As a child, I remember “helping” my dad with a project. He handed me a can of paint and asked me to stir it...so I grabbed the nearest tool I could find: a screwdriver.

My father (the left-brained engineer) was horrified and the look on his face was so dire that I jumped away from the paint can, thinking it would likely explode. “Why would you use a screwdriver instead of a stir stick?” he asked. “Because it was nearby and it’ll do the same thing,” I replied. Spoiler: it didn’t.  It was a valuable lesson that I’ve carried with me:

Use the right tool for the job.

As an interior designer, I can tell you that principle doesn’t just apply to tools. It applies to people. And nowhere is that more important than in your renovation or home project.

I’ve been hired after clients let a tile installer choose the tile… a builder draw the floor plan… or a furniture salesperson select their living room layout. Each one was a well-meaning decision, but made with the wrong “tool” for the job.

That’s the difference between hiring a strategist vs. a tactician.  Every successful renovation has TWO roles filled - a strategist and a tactician. Understanding these two players will help you build the right team for your renovation.

 

 

Interior designers serve as your project strategists, providing that crucial 10,000-foot view of your renovation. They see the complete picture—how layout, lighting, color schemes, and furniture work together to create a cohesive design that looks AND functions beautifully.

 

Designers ensure your space has natural flow and cohesion that aligns with both the structural elements and your personal needs. As strategists, we examine blueprints differently than contractors do, we look at the renovation through the eyes of our clients and consider the family's lifestyle, future needs, and aesthetic preferences. I know firsthand that this skill often leads to blueprint modifications that enhance functionality while saving clients frustration, money and change orders down the road.

 

Contractors function as your tacticians, focusing on ground-level execution and precise details. These specialists handle the nitty-gritty aspects of your renovation—framing, plumbing, and electrical. They are the ones that transforming the vision into reality.

Contractors are on-site problem-solvers. When architectural plans present practical challenges (as they often do), tacticians draw on their expertise in materials, methods, and logistics to find effective solutions. Their hands-on knowledge bridges the gap between vision and implementation.

 

The most successful renovations have both strategic and tactical perspectives. While interior designers ensure your renovation aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals, contractors provide the technical know-how to bring these plans to life.

This collaborative relationship creates the perfect balance. Each role contributes unique skills that, when combined, transform a house into a thoughtfully designed home that both functions effectively and reflects your personal style.

 

 

For a smooth renovation experience, it's important to build a team that includes both strategic vision and tactical expertise because designers design and contractors execute.

Start your renovation off RIGHT - by making sure you have a strategist and a tactician working together. This is a powerful partnership and it's one of the reasons that clients hire my firm even when they are working with architects and design-build firms. Don't underestimate the power of a strategist on a project.

 

My dad taught me, you can’t expect a screwdriver to do the job of a stir stick.