Your Client + Design Problem

Your clients are a married couple, both are 50-something, baby boomers. They have no
children. They purchased early in the development of the neighborhood and received a
preconstruction bonus package which included free design services by the design team that
created the models. Because you have worked on the models as a student designer intern the
past nine months, you have been asked to work with the couple as they make decisions about
their new home.
Your clients are educators at the local college. Over their fifteen year marriage they have taught
six semesters in four countries as participants in the education exchange program. They are
returning home from a year-abroad. In many communities overseas, they walked to local shops
for groceries; visited with neighbors at the local corner bakery; and often gathered for the train
at the subway stop on the corner. They knew the names of their neighbors and local business
owners and formed many relationships. The location of the Pocket Neighborhood is appealing
as they hope to own one vehicle and walk or bike to work. They are seeking a neighborhood
where people know each other and can easily interact daily.
They like the welcoming casual Craftsman-style of the neighborhood; the feeling of hospitality
and friendliness of the front porches and sidewalks; and the beauty of the gardens throughout
the neighborhood. They want to create a social environment in the living room, dining room, and
porch area that can be used year-round for guests and neighbors.
The couple frequently works at home and want a home office space upstairs. They have laptops
and share a printer/fax machine. They prefer traditional built in desk areas and want to close the
office door at the end of the day.
They also want an upstairs work space with a large table. They prefer natural light and a view
from the office. They want a library upstairs for books and collectibles. They want the upstairs
terrace to be inviting for morning coffee and reading and as a place in the evening to meet and
discuss the day.
Scope of Design Project
The student designer will:
1. Develop a floor plan and furniture plan to include the spaces indicated by the client.
a. First floor spaces to include:
i. A year-round front porch room, enclosed with windows and/or screens
ii. kitchen/living/dining area
iii. bedroom
iv. bathroom with a full bath - shower and tub
v. back door access to a fenced backyard and detached garage
b. Second floor spaces to include:

i. an outdoor terrace
ii. office area 3 2014-2015 Interior Design STAR Event Scenario Family, Career
and Community Leaders of America, Inc.
iii. library iv. master bedroom and bathroom no tub
v. a laundry area
vi. walk-in closet
c. other considerations
i. excellent storage
The clients want:
a porch, dining, living room that is welcoming to others with seating for ten
a floor plan that specifically defines interior social, personal and private spaces
a design flow between exterior porch and interior spaces
a transitional-style throughout the porch, interior spaces and furnishings
use of current color trends that will endure time. They prefer minimal amounts of
white, cream, or beige on the walls. Color throughout the house will create a background
for the eclectic collection of items acquired while traveling i.e., accessories, area rugs,
tapestries and framed art.
want privacy for an overnight guest using the first floor bathroom while at the
same time available for guests who have dropped by. The clients do not want a
bathroom door opening directly into a social area or the guests to see directly into the
bathroom. It should include a shower and tub.
a general layout for the kitchen that allows for interaction with guests while
minimizing the number of individuals in the prep area of the kitchen
a master suite with a king-size bed and the guest room with a queen or king-size
bed
a master bath with double sinks, a walk-in shower with a bench seat. No tub.
a laundry area with a stackable washer/dryer near the master closet
walk-in master closet
Note: the plumbing walls cannot be moved but can be extended
window location has been determined by the architect and cannot be moved
the couple has opted not to have a fireplace
columns cannot be moved but walls and doors can be added or moved except for the plumbing
wall
Design Deliverables:
1. Homebuyer Profile - describe the characteristics of the 50-something baby boomers
2. Interior color palette that should create an atmosphere of relaxation and sense of home.
3. Floor plan and furniture arrangement (1/4 scale) for the interior spaces and front porch
room which will appear on the design board.
4. Furnishings, accessories and lighting for porch room, dining room and living room.
5. Finishes - The client is interested in high quality finishes and has requested to see samples
for the porch room and adjoining dining and living rooms. Samples should represent the actual

products, materials, and furnishings selected and are to appear on the sample boards. It is
optional to include kitchen finishes.
6. Elevation - The 2D elevation (1/2 scale) - the student designer will provide the client with an
elevation of a focal point wall in the porch room, living room or dining room. It is to include the
full width and height of the wall, architectural details, furnishings, fixtures and colors.
7. Client Invoice The client has not established a budget at this time but has requested
reasonably priced new furnishings be selected for the porch room, dining room and living room.
The living room floor treatment and furniture have been ordered. Create an invoice billing the
client for these items. Note: the design service is complimentary with the preconstruction bonus
package and billable hours. Labor costs, installation, or shipping and handling fees will not be
billed. The construction, HVAC and electrical work will be outsourced and should not be billed to
the client. Calculate invoice tax based on the states current tax percentage. Taxes will be
calculated on furnishings and flooring. Billable hours are a service and are not taxed. A sample
invoice template can be found in the FCCLA resources.
Note: the client has provided a floor plan (1/8 scale) for the student designer. This plan may
have readability issues when printed on 8 x 11 paper. Please use your computers
view/zoom feature if needed to obtain the correct floor plan dimensions.