INTERIOR DESIGN
Working with a design professional?
Kim Williams Joel Hackett
A refurb is an exciting project, but sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. This article unpacks how a design pro can help.
A fit-out or refurbishment often begins with a clear intention – to improve how a space looks, works or feels. What follows, however, is rarely a simple list of choices. Good interiors are shaped by many small decisions, and by how well those decisions are connected.
This is where working with a design professional can change the nature of a project – not by adding layers, but by bringing clarity, cohesion and direction from the outset.
Starting in the space
Most design conversations begin on site, and for good reason. Being in the space reveals things that plans and images cannot: how natural light moves through a room, where circulation feels intuitive, and which elements already contribute to a sense of balance or discomfort.
These early conversations are as much about listening as they are about observing. Understanding how a client lives or works, what they value, and what they want the space to support sets the foundation for every decision that follows. Just as importantly, this is where the relationship begins – a shared understanding and personality fit that allows the process to unfold with trust and ease.
42 autumn 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za