The good and the bad: an honest review of my experience designing my Dream Kitchen with Dezignable.
What if I told you that you (yes, YOU!) could have three different designers competing to help you create the room of your dreams?
Sound too good to be true?
Well my friends, with Dezignable, that’s exactly how things work!
When the folks at Dezignable approached me to try it out, knowing we are currently planning renovations for our entire house, I couldn’t help but say YES!
Dezignable is a start-up design company that’s changing the way people design and remodel their homes. They offer fixed price design services that give you three design concepts for the price of one.
So what exactly does that mean? Well my friends, let me show you…
Step one: Upload your photos.
I started by sending in photos of my current space, a floor plan (including changes we’ve already planned for the space), a brief write up of what I was looking for and my budget. *Something to keep in mind: your budget should be for materials only as Dezignable isn’t equipped to estimate labor and installation costs.*
Step two: Tell them what you like.
The easiest way I found to share my vision and style was to forward a link to relevant Pinterest boards. Because I had a pretty specific vision in my head, I was quite descriptive with what exactly I was looking for.
Step three: Share with the designers.
Basically, this is the part where you “launch” your design into the Dezignable community and then just sit back and wait for you three design concepts to roll in.
Step four: Get three custom design concepts.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how fun it was to see different design concepts for the very same space! Some where more my taste than others, but I guess that’s the point. Isn’t it just incredible how different people come up with completely unique visions for the same space?!
Step five: Choose the winner!
This is really what it’s all about! You know, the part where you choose your favourite design concept and then bring home your 2D floor plan (*I never did receive this, which is a shame because it’s kind of an essential part), 3D renderings & shopping list!
You may have noticed that I made a few changes to my design from the winning design board – did I mention that I had a very specific vision in mind? Even with that specific vision, it was incredibly helpful to have the opportunity to chat about a few elements with my designer Megan, and then see it all come to life with the 3D drawings!!!
Isn’t it gorgeous?!
Obviously I cannot wait to get started on making this Dream Kitchen a REALITY!
See the entire process of my Kitchen design from start to finish here.
In all honesty, there were a few kinks to be worked out (as I’m sure would be encountered with any new start up) and a couple things I learned along the way that I wish I had known from the beginning:
one. This is not you working with a designer to come up with a room like they do on TV (or in real life for that matter). Though you certainly have the right to request changes, don’t expect to be a huge part of the design process (unless you’re pushy like me!).
two. Your budget is for materials only and, though it is “kept in mind”, it isn’t necessarily guiding decisions. Honestly, even if it was, given the nature of shopping from different areas (your designer could be working from another country even), it would be difficult to quote accurate prices.
This FAQ page was created to answer many of the questions that came up for me through the process and I’d definitely recommend taking a look at it before starting the process.
Also, in the interest of full disclosure, there are a few other disappointments that I feel the need to share. Probably my biggest was the fact that my designer changed the length of the wall between my kitchen and living room to suit a piece of furniture she had chosen. She was working from a revised floor plan of what we hoped to do in the space and, albeit the work hasn’t actually been done yet, but we worked hard to come up with this floor plan, to properly lay out the walls with our contractor and it seemed odd to me that a wall would be made longer to accommodate a piece of furniture. Also, speaking of floors, we didn’t actually get any with our design. To be honest, this was the only part of the design that I was really stuck on and I was eager to see what my designer suggested, so you can imagine my disappointment when I noticed this part missing. Lastly, I know I mentioned it before, but I was really bummed to not receive the 2D floor plan.
All that being said, it was still a fun experience. And isn’t it an absolutely brilliant concept?! Where else can you see your room three different ways and choose a favourite?
If you’d like to know more about Dezignable and how it all works, you can read more here and just pop over here to get an idea of pricing for the different packages Dezignable offers. And just in case you’re not completely satisfied with your experience, they actually offer a 100% money back guarantee!
Now, if you’re even thinking this sounds like something you’d like to try, head on over to Dezignable now and snag your free sample design just for registering! It’ll give you a great idea of what Dezignable can do with your space!
*HUGE thanks to Marty and the folks at Dezignable for offering me this opportunity to test out their brilliant design services! And a big thank you also to my designer Megan for being so great about working in my ideas!*
Now what are you waiting for? Go check it out for yourself!
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
PS. You can find me sharing here and Savvy Southern Style.
Beautiful kitchen! One day I’ll have mine too! 🙂
Thank you Kelly! Here’s hoping we can both make it happen 😉
Ohh so fun seeing the designs come to life! Love your honesty with this whole process!
Kristi, you’re so talented and love your design work that I had to read this post! Love what you’ve designed and can’t to see how you execute it! I appreciate your honest review and it’s too bad how it’s not a honest design with designers that work in your local market. However, a great 3D layout to start your own design work!
This seems like such a fun idea, having three well thought out concepts would be an awesome idea! It’s too bad they don’t take your ideas into consideration more… it is your space after all! What’s the point in a design board if you have to make multiple changes when it’s done? Either way I love the concept and it looks like you’re kitchen is going to be gorgeous! I love all of the lighting options and the chairs… they look so pretty! I’d love fro you to share at Welcome Home Wednesdays…. we go live every Wednesday at 7am CST!
Thank you Betsy! I absolutely LOVE the concept too! I feel like there were a few kinks still to be worked out, but it was SUCH a fun idea and creative way of doing things and I loved having the chance to try it out! Will definitely pop by, thank you!
Yipee, I was hoping you’d pick Design #3! I like the direction you’ll be taking your kitchen, Kristi. It was great reading this post because I was contacted by them as well and never followed through on the opportunity…yet. So I found this post very informative.
Oh good!!! I’m so happy you love it Marie! I can’t wait to see what you design with them!!!
Love your kitchen what fun it would be to design one. Loved your post that took us through the steps yes one day this is on my bucket list
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Thank you SO much Angie! It was so fun to see it “come to life” in those 3D drawings!
Sounds like an interesting concept – and a lot of fun to compare the results! Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty link party.
Thanks Alayna! It really is SUCH a fun idea!
Wow, this is so cool! Found you on the #HomeMattersParty. I’m doing a huge remodel right now but we have not yet touched the kitchen, so I’m going to have to look into this! I love your design ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Sarena! It’s definitely a fun way to get find some inspiration for your space!!!
I love the idea of a service like this but I have such a particular idea for what I want in spaces I worry I’d be dissapointed with something like this.
I definitely had my own vision in mind too Corinna, but it was fun to hear some new ideas for my space too! Neat concept for sure!
Oh my goodness, this is just the inspiration I needed. Beautiful selections!
I’m SO happy you love it Chloe! Thank you!
LOVE this! What great selections and fun process. I think we have similar tastes. We just finished our kitchen renovation so stop over and read my recent posts when you have a chance!
Shelley
How exciting for you!!! Will definitely swing by to see how things went! Thanks so much Shelley!
I love this post. I’ve heard of the company and was wondering about what the experience is like. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Thank you Anna! I think it’s such a fun idea and, though there a few kinks to work out, I loved seeing exactly what my kitchen could look like!
Interesting concept. I think it’s great to be able to have the opportunity to see different design concepts before remodeling. I love that you have the opportunity to see it in 3D too.
Thanks Erlene! I totally agree! My favourite part was having the opportunity to see exactly what it could look like!
That looks like fun!! Show off the finished product! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Awwww, thanks Sherry! You bet I will!
Such a great service Kristi- and I LOVE the design. Oh my I can’t wait to see how it all goes for you guys:)
Thanks Krista! Here’s hoping we can pull it all off now 😉