We all have questions when we're getting to know one another. If you have anything you'd like to ask, please feel free to get in touch!
Here are the most frequent questions I have been asked so far:
Can I just have a one-off consultation?
Of course! You are under no obligation to use me after our initial meeting. This is simply to have a chat and to find out what you need and whether or not you feel I can help you.
There will be an hourly charge for the initial meeting, but you can rest assured, I will not hassle you to use me afterwards. I'll wait for you to contact me if you wish to move forward; if you do use me, 50% of this fee will be deducted from the package price.
Prior to this, however, we will have a quick - free - initial chat, which will hopefully tell you whether you think I can help you or not.
What does an interior designer do?
An Interior Designer, or "Interior Decorator', as some people call us, designs the spaces within your property so that you don't have to. We use our knowledge and skills to help you to find a colour scheme you like, along with the furniture, fittings and accessories to go with it. Basically, we do the tricky bits and bring along the vision if you find it hard to do it yourself!
Why should I use an interior designer?
We have the depth of knowledge and skill set to be able to see things you may not see.
We will know which colours work best together and we'll be able to solve spatial issues, storage problems - and give you styling tips. Using an Interior Designer means that you can avoid expensive mistakes and awkward problems. We can advise where best to source products and find the best prices.
What will be included in the design?
Based on my "Turn-Down" package - once we have started the project and I have a better understanding of what you need, I will present you with a mood board, showing the overall colour scheme and suggestions for furniture and other accessories; a floor plan, showing you the layout recommend and a sketch, or 3D render of the plan we are working on. I will also bring along to our next meeting, samples of any fabrics, flooring and wall treatments.
What is the process?
Depending on which package you choose to buy, we will have a quick initial chat on the phone, or via Zoom to see if I am for you; after that, we will either meet up in person - at your home, or in a coffee shop - or arrange another meeting via Zoom - for our first consultation to discuss your needs and desires for your space; this first hour will need paying for on the day and I will answer any questions you have about the process and, if you choose to use my services, we will begin the project with contracts and plans.
I'll then go away to work on your design and then we will arrange another meeting to discuss where we are and to pass on samples (this can also be done via post); the second part of the payment will be made on this day.
Finally, we will meet when the project is complete, so I can take photos of the finished room and you can make your final payment.
How long will it take?
The time a project takes, will all depend on which package you are paying for. I would love to give you a definite time-frame, but until I have worked with my first few clients, I don't yet have anything to go by. Of course, I will work around your timeline as much as possible, so we can get your room finished quickly.
How do you charge?
I will be offering hourly rates for certain services and an overall fee for others. Any extra meetings will be charged at an hourly rate and so will any extra services I provide throughout the process of the project. Where a project requires me to buy items of furniture, or any other deliverables for you, these items will need to be paid for in advance of ordering.
Package fees will be paid for in three amounts - the first being for the hour we spend together and the final two splitting the cost of the remaining amount.
All package fees can be found on my website.
How do I pay you?
Payment can be paid via BACS, straight into my business account.
Can you recommend tradespeople, or do I source them myself?
As I have only just launched, I currently don't have anyone on my books. But, as I make new contacts through networking events, I will adapt my services in order to be able to offer more to my clients. However, if I do know of somebody who could help you, I will, of course, recommend the right person for the job!
Can you work with my existing furniture?
Absolutely! I understand that not everybody will be able to afford a completely brand new look; whether you're re-doing the entire room, or simply re-decorating, I'll be able to help you to find a scheme that works with your existing pieces.
Do you do the decorating?
No; due to ongoing health issues, I cannot do the decorating for you. You will need to hire your own tradespeople to do that, unless you do it yourself.
What does my budget cover?
Your budget, on my part, will cover your wallpaper, paint, flooring, lighting, furniture, soft furnishings and window treatments, accessories, art work and any fixtures and fittings - anything that applies to the design itself. My fee is extra, so this will need to be added to your overall budget. Any tradespeople fees will be part of a separate budget, so I won't need to know this.