Creative Design Process

With over twenty years of combined industry experience, our full-service design team will help you create the space you're envisioning. Our design process is very collaborative and interactive and we encourage you to contribute as much of your own sensibility and style to the project as possible. Our North Berkeley Design Showroom is a fun, laid-back place full of all sorts of material samples to help you experiment with different looks. Need further help nailing down a particular style for your space? We also have an extensive library of current design books and magazines to pour through for that elusive inspiration.

Have a project in mind but need a little help bringing it all together? We're here to help! Please give us a call to schedule a FREE 1-hour In-Studio Project Consultation.

Your free 1-hour Project Consultation will include the following:

  1. Introduction to the Custom Spaces design staff and our full line of quality products
  2. Explanation of our services & how we can best help you with your project
  3. Review of your "scrapbook" of design ideas, site photos, and floorplan measurements (see below)
  4. Assessment of your design needs, any space planning challenges and your goals for the new space
  5. Discussion of your available budget.

But before you schedule that appointment... the following is a list of things we ask folks to do before their visit:

  1. Assemble a "scrapbook" of pictures, magazine tear-outs, books, articles and/or brochures with ideas you'd like to incorporate into your new space.
  2. Ask everyone in your household for their "wish list" and priorities for the new space.
  3. Determine a budget you can live with. Is there any wiggle room?
  4. Sketch out your current floor plan (top "birdseye" view) and then take measurements of all walls, windows, doorways and ceiling height. Also make note of any structural details such as soffits, chases etc. that may impact cabinet or fixture placement & layout.
  5. If you have access to a digital camera, please take snapshots of each wall and other pertinent details and bring memory card or print-outs to your meeting. Include photos of adjacent rooms if you'd like the spaces to tie together.
  6. Consider filling out our Planning Questionnaire.
  7. Compile these resources and bring them along with your spouse, partner or any other decision makers to our first meeting.

After your complimentary consultation, if you decide you'd like Custom Spaces to provide cabinetry, design services and any other building materials such as countertops, decorative tile & plumbing fixtures for your project, the next steps will be:

  1. Ask you to sign our Design Services Agreement
  2. Ask you for an appropriate Design Services Retainer Fee — to be applied toward site measurements, design time, product specification, samples ordering, follow up meetings, proposals, contractor introduction, and client correspondence.
  3. Schedule your site visit to take our own precise measurements and discuss further design options with you on site.
  4. Begin designing your space based upon our discussions and confirmed measurements.
  5. Continue refining your design until you are satisfied and ready to schedule a contractor and place orders with us for cabinetry and other materials.

Once your design and layout are finalized and you're ready to purchase cabinets and/or other fixtures, we will set up a final meeting to:

  1. Review and sign our Cabinet Sales Proposal and Contract
  2. Review and sign the final set of CAD drawings for your new space
  3. Review your Project Specifications detailing all the particulars for your project
  4. Ask you for down payment towards the purchase of your cabinets, fixtures and other finish materials
  5. Review the next steps of your project (e.g. final preparation of permit/construction drawings, scheduling of contractors, cabinet delivery and installation, counter top installation, flooring, etc.)

In addition to cabinets, countertops and plumbing fixtures, we are also glad to help you with the selection of:

  • paint colors
  • major appliances
  • flooring materials
  • backsplash materiasl (e.g., ceramic or glass tile, stainless steel etc.)
  • decorative lighting
  • window & doors

Our installation process

Although not a requirement ... for the highest quailty fit and finish, we offer our own installation service for our cabinetry — it's affordable, we know our products better than anyone else and we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to make sure that our cabinets look their absolute best in your home! And if necessary, we'd be glad to make the arrangements and coordinate installation of your new cabinets with your Architect, Builder or Interior Designer.

Remodeling services

Custom Spaces is a licensed Design & Build firm and we specialize in Finished Interior Spaces. We'd be very glad to help you with your kitchen & bathroom remodeling projects whether they be large or small. We can also recommend Architects and Builders to take on any other aspects of your home remodeling project.

Call us at 510.526.7333 or email us with questions or to schedule your free consultation.