How to Prepare for Your First Design Consultation with TRAY Design | Build Studio

Hiring a designer should feel exciting.

Not overwhelming.

But if you’ve never worked with one before, it’s normal to wonder:

“What do I need to have ready?”

The good news?

Not as much as you think.

TRAY co-founders Tracy Ahern and Derek Bonney. Tracy leads all design and Derek oversees operations and client management.

You Don’t Need All the Answers

Let’s start here.

You don’t need:

• A full plan

• Final decisions

• Perfect clarity

That’s our job. What you do need is a general sense of what’s not working—and what you’d like to change.

Know How You Want Your Home to Feel

Before we talk materials or layouts, we’ll talk about feeling.

• More calm?

• More functional?

• Better for hosting?

• Easier for everyday life?

This is often more helpful than any Pinterest board.

Have a General Budget Range in Mind

It doesn’t need to be exact.

But having a rough range helps us guide you more effectively from the start.

Even something like:

• “We’d like to stay under X”

• “We’re comfortable between X and Y”

This ensures we’re designing in the right direction from day one.

Be Honest About What’s Not Working

This is one of the most valuable parts of the conversation.

• What frustrates you about the space?

• What do you avoid using?

• What feels off?

The more we understand this, the better the outcome.

Take Note of What You Want to Keep

Not everything has to go.

In fact, many projects include:

• Existing furniture

• Meaningful pieces

• Elements that still work

Knowing what you’d like to keep helps us build around it.

Inspiration Helps — But It’s Not Required

If you have saved images, bring them.

If you don’t, that’s completely fine.

We’re less focused on copying a look—and more focused on understanding what you’re drawn to.

Come Ready for a Conversation

This isn’t a presentation.

It’s a working session.

We’ll ask questions, explore ideas, and start connecting the dots in real time.

The TRAY Approach

We’re not here to impress you with options.

We’re here to help you see your home more clearly.

And define a path forward that actually makes sense.

The Goal of the First Meeting

Clarity.

Not final decisions.

Not finished plans.

Just a clear understanding of:

• What your home needs

• What direction to take

• What makes sense for your investment

If You’re Thinking About Getting Started

You’re already more prepared than you think.

We’ll take it from there. Start with filling out our quick but comprehensive form, this will give Tracy everything she needs to have a successful first meeting.

Start your project with TRAY