What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?

If your project includes just the furnishings, light fixtures, and some accessories, then “decoration” is the appropriate service for your needs. Many trained designers also offer interior decorating services.

If your scope of work includes new construction or you are working on a renovation of your existing home (meaning an overall plan that takes into account a concept, a budget, and construction,) then you are looking for an interior designer.

When should I hire an interior designer?

We suggest you hire an interior designer before or around the time of hiring an architect, builder, or general contractor. Knowledgeable designers are able to improve the project and will make sure that you receive the end result of your dreams.

Why do I need an interior designer early into the process?

Building or planning a house without a designer is like hiring staff with no manager. With a designer on board, you will have someone taking charge of all the decisions, someone who knows exactly how all of the pieces in your project impacts the next, and someone who can, and will, take all those pieces and create a home that reflects your vision. We will interview you and your whole family, including furry family members, for the most durable fabric selections and other needs of each member. 

What is the designer’s role in the project?

We are the liaison between all your various services, architect, contractor, and trades people. We communicate the information on the who, what, where and how of your home to the appropriate parties.

Where do you source from? do i purchase furnishings through you?

We as designers have exclusive access to trade-only vendors, showrooms, high quality products, and top-notch customer service not available to the public. We oversee the ordering tracking and receiving of all the materials and furnishings for full-service design. This is one of the major perks of working with an interior designer.

Can we shop together?

Generally, shopping is not the most efficient way to work with your designer. Our best work happens when our clients place their trust in our expertise, of course, with your opinion and preferences being the crucial part of the process. We will not overwhelm you with options and create the collection of materials and furnishings from our most trusted vendors. This lets the original design vision be executed seamlessly, effectively, and provide only the best, most personalized selections. 

If I find something online similar to what was specified for my project, can I buy it?

Imagine building a puzzle and have someone else trying to add pieces from a different puzzle. Even if the pieces fit together, the outcome is not going to be as intended. It's tempting to do your own shopping to save money, but in the end, it costs twice in scale and quality mistakes and experiencing frustration. If you prefer to do your own purchasing, we offer E-Design services.

I like to watch hgtv shows. will it be the same process?

 “Reality TV” is not “reality.” These shows can be fun because they show results, but there isn’t enough time to show the process. The process is a big part of any design practice. TV shows can’t show all the prep work in 30 minutes. For your home to have the big wonderful reveal is certainly our goal. However, our goals are based in real time, which is often six months out, or more. 

How do you set a project budget?

The budget is where the realistic picture of your project begins, and we will not start a project without one. We will walk you through the process of estimating your investment. Clients may know how much they want to invest, but may not know what is reasonable to spend on furniture and fees for a project like yours. We guide you through this process. Our goal is to work within your investment range. 

What if I just want an overall plan and then do the work myself?

That is certainly a reasonable option. To cater to those requests we offer several E-Design packages that will fit the needs of any project scope, including a la carte service add-ons.