Virtual Design Process

What is Virtual Design?

Virtual Design or E-Design, as offered by McConnell Allen Interiors, is a service that allows you the benefit of the expertise and guidance of a licensed and registered Interior Designer for less cost than the more conventional (face to face) way of working with a Designer. Our Virtual Design services are offered with 2 different options, (1) Speed-E-Design or (2) Design in Detail, depending on your specific needs and wishes. Both these service options are explained below.

Who is the ideal client for Virtual Design?

This service can appeal to a number of prospective clients for a variety of reasons:

1. People who don’t have time during their busy schedules to meet with a designer during standard business hours
2. People who want to save money
3. People who are interested in handing part of the process themselves
4. People who just need a little encouragement or have a few quick questions, who have a pretty good idea of the direction in which they want to go and just need some quick answers to specific questions

What gives Patti Allen and McConnell Allen Interiors the specific qualifications to offer this service?

Patti Allen has a BFA in Interior Design, is a Professional Member of ASID, has passed the NCIDQ examination, and is a licensed and registered Interior Designer in the state of Texas (License # 10770.) In addition to those formal credentials, Patti Allen has years of experience in interviewing and working with clients with the objective of discovering what that client is truly searching for in a designer as well as in the final outcome of the design project. Those skills allow her to glean from the prospective client’s information exactly what that client desires and to create a plan for that design solution more efficiently, conveniently and often at a lesser cost, by working through the Virtual Design venue.

How can MAI know my design style preferences without meeting me in person?

Through information obtains through communication with the client via emails, phone calls, pictures and sometimes samples or swatches, MAI can determine the best solution for the client’s project and a method to achieve that solution.

What information do you need from me?

The client will complete the on-line application and email it along with digital pictures (or mail pictures through USPS if digital pictures are not available.) The pictures should give a full 360 degree view of the space(s) being considered for the project. The client also should supply measurements of the space and measurements and pictures of any furnishings or fixtures (such as a fireplace) that will be staying in the space, as well as any other measurements the designer might see as significant, depending on the specific project. If possible, the client will also submit photos, magazine pictures, online photos, etc., that might help the designer to better get a feel for the client’s specific design tastes and style direction.

You mentioned earlier that there are two distinctive Virtual Design service options. What are these specifically, and how do they differ, and what exactly is the end product that I receive for each of these options?

1. "Speed-E-Design" is tailored for those clients who have a pretty good sense of the design direction in which they want to take their project. They often just need information or help with a few of the specific decisions they are making, for instance, “Does this furniture really work for what I need, or do I need to change some of the pieces?" or “How do I get the new color scheme that I am working on in this space to melt with the colors in the rest of my space?" Once MAI has your information, Patti Allen will set up a phone time to contact you and discuss your design solution.
2. “Design in Detail", as the name indicates, is a more detailed process involving more input and requiring more time to produce results which will be more detailed and specific. With the “Design in Detail" option, the extent of the design is left completely up to you, the client. While MAI obviously cannot do on-site supervision and installation for Virtual Design clients, the “Design in Detail" package is customized to be as minimal or as complete as you want. MAI can formulate floor plans, design window treatments, provide you with detailed choices of items to purchase via catalogue or internet sources and give you a detailed plan of how to put those items together.

Is Virtual Design affordable?

Yes. Pricing starts as low as $75 for a minimal consultation time through the “Speed-E-Design" Process. With the “Design in Detail option, pricing will obviously vary depending on exactly what you want. We will be able to discuss and determine either by phone or email exactly what you will receive with your package and exactly what that package will cost.

How long should it take for MAI to create my Virtual Design and get it back to me?

The Speed-E-Design is exactly that – speedy! Within two business days of receiving your request and information for the Speed-E-Design you will be contacted and a specific time will be set for your phone consultation. Time required for the “Design in Detail" option will vary depending on how extensive you want your design to be, but we will be able to determine a probable lead time at the same time we determine the specifics of your design package.

How do I request a Virtual Design?

You may contact McConnell Allen Interiors by:

• Call 940.390.1698 or 972.979.7840
• E-mail us from our contact us form
• Fill out the following form and submit