FAQ's

Welcome - here you will find the answers to some of the questions our designers are most commonly asked, if you have a question we have not answered – please use our enquiry form.

Do I really need the services of an Interior Designer?

That depends on you, on your available free time, patience, creativity or lack thereof, list of resources, interest, and much more.Here are some guidelines to help you decide if you should hire a professional. You might want to hire a professional designer if...

• You have little or no free time to coordinate and shop for home decor items.
• You feel completely overwhelmed by the number of choices available.
• You need help with space planning, lighting design, kitchen layouts, or bathroom renovations.
• You want someone else to deal with the hassles of ordering, shipping, coordinating, and installing.
• You want to have quality work done but don't have your own list of reliable workmen, installers, and resources.
• You've tried to decorate your home and have purchased a few nice items, but really need help pulling it all together.
• You want a cohesive colour scheme and design that can be carried throughout your home.
• You think you have pretty good taste, but would like to move up a few notches in style.
• You've torn out photos of rooms you like, but are unsure of how to coordinate some of the elements.
• You and your partner can't seem to agree on anything for your home.
• You've found a gorgeous sofa in a decorating magazine, but it's available "to the trade" only.
• You want some custom designed furniture, cabinetry, fireplaces, built-ins, murals, faux finishes, etc.
• You don't know what new products, fabrics, or appliances are available that might be used for your project.
• Your home is from a particular period, has a specific style, or has an unusual design and you need assistance in selecting appropriate furnishings.
• You want your home to stand out from the crowd.
• You want your home to be reflection of your personal tastes and lifestyle.
• You're tired of buying things here and there without an overall plan.
• You're very creative but don't know where to start with your current decorating project.
• You'd like more choices in fabrics, flooring, and furniture than are available in local stores.
• You've never seen a source for the look you really want for your home.
• You're planning to build a new home and are wondering if any interior specifications should be changed before work begins.

There are so many interior designers - how do I choose the best one for me?

Choosing the right professional to help you decorate or remodel your home is a bit like going to a matchmaker – except in this case, the perfect match is a shared design sense that can be hard to communicate when you're not sure what it is that you want.

The only good solution is to interview the prospective candidates. Once you're armed with the names of designers, the real work begins. Before the initial meeting, think about how you'll explain your style. Your Interior designer may ask for snapshots of treasured belongings as well as pictures culled from magazines that show rooms you like – and don't like. Also don't be afraid to ask questions:

• Can I see your portfolio? The key here is to look for variety, because you are looking for someone that is versatile enough to adapt to your style.

• Are you a member of a professional organisation? A respectable designer will be registered. The British Interior Design Association (BIDA) is the most widely recognized organisation in the UK.

• Does a trade body accredit all your tradesmen and subcontractors? You want to be sure that your designer will only use professionally qualified tradesmen on your project. Any work undertaken by unqualified trades' people will nullify your home insurance.

• What kind of work have you done and for how long have you done it? Ask for examples of high-end and low-end work to see how imaginative they can be on a budget. Also ask for names of references and former clients you can call.

• What is your favourite kind of project? This should give you an idea if the designer is only after the glamorous jobs or if they know how to work within a budget.

• How involved can I get? You don't want to hire a dictator, so look for someone who's accepting of the things you love and will incorporate your ideas where possible.

• How are your fees structured? It varies but will be based on either an hourly fee; a flat design fee; or "cost-plus," where the designer makes money by marking up the wholesale cost – or some combination of the three. If it's a big project, find out if the work can be done in stages, for example, one or two rooms at a time. Be sure you get a letter of agreement or contract that spells out the terms.

• Would you be willing to do a consultation for a plan I can implement on my own? Some designers may say "no" so check beforehand that this is something that the designer that is visiting you is happy to do.

Isn't hiring a designer very expensive?

Not necessarily - Developing the budget is a partnership between the client and the designer. As the client, you should have an active role in developing the budget. If you're unsure about costs, your designer can help.Be honest with your designer about your budget.

There are many variables including the size of the project (one room or whole house?), quality of products selected (custom or prefabricated cabinets?), and the timeframe in which the project needs to be completed (two weeks or two months?).

A professional designer assesses your needs and helps you determine where to spend and where to save, prioritizing expenses while creating an interior that is within your budget.  Also, remember that not everything has to be completed at once. Your designer can develop a long-range plan, consult with you to establish a list of priorities and determine a time line for accomplishing your project.

As the client you have to weigh up the value of the design and management fee and what it will save you in time, effort and aggravation.

What questions will the designer ask?

Before contacting an interior designer, it's a good idea to take some time to think about what you want and what you need. The first step in this process is to consider some questions that an interior designer will ask regarding your project:

For whom is the space being designed?
What activities will take place there?
How long do you plan to occupy the space?
What is your time frame?
What is your budget?
Are you relocating or remodelling?
What image do you want to project?

Some of the questions might seem esoteric, like being asked to respond to a list of words. But the answer to "Which best describes you – comfortable or stylish?" can help a designer get a handle on your perspective.

Also, be sure to consider the positive and negative aspects of the space.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't worry. Your interior designer will lead you through the design process. Keep in mind the more information you provide, the more successful your designer will be in meeting your needs and expectations. You may want to reference other visual images (photos, postcards, corporate logos, magazine photographs) or environments that reflect your aesthetic and functional criteria.

Is there a contract?

The answer to this question should be "Absolutely Yes". A contract protects all parties and sets clear guidelines about levels of service and deliverables. It doesn't necessarily have to be a 20-page document – a letter of agreement may be enough. Nevertheless it should cover the following points:

• Scope of work  -- This should detail exactly what the interior designer is going to produce for your design, for example, design boards, samples and swatches, detailed drawings, scale plans etc. It should also specify what actions are to be taken and by whom. An example would be a major rebuild might need planning permission – who is going to be responsible for obtaining it – you or the interior designer?
• Project Approach --  This will cover the work sequence; essentially what is going to happen and when and the time frames for completion of each phase of the project.
• Fees & Expenses --  As well as a detailed quotation for the work to be completed you should also be given an indication of any additional charges that may be incurred. Be sure you're clear on what is chargeable and when. Also what flexibility is allowed within the contract for onsite decisions that may incur additional costs? It is a good idea to put a ceiling of perhaps 10% of budget that the designer can spend without your specific written authorisation to do so. You don't want any nasty surprises at the end of the project!
• Terms & Conditions  --  This should cover the companies trading terms and the conditions for supply of goods and services.
• Duration & Termination  -- This is especially important if you are employing a designer to oversee a project through to completion i.e. site manage the project on your behalf. You will need to be clear on what penalties you may incur if you decide you no longer wish to employ the services of that particular designer or design firm. Or what contingencies the design firm have in place if your particular designer moves on mid project?