Weekly Newsletter Feb. 20 '26 - When Design Process is In Place

Hi there, designer 👋

Okay… can we just take a moment?

I’m currently going into my 7th week of design development on a project…
and my clients have not texted me. Not called me. Not emailed me once.

Seven weeks! Shocking, right? 😂 So what’s the secret sauce here?

Are they unusually calm humans? Did they forget they hired me? Are they taking a nap? LOL

No. None of that. It’s the design process!

Before we even entered design development, I sent a thorough schedule outlining each space, when it would be presented, and exactly what was happening next. 

I also sent out all Zoom & in-person meeting invitations in advance and locked in presentation dates for nearly three months ahead.

Everything was scheduled. Everything was documented. Everything was agreed upon. Voila!

So now, unless we experience unforeseen changes or delays, we’re simply rolling through the timeline we established together.

There’s no guessing. There’s no “when will we see…” - they already know!

And because the work I’ve shown them so far has been strong, thoughtful, and elevated - they trust me. They don’t feel the need to check in.

They know I’m behind the scenes creating something beautiful for their home. And it really is that simple.

Now let’s rewind three years.

I used to get constant messages:

“When will we see the living room design?”
“Can we look at kitchen samples this week?”
“Have you chosen furniture yet?”

And honestly? I don’t blame them. They were investing thousands in design fees. Hundreds of thousands - into their homes. Of course they were anxious.

The difference? Back then, I was the problem. 

I didn’t clearly communicate what was happening next. I didn’t anchor them to dates. I didn’t have a structured design development phase that felt contained and professional.

There was no container. And when there’s no container, clients fill the silence with questions.

Once I tightened my process - documented timelines, pre-scheduled presentations, structured phases - everything changed.

Anxiety went down. Trust went up. Messages slowed down.

Here’s the truth:

When clients trust the process, they don’t chase updates.
When the timeline is clear, they don’t panic.
When the work is strong, they don’t micromanage.

Structure is luxury. And leadership in your process is part of what they’re paying for.

If you’re currently getting a lot of “just checking in” messages, don’t take it personally.

Instead, ask yourself:

Have I clearly outlined what happens next?
Have I anchored them to actual dates?
Have I pre-scheduled the experience?

Because calm clients aren’t luck. They’re the result of clarity.

—

And before I go… I’ll be sharing a little sneak peek of the laundry room we’re developing on this project.

Clean. Sophisticated. Soft coastal tones.

Beautiful 3D renderings done in Sketchup & Enscape! 
Thorough space planning & elevations done in AutoCAD. Every inch intentionally considered.

Proof that while the inbox is quiet… the work behind the scenes is anything but.

See you next week, designer 🤍

Ana 🌸
Interior Design Den