Designer Myths: Designers Just Design What They Want

NO, designers don’t just do what they want.

One of the most common questions we get is, “Can you do X style?” and the answer is, “Yes. But how does this style represent you?” People are often concerned that a designer will hold fast to their design biases and suggest things that are totally out of the client’s comfort zone and taste.

This isn’t Trading Spaces. We don’t put impractical, impossible to clean, not to mention, unhygienic, dried grass on walls because we thought it would look cool, and we were dying to try it. There’s an actual episode where they did that.

We get it. There are so many home and garden shows that give the impression that designers just do whatever they want without true concern for their clients. So, in this blog, we’re going to dispel some myths about how designers come up with their designs for you and examine why those myths exist.

ALL DESIGNERS HAVE A FIXED STYLE

This is one of the most common assumptions we run into.

“But I thought designers always stick to their aesthetic and point of view?”

And yes, some do. Some are known for a specific point of view. Perhaps they love bold and maximalist, or quiet and clean. Clients seek them out for that. And if that’s what you’re looking for, that’s the right match.

Custom designs with the client in mind start with you, not us.

We’re not coming in to impose a theme or recreate someone else’s mood board. We want to know what feels right to you. What colours make you happy? What spaces do you feel best in? Which parts of your home already feel like home, and perhaps most importantly, which ones don’t?

We ask a lot of questions. We listen. We get to know you. Because when it’s done well, the final design shouldn’t scream “designer!” – unless you want it to.

It should whisper [insert your name here].

THE WEBSITE ISN’T THE DESIGNER’S WHOLE STORY

When someone scrolls through a designer’s portfolio, they often see a common thread: light woods, clean lines, and a certain palette. Or perhaps it’s filled with trending colours and patterns. And then they wonder, “Is that all this designer can do?”

Not at all.

What you’re seeing is a pattern shaped by client preference, not designer ability. People are drawn to what they see. If a certain style is featured, it tends to be repeated. That’s why websites often look more curated than the variation and skill the design team possesses.

At Krista Hermanson Design, we’ve worked with homeowners who love traditional heritage detail and deep jewel tones. We’ve also designed light, bright spaces with airy finishes and a Scandinavian feel. We’ve even combined modern with a traditional castle feeling.

The common thread isn’t the style. It’s the process.

We build something from scratch each and every time. You might say, “But I saw this light fixture in three designs on your website!” Yes, you did. It’s because the client saw the light there too, and then fell in love with it, so we gave it to them because it spoke to them. While some elements might be similar to someone else’s, no two designs are alike. There is no copy-paste design solution in renovations.

THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE HIRING A DESIGNER

Are you looking for someone to shape your ideas? Or tell you what to do?
Do you like a specific look? Or do you want something unique to you?
Are you drawn to a designer because of their work? Or their process?
Do you need to improve the functionality of your home or just the finishes?

Not all designers work the same way. You need to be very honest with yourself about your time commitment and your goals for your renovation.

WHAT DOES CUSTOM DESIGN LOOK LIKE?

Design By Numbers | Semi-Custom

We call it design by numbers for two reasons: 1) It’s not truly custom. 2) It’s based on preferred pricing and relationships with vendors. It’s the fastest design process.

This might look like being presented with a set of three options of finishes, hardware, lighting, and millwork. If it’s a new build or spec home, you may also have two or three floor plans to choose from.

This is a great option for some individuals who get overwhelmed by decisions. They don’t need a truly custom design, just something they like. If you’re such a person, be sure you ask about preferred vendors and specification lists to know if this is the right option for you.

Turnkey Designer with a Specific Point of View

Some clients want to have a design fully formed and to have very little to do with the process or result. There are designers for that! This might be part of why the idea that all designers do this exists.

They will meld your needs and concept with their style and give you something that solves your problems, but aesthetically, it’s the designer’s stamp. Some people want that. They can proudly say, “I have a design by [insert famous designer here]!” The spaces are stunning, and they’re custom, but they’re not necessarily fully customized to you.

Fully Custom Designer with Your Point of View

Custom design that reflects you is more like white labeling. The designer does the heavy lifting, but it’s reflective of you, not them. Being a design muse does require a time commitment on your part, but it’s worth it if you want something that feels like it’s always been yours.

We begin with conversation. How do you live? What’s driving this renovation? Where do you spend time? What isn’t working? From this information, we interpret your needs.

Sometimes, clients show up with a dozen clashing ideas and a bit of discourse amongst themselves. That’s okay. We make sense of it. We build bridges between your inspiration and yourselves and bring it to your reality. There are thousands of decisions in every project. We narrow it down to the right ones for you.

When we’ve heard you, really heard you, we present you with options that look like what you’ve said, what you’ve shown us in your inspiration photos, what the through thread might have been and blend it with our years of experience of what might work for how you live.

We test the waters and offer options that will work for your style but might also be a new adventure. It’s like trying on a new pair of shoes. Do you like everything you try on? Nope. But sometimes you fall in love with something you didn’t know existed.

Hate everything? That’s okay, too! We’re not limited to the options on the table or even a preferred list of vendors. We can dig deeper and make sure the design is your dream.

What we are limited by is budget and timeline, but we can work with that too.

CUSTOM DESIGN ISN’T JUST ABOUT HOW A ROOM LOOKS

It’s about how it feels — to walk in, to cook in, to slow down in.

And when it feels like you, that’s when the magic happens.

So now you know some ways you can make your home your own, with your availability and level of customized design that can be anything from your designer’s point of view to bringing out yours.

And if you think custom design sounds expensive, consider that not designing with intention can cost even more. Fixing mistakes. Ripping out rushed decisions. Living with the regret of not putting your stamp on your home.

As a design-build company, we handle the design, but we also handle the finishes and material ordering, trade scheduling, construction drawings, electrical details, plumbing details, millwork packages and more. All the invisible stuff that makes the visible things work. It’s why we can be this custom for our clients.

Let’s talk when you’re ready to get your fully custom-designed renovation or new build complete!