FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO? As your interior designer, I will give you a professional assessment of your project and provide you with a detailed action plan (design plan). I will help you set a budget that is right for your needs and help you stay within that budget. Along with the design plan, I will create the layout of your space, add architectural details as needed, choose finishes, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and furnish and decorate your home.

WHY SHOULD I HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER? In addition to helping you set a budget and create a design plan, I can act as a liaison between you and your contractor which is crucial for managing time and money. As your designer, I will ensure that the project is progressing in accordance to the plan. I am also trained in thinking about all the details of a project that can otherwise be overlooked. I have access to Trade Only vendors who provide unique and quality products that can’t be found elsewhere.

DO YOU WORK WITH CONTRACTORS? I work with contractors hired by the you. I love working with design professionals to create your beautiful custom home. We does not provide contractor services, therefore independent architects and contractors are a fundamental part of the design process. I like to use contractors that I have experience with on past projects. But I will happily work with whoever you have in mind for your project.

HOW DO YOU CHARGE? I offer a competitive design service fee of $175 per hour. If you have a specific design fee in mind, I am more than happy to create a proposal detailing the services I can offer and keeping you within your budget. 

WHAT ADDITIONAL COSTS CAN I EXPECT? I do my best to give you a full cost breakdown for products and merchandise. However, costs like shipping, rush fees, insurance, installation and unexpected labor costs do occasionally arise. For example, you may need to purchase insurance for the delivery of an antique from overseas. Or you may need only one yard of fabric, but the vendor has a minimum yardage requirement. Although I aim to get detailed estimates from contractors and vendors, sometimes costs cannot be guaranteed until the work is completed. 

WHAT IS YOUR STYLE? My personal style is Modern Beach House with an eclectic flair. However, I prefer to design my clients’ homes in their favorite style or in the style of their home’s architecture. My goal as your designer is to create a home that you will love and be comfortable in for years to come.  

HOW LONG WILL OUR PROJECT TAKE? The duration of a project typically depends on the scope of the work and the types of items purchased. For example, a typical kitchen remodel may take 3-6 months to design and build. A living room remodel may take about a month to design and 2 to 4 months to receive and install furniture. A bathroom design can take about 2 months from start to finish. A complete build from the ground up can take 1 year to 2 years to design, permit, build and install to completion. If you have a specific timeframe in mind, I am happy to discuss the project in detail to asses whether the target timeline is realistic. Please see our services page for more details of what we offer.

HOW INVOLVED WILL I BE IN THE PROCESS? Your involvement is necessary in the beginning stages of the project. You will need to fill out a detailed questionnaire about your lifestyle, your family’s needs, and your design style. This will help ensure that I am designing the home of your dreams. We will have weekly or bi-weekly site visits as needed. After the design phase is complete, you will be involved throughout the process by approving proposals for product purchases. Prompt responses to proposal requests are necessary to keep the project moving on time. You’ve hired me to work for you and my job is to do all the legwork so that you can focus on the more important aspects of your life. However, some of my past clients have expressed the wish to go shopping for products with me. I absolutely welcome clients on shopping trips!

CAN I SHOP ON MY OWN? You have hired me to design and complete your dream home and I ask that you do not purchase items without my approval. The items you select may not be a fit for the space, the budget or the design and color scheme of the project. If you have your heart set on a specific item, please discuss it with me before purchasing.

WHAT IF I DECIDE TO ADD MORE ROOMS MID-PROJECT? Since I charge hourly for my time, increasing the project scope is not a problem.

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER? I will email you a proposal for approval and payment. You have 3 days to accept or decline a proposal in writing. I ask that you respond to a proposal in no more than 3 days because vendor pricing are subject to change and are not guaranteed. If you accept, you will return a signed copy of the proposal along with full payment.

CAN I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER I PLACE AN ORDER? Most often, orders cannot be cancelled or refunded. In the event that a full refund can be obtained, you will receive a refund for the cost of the item. You will be charged hourly for the time spent on requesting the refund. Custom items are non-refundable. 

WHEN ARE PAYMENTS DUE? Proposals are due with payment within 3 days. Invoices for time billing and reimbursable expenses are due within 14 days. Invoices past due within 30 days are subject to a 10% late fee. 

HOW DO WE GET STARTED? Before I begin work on your project, you will fill out a detailed questionnaire so that I can get to know you better. We will have a 1 hour meeting in person to discuss your project. No actual design is done in this meeting, it is just an evaluation of the project scope and your needs and timing on the project. You will not be charged for this time. After the initial meeting, I will send you my design contract with a fee retainer that will go toward your hours. Once the contract is signed, I will begin my fact finding mission, determining your preferred design style, detailed requirements for each room, your lifestyle (how you live and work in your home, etc.) I will take photographs of your home and take formal measurements. From there, I will prepare a presentation with schematic drawings, materials selections, color palette options, and concepts. After this stage of the design is approved, I will work with you to narrow down final selections, pricing and design implementation. 

For more questions, please CONTACT us.