Faq
What exactly does Full-Service Interior Design mean?
Full-service means creating a turn-key design for your project, from the initial concept to the final installation. It is about letting our team handle all the details from research to selection, purchasing, and coordinating to installation.
Full-service applies to a full room or group of rooms or entire home in a single installation. Many of our clients like to work in phases, and so many of our full-service projects are done one complete room at a time.
Full-service applies even if you already own some of the pieces, we will use to complete your project.
What’s included in the initial in-home consultation?
After the initial phone conversation, once we have determined that we are prospectively a good fit, the next step is the in-home consultation. The appointment lasts up to 1 hour.
We highly recommend that anyone in the home that will be involved in the decision-making be present at the consultation. We will walk through the areas of your home you are looking to improve. We will be taking notes for you throughout the consultation so you can be relaxed and not feel like you need to memorize anything or write anything down.
This is a working session where we will provide you with valuable and expert guidance, ideas, and information to get you on the right track with your project. We will take a tour of your home, and help you focus on a defined project scope.
We discuss your style and lifestyle needs, your vision (and ours), your budget (we help you estimate one if you are unsure), timeframe based on scope, manage your expectations about the process (the good and the not-so-good things that can happen and how we resolve them), review our tried and true design process in more detail, and details about how we work, how we bill for our services and how we manage every detail of your project.
How much does hiring an interior designer cost?
There are several factors that impact the cost of design services including the size, complexity, and pace of your project. We have a detailed project process and timeline that help our projects run smoothly and efficiently. When the project is well planned and runs on schedule, the cost goes down substantially.
What is the Design Process?
Upon initial contact, we will gather as much information as possible about your needs and desires for the space. We then schedule an in-home consultation to see the space in person, listen to your ideas and vision, discuss the design process, and provide you with solid ideas and a direction for your project.
We will email you a Consultation Report and Fee Proposal within 5-7 business days following the consultation, outlining the scope of work, the design fee, and budget range. Once the advance on our design fee has been paid, that signals the start of the project.
We return for measurements, begin to assemble trades to acquire quotes, and work on the comprehensive design plan. Every detail is accounted for—drawings, furnishings, finishes, fabrics, and the budget breakdown for final approval. One revision is included. We require a deposit at the signing of the LOA (Letter of Agreement) to move forward.
It helps if all the decision-makers are present at the consultation, to receive everyone’s input and vision for the space. Determining your budget is a key component, so be prepared to talk about an overall budget range.
If you need help setting a budget, we are happy to guide you through the process of establishing one. We like to set expectations from the very beginning and therefore we will discuss your vision, your budget, your timeframe, how we work, and our fee structure at the initial meeting.
Will we shop at stores to select furniture in person?
Typically, we do not go store-to-store to shop for individual pieces. Shopping for furniture in person greatly reduces the number of pieces available to you, it takes much longer to travel between stores, and many times the pieces you want may not be on the showroom floor anyway.
To recreate the shopping experience at home, we try to gather as many photos, specifications, and product samples as possible to help you make an informed decision.
If you are not comfortable ordering the bulk of your furniture from a printed catalog image and absolutely must see and touch most of the furniture before buying it, let us know at the initial consultation and we will be sure to budget more time in our estimates to allow for in-person shopping.
How much do people typically spend on furniture, art & accessories for a room?
You set the budget you want to spend on products. We design each space down to the tiniest details—even if it means some items may need to land on your wish list for later.
We always attempt to get all your essential pieces like seating, rugs, and a few design accents into whatever budget you set. We want you to be thrilled with your design plan!
Can you refer us to a good Contractor? Architect? Painter? etc.?
Absolutely! We have long-standing relationships with the professionals who we trust. We’ve got high standards when it comes to keeping our clients happy, so we only work with the best.
What questions should I expect an interior designer to ask?
- What is your budget?
- What do you like/dislike about your current space(s)?
- What works for you/ what does not work for you in the current layout?
- Have you ever worked with an interior designer before?
- What design style do you like or have in mind?
- Will you want to remain in the home during the design?
- Is there anything you absolutely do not like?
- What is your timeframe?
How do I choose between the many interior design styles?
During your initial consultation with an interior designer, you will discuss your likes and dislikes. This will help narrow the field. Photos are also helpful in choosing an ultimate design.
How you want to furnish the space, as well as how it will be used, can make a difference in style selection.
How involved will I have to be in the design process?
We will discuss upfront how you prefer to work and craft the scope of work with that in mind.
We enjoy working with all personalities where some clients like to be very hands-on and involved in the process, or some who prefer to entrust everything into our very capable hands.
We have found through years of experience, that the design process runs smoother, and your design dollars go further when we fully manage the project after learning your needs and desires for your home. We value our clients’ ideas and input which ensures that the space will reflect your style and lifestyle.
We will present you with great choices and options, make recommendations and guide you through decisions while educating you in the process. We strive to make the process simple and fun for our clients. We take a very personable approach and make it an enjoyable collaboration.
We ask that you give us the chance to earn your trust. We do all the work and take care of all the details.
Looking for more detail or the opportunity to chat? Click below to schedule a phone call.