What type of interior design do you focus on (residential, commercial, multifamily)?

My primary focus is residential remodels and new construction.

What design services do you offer, and what is included?

2 hour consultations, ½ day and full day design packages, and full scope design. 

See my ‘Menu of Services’ for what is included.

What’s the difference between working with designer vs. a personal shopper?

A designer will map out your space, curate a style specific to you, and give you a truly unique end product.  We typically have access to a wider range of products through Trade resources – think of us as an independent showroom that offers the full depth of product from a hundred different manufacturers.

A personal shopper will often shop only retail items and shop only for what you tell them you want, and what sizes you need. Your project will still be unique, but likely won’t be custom.

What’s the ‘Design Process’?

See the The Design Process

What is your project-management style like?

I’m pretty type A, and like to be organized.  I use the same system of organization for each project, lots of checklists and documentation – tons of documentation.

 How do you present your design concepts?

A variety of ways – and it depends on the scope of a project.  For Full Scope projects, you might get moodboards, floorplans or construction plans and 3D renderings, and material schedules.

How long does it take to complete the process?

No matter how big or small the project is, project set-up alone is about 5 hours.  Depending on the size, complexity, and structural changes needed, design hours can span the following:

Kitchens:  75-150 hours

Bathrooms:  50-100 hours (especially if it is a master suite).

The number of design of hours can span 3-6 months, or sometimes more, depending on lots of different factors.  Ultimately, design is a creative process that takes time and should not be rushed.

Do you have preferred budgets you like to work with?

Ahhh…this is a trick question!!  Bottom line - for any successful project, the budget must be realistic.  For remodel projects I recommend reading the Cost v. Value Report.  For furniture projects I recommend loading up a shopping cart on a site like Restoration Hardware or Crate & Barrel to get a realistic idea of costs for pieces you may need – whether it’s drapery panels, furniture, rugs or accessories. Custom furniture, drapery and accessories can of course, be more.

What do you prioritize when planning a budget?

This really depends on the client and the project – but ultimately, you are in charge of your budget.  The priority in the budget is spending your money in the most wise ways for you, not for me.  With this in mind, I focus the most on your “must have” list, rather than your “would be nice to have” list. And, the quality of product - I’d rather you buy something right, than buy it twice.

Can I accomplish my design goals if do my project in phases?

Yes!!  There are often things that I will design around during the 1st phase, with the intent to change them in the future – but the goal is to make it still feel cohesive between phases.

How do you decide which projects are a good fit for you and your company?

Clients with realistic expectations and budgets are the best projects.  Lofty or unrealistic expectations, expectations of near perfection, and expedited timelines are nearly impossible to attain.  Personality is also a factor – we’ll be working together for a long time, so we should like each other.

Does a project’s costs include design fees?

No.  Design fees are always separate, whether it’s a construction job or a furnishings job.

Do you do payment plans?

Yes. I require a non-refundable down payment that is applied to the overall project cost, and bill monthly until the project is complete.

How much does it cost to work with you?

It varies from project to project, but a good number to have in mind is about 7-10% of the overall project cost for remodels, and $2.50 per square foot (of the total home square footage) for new construction projects.

Full Scope Design (remodel or furnishings projects) = A flat fee rate is determined by the estimated hours needed to complete your project x $125-$150/hour.

Consultations & hourly work = $175/hour + drive time (depending on location).

Can you explain why the process of design costs what it does?

Time, expertise, creativity, documentation & end-product value.

My level of expertise has developed over 15 years of experience – years spent compiling knowledge, vetting resources, building relationships, and refining a smooth process of documentation.

Creativity doesn’t happen at first glance.  The best way for me to get my head in your project is to get to know you, your needs and your wants so that I can mentally live through your eyes and in your space while I’m designing.  Not only does the creative process take time – from gathering things I think you’d like to narrowing them down to the things I think you’d like the best – but it takes time to get to know a person and a family.

The biggest chunk of time is spent on drawings or mood boards, documentation and communication.  Clear and concise project documents not only help the client understand the design intent, but they become an instruction manual for contractors, buying agents and trades people to successfully implement the design, and save time and costly ordering or installing mistakes in the process.

The long-lasting value of design is when everything has been considered, no stone has been left unturned, and you love your new space immediately, and continue to love it for years to come!

It all comes down to time spent (by me) in the past, time spent (by us) in the present, time and money saved (during implementation), and space enjoyed (by you) in the end.

Do you offer “green” design? 

Absolutely!  There is so much more to “Green” design than commonly thought - from sustainable & renewable sources, to timeless design items that won’t end up in a landfill…..and I’d love to talk to you more in depth about it! 

Do you only source trade-only pieces? Why?

For the most part, yes.  During the ‘staging’ process, I will buy small accessories from local retailers, but the overwhelming majority of design pieces are pulled from my Trade resources, and must be approved by the client prior to ordering. 

Trade resources are competitive in price to retail items, but offer better quality and customization options.

Part of my job is to vet products and manufacturers, and the reps who sell them – to make sure that my clients are satisfied by the end product.  A good relationship with a rep is invaluable to correcting issues that may arise due to manufacturing or shipping – I pride myself on these relationships.

Do you care if I get competitive bids from different showrooms on products?

Kind of.  I definitely don’t love or encourage it.  Going back to those good rep relationships (from the previous question), showroom relationships are similar, but more is at stake to the salesperson.  If I have spent time with a particular sales person, it is because I have a great relationship with them – I trust that they will give me, and by default you, a fair price; I respect their expertise, and I know they will follow through and be available if any issues arise.  Sales people are often (but not always) commission based, and if they have spent the time on your project, their livelihood is affected if you take their hard work elsewhere to be underbid by a few dollars.  Doing this also affects my ongoing relationship with that salesperson, and they might not want to work on projects with me if my clients waste their time.

I already have some furniture that I love. Can you incorporate those pieces into my new space?

I always do my best to incorporate the things you love, but sometimes pieces just don’t fit into the overall design scheme, so I might suggest putting it in a different area.  Other times I might suggest that a piece you love gets refinished or reupholstered to make it fit into the space better – nothing is more “green” than keeping your existing pieces out of a landfill…

I just need furniture and window treatments. Can you do that?

Yes! I love furnishings and window treatment projects!  However, I am not a personal shopper.  Furniture projects require space planning, & mood boards to ensure the right layout and fit for your home.

Do you welcome client involvement or would you prefer for clients to be more hands off?

Ideally, I want you to be about as involved as you would be in a fine dining experience.  You’ve chosen the restaurant, now, I will give you the best seat in the house, and hand you the menu.  You should tell me of any allergies, pick from the menu of options, and sit back and enjoy a drink while I put the ingredients together and give you the best dining experience possible!  When it’s time for desert, I’ll bring you the desert tray for you to see visuals of all that is offered!

I am the maître’d, the server, and the chef.

Let me plan the menu, do the shopping, the prep, the slicing & dicing and the cooking, and let me bring the meal to you!

What’s the client’s role in the process?

Your role is to be acutely aware of what you want and need in a space, and tell me in the best defined way you know how, whether it’s pictures or in a conversation over wine or coffee.  Your role is also to be honest in the design process and not settle.  I want to hear it when you do or don’t like something, and I’ll want, and need, to know why – even if it’s as simple as it just doesn’t feel right.

What happens if I don’t like the design?

Design is subjective – what one loves, someone else may not. I strive to understand the needs and wants you’ve articulated to me to give you the best design for you.  If I have missed the mark, we may have been miscommunicating, or design elements have been mis-defined or misunderstood somewhere along the way – at this point we can evaluate what’s not working for you and why.  By talking it out constructively, we will find a solution!

However – if during the design you’ve been all-in on a particular design element or style and all of a sudden have a 180 degree change of heart, this would require re-evaluating the scope of work and can result in additional design fees.  For example – if you start the design wanting a craftsman style home or space, but want to switch to a modern design – this will affect the scope of work.  If we have designed your space around a specific design element, such as black cabinets, and then want to change to natural wood, this will likely affect the scope of work, etc. 

What elements define your style?

I truly believe that each home or space has a quiet voice telling you what it wants - you just have to pay attention to it.

My personal style evolves with every project that I design, and because I’m allowed to explore so many different design styles through my clients, I am able to live vicariously through them.  But what I’ve really learned about my personal style is that I love making updates to the home that feel natural – that’s kind of hard to define, but basically, if your home was built in 1957, I’d love for it to be designed with those bones in mind and have some updated elements of design from that era.  I like to blur the edges – so you know where the remodel began but blurs where it ended.

That said - I would define my style as fitting and adventurous.  I love wallpaper, layering textures in window treatments, durable and cleanable fabrics, natural and renewable fibers & materials as much as possible. Products that “patina” and age gracefully (not to be confused with ‘wear & tear’).  In my own home, the pieces I cherish most all tell a story from my life, and they are often collected and somewhat eclectic.  More than anything, I love design that is unique, and I’m not afraid of committing to a bold choice here and there.

Where do you find inspiration?

Travel is my #1 favorite answer.  It’s the best chance I have to experience brilliant designers and artists from all over the world!  Hotel, restaurant & bar design are always great sources of inspiration. But beyond this – it’s seeing different styles of homes throughout the country. You love New Orleans? Maybe we incorporate a gas lantern somewhere – Brooklyn? Maybe we do aged brick and Carrera marble. You love Southern CA? Maybe we do Saltillo or encaustic tiles, white stucco and rich mission style wood.

What do you find most challenging about designing a home?

It’s all a challenge – but it’s a challenge I enjoy.  I often catch myself saying that designing something is “easy” but that’s because I love my work and find it rewarding.

But, for what it’s worth, the most challenging things are: 1) When a contractor has given you an “allowance” for product or material that I disagree with, or that I think you won’t be happy with. 2) When a client wants to rush a project or part of the design process. 3) When the client expects perfection (nothing in life is flawless), has unrealistic price expectations, or impossible timelines for getting things done.

What is your preferred method of communicating?

Emails. With a good giphy thrown in every once in a while…

Did you study Interior Design?

Yes – but the majority of my design knowledge comes from practical, on the job, industry experience.  I’ve been working in home design since 2006.  My depth of installed product knowledge comes from working in flooring showrooms while working closely with high-end custom builders, and my furniture stylings come from experience working for a prestigious design firm.

What did you do before you made design you career?

It's a long story – I think it’s a good one – let’s grab a coffee or a beverage of your choice and I’ll tell you in person :)