Published:
07/15/2013 02:37pm
From Start to Finish..
Building a home from the ground up is one of the most exciting projects that a homeowner can undertake. Raleigh interior designer, Eddie Rider, of Eddie Rider Designs, understands that the sheer number of decisions that must be made during this process can be very overwhelming. We spoke with Eddie to learn more about how a designer’s input during the design/build phase helps homeowners achieve a beautiful and cohesive design.
As a designer, Eddie takes ownership of the project from start to finish. “I‘m extremely hands-on,” he concedes. “I’m involved with everything. I’m on the job getting dirty. I’m hanging light fixtures, arguing with vendors, and making sure the stain on the floor is the exact right color. The builder’s job is to build the home. My job is to make sure it’s functional, pretty, and suited to the homeowner’s style and needs.”
For Eddie, the design process begins with the budget. “Once we all sit down and determine how much it’s going to cost to build the house, we can figure out what we get to spend on the really cool stuff, like the flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, cabinets and appliances,” he explains. “After that, we get to go on what amounts to the best shopping spree in the whole wide world.” Eddie’s involvement allows homeowners to make lasting selections that meet the design objective. “It is far less expensive to choose the right materials the first time than it is to remove and replace materials after the home is complete.”
When it comes to making selections, Eddie welcomes input from his clients. “We visit showrooms and review samples. They can send me anything that inspires them, whether it’s travel photos or things they’ve pinned on Pinterest. They can choose to incorporate existing furniture. The challenge is to keep continuity. It’s my responsibility to make sure every item works together and fits the style, flow and color palette of the home.”
Equally important to selection is space planning. “I have to work out where everything should go,” Eddie explains. “I take into account function, dimensions, proportion and scale, and make sure it all works.” He also collaborates with vendors to ensure the home’s functional elements are optimally placed. “I meet with the electrician to determine electrical placement and the heating and cooling guy to work out where the vents go, and so on. There’s a lot of compromise. The HVAC guy may not worry about the AC vent blowing the drapes up, but I do.”
In the end, Eddie stresses that it’s all about satisfying the client. “Details matter,” he affirms. “This is my clients’ home. When I shut the door and leave, they have to be happy with the project.”
