Becoming Fluent In Construction

Over my 20+ year career, I’ve learned that true mastery of interior design goes far beyond aesthetics and selecting finishes. It requires an in-depth understanding of how a home is built from start to finish. I call it “fluent in construction.”

What does it mean to be “fluent in construction?” For me, it’s about being able to speak the language of the trades involved – from framing to plumbing, electrical, tiling, and everything in between. It’s anticipating potential issues before they arise and proactively solving them. It’s understanding the critical sequencing and choreography of how all the pieces fit together behind the walls.

I recently spoke about this at High Point Market – Watch the “Fluent in Construction” panel here.

My fluency was born out of necessity when I started Casatopia. Early on, I realized I needed to understand the builders’ process and what information they needed to refer me for projects. So, I became that designer who was always on the job sites, getting my hands and heels dirty, observing how each trade worked.

I asked questions constantly—what frustrates you? What makes your job harder than it needs to be? What’s the newest, better technique for XYZ? Before long, I had cultivated an invaluable network of tradespeople, subs, and suppliers from whom I could quickly get answers when an issue arose. I didn’t need to know everything, but I needed to know exactly who to call for the right solution.

This hands-on approach shaped how I prepare my construction drawings and specifications. Instead of overwhelming the trades with all the information, I organize the details by trade and room if needed. The tile setter only gets the handful of pages relevant to his scope. This approach has trades constantly commenting how I’m “easier to work with” since I make their jobs more efficient.

While the world marvels at sleek designs and trendy decor, we stay grounded in our ethos: fluent in construction, fluent in excellence. True mastery isn’t just about what meets the eye—it’s about understanding the intricacies of every piece of framing, every beam, and every layer of the architectural onion.

Being fluent in construction also means rigorously documenting every detail of a project. I photograph, video, and timestamp everything—from finish samples to furniture layouts—to ensure there are no misunderstandings down the road. If there are any disagreements, I can easily pull up proof of the decisions made and signed off on, giving clients (and myself!) the confidence that every detail is accounted for.

My fluency also allows me to be the client’s advocate when it comes to budgets, schedules, and change orders. I can have an honest conversation explaining why a change or delay carries an actual, justified cost. It’s about protecting my client’s interests with complete transparency.

Alongside this, our team has embraced a revolutionary approach: the freedom to work from anywhere on projects. Gone are the days of being tethered to a desk or confined to a traditional office space. Instead, we thrive in a landscape where innovation meets mobility.

Picture it: collaborating with team members across different locations, seamlessly guiding projects from Colorado to Sedona to Florida—all while on the move. Whether it’s refining bathroom designs from the comfort of a remote RV or conducting virtual walkthroughs with contractors remotely, our workflow knows no bounds. 

It’s about harnessing the power of technology to bridge gaps, facilitate communication, and ensure precision in every aspect of our work. From guiding clients through how to measure their homes with the Canvas app to developing iPad sketches, from cloud-based documentation to real-time video consultations, we leverage cutting-edge tools to streamline processes and deliver unparalleled results.

Yet, amidst this digital revolution, one truth remains constant: the importance of hands-on, boots-on-the-ground experience. That’s why we’re not just virtual designers; we’re seasoned professionals who’ve walked the walk, from shadowing builders on construction sites to meticulously inspecting every detail throughout the construction process.