Lake Hazel Design Collective · Designer Guide
Design Services
& Project Types
Learn how Lake Hazel defines its services, identifies project types, and determines what a designer is expected to deliver.
Service
How we help
A service defines the level and type of professional support the client is purchasing—such as a consultation, full-service design, furnishings, or construction documentation.
Project type
What we are designing
A project type identifies the space and the work involved—such as a kitchen remodel, new construction home, restaurant, or short-term rental. One project may use several services.
01
Understand the scope
Service Types
Design Consultation
A focused, limited engagement used to answer questions, solve a specific problem, or give the client clear professional direction.
Designer responsibilities
- Review the client’s goals before the meeting
- Provide decisive recommendations during the session
- Document key decisions and next steps when included
Not included: ongoing sourcing, drawings, procurement, or project management unless separately contracted.
Full-Service Design
A comprehensive service in which Lake Hazel leads the design from concept through purchasing, installation, and final styling.
Designer responsibilities
- Develop the concept, plans, selections, and presentation
- Track approvals, specifications, pricing, and revisions
- Coordinate procurement, delivery, installation, and styling
Best for: clients who want the design team to manage nearly every design decision and detail.
Renovation Design
Design for an existing space that will be altered through demolition, construction, new systems, or permanent material changes.
Designer responsibilities
- Verify field conditions and existing constraints
- Create layouts, finish schedules, and design details
- Coordinate design intent with contractors and trades
Watch for: structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, permit, budget, and lead-time impacts.
New Construction
Interior design support for a home or commercial space being built from the ground up, ideally beginning before plans are finalized.
Designer responsibilities
- Review plans for function, flow, and furniture placement
- Specify finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, and lighting
- Maintain schedules and answer construction questions promptly
Key difference: selections are tied to builder deadlines and must be coordinated across the entire project.
Furnishings Design
Design focused on movable items rather than construction: furniture, rugs, lighting, window treatments, art, textiles, and accessories.
Designer responsibilities
- Create the room concept and scaled furniture plan
- Source within the approved budget and document specifications
- Manage approvals, ordering, installation, and styling as assigned
May be: a standalone service or the furnishings phase of a larger full-service project.
Designer by Your Side
Flexible professional support for a client who remains responsible for purchasing, scheduling, coordination, and overall execution.
Designer responsibilities
- Prepare for focused showroom, site, or virtual sessions
- Guide decisions without taking over client responsibilities
- Clearly record recommendations and scope boundaries
Important: this is design guidance—not full-service design or construction management.
Plans, Drawings & Renderings
Visual and technical documents used to study options, communicate design intent, price the work, or support construction.
Designer responsibilities
- Confirm measurements and drawing purpose
- Produce accurate plans, elevations, details, or 3D views
- Label assumptions and coordinate required revisions
Remember: presentation drawings, construction drawings, and permit documents are different deliverables.
Selections-Only Package
A defined package of coordinated finishes, fixtures, colors, or products without full project administration or procurement.
Designer responsibilities
- Follow the approved concept, budget, and selection list
- Provide complete specifications and approved alternates
- Organize the final package so others can execute it
Not included: ordering, site supervision, or unlimited reselections unless stated in the assignment.
02
Identify the work
Project Types
Decorating &
Furnishings
Existing architecture remains largely unchanged. The work centers on layout, furniture, color, textiles, lighting, art, and styling.
Examples: living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, model homes, and furnishing an entire home.
Room Remodels
One or more existing rooms are altered through construction. Designers must account for field conditions, code, trades, permanent finishes, and installation details.
Examples: kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, primary suites, and fireplace renovations.
Whole-Home Renovation
Multiple connected spaces are redesigned as one coordinated project. Decisions must remain consistent across plans, finishes, budgets, and construction phases.
Examples: full interior remodels, additions, historic updates, and major reconfigurations.
New Construction
A new home or building is designed in coordination with architectural plans, builder schedules, allowances, and construction milestones.
Examples: custom homes, builder homes, multifamily units, clubhouses, and new commercial spaces.
Commercial & Hospitality
The design must support business operations, brand experience, public use, accessibility, durability, maintenance, and applicable commercial codes.
Examples: restaurants, retail, offices, salons, studios, and boutique hospitality.
Short-Term Rental
A residential space designed as an income-producing property. The work balances visual impact with guest experience, durability, cleanability, occupancy, and replacement cost.
Examples: Airbnb homes, vacation cabins, furnished executive rentals, and room-by-room rental properties.
Before beginning an assignment
Read the scope before you design.
Confirm the service, project type, assigned phase, required deliverables, budget, deadline, revision allowance, and approval process. If the scope is unclear, ask before completing work outside the assignment.
View AssignmentsA beautiful design is only successful when it also meets the approved scope.