That is part of our process as.

Casey: 00:21:18

Well, that this is happening. So I think by doing that, it's almost alleviated those, like, did you see my new one? Or whatever.

Because I've already captured, like, we're handling this right now. And, you know, so I think that sort of, again, fell on me for not handling it probably properly.

But I know some people who will just, like, say no more.

Rainey: 00:21:38

Stave it well in the Pinterest boards or whatever.

I'll say, you can add for the rest of your life, but after this date, I'm not gonna be referring to it anymore because I think sometimes they use Pinterest boards just to capture ideas, maybe for the farmhouse they're gonna build or I don't know. Or this is a piece of art I want to buy or. But I will. I'll be like, I'm not looking at.

Casey: 00:22:02

So, okay, so with that, I am curious because a year is a long time, you know. Right. So trends change. We change. Do you. At what point do you allow like a little bit of.

I know we picked this already, Raini, but I found this and I love it so much.

Rainey: 00:22:23

Later in the process. So we have done the contract and now we're in inspo and lifestyle questionnaire. Later in the process, we get to what we call the sign off phase.

And once you've signed off, I literally tell people it might as well be in blood because it's immovable unless something is discontinued. And the reason I have to do that is because things are being ordered and they cost money.

And then if they're returned and we can't get our money back, people are upset. And then also it can hold up the whole project. Right. And nobody wants to do that. That costs everybody time and money. Absolutely.

Casey: 00:23:05

I just wasn't sure if it hadn't been. Cause a lot of times we select so early and then it doesn't get purchased if the builder is the one purchasing. And then it does go to.

Rainey: 00:23:14

Essentially, that's a whole podcast.

Casey: 00:23:17

But.

So there's sometimes that wiggle room of time that it's been selected and everything's going with it, but then this thing gets found and you're like, do I put my line in the sand or is it.

Rainey: 00:23:28

I think that depends on the client, I guess.

Casey: 00:23:30

So I have to design the whole thing around it.

Rainey: 00:23:33

Bingo.

Casey: 00:23:34

Which is a whole other question on that is do you, you know, when you're doing inspo and all of that and somebody's like, well, I just. I want to keep these chairs and this table. We need a new rug light and side tables. Where do you stand on that? You know, are you good?

Rainey: 00:23:51

I always say, okay, and then see what happens during the design process. And I'll ask a lot of times at a meeting, maybe the initial meeting, I'll say.

Or before the initial meeting, I'll say, do I have your permission to bring my best? Even if you think we're going to reuse something? And I love reusing things. I mean, I love to.

But if I think it's not the right item as the design process sort of unfolds, do I have permission to bring something to you where you can decide to keep or replace that item.

Casey: 00:24:24

That's a good one.

Rainey: 00:24:24

And so I can bring it to them. And sometimes they're like, absolutely not. Grandma Gertrude's cocktail table is staying. And I'm like, perfect. I love that. And we move on.

But I've shown them that I think her cocktail table is too low and too small for that space, and we should consider it for somewhere else. But if that's where it's staying, it's their home.

Casey: 00:24:46

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:24:47

Yes.

Casey: 00:24:47

Yeah. It's their home. I. It's such a. That's a tricky one, because as designers, you know, scale is so. Is so important. Every element that goes in visually.

Rainey: 00:25:01

Yeah.

Casey: 00:25:01

But what pulls at them is not that necessarily.

Rainey: 00:25:04

And that's okay to that.

Casey: 00:25:05

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:25:06

And that's okay. We have to let that go.

Casey: 00:25:08

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:25:08

Do you have a lifestyle questionnaire that you do at the Instagram both phase where you kind of say, what does a Friday night look for you? If that's how many heinies.

Casey: 00:25:17

The. The intake form.

Rainey: 00:25:19

Okay, got it.

Casey: 00:25:20

And so you'll, you know, it's just asking how they entertain, but it comes up a lot more when they're in. And because it's how. Who's cooking? Are you cooking? Is there catering?

Rainey: 00:25:30

How many gorgeous kitchens have you done for people that never cook?

Casey: 00:25:33

That's the fun part, Right. You're like, okay.

Rainey: 00:25:37

I'm like, so we're doing a hundred thousand dollars worth of appliances in a kitchen, and you don't cook. And you know what? That's okay, too.

Casey: 00:25:44

Okay.

Rainey: 00:25:44

It's totally okay.

Casey: 00:25:45

Yeah. You gotta heat stuff up somewhere and somebody you know, and it's beautiful. But, yeah, it happens.

But the lifestyle is probably the most important part of it. Right. Is how they really want to live in their space.

Rainey: 00:26:00

Yeah.

Casey: 00:26:00

And how they entertain.

Rainey: 00:26:01

So what I think you and I are similar in that way that we're function before form. It's like, how do you live? And then we can make anything beautiful.

I think there are designers that do focus on just the most edgy, the most spectacular, the most over the top. And there's definitely a place for that.

There is zero judgment, but I think we're sort of moms with boots on the ground, sort of looking at how the home is going to be used.

Casey: 00:26:28

First, how they're what. How that's gonna fit for them.

Growing, like talking to a couple now that they're about to get some babies in the house and what that gradual, like, okay, you know, babies, but they're four before you know it. And what you know that drawer with their sippy cups? Cause you don't wanna have to go up here. Like all of those just moments that you remember. Huge.

Are huge. But to your point of the designers that kind of say, yeah, function is out the window. Cause this. Or, yeah, this is beauty.

I love and admire that designer who can say that. And I've listened to them before.

Rainey: 00:27:04

Yep.

Casey: 00:27:04

Because they're the ones who do the kitchens that have no uppers. Because everybody's going to go down here for their glasses. And they're. And anyway, they're like, yeah, I don't care where they put their glasses.

And I want to see a single cabinet. I'm like, yeah, I have so much respect and admiration for you doing that because.

Rainey: 00:27:21

And that goes back to the Cinderella shoe. Right. And which designer fits for you?

Casey: 00:27:26

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:27:26

Is it form before funct or function before form? And that's a big question. And I think that probably gets you closer to a designer. That's for you earlier.

Casey: 00:27:37

That's a really good point. Because you might just that. Wow. Right? How fun, though. I would love a client who maybe is not so much function. Because I can be function.

You know, to the point where they're like, I want to. You know, I don't need to think about that. I'm like, do you? But you kind of do.

You know, even just like what side your dishwasher's on if you're left handed. Our house. Somebody's gonna buy our house and be so bummed because Maddie and I are left. And so it's over here. And they're gonna be like, I didn't.

Rainey: 00:28:05

Know that your husband is left handed.

Casey: 00:28:07

He does some stuff left handed, but.

Rainey: 00:28:08

So my husband and his dishes are left handed. My husband writes left handed as well, so I didn't know that about you.

Casey: 00:28:14

Yeah, but it's one of those tricky things when you go into a kitchen that's been kind of designed to a person specifically.

Rainey: 00:28:20

I bet nobody's gonna notice when they go to look at your house.

Casey: 00:28:22

They won't notice when they look, but they'll notice when they move in.

Rainey: 00:28:24

Yeah, they will.

Casey: 00:28:25

That's all we got for sure.

Rainey: 00:28:26

They're gon.

Casey: 00:28:27

What the hell.

Rainey: 00:28:28

Maybe you could leave him a little. No. Say, sorry, I'm a lefty.

Casey: 00:28:31

Sorry.

Rainey: 00:28:31

We're lefties.

Casey: 00:28:33

We left enough room on the other cabinet you can pull that thing out and move it. That actually wouldn't.

Rainey: 00:28:39

You could tell them what they could do.

Casey: 00:28:41

That might not be the worst.

Rainey: 00:28:42

Here's your remodel plan.

Casey: 00:28:43

Yeah. Seriously. Just check it anyway.

Rainey: 00:28:45

Unless they're lefties. I don't know.

Casey: 00:28:46

Yeah, you might love it.

Rainey: 00:28:47

So after contract and your inspo lifestyle, then we go into the design process. Do you just design the whole project and then have the client in to present? Do you do it in small little sections or doses?

Casey: 00:29:06

So I will do. So after everything's in, then we do the design concept meeting, which is all the rooms just.

And I might be stealing like, you know, taking from a Pinterest thing, like the inspiration of what the room looks like from their board or whatever and then kind of putting things to that and giving them options on all the. But every space that's in the scope or in that thing and then from there, mark it up, dial it out and get a really good thing.

So then our next meeting, which is the big presentation. Presentation, you know that your. That we've got where we'll have sign offs and stuff.

Rainey: 00:29:40

Yeah, I love that.

Casey: 00:29:41

And a lot of times at that concept one, we get 85% from that, which is always like, oh, yeah, thank.

Rainey: 00:29:48

You, dear God, yes.

Casey: 00:29:49

Because that moment, I think the tricky part of reselections are, and you tell me, is that momentum getting lost. And you are so excited about this whole palette. And then they're like this. I'm not sure about this.

Rainey: 00:30:02

So it affects everything.

Casey: 00:30:03

It affects kind of everything. And then you kind of lost your. But what about you guys? How do you. Cause you have a full. Like you guys, I feel like hit.

Rainey: 00:30:09

It in a really cool way. We do. One of the things that I learned, and I learned it the hard way.

So we had a young couple, he was an attorney, and she was taking her boards to be an endocrinologist. Right. And they had just had sort of a surprise baby. And so they kind of were going in all these different directions.

And I was like, I have to have your inspo. Like, I have to have your inspo.

And they sent it to me and we went through it as a firm and we were like, totally understand exactly their design aesthetic. We're going to be able to nail this. We pulled all of the materials, put it all together, had this gorgeous presentation set up.

And they came in and there was a lot of blue.

And one of the things that I learned about the client was number one, they were so newly married that they really didn't know each other and their likes very well. And they really didn't love blue. And so I just sort of, when I realized this, I just sort of put on the brakes and we put on the big screen.

We went back to their inspo boards and they were like, oh, my gosh. We didn't notice that there was blue in all of those photos, which is so. So they were looking at all these different elements.

And we don't ask our clients to make notes on the photos.

Casey: 00:31:32

Right.

Rainey: 00:31:32

We just wanted to have fun throwing photos in a folder. But it really taught me to go through and have that meeting where you say, this is what we're seeing. Is this something you love? How do you.

You know, we've seen this kind of light fixture, this mid mod light fix in 75% of your photos.

Casey: 00:31:53

Is this something you're liking or not? Are we missing what you're pulling this for?

Rainey: 00:31:56

And they're like, oh, no, we hate mid mod. And you go, oh, but all that information. And I call it funneling.

So, you know, if the top of the funnel is all the design decisions that you can make in the whole world, all of the tile selections on the planet.

Casey: 00:32:11

Right.

Rainey: 00:32:11

And you've got to get it down to this teeny, tiny little. This tile just. And that's what we're trying to do. Right. So that meeting helps us get further down the funnel.

Casey: 00:32:22

embarrassed to say how long?: 2003

And I still flip through and I still see stuff that I didn't maybe see before, because I'm not looking for.

Rainey: 00:32:37

You aren't looking for that.

Casey: 00:32:38

And so that's the thing. When they hand you all these things and they'll. Sometimes they're like, I don't even know what I liked here. I might have been drinking wine.

I might take that on my board. Or I'm like, what did you like? They're like, I don't remember. I don't know. You know, and it makes sense.

Rainey: 00:32:51

Or if they're sharing a board with their spouse, they might go, I have no idea why she put that on there or why he put that on there.

Casey: 00:32:57

So that's such an interesting thing, though, that you. Yeah, that again, just. You add that into your process. Then like, okay, now we're gonna make sure.

Rainey: 00:33:05

Inspo review.

Casey: 00:33:06

The inspo review, because. Okay, so you do inspo review after. Okay.

Rainey: 00:33:10

Yep. And then we do the design and the presentation. That's always a fun meeting. And then we're gonna have tweaks.

I mean, I can count maybe 10 or 15 times in 25 years, have we gotten 100% approval in that meeting. That isn't the goal. It's to get as far down that funnel as we can to that client's specific design aesthetic. Right.

Casey: 00:33:34

And still locked in on the fact that you've had 20 to 25 that have done 100%. Cause it just. There's all. I feel like every project.

Rainey: 00:33:41

Well, 10 to 15. In 25 years.

Casey: 00:33:43

In 25 years. Sorry. But that is impressive. I mean.

Rainey: 00:33:46

Yeah.

Casey: 00:33:47

Because there's always that, like, you know, what we've decided, you know, I love. That's amazing.

Rainey: 00:33:53

Well, that's a very, very small percentage of the project.

Casey: 00:33:57

Right.

Rainey: 00:33:57

And a lot of times those are people who maybe home isn't the center of their lives or they've got other homes and they only spend part of.

Casey: 00:34:06

Their year and they're just like there.

Rainey: 00:34:08

And just want to be done with it. And then sometimes you just freaking nail it. And, you know, that feels like. I mean, it's just like my work here is done. I'm.

Casey: 00:34:18

Yeah, it feels so dang good. I don't know what's better.

Like the signing of the contract when you know that everybody's on the same page, or that design concept meeting when they're. They leave after two and a half hours. There's food everywhere, it's a mess, the table's destroyed. And it's beautiful.

Rainey: 00:34:35

Yep.

Casey: 00:34:36

Because you're like, oh, my God, I only have to put back a couple things.

Rainey: 00:34:39

Right.

Casey: 00:34:39

Or no.

Rainey: 00:34:40

So I am really curious.

Have you ever had a client in and they've gotten like 90, 95% approval on design selections and they go away for the weekend and you get a Monday morning email that actually they like almost nothing.

Casey: 00:34:55

I will get it on Sunday, which is like, you know, my favorite. Yeah, there's no work on Sunday, so, yes, that has happened.

Rainey: 00:35:04

How do you handle that?

Casey: 00:35:06

Bloody breathing. But yeah, we, you know, of course it's stipulated in contracts, like you get.

Rainey: 00:35:12

One round of revisions, but I'm sure that's flexible depending.

Casey: 00:35:16

Depending on the client and the situation. But it is a curious, like, what changed over the weekend?

So it is a conversation of, oh, my gosh, where did we miss and how, you know, because again, it's coming on the heels of the inspiration that they've shared in all the conversations. And so it feels a bit side swipey. Right.

Rainey: 00:35:35

And sometimes you find out, at least this has happened to me, that they had Aunt Sally over, or their best friend was in from Virginia and just told them how much they disliked everything and that this is what the trends are now and really take away that this is the design for that couple, not for the friend from Virginia or Aunt Sally. And so sometimes I've gotten those clients back in and we have that conversation and I give them, help them gain sort of a trust in themselves.

Does that happen for you?

Casey: 00:36:11

No, that's it. That's you.

Rainey: 00:36:12

And then they're like, you know what? I do love this.

Casey: 00:36:14

Yes. Like what they ultimately liked the first time. And what. Yeah, right. What transpired over the weekend. And it's always.

Or those tennis girls coming back. The tennis girls. Because oh my God, the amount of tennis girls that have lunch.

Rainey: 00:36:28

Right.

Casey: 00:36:29

So but and it again goes to that. How much do we kind of. It's their house.

Rainey: 00:36:37

Right.

Casey: 00:36:37

It's their money.

Rainey: 00:36:38

It's your dream.

Casey: 00:36:39

It's your dream.

Rainey: 00:36:39

Right.

Casey: 00:36:40

But you shared this with. So where are, you know, where's that give and take? Because we kind of have seen it a time to before, you know. Right.

So you're like, I promise just the moment, you know, let's just keep going on the path or do we reverse and completely start this thing over?

Rainey: 00:36:56

And you really don't love this.

Casey: 00:36:58

Oh my gosh.

Rainey: 00:36:58

If it's like that's the last thing you and I want. Right.

Casey: 00:37:01

But if it's just because you had some people chirping in somebody's house, it's not even your style anyways, then let's talk through that because I think that's important.

Rainey: 00:37:09

Sort of recenter. And then after the design process and the tweaking and we get to where we love everything. It's put in design boards.

They can see all the rooms at a snapshot and it includes all of the drawings of all of the cabinetry and millwork and lighting and all, all of the things. Then we actually have sign offs. Do you have a sign off process?

Casey: 00:37:29

No. And I am going to be putting this in, to be honest, because I'm gonna tell you, sign off on it. I mean verbally.

Rainey: 00:37:38

Yeah. So I'm gonna tell you why I did it. So all of our processes, or a lot of our processes came from hard lessons.

Casey: 00:37:45

Yes, every process.

Rainey: 00:37:46

So this was years ago and we were on site and we walked on site for a cabinetry walk through. And this was a builder that was building and a very able builder. Nothing to say about that.

But the builder had, I think revision set C and revision set D was what the client, and I'll put this in quotes, signed off on. But. And we had sent that to the builder that was in an email. It was all there, but it was lost between their office and the site. Right.

Honest mistake. That cost that builder a lot of time, effort, energy, and money and the client some frustration.

And so we decided that as everything is approved, our design boards, our spreadsheet, our selections that are put into spreadsheets, our drawings, everything goes into DocuSign and then that becomes our final. That goes in our DocuSign folder in our Dropbox. So that is it. That is where everything comes from. You don't pull from anywhere else.

Not an email, not something that was on your desk. It just comes from the Dropbox, which.

Casey: 00:39:12

Is brilliant for your in house. I do have. I'm curious, in that instance with that builder, does he have access to your Dropbox?

Rainey: 00:39:18

Yes. So we set up that Dropbox for the homeowner, the builder.

Casey: 00:39:24

So if there's any questions, he can always refer back to the Dropbox 100%. And you alert them, like, new product or new stuff is in there. Okay.

Rainey: 00:39:30

Yep.

Casey: 00:39:31

Okay.

Rainey: 00:39:31

Yep.

Casey: 00:39:31

So there's.

Rainey: 00:39:32

It automatically does alert them every time we place something in there.

Casey: 00:39:35

So that's. Oh, my gosh.

Rainey: 00:39:37

See, it's only for that.

Casey: 00:39:38

That's fantastic.

Rainey: 00:39:39

And it's not like this is genius on us. I'm telling you, we learned it because of the problem and this was the solution for us.

I am sure there are other designers that do things other genius ways. It just happens to work for us.

Casey: 00:39:54

No, but that's a real. I like that way for everybody, that it's up somewhere that everybody can access it.

That's what I guess is so special because had a great selection meeting a couple years back. Wallpaper, as much as I possibly can, every single thing is. Is there tangible for them to see, Touch.

Rainey: 00:40:13

I always say that. See, tell.

Casey: 00:40:15

Yeah. So all of that is there. And the wallpaper was there.

But the boards that we printed, you know, colors change, pixelated, whatever the color on the printer, can't trust it. Can't trust it. But clients saw the wallpaper, loved it, went home with the boards, loved them. Wallpaper went in.

She's like, this is not the same wallpaper. I'm like, and I'm beside myself. I'm so excited. It's the prettiest wallpaper.

Rainey: 00:40:39

It's so exciting in your whole life.

Casey: 00:40:40

And it's just like, I cannot wait for her to see it. She's gonna be just falling over. She does not like it. It is not the color of this. I'm like, well, no, that's a pixelated. If you go back to the.

Rainey: 00:40:51

She pulled out the printed sign.

Casey: 00:40:52

She had the printed out and like it's on the PDF.

Like if it's been sent to you, that's actually the link and you saw it in the place and she's like, I don't remember seeing it, but it wasn't this color.

Rainey: 00:41:05

So what was the resolution of that one?

Casey: 00:41:08

I bought wallpaper for her. Lovely wallpaper that looks like we do it again and. Yeah. So again yeah. Just moments where yeah people. There's so much to take in.

And that was the thing. I'm like, that's on me.

Rainey: 00:41:23

Yeah.

Casey: 00:41:23

I didn't have her personally sign off on seeing touching that wallpaper was there. My documentation must not have been on.

Rainey: 00:41:30

Have you ever had like hard so on stains? When we do stains, we actually order in the species of wood and actually stain that piece of wood and have the clients sign off on the back of that.

Casey: 00:41:42

That's a good one. With the sign off, we always stain the species. But the sign off is good.

Rainey: 00:41:47

Yeah. So. Cause we had that same thing. It was this isn't the one we wanted the darker one. And so we've just learned those things and it's not for I gotchas.

We actually again want to protect the dream.

Casey: 00:41:58

Yes, absolutely.

Rainey: 00:42:00

And for everyone to win.

Casey: 00:42:01

And we forget sometimes. I mean we've got I client folders that I or buckets that I need to go through. And I'm like, oh gosh, I need to clean this out.

That was the last iteration. So there's that constant for us to be keeping it going. So as much for them as, you know, as it is so we don't.

Rainey: 00:42:18

Mess it up or we love that leathered absolute black granite. And we've pulled it out for every client because it fits somewhere usually an outdoor kitchen. And then it's not in that client's bucket anymore.

And what was in just constantly making sure the checks and balances of all of the things. And then there was this time that we had a client in fantastic specification meeting.

It was a Friday afternoon, so we left the napkins, the half drank drinks, you know, all the things on the table.

And we got here on Monday morning and the intern had come in extra early and dutifully put everything back in the library as she should have, except that we had not captured all of the materials.

And so we, after taking, like you said, that deep cleansing breath, we got everything back out and remembered the best we could and then had the client back in. And it was like Maya Culpa. Here's what happened. And of course they were delightful and Understanding. But those things happen. We are human.

Casey: 00:43:18

We are human. And that is just. Again, though, there's no. Doesn't matter what processes or how many things fall through. You know, they just do. But like.

Like it's not rocket science that we're doing. Somebody said, I'm not a brain. Like, I'm not a brain surgeon or curing cancer, but I'm building houses for people who are.

So let's just create the best environment for those people who have the brains that can. And then I'll just stay in my lane and try and make sure that I. Because that has happened. And it's painful. It is.

And normally I'm really good at at least documenting photos so that the fronts backs all of that. But there's times those meetings go so long and it's Friday and you're done.

Rainey: 00:44:01

We do those things. But when I say we, I mean Connor. Connor does those things too.

Casey: 00:44:06

And we haven't even preached on Connor recently.

Rainey: 00:44:08

God love Connor.

Casey: 00:44:09

We all need a Connor. Okay.

Rainey: 00:44:11

And so exactly then we go to implementation, which we take all of this design process, process, all of the things we've done, and we communicate it in very planned ways to builders, contractors, our vendors, for ordering purposes, and we're off to the races. Is that sort of the final step for you?

Casey: 00:44:36

Yeah, it is. Which is interesting. So the vendor part, do you have a question about that? Do you go to them prior to the selections?

Because I'm sure sometimes I know you go and pull and then you probably ultimately, at least we, you know, in the meeting, they're like, is there anything. Or, you know, I like that one on the wall. Because I refuse to use a tile for two different. For two clients.

Rainey: 00:45:00

Don't. Yes.

Casey: 00:45:01

I don't. I won't use. But if the client has spotted it.

Rainey: 00:45:05

Yep.

Casey: 00:45:06

And they love it.

Rainey: 00:45:07

Yep.

Casey: 00:45:07

Then it's like, okay, I can. I'll do that, but I'm not going to show you something that's in somebody else's house. But so then you pull and then. But the pricing part.

So sometimes are you gathering pricing and stuff prior to your selections or you know where you're going with it? And then you.

Rainey: 00:45:22

We kind of know. I mean, the vendors, you kind of know what their sweet spot is, whether it's sort of a medium, medium high or high.

You just sort of know that instinctively. There have been times when we've gone to the pricing stage and we're like, okay, you know, we were targeting $12 a square foot. This is actually 18.

This is about how Many square feet you would need times the $6 overage. This is going to cost you about 600, $700 extra. Are you okay with that or do we need to reselect?

But if we just focused on pricing at the selection stage, that's all we would do.

Casey: 00:46:00

Right?

Rainey: 00:46:00

You'd never move forward. You just wouldn't.

Casey: 00:46:02

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:46:03

And we don't mind reselecting. Not a problem.

Casey: 00:46:05

Right, Right. Oh, that's good. Okay. Because I don't. Yeah. I don't love having I bringing stuff that they.

Because if they fall for something and you're like, oh, this one's 120 a foot.

Rainey: 00:46:16

Can we tap?

Casey: 00:46:17

I've done that on a couple. But again, you know, this store, there's.

Rainey: 00:46:23

A very specific vendor that I'm not going to say out loud that that has happened before.

Casey: 00:46:28

Yes. And it's.

Rainey: 00:46:28

And you don't expect it very clear of them unless I know the. This is the high end.

Casey: 00:46:33

This is what you can do.

Rainey: 00:46:34

A high end client.

Casey: 00:46:35

So. But otherwise, you know, we all have the.

Rainey: 00:46:41

Barometers.

Casey: 00:46:42

Barometers. Parameters.

Rainey: 00:46:43

Parameters. Both of those things.

Casey: 00:46:44

But then going to them and getting the pricing. Yeah. So with that. So you get all your pricing and then do you end up turning it over to the builder or do you do the purchasing in house?

Rainey: 00:46:53

So if there's a builder involved, then we turn it all over to them and they do the purchasing. If it's a remodel, since we do the actual remodeling, we do all the purchasing and that's sort of one of our things.

We will not start a remodel until every single material is in house. Because I'm not tearing out your house and getting halfway done and not having.

Casey: 00:47:15

Something back ordered or not coming or whatever. Not happening. I think that was a big lesson learned during COVID for sure. There were definitely times.

Rainey: 00:47:24

I hate that C word.

Casey: 00:47:25

t thing back then in March of: 2000

Rainey: 00:47:32

Was it.

Casey: 00:47:33

No.

Rainey: 00:47:33

2020.

Casey: 00:47:34

,: 2020

Rainey: 00:47:39

It was a long time ago. But we did learn about supply chain and for sure.

Casey: 00:47:45

And it really brutal. Tightened some stuff up though it made it to where these processes like everything.

It's because you fall short in somewhere and you're like, okay, I need a process for that. It needs to be documented.

Rainey: 00:47:54

It needs to get better.

Casey: 00:47:55

Oh, I'm so glad we got. I'm. I'm happy to hear some of Your stuff too. Because I might have to start implementing these drop off for sure. Me too.

Rainey: 00:48:02

I love hearing how you do things and I think it makes all of us better because we're all doing the best we can with what we've got and we can always get better.

Casey: 00:48:12

And that's the thing about our business. There are a million different ways to do this. So. Yeah. That's why there's so many of us and so many clients. Enough for all of us. Right.

Rainey: 00:48:23

So about the. Something we've noticed.

We sort of met and had sort of brunch this last weekend and we were talking about noticing how things are a little weird during this new year. And. And you said something that you've noticed and so.

Casey: 00:48:40

Well, people just. It doesn't seem like a resolution year. It's not a new year. New me, new you. Which I really enjoyed. Watch. It's.

e out guns a blazing for this: 2025

And I think it just shows we're all kind of fatigued by some stuff and we're really probably finding ways to be like, okay with where we're at or at best just, you know, not calling attention to some of the mishaps.

Rainey: 00:49:14

Some of the things. Some of the things aren't busy.

Casey: 00:49:16

I mean, it's crazy.

Rainey: 00:49:18

Yeah. You said your gym was not crazy busy like it usually is. Even for myself.

I mean, I definitely have some intentions in mind, but I usually sit down and do this whole thing.

Casey: 00:49:30

Yeah. I was waiting for the text from you. Like, I can't wait to tell you.

Rainey: 00:49:33

What my word is. And I think I know what my word is gonna be this year.

But, you know, we're halfway through January and I'm just now sort of contemplating that for real. So really sort of strange. Do you think that's some fatigue from the election? And I think it's fatigue. Just fatigue. It is. And I hear abroad.

Just fatigue.

Casey: 00:49:53

It's just fatigue. And you know, to speak of another podcast. But somebody spoke recently and I. It really resonated. Brene Brown was talking to Oprah two of the most.

Rainey: 00:50:03

Brene Brown and Oprah. Who are they?

Casey: 00:50:04

I'm. Oh, there's these. Okay.

Rainey: 00:50:06

There's these two ladies.

Casey: 00:50:07

One of them was on a talk show a while back and then the other one's like an educator at your age. Yeah. Oh, my God. Biggest. Really?

Rainey: 00:50:11

I can't.

Casey: 00:50:12

Universe. Idols. Idols. But Bern Brown spoke to the fact that. Because they were talking about where we're at and stuff. And it's an older. It doesn't matter.

But she said she thinks after 9, 11, like, people just didn't really recapture the kindness back after. Fear was just so instilled in us at that time that maybe we didn't all go past it.

And so even though we got stuck in place for it, Homeland Security and everything that goes with that, there's just fear in people. And now we're living in a place where it is a bit, you know.

Rainey: 00:50:49

Which really makes me think about like.

Casey: 00:50:51

Oh my gosh, we're just tired of being tired of. Tired of being tired and tired of not getting along and tired.

So I think it's just people are maybe finally, like, I keep wanting to tap out and say, uncle, like with my stupid little, you know, leg injury and like, if there was a way to tap out, I think that's what people are doing. Uncle. Let's just move forward.

Rainey: 00:51:12

Yeah.

I think one of the things that all of this has made me realize is again, it's the reframing of the importance of home and it sort of becoming that cocoon, that safe space, that place where we go to not be afraid. And I think that's one of the reasons why we've seen the re emergence of the home becoming so important again. And what makes.

Makes what we do super exciting. Super exciting. And that one place in the world, that's the sanctuary, right? Yes.

Casey: 00:51:45

So, yeah, absolutely.

The sanctuary for the home, and I mean, friend of mine is because we're still in it with people and friends in LA that are still without and it's never been more clear. And actually it's very interesting that that kind of started right after the new year and maybe people have sort of just stopped and gone. Really?

Does my five pounds make a big fat difference? No. I want a place to sleep with my kids. Safe. And my dogs.

Rainey: 00:52:12

The reframing of all of it.

Casey: 00:52:13

That is a reframing of all of it.

And so I look forward to seeing how people do reframe their year, because I think that is happening for people internally more than externally, maybe, which is beautiful.

Rainey: 00:52:23

Yep. And so I'm wondering what it is in your life that you would like to reframe.

Is there something that you need to rethink in your own personal life that you need to see in a different light to move your life forward? And if so, I would love for you to reach out and email us or anything else you'd like to chat about on helloeframingdesign.com and you can follow.

Casey: 00:52:52

Me on Instagram, Cassandra Brandinteriors or me.

Rainey: 00:52:57

Richardsoninteriors on Instagram or both of us.

Casey: 00:53:01

Reframing design on Instagram.

Rainey: 00:53:03

Yep.

Casey: 00:53:04

And don't forget to like review, follow, share and listen on any platform that this is coming through on YouTube or Apple or wherever you get your podcast.

Rainey: 00:53:14

Yes. And don't forget to tell your friends and family about us and thank you for joining us today. Thank you.

It has been a great, great podcast and I love you and it's been beautiful. Goodbye.

Casey: 00:53:25

Goodbye. Mahalo.

Outro: 00:53:28

That's a wrap for this episode of the Art of Interior Design. We hope you had a blast and found some inspiration to bring your dream space to life. Feeling inspired to start your own home transformation?

Contact us@helloeframingdesign.com we want to help you make it happen. Don't forget to subscribe, share and leave a Review this show is edited and produced by Truly Media.

Until next time, remember your space is your story. Make it beautiful.