Picture this: Interior design mastery

BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA 
Journal Staff

Veena Sachdev, owner and chief designer of Veeline Concepts, has clearly found her place in the market after eight years in business. 

What she offers clients is interior design, construction management and a White Glove or premium service for furniture selection and acquisition. 

But that’s not how her career started.

Sachdev’s first studies were in computer science. And she began in construction by flipping homes in Guam. “I loved doing that — starting from scratch and seeing the result,” she said.

From that side of creativity, she moved on to interior design, folding her computer science background into problem solving.  “Design taught me how to solve problems beautifully.”

During COVID, Sachdev was able to continue working. “We were considered Essential Workers. But in the COVID years timelines were stretched, resulting in unavoidable delays.

“Guam is already logistically isolated,” she said. Sachdev deals with that constantly for clients who want high end products like select countertops. “There are many moving parts,” she said, as products that need to be sourced, packaged and shipped.

Plus, on one occasion, one part of the process involved moving heavy countertops to an eighth-floor apartment. “The clients were very understanding and very patient. We were able to deliver in the same timeline.”

Due to demand and ability, Sachdev told the Journal her business has broadened.
“We’re pivoting more to a turnkey design model.” She works with the architect and the contractor – people with special skills sets — and as such offers “single source accountability.”

Clients have broad ideas on what they want. However, she said, “They don’t know how to make the decision.”

As for the turnkey model, Sachdev said, “I’m trying to move to this model, where I’m in charge. It’s very efficient.” There is an additional plus for clients. “We know how much things are going to cost. There are zero budget surprises.”

Sachdev said blueprints are important. “With the right set of blueprints, we solve problems right from the beginning.” 

As for changes, she said, “It happens all the time. Once the design is finished, you can make a change, but it will cost time.”

She makes the effort to get to know her clients and said there are some constants in the process.

“The first thing, [a design] has to be functional for their lifestyle. The second thing is the budget. The third is the aesthetics — the finishes and the colors — they’re the easy one.” 

Sachdev recognizes that in today’s environment for busy people what she offers is emotional reliability. “People are buying peace of mind when they hire me.” They are getting a trained eye, and an understanding of color and undertones,” she said.  

As to educating clients, Sachdev considers that part of the job. “We try to use psychology,” she said. “You become a confidant, a marriage saver. That’s what I want to take away — that stress — all the not pretty things that go into your home.” Veeline Concepts aim for easy understanding, she said. “Our plans are usually very clear.” 
As to the programs that appear on HGTV and end in typically perfect results, Sachdev said, “That gives a false sense of hope. There are problems every day in construction.”

Her clients vary across the board, and she works with people who “have no ideas and a limited budget. The homes that are the most successful are not always the ones with the biggest budget, but the ones with perfect alignment.”

Sachdev said, “We work with every budget. We never say no to clients. A 2,000 square foot home — if done correctly — will look a hundred times better than a 5,000 square foot mansion that has not been done properly.” 

Sachdev works with contractors she trusts. She said, “It’s hard to find contractors.” In construction, she said the challenges are twofold and are logistics and planning. As to suppliers, she said, “I’ve had good relationships in the mainland and in Guam.”

These days she finds China is a great source of products, and Sachdev has a wholesale license. 

Sometimes clients come to her when their plans are done. “I recommend you come to me as soon as possible,” she said. “Architects are very good, but their niche is structure. Basically, they deal with the window placement. If we can work with the architect, we can troubleshoot before the problems arise.”
For example, kitchens need to be well-planned. “We’re trying to do these small nuances rather than fixing things later,” she said. For clients who contact her late in the process when there are potential issues, Sachdev said Veeline Concepts will aim to solve problems. “We will always try to do that.”

Other clients include businesses. 

“I did the AECOM offices; on that one I worked as construction manager. It was a big project, but very rewarding,” Sachdev said. The project also needed to be up to federal standards, she said. Sachdev worked with California Pacific Technical Services LLC and also moved AECOM from its previous property to its new offices in the Baltej Pavilion. 

In her design work, she is flexible. “It’s not one size fits all.” She plans for longevity and resilience at a property. “I’m designing a home forever. Our climate here has got some constraints. Those are the two things I design for.”

Sachdev has incorporated AI into her design process but said there are limitations to its skills. “It’s a great tool for visualization, but it’s not a substitute for the trained eye. It’s not in the room … It’s a tool that makes mistakes.”

As a small business, Sachdev said, “We don’t take on more than we can manage.”
Sachdev has little competition, though some realtors and retailers offer advice in Guam. She said, “Guam has great opportunities if you work here. We are community oriented. There’s space for everyone.” mbj