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What does an interior designer do and how are they different from an architect or contractor?
- An interior designer’s focus is the form and function of a space. We partner with clients to achieve a desired aesthetic and design that enhances their lifestyle. We collaborate with other professionals like architects and contractors as needed, based on the type and scale of the project. As the designer we select all of the finishes for the home (like tile, plumbing etc) and furniture. An architect’s expertise is in building and structure, so they’ll be on the project team for additions or new builds. A contractor builds from the design plans created by the architect and designer.
What do I need to know about hiring an interior designer?
- The most important thing to know is that working with an interior designer can be a rewarding, stress-free process. In addition to helping you create a beautiful home, we can define the budget and scope of your project. We also have the connections and recommendations to help you hire the right contractors to complete the work. We take on renovations and new builds but also furnishing-only projects.
What is ‘full service’ interior design?
- Full service interior design is a turn-key service that takes the project from concept to completion. We take care of every detail—from sourcing items to working with tradespeople and even coordinating orders and deliveries. At project completion, we install all of your new furnishings and style the space as well.
How do you establish your design fees?
We have a hybrid model and charge flat fee for the design portion (phase 1) of the project, and bill by milestone. We then charge hourly for procurement (phase 2) and construction/project management (phase 3). We base our hourly rate competitively in the Orange County area, are committed to transparency with our clients, and will provide monthly updates so that you always know where you stand financially.
How does the process of working with you initiate?
- The first step is to complete an inquiry form—for both local and distance projects. After the inquiry form is received, we’ll contact you to schedule a complimentary 20-minute video call to further review your project. If we're a good fit, we'll move into the Design Proposal phase where based off of the information you've shared with us, we'll put together an official Proposal projecting the overall investment to work with us. If and when you accept that Proposal, we'll send through the contract, ask for the initial deposit and hit the ground running.
What is an expected project timeline?
- Every project is different. With that being said, our furnishing and renovation projects are taking between 6-12 months+ and our new build construction projects are 1-3 years, depending. We always encourage prospective clients to reach out 6-12 months prior to the start of a project. Good design takes time and we like to be fully prepared when construction starts.
Do you welcome client’s opinions?
-Yes! Our job is to create beautiful designs, taking into consideration the client’s perspective, lifestyle, and goals for the home. We love hearing about the way you live and will look to you in the beginning to ensure we're aligned before we start designing. It’s a collaborative process, and nothing is more satisfying for us than creating a warm and welcoming space that truly celebrates who our clients are.
I don’t live in southern California but want to work with you. Can we still work together?
-YES! We love out-of-state projects, and have projects in 10+ states outside of California! Our process is the same for local or distance work (factoring in a lot of Zooms!). We also rely heavily on communication with the contractor and his trades that are on the job, and build in 2 strategically planned site visits as an extra measure to ensure that everything is going as planned.
How do you present your design ideas? What if I want to make changes after presentation?
- We present all the details of the initial design concepts via a digital presentation. Once the initial concepts are approved, we start the final design phase which is when we fully develop the autoCAD floor plans and elevations that will guide the build or renovation alongwith select colorized elevations to help you envision each space. During this final design phase we also gather as many finish and fabric samples as possible and present everything to you in person at our studio. 1 round of revisions are included and any others are billed at our hourly rate (not included in the flat design fee).