In interior design, there's one universal truth: no project is ever without issues. Whether you're working on a simple refresh or a full-scale renovation, unexpected challenges will arise. The difference between a stressful experience and a successful one isn't avoiding problems—it's how you handle them.

The Reality of Design Projects

My approach comes down to three essentials: solutions, patience, and genuine client care. These aren't just buzzwords; they're the foundation that keeps projects moving forward when things go sideways.

Recent Challenges I've Navigated

Let me share some real examples from recent projects that tested every ounce of my problem-solving skills:

The Damaged Delivery Dilemma

Dining room chairs arrived at a client's home damaged. What should have been an exciting delivery day turned into disappointment. Instead of dwelling on the problem, I immediately contacted the manufacturer, documented everything, and arranged for replacements while keeping my client informed every step of the way.

The Assembly Mix-Up

Picture this: custom kitchen cabinets ordered fully assembled arrive as ready-to-assemble flat packs. This wasn't just an inconvenience—it created cascading delays for the installer, electrician, plumber, and every other trade scheduled behind them. The entire project timeline needed recalibration.

The Renovation Revelations

During a renovation, we discovered the property had several unpermitted additions. Then came an even more serious finding: the electrical system throughout the entire project lacked ground wires—a major fire hazard that needed immediate attention. What was planned as a cosmetic update suddenly required significant safety remediation.

Each delay seemed to trigger another. The kind of dominoes that can make clients lose sleep.

My Solution: Communication, Transparency, and Persistence

So how did I keep my clients at ease through all of this?

Constant Communication: I didn't wait for clients to ask what was happening. I proactively reached out with updates, even when the news wasn't what we wanted to hear. Silence creates anxiety; transparency builds trust.

Unwavering Transparency: I explained not just what went wrong, but why it mattered, what our options were, and what I was doing to resolve it. Clients appreciate being treated as partners in the process, not just recipients of bad news.

Relentless Persistence: Behind the scenes, I was on the phone with manufacturers, shipping companies, and trades—advocating, following up, and refusing to let issues languish. My clients hired me to handle these headaches so they don't have to.

The Takeaway

Problems are inevitable in design work. But with the right approach, they don't have to derail the project or the client relationship. Solutions-focused thinking, infinite patience, and genuine care for your client's experience transform obstacles into opportunities to demonstrate your value.

After all, anyone can manage a project when everything goes perfectly. True expertise shows when nothing goes according to plan—and you still deliver a beautiful result and a happy client.