Earlier than you think.

The simple answer: from the start. But after you’ve worked through two very important planning details in the origin story of your project:

1. Define your scope.

2. Understand your investment.

You’ll need to know what you want to achieve within your space, and financially plan how much you’re prepared to invest in the project.

Once you have an interior designer on board, they will act as the connective tissue with additional third parties through a finalized design to create a comprehensive plan and spec book. The exact details of that design plan will determine the need for:

An architect (Perhaps we’re changing exterior walls or the roofline. We may need permits placed with the city.)

A contractor (The finalized spec book will provide all of the information they need to give you an accurate bid and project schedule)

A structural engineer (The architect and/or contractor will help determine this based on existing structure and scope of change - perhaps we are vaulting the ceiling with a structural beam running through it.)

Every detail from concept to realization: both the home’s canvas and paint. Designers operating a full-service studio will be at the helm of the project plans including concept, elevations and specs, sourcing materials, procuring, inventory tracking management, and design communication with third parties.

We refer to “budget” as the project investment. There is no hard number. It all completely depends on the scope of your project, the contractor you select, and the quality tier of materials you select.

To be very transparent: interior design is not a service that everyone will endeavor to hire for in their homeownership journey. And, quality design, is a luxury service. It’s a luxury that can absolutely be worth the investment. Have your finances in order, your plans in place, and always have a buffer. Be clear with your financial partner, clear with the team you’ve hired, and clear with yourself.

We will read through your inquiry and all of the details you’ve provided. You’ll receive a welcome email from us outlining next steps including dates and times available for connecting on our client intake call.

This is your home. Unless you are fully handing all creative decisions with no financial restriction to your designer, then you need to be prepared for involvement at almost every step. The speed with which the design process moves, and the communication between meetings, is very dependent on your availability to provide feedback and complete action items.

Additionally, unless your are hiring a contractor with a project manager on board, or hiring one separately, you will need to be prepared to directly oversee third parties’ quality of work (contractors, sub-contractors, etc) as interior designers are not project managers.

We love incorporating pieces that you have collected or inherited and carry a story or personal attachment. These are often the crux of your home feeling curated and what makes spaces truly non-replicable.

This, is again, as unique as the you are and the project itself. But, at a minimum scope you are looking at a commitment of time for the process at 4-6 months. Larger scopes and multi-phase projects can be years of working together and fostering the relationship between designer and client.

Absolutely. In fact, we prefer it! If you already have an established connection, we want you to have the team in place that resonates most with you. If you don’t have anyone in mind, we have a select few individuals that we can refer based on experiences our past or current clients have spoken positively about.

We serve clients across the US, and some of our favorite projects are out of state with a unique aesthetic, or one that honors the geography of the home’s location. We have processes and systems in place to best work with clients out of state.

A decorator is prepared to work with clients on furnishings and styling details. An interior designer is prepared to create both the canvas and the paint. The layout, spacial planning, partnership with third parties (architect, structural engineer, contractor), comprehensive design plan, and finishes, as well as, the finishing details, furnishings, and styling.

The designer makes the plan, the contractor executes it. The contractor swings the hammer, the designer dictates where they swing it. The contractor should be coordinating all individuals working on the execution portion of the project (project manager, electrician, plumber, tiler, painter), as well as placing any permits with the city (if an architect was not required), and ensuring quality of work based on the design plan.