Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I hire an interior designer?
Because life is hard enough. Renovating and or furnishing a home (even at its simplest) is an endeavor. Whether you are simply refurnishing a living room or gut renovating your home, hiring a good interior designer will save you thousands in mistakes, as well as time and aggravation. Not to mention get you the end result you really want!
How do i know i am working with a good interior designer?
You will know a good ID by how much they listen and how many questions they are asking you about you. It’s important to note that does not mean they should be simply executing what you ask. It means that through actively listening they build a foundation of understanding about your life with which to guide you in your project. You are hiring a designer because of their expertise so trust them when they ask you to do so. Listening is a two way street.
why would i pay an interior designer when there are so many free services out there?
The honest answer is that you get what you pay for. The two main things to keep in mind are that most furniture retailers are not actually employing interior designers. It is common practice in some of these organizations to simply give top sales people the title of “designer”. Sales and Design are VERY different roles. Additionally, 100% of furniture retailers offering design services (regardless of the individuals qualifications) are “sales based roles” meaning they are looking for how much you are willing to spend, not what is best for your life.
How are you compensated as my designer?
While there is always a conversation to be had surrounding the arrangement between client and designer in regards to compensation, it’s best to keep it simple. As the designer, I will charge a percentage of the project budget and extend any and all trade discounts I received on products directly to you the client. (Again, you are hiring a designer for their expertise not their ability to get you 10% off your lamps. I want you to have the product discount.) There are some additional fees regarding custom product, project management, installation etc that may arise depending on the scope of the project in question.
Can you help me with 1 room or does it need to be my entire home?
We can absolutely work together on the design of one room! The process for one room is just as thoughtful and detail oriented as it is for your entire home. Let’s move at the pace you are comfortable with.
how do I know what my budget is?
Budget is something that is truly personal to the client but does not need nor should it be a private conversation from your designer. Good design is not about a label or a dollar. Good design is about good taste. Yes, depending on what you want to accomplish a certain amount of money will be required. Once we have a discussion surrounding the scale, style and scope or your project, I can then guide you to a number that will accomplish your goals.
What will our first meeting be like?
Even before our first meeting I will set up a time for us to connect over the phone and ensure we are aligned on the process and what will be needed. From here (with alignment achieved) we will set up a time to meet in person and have a further discussion about scale, style and scope. We will discuss (and hopefully laugh a lot) about everything that you love, hate, want and need. Our meeting will end with me providing you with the next steps based on our conversation so that every step of the road to your dream space is well lit.