Q & A
What does an interior designer do? What are your everyday responsibilities when working on a project?
An interior designer is responsible for all the things that occur once you step through the front door of a building, essentially! An interior designer makes the interior space functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing by developing space requirements and selecting all elements essential to the building’s inside spaces. This would include finishes, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, decorative fixtures, as well as furniture and décor.
WHAT TO EXPECT: THE INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTATION
The interior design consultation is an opportunity to see your home first hand and start the conceptual process. It’s a time to listen to your decor dilemmas, learn more about your vision for the space, how it fits in with your lifestyle, etc.
This means that we will take a tour of your home together; we will discuss what is working for you in each space and what is not. We will hone in on those problem areas you want to address for the scope of work we will embark upon.
The next step in the interior design consultation is discussing the budget. Most times clients do not know what their budget should be. The final step in the design consultation is discussing how we work.
Clients are always encouraged to write down possible questions ahead of the consultation to make sure you are prepared. It may also be helpful to take notes during the meeting to ensure you understand what is being presented since this can be an overwhelming time.
WHAT TO NOT EXPECT: DESIGN CONSULTATION
Good design is about considering the space overall and how each element relates to each other. Its about layering pieces. This often takes some thought and time to develop. This could include pulling fabric and color swatches together or creating a concept board that shows how each piece relates to each other.
In other words; design takes time and an actual design cannot be achieved in a 1-2 hour consultation. While interior designers can instinctively stand in a room and feel what it needs, we also can turn that initial concept into something more brilliant if given the time. You deserve our best designs and we need time to make sure those ideas work for you.
There is no physical altering of the space during the design consultation. This means we don’t hang art or re-arrange any furniture. We also do not provide any notes, paint color suggestions, etc.
The interior design consultation plays an important part in the design process. It essentially allows you to gain ideas, guidance, resources and expertise to help you make decisions and move towards the next step.
What are the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
Decoration is defined as “the furnishing or adorning of a space with beautiful things”. Interior design is defined as “the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional spaces within a building”. To put it quite simply, an interior designer can decorate but an interior decorator may not design! Designers must adhere to code and regulatory requirements for spaces and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability, while decorators don’t need to adhere to strict regulations.
What are the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
WHAT DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?
An interior designer develops functional, cohesive, and aesthetically pleasing environments by meticulously selecting essential elements to meet a building's interior requirements. These elements encompass paint, storage solutions, hardware finishes, flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, decorative items, and furniture and décor. Daily responsibilities include sourcing inspiration and creating visual representations of the proposed design concepts for the client's space.
IS THE CONSULTATION FREE?
All consultations are currently offered at no charge. Please visit our booking page or contact us by phone to arrange your initial step in the design process.
WHAT TO EXPECT: THE INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTATION
The interior design consultation lets our team visit your home and brainstorm immediate ideas. During this visit, we will listen to your decor challenges and learn about your needs for the space and how it fits into your lifestyle.
After touring the area we will be designing, our team will create a proposal outlining our vision, incorporating all your concerns. The next step is to discuss your budget. We understand this can be a sensitive topic, so we're here to make you comfortable. Knowing how much you're willing to spend on transforming your space before booking your consultation is helpful. If you're unsure about costs, our proposal can provide guidance. Ultimately, it's up to you how you wish to proceed.
We encourage potential clients to ask any questions before the consultation to ensure our team is well-prepared for the visit.
WHAT TO NOT EXPECT: DESIGN CONSULTATION
Design takes time, and no design can be achieved in just a 1-2 hour consultation. While interior designers can instinctively assess a room and envision its potential, we can elevate that initial concept into something extraordinary if given adequate time. You deserve our best designs, and we need time to ensure these ideas align with your needs.
During the design consultation, we do not physically alter the space. This means we won’t touch anything until we agree to proceed with the design process. Additionally, we do not provide notes, paint color suggestions, or space planning advice during the consultation, as these elements are part of our design presentation.
The design consultation is the first step in transforming a space and establishes a foundation of trust between the designer and the client. It allows you to gain insights and expertise on how your space can be transformed.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY PROJECT PROPOSAL?
Approximately one week.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO DESIGN MY HOME?
It depends. A permit is not needed for interior decoration or remodeling, but one is most likely needed for exterior remodels or construction. Our company has experience requesting permits for residential and commercial spaces, and we can certainly help our clients with this once they begin the design process.
What are the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
Decoration refers to "the furnishing or adorning of a space with beautiful items." On the other hand, interior design is described as "the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building." In simple terms, an interior decorator can enhance a space's appearance, but they are not trained to design it. Interior designers must follow codes and regulatory requirements for spaces and promote environmental sustainability principles, whereas these strict regulations do not bind decorators.
DO WE OFFER COMMERCIAL DESIGN?
Our company has extensive experience in commercial interior and architectural design across various sectors. Some examples of our projects include a children's coding school, a nightclub, and a storefront. Whether you're looking for a small remodel or a complete new construction, we are well-equipped to handle projects of any size.
DO YOU SUBCONTRACT?
Generally, yes. We work with a team of subcontractors that have been consistent in our projects for over 10+ years. This means when you sign on to a project with Decoré, you have at your disposal a team of experienced workers in every department from decore to new construction.
DO MY DESIGNS COME WITH 3D MODELS?
Each project has unique client needs. For our renovation services, we provide 3D CAD designs to illustrate our concepts. These visual representations not only bring our ideas to life but also help clients make confident decisions.