Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

+ How long will it take from start to finish?

All projects are different so there isn’t a one size fits all answer here. But in general, a full service design project time line may look like this:

Onboarding the client: 1-2 weeks. From the moment we meet to the moment we sign the agreement and begin your design. This time involves getting to know each, the initial consultation, preparation of the proposal and design fee, signing agreement.

Phase 1 - Design: 4-6 weeks. Depending on the size and scope of the project, this phase could also be longer. We begin developing your design upon signing of the agreement and receipt of the design fee. About two weeks later, we have our 1st meeting to present to you the initial concept and floorplans. And roughly 2-3 weeks after that, we have our second meeting where we present to you our final design. Any revisions to the design need to be made within 2-3 days. We present those to you again. Once we have a completed and approved design, we may then begin ordering furnishings OR if construction is involved, we are now ready to submit our design to contractors for bidding. Getting bids back from contractors can take 1-2 weeks.

Phase 2 - Implementation: Once full payment is received for all furnishings, we begin placing orders. We place all orders within 1 week and now we wait, and wait…for items to ship and arrive to our warehouse. This phase can really drag on anywhere from 6-16 weeks! Covid has really made this a very unpredictable phase. We are experiencing much longer than usual lead times. Often months….

For kitchen and bath remodels, this phase generally takes about 2-3 months depending on the complexity but longer of course for larger remodels.

Phase 3 - Installation: After all construction is finished and all furnishings have arrived at the warehouse, we are ready to “install” items in your space. This is not referring to installing countertops and cabinets, actually this is referring to installing window treatments, sofas, artwork etc. The actual placing of all the beautiful pieces in your space. Installation can take 1-2 days for a single room and several smallish spaces, and 3-5 days for a full house or multiple larger rooms.

+ How will I be billed for design services?

Our Flat Fee design packages are due in full at the time of signing the design agreement. Larger projects involving multiple rooms with design fees over $20,000 are broken up into two installments. 50% due at signing and the remaining 50% due before the design presentation.

+ What does the design phase include?

  • The onboarding phase includes a comprehensive budget analysis to determine your investment level. Followed by signing of the design agreement and payment of design fee. We provide you with a detailed questionnaire and ask for your own inspiration images and/or Pinterest board.

  • We schedule a "trades day" when we measure and take photographs of your space as well schedule any other potential trades that will be involved with your project so we can discuss initial ideas and concepts and get a rough estimate on costs i.e wallpaper installer, general contractor or window treatment installer.

  • One conceptual meeting to present to you our initital ideas like inspiration board with color palette and general ideas, as well as the suggested floorplan depicting the best layout for your space, including elevations. For kitchens/bathrooms this may include a 3d perspective drawing.

  • One design presentation meeting where we unveil your complete design. We use a moodboard, fabric memos, wood finishes, paint and wallpaper swatches, tile, flooring and rug samples etc. Anything we can acquire to help you touch and feel the new products we are proposing. A photorealistic 3D rendering is also presented to you at this time (for most projects). We leave you with a printed version of the design along with some or most of the samples so you can admire them for a few day.

  • A detailed product list with the specifications and price of each item, sourced from our trusted showrooms and trade-only vendors

  • Revisions and adjustments to the design

  • Construction projects include a detailed design package for the constructin team.

+ What does the implementation phase include?

This is a lot of behind the scenes work that we do in our office as we place orders with vendors and track every item on a weekly basis. We coordinate shipping of all items to our receiving warehouse where items are inspected, assembled (if needed), photographed and catalogued in their system. If any items arrive with minor damage or defects we either request a replacement or arrange for a furniture medic to do any repairs. All packaging materials, crates and pallets are disposed off. Furnishings are blanket wrapped and stored until ready for installation. Once all items arrive at the warehouse, we coordinate one delivery date to your home and get ready for install!

Construction projects include site visits and constant communication and collaboration with the trades and contractors to ensure they implement the design according to plan.

+ What does the installation phase include?

This is the most exciting time of the project! We prepare by scheduling delivery crew and other installers like art and window treatment crew. We also spend some time days before your install day gathering and shopping for all the accessories, fresh flowers and foliage, candles, books, even food we use as props! On install day, we can hardly wait to get out of bed and this most exciting day! We show up bright and early and begin transforming your space by placing all the furniture in it's place, hanging drapery, artwork, mirrors, fluffing pillows, steaming bedding, styling shelves you get the idea. It is a busy and fun time. We ask clients to please plan on getting out of the house during this time so we can work late hours and also so you can have an exciting "reveal".

+ I am ready to work with an interior designer! How can I prepare for our first consultation?

Start to think about the colors, styles and looks you are most drawn to. If you have any inspirational pictures you can also share these with us whether they are on Instagram, Pinterest or magazine clippings.

Know your wants and needs for your space. Do you want to re-design and decorate your space/ do you want to work with existing furniture? You don’t need to have all the answers, but a rough idea helps!

Have a ballpark budget in mind and do not be scared to share this with your designer.

Think about a desired time frame for your project

CPDS will also provide you with a comprehensive questionnaire to help us gain a better understanding of your design goals and we will work together to figure out answers to these questions so we can prepare the perfect design project experience that feels comfortable to you.

+ Do I call the architect, contractor or designer first?

I'm glad you asked!...Most people thinking about a remodel will consult with a contractor or an architect first. It is assumed that the designer needs to come in at the end of the project to help pick drapery and pillows. But let me tell you, that the projects with the best outcome are those where the designer has been called/consulted FIRST or at least brought in at the begining of the project before plans are finalized by the architect.

Why? Because interior designers are not decorators. Degreed interior designers have vast knowledge in the construction of interior spaces. In design school we learn drafting, right along all the engineers and architects. We spend an enormous amount of time doing space planning of every single room in the house, therefore we understand how to organize spaces for the best possible and most functinal layout. We are educated in a wide range of building materials, we know how to create electrical plans for adequate lighting distribution, we must also be familiar with local building codes,gosh we even have to know if a house is south or north facing and how much sunlight a room will get during different times of the year.

The best practice is to start by calling an interior designer, begin with a consultation to discuss your plans and ideas. Then, hire the designer to help with the space planning, material selection and the overall design and easthetic you'd like to achieve. The designer may consult with the contractor, architect, builder or even engineer during the design phase to discuss technical issues that might affect the design like removing a wall, verifying the capacity of the electrical panel, and so on. When a conceptual design is finalized (or close to it) the designer can begin working with the architect to draft the technical drawings and constuction documents according to the finalized design. Once all of that is accomplished, then it's time to bring in the contractor/builder to bid the project, submit permits and begin construction.