The One Step My Client Skipped (That Ended Up Costing Her)

I won’t name names - let’s just call her Client A., but I’ve seen this happen more than once.

She reached out after getting stuck partway through her living room project. She’d already bought some beautiful statement pieces, a stunning BTC pendant light, a gorgeous olive green velvet sofa from Loaf (on preorder) and had even started planning some wall panelling. What’s not to love?

But as the project went on, this poor woman just kept running into problems.

The pendant light didn’t work with the ceiling height - it was way too big for the space. She simply hadn’t measured properly and ended up having to send it back. I was gutted for her - it was beautiful.

The panelling had to be taken off because the electrics hadn’t been chased in first. This was heartbreaking. She was so proud of her efforts here only to be told it had to come off. This also meant of course, that the wall had to be smoothed out where the plaster had come off with the panelling.

And the sofa? Well… she changed her mind and decided to go for a cheaper option and it just doesn’t feel right. It’s lovely, don’t get me wrong, but the quality is meh and I know she will have to replace it in a few years time. That’s if she ever gets used to how hard it is!

The light that got away !

She had great taste, and she wasn’t cutting corners, but what she didn’t have was a design strategy.

There was no clear plan for how the space needed to function before it started looking pretty. And honestly, it’s such a common thing. Most people skip this phase because they’re excited to get going. Totally understandable. But skipping the groundwork almost always leads to expensive fixes and stressful delays.

That’s exactly why I created my lead magnet — Before You Paint it — to help you avoid this kind of situation. It walks you through the design phases that keep your renovation from unravelling halfway through.

So if you’re mid-project (or even just at the dreaming stage), give it a read. I promise it’s not about adding more to your to-do list, it’s about doing the right things at the right time so everything flows more smoothly.

Because good design isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about how it works.

Grab your copy here, or drop me a message if you’re feeling stuck. I’m always happy to chat through ideas.