How Will You Manage the Design and Build Team to Make Sure the Project Stays on Track?

At R. Nickson Interiors, we pride ourselves on being a full-service interior design firm, which means we don’t just design your space—we coordinate every detail of the project from start to finish to ensure everything stays on track. For our full-service clients, we operate as both the interior designer and the project coordinator. Our goal is to keep the process as smooth, stress-free, and organized as possible while delivering the highest quality results.

The Importance of Strong Project Coordination

Managing a design project isn’t just about picking colors and furniture—it’s about coordinating multiple moving parts and making sure everything stays on schedule. This is where our role as both designers and project coordinators comes into play. From day one, we stack many hours to ensure that every detail is covered and communicated to the construction team.

We want the contractor and tradespeople to understand the full scope of work, the expectations for the project, and the end goals from the very beginning. That means we spend time upfront getting everything in place—before a hammer ever swings. This foundation ensures there are no surprises later and that we’re all aligned with the vision for the space.

How We Keep the Team on the Same Page

A critical part of our project management process is the way we organize and share information. We use a Google Drive folder for each project, which is filled with all the important documents and details—drawings, spec sheets, design boards, spreadsheets, inspiration photos, and anything else the contractor and trades might need. This ensures that everyone—contractors, trades, and clients—has easy access to the same information at any time. No gatekeeping.

In addition to the Google Drive folder, we use QR codes on-site. These codes allow anyone on the project—whether they’re working on the building, installations, or handling the finishes—to quickly access the necessary files directly from their phone. This allows for immediate answers and ensures that everyone is working from the same page, in real time.

The Value of Long-Term Relationships with Our Preferred Contractors

When we work with preferred contractors, it’s not just a one-time thing. We often have multiple ongoing projects with our trusted team, which means we have strong, established relationships with them. This is a huge advantage when it comes to communication, project efficiency, and problem-solving. We speak to our contractors daily through phone calls and email check-ins, making sure everyone is aligned and any potential issues are addressed promptly.

We also schedule regular, set meetings at key intervals in the process to ensure things are on track. These meetings include:

• Predemo: Reviewing everything before work begins

• Post-demo: Assessing progress and the next steps

• Walkthroughs before rough-ins: Ensuring all systems (plumbing, electrical, etc.) are in place

• Walkthroughs as we begin to build back: Making sure the space is coming together according to plan

These meetings ensure that we stay on schedule and that any issues are caught before they become problems.

Nicole’s “Emergency Contacts”

As a result of our long-standing relationships with our contractors, we’ve built a level of trust and reliability that goes beyond typical project coordination. Some of our contractors have become so integrated into our process that Nicole jokes that they’re her emergency contacts, since she often speaks to them more than her own family. This level of communication is essential for keeping the project moving forward and ensuring that everything is executed perfectly.

Why This Approach Works

Our hands-on, proactive approach to project coordination ensures that every project stays on track. We don’t just design—it’s our job to make sure the entire team is informed, aligned, and focused on delivering the highest quality work. By handling the coordination, we can quickly address any challenges and keep everything running smoothly. This allows you, the client, to focus on enjoying the process and the end result, without worrying about the day-to-day logistics.