When Homes Feel Stuck: 5 Conversations I Wish More Clients and Designers Had Sooner
By Tanu Gupta, Author, Interior Designer & Astro-Vastu Consultant, Tanish Dzignz
Let me start with this – I’ve been on both sides of the table. I’ve been the designer with pages of plans and timelines in hand. But I’ve also been the homeowner who just wanted the house to “feel right.”
At Tanish Dzignz, we work with clients who are building their dream homes, villas that are meant to reflect their energy, lifestyle, and intention. Which is why it can get emotional. Design isn’t just about what you see, it’s about what you feel, and what that space brings into your life.
And sometimes… things get lost in translation.
This blog isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about inviting clarity into a process that’s deeply personal. Here are five common misunderstandings I’ve encountered in my years of practice, and how we can navigate them with more empathy and less frustration.
- “It’s not what I imagined.”
This one always this one breaks my heart. Not because something went wrong, but because we might’ve spoken the same language, just with different accents.
Here’s the thing: I don’t design from a Pinterest board, I design from you. Your chart, your lifestyle, the sunlight in your plot, how your child likes to study, where you drink your coffee. Astro-Vastu helps us guide the deeper layers of design, but we still need your voice to stay clear through it all.
How we fix it:
Let’s talk early, not about just what you want, but why. Tell me how you want your home to feel. That gives us both a compass.
- “Why is this taking so long?”
Trust me, I want to hand you the keys just as much as you want to walk in.
But good design, especially when it’s Astro-Vastu aligned and custom-built, takes time. Furniture goes through 3 layers of quality checks. Materials are pre-assembled in our workshop before they even touch your site. And yes, sometimes delays are caused by a marble batch not matching or weather impacting execution.
How we fix it:
We maintain a detailed logbook and update you at every phase. You’ll always know what’s happening, why, and what’s next. Transparency is non-negotiable.
- “The budget’s growing, why?”
I hear this concern more often than you’d think, especially mid-project. And I get it. When things begin to exceed the initial numbers, it’s stressful.
Sometimes it’s because something needs upgrading. Sometimes it’s because a structural change revealed a hidden issue. But often, it’s because dreams evolve once you start seeing your home take shape.
How we fix it:
We document everything. We’ll flag decisions that shift cost and offer alternate options. We believe in clarity over surprises.
- “I thought you’d manage it all, I don’t have the time.”
You shouldn’t have to micromanage. That’s what our execution team is built for, stationed staff, workshop-ready materials, and dedicated supervision.
But here’s the honest truth: the most soulful homes come from collaboration. Your presence, even in small bursts, shapes decisions that no consultant can make for you.
How we fix it:
We do the heavy lifting. You just help steer. Whether it’s feedback on proportions or choosing between textures, we’ll make your involvement simple, timely, and stress-free.
- “Why are you suggesting something I didn’t ask for?”
Because my job isn’t to echo, it’s to translate.
Sometimes what you ask for doesn’t match what your energy needs. A northeast bedroom may sound perfect until we realize it clashes with your chart. A certain layout might look beautiful but feel off.
How we fix it:
We’ll always explain the “why” behind every recommendation. If something doesn’t sit right with you, we pivot. No ego. No rigidity. Just collaboration.
In the End, We’re on the Same Side
We don’t just want to build your home. We want to build something that lives with you, grows with you, and aligns with who you are, inside and out.
Because when design, energy, and intention come together, a house becomes a sanctuary.
And that, to us, is the most beautiful part of what we do at Tanish Dzignz.
