Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: Is the Initial Consultation with you free? What does it include? Is a consult the same thing as a Discovery Call?
A: If we are lucky enough to hear from you (“hi!” by the way) we will reach out to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. This is a 15-minute video web meeting where you can speak directly with us to gain a clear understanding of our services and how we can best assist you in bringing your dream design to life.
If you are interested in moving forward after the Discovery Call, we will send you our Client Questionnaire and schedule the Initial Consultation. This consultation is a 90-minute in person, on-site meeting for local clients (or virtually by Zoom or Facetime). The fee for this consult is $200 and is non-refundable. Post consultation, if you decide to entrust the design of your home to us, we will apply that fee towards the portion of the design fee due at contract signing.
Q: What is your Design Fee based on?
A: We set our design fee based on the overall scale of the space and the estimated number of design hours anticipated for the project. Because each project is so unique, we’ve found this to be the only way to determine an appropriate fee. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes. Believe it or not, only 20% is picking out pretty things. The other 80% goes toward technical drawings, digital renderings, project management, and behind-the-scenes tasks.
Q: How is furnishing your home with an interior designer different than doing it yourself?
A: Here’s the top three reasons why hiring an expert to design and furnish your home is different than doing it yourself:
No.1 Working with a designer means you can have custom, one-of-a-kind pieces tailored exactly to your style. It’s our job to make a space special, and in order to get that feeling we design layers of detail and personalization in the form of custom furniture, made-to-order throw pillows, original artwork, unique fabrics, and more. You won’t find quality or attention to detail like this in traditional retail!
No.2 Most people cannot believe how much time and energy is spent in project management. It’s where designers are worth their weight in gold. You save countless hours, you avoid stress, and can rest assured that experienced professionals have your back.
No.3 When you furnish your home gradually, one piece at a time over years, the process can be overwhelming, often costs the same (or more if you don’t always choose well), and rarely has the same outcome as a space designed to completion from the start. We often walk into a home and find furnishings that don’t fit the space, are improperly scaled, or lack cohesion. These are costly mistakes that could otherwise have been invested in a designer to get it right the first time. Let us help you actually ENJOY your home while you’re living in it instead of just hoping to one day be “finished.”
Q: What exactly are “furnishings”?
A: Thanks to the similar prefixes in “furnishings” and “furniture,” many people think they are the same thing. When designers say “furnish” a home, we’re referring to rugs, lighting, furniture, artwork, draperies, and even the accessories we use for styling. Think about it like this — Anything that is not permanently attached your home is considered a “furnishing.”
Q: How do you charge for meetings, calls or emails?
A: Client-Designer consultations or design meetings are charged by the hour. We do not charge for travel time under 25 miles or the first 15 minutes of any interaction to allow for basic scheduling, updates, and quick questions. If a meeting, call or email takes longer than 15 minutes or clearly enters the scope of design specific time, it is charged at the hourly rate.
Q: But really, lady. What does it cost? And how long will it take?
A: We promise we’re not avoiding the question just to make you crazy. There is no one size fits all answer. Truly. Every project is different. We promise when we talk about YOUR PROJECT we will explain every detail of cost and timeframe. For now, we’ve done our best to outline the general parameters on our website and in our pricing packages.