My Approach — A Thoughtful Design Journey from Insight to Impact

Lola Ferré
Jul 13, 2025
4 min read

How I guide you through a purposeful process to create a home that truly supports your life.

If you’ve read my previous post, you’ll know I believe one of the most common (and costly) mistakes in design is skipping the foundational step: getting to know you—your life, your needs, your rhythms, your aspirations.

That’s why every project I take on begins with a design consultation.

This is a carefully crafted, in-depth discovery conversation—designed to uncover not just what you want from your home, but why you want it, and how your space can truly support the life you want to live.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I work with clients from the very beginning, and how we move together—from discovery to insight to transformation.

Phase 1: The Design Consultation — Discovery, Analysis & Readback

The design consultation is the foundation of everything that follows. It’s where we slow down, dig deep, and begin with understanding—so that every decision we make later is rooted in clarity, purpose, and personal meaning.

1. Discovery

We begin with a semi-structured conversation and a home tour.

During our conversation, I ask thoughtful, open-ended questions to understand:

How you live now—what works, what doesn’t
What you need more or less of to thrive
Your daily rhythms and rituals
How you want to feel at home
What you hope your home helps you experience or change

This isn't just about gathering facts—it’s about listening deeply to your story.

The home tour complements our conversation, offering spatial, functional and organisational insights. It reveals how the space is used and how it feels—how light, layout, noise, storage, and circulation support (or hinder) your daily life.

2. Analysis

After this visit, I take time to carefully analyse the insights gathered. This happens on two levels:

Space-by-space analysis — looking at how each room functions individually

Whole-home analysis — exploring how your spaces work together to support your lifestyle, routines, and dynamics

Often, the challenges lie not in one room—but in how functions like rest, work, play, and connection are spatially distributed across the home. When these don’t align with how you actually live, the result is friction: added spatial and mental load, inefficient circulation, a sense of disconnect, and a home that simply doesn’t flow.

This step highlights opportunities to improve both how your spaces perform and how they make you feel.

3. Readback

The consultation culminates in a second meeting—what I call the readback.

Here, I present:

A shared understanding of your needs, goals, and aspirations
What your home is doing well—and what’s holding you back
Key opportunities identified, focusing on function and flow before aesthetics
Design directions and potential paths forward

Together, we explore potential directions—considering how each aligns with your life, values, and long-term goals. My aim isn’t to give you a prescription—but to empower you with clarity, insight, and confidence so you can make informed choices that feel right.

By the end of this phase, you’ll have a personal and purposeful brief—and a grounded sense of direction.

More importantly, you’ll feel equipped to confidently move forward with clarity and intention.

Phase 2: Concept Design

With your brief in place, we begin translating it into tangible design directions.

This phase explores spatial layout, flow, and atmosphere—aligned with the emotional and functional goals we’ve uncovered. It’s an open and creative phase where we test ideas and explore possibilities.

We’re not chasing perfection yet. Instead, we’re ensuring alignment—between your needs and the spatial potential of your home. You’ll begin to see how your space can evolve to support your life more meaningfully.

Phase 3: Detailed Design

Once we’ve honed a direction, I develop the full design in depth, including:

Layouts, materials, finishes, and colours
Bespoke joinery and storage solutions
Lighting design and mood layering
Technical drawings and documentation for approvals
Product and fittings specifications

Every detail is filtered through the lens of your lifestyle, values, and goals.

This phase prepares your project for delivery—so it can be implemented smoothly, with confidence.

Phase 4: Bringing the Design to Life

This is where design meets reality—and where I continue to guide you all the way through to completion. Support includes:

Tendering & Contractor Selection — helping you find the right professionals
On-Site Support During Execution — clarifying design intent, reviewing samples, and advising on layout adjustments as needed
Completion & Handover — ensuring the final result aligns with the vision, and assisting with styling or finishing touches.

I stay connected throughout execution–helping to clarify intent, review progress, and ensure the final result feels cohesive and true to your vision.

For many, this stage can feel the most complex and overwhelming—but you’re not navigating it alone. I remain present throughout, ensuring cohesion, clarity, and continuity.

My Role Throughout: Thoughtful, Ongoing Guidance

From our first conversation to the final handover, my role is consistent:To guide you with clarity, support you with care, and help you stay connected to the purpose behind every decision.

I raise the right questions, anticipate challenges, and offer a clear lens through which to view your space. I’m not here to impose a signature style—but to help you create a home that feels unmistakably yours.

Good design isn’t just about problem-solving. It’s also about meaning-making.And when the process is thoughtful, personal, and purpose-led, the result is not only beautiful—but truly life-enhancing.