From dream to done: How flexibility transforms home design challenges into success.
The Pivot Factor
Bringing a home design vision to life is never a straight path. No matter how well you plan, delays, supply chain issues, or mismatched items can (and will) happen. The real mistake isn’t encountering these problems - it’s expecting that they won’t occur at all, which can derail your timeline, budget, and peace of mind.
But these challenges don’t have to compromise your end result. Staying flexible while keeping sight of the overall vision ensures a beautiful, cohesive space. A strong vision provides direction, while adaptability and knowing when to pivot keeps things on track. If you trust the process and embrace the unexpected, you won’t just get a home that looks beautiful - you just might enjoy the journey of creating it.
The ‘Visions vs Reality’ gap
When designing our home, we wanted to honour our Middle Eastern roots in a way that felt contemporary, urban, and true to our experiences. The microcement flooring for the interior was the perfect backdrop - it has a polished urban feel, while its materiality echoed concrete and sand, grounding it in context.
For the outdoor tiling, we envisioned terrazzo - a material rich in cultural significance - to connect our history to our space.
But of course, reality didn’t unfold as smoothly as we’d hoped.
At first, it seemed like we’d found the perfect terrazzo. But when we began the installation, we saw the quality of the tiles was inconsistent and a lot of the edges were discoloured. I was so upset looking at what could’ve been a design failure.
The Pivot
After a day in denial (hoping the tiles just needed to dry), instead of trying to force the tiles to work, we opted for large porcelain tiles that felt more contemporary, and installed them in staggered pattern, bringing a more edgy urban feel to our space.
The change in direction wasn’t easy. It meant adjusting the design, sourcing new materials, and emotionally disconnecting from one element, but it was so important to keep the project moving forward while staying true to the integrity of the vision.
The final result exceeded our expectations. The new tiles elevated the space, echoing the texture and tone of the microcement flooring, and seamlessly extending the indoors out. We kept the terrazzo materiality intact through a gorgeous coffee table that seamlessly bridged the indoors with the outdoors, reinforcing the feeling of connection to our roots.
In the end, flexibility, and knowing when to pivot, allowed us to navigate the unexpected challenges without compromising the outcome.
Key Takeaways
This experience reinforced a powerful lesson: flexibility, adaptability, and a little creativity can turn unexpected challenges into opportunities. Here are 5 ways to build flexibility into your design:
Budget for Contingencies. Always factor in a contingency budget (10-15%), especially for custom or high-end materials. This helps you navigate delays and price increases without derailing the project.
Plan for Delays. Sourcing and supply chain issues are common, so allow for flexibility in your timeline. Stay open to alternative options that still align with your vision.
Keep Communication Open. Work with people you trust; people who are solution-oriented and responsive when challenges arise, not disappear when you need them most.
Seek Expert Advice Early. Whether it’s a specialist installation or a unique material, get expert input early to avoid setbacks later.
Stay Flexible. Above all, remain open to adjustments. Your vision is important, but adaptability will help ensure you achieve the final result that exceeds your expectations.
In a Nutshell: Trust the Process
The process is just as important as the outcome. A great design is built on a strong foundation, but it’s the ability to pivot and adapt that ensures a project’s success.
When the unexpected happens (and it will), see it as an opportunity to refine your vision rather than an obstacle to overcome. Trust the process, and embrace the journey - because that’s where the magic happens.
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