PHASE I: IDENTIFY
Any design we do at Gem and Clay begins with identification. When we lead clients through this phase of the process, everyone emerges with a clear vision for what should be accomplished with the final space.
STEP 1 Visioning & Space Planning
To begin this vision-forming part of the process, we will dive deep into your lifestyle and preferences for each space to ensure we fully understand what inspires, nurtures and serves you. We will also perform a site survey to document the existing space through photos and measurements. We then begin the work of creating vision boards, floorplans and furnishing layouts to illustrate the look, the feel and the flow of the space.
STEP 2 Material Palettes & Project Planning
Once we have approved the overall vision and flow of the spaces, we will begin to consider the mix of hard and soft finishes in the space, as well as what materials we might want to bring in through the furniture, art and decor. At this point in the process we also discuss the resources and teams that will be involved throughout the project. We share our ideas with the teams and tradespeople to be involved and together we begin to develop the project scope and budget.
STEP 3 Investment Alignment & Strategic Edit
During this step, we carefully review contractor bids and construction pricing alongside your project budget to evaluate overall alignment. When pricing comes back higher than anticipated, we guide thoughtful conversations around priorities, helping identify where adjustments can be made while still preserving the heart of the design vision. From there, we strategically refine the plans, palettes, and overall scope to create a more balanced approach — thoughtfully aligning investment, functionality, and aesthetics to best accomplish your goals for the space.