Frequently Asked Questions

 

Getting Started

How do I know if we are going to be a good fit?

Great question! Finding the right designer for your project is just as important to us as it is to you. That’s why we start with a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call. We’ll connect to understand your goals, answer initial questions, and explain our process. Get started here.

Can an Interior Designer help me if I don’t know my style?

Absolutely — many of our clients start right where you are. Knowing your exact style isn’t a requirement; discovering it together is part of our process.

To help us understand what you naturally gravitate toward, you’ll start by saving 10–15 inspiration pins on Pinterest and completing a short design questionnaire. This gives the studio a clear sense of your preferences—your lifestyle, favourite colours and materials, and the feeling you want your home to reflect.

During our kickoff video call, we walk through everything with you and begin shaping the design direction through colour palette and materials. And because the process is fully collaborative, you’ll review and approve each step before we move into the next phase.

You don’t need to know your style before working with us—our job is to guide you, interpret your preferences, and help you uncover a look and feel that feels personal, intentional, and completely yours.

How do I know if Interior Design help is right for me?

Interior design support is a great fit if you want your home to feel more intentional, cohesive, and “put together,” but you’re not sure how to get there on your own. Many of our clients know what they like, but feel overwhelmed by choices, short on time, or unsure how to make everything work together.

If you’re looking for guidance with layouts, colour palettes, materials, or furnishing selections — or simply want a professional to help bring clarity and confidence to your decisions — working with a designer can make the process smoother and far more enjoyable.

Our role is to simplify the steps, offer expertise where you need it most, and help you create a home that truly reflects you. If any of that resonates, design support is likely the right fit.

How far in advance should I book with you?

We typically schedule 2 to 6 weeks out. The sooner you reach out during your planning phase, the easier it is to check availability and secure your preferred start date.

Does every project start with a 2-hour Mini Design Session?

Not always — it depends on the service you choose.

Furnishings & Styling (Flat Fee):
This service begins with a Kick-Off Call, not a Mini Design Session.

Hourly Design Support:
All hourly projects begin with a 2-Hour Mini Design Session so we can walk through your home, set priorities, and determine the best use of your hours.

Which service is right for me — Hourly Support or Furnishings & Styling?

Choose Furnishings & Styling if you want a fully designed plan for one room with a clear flat fee.
Choose Hourly Support if you need help across multiple spaces or want flexible guidance, concept development, sourcing, or ongoing collaboration.


Design Process & Services

How do you define what a “room” is?

This applies only to Furnishings & Styling.

Because many clients live in open-concept homes, a “room” is defined as a functional area.
Examples:

  • A living and dining area in one open space = two rooms

  • A multi-purpose space used for work and lounging = one room (depending on scope)

For hourly packages, the “room” definition doesn’t apply — hours can be used across multiple areas.

Do you design with a specific style in mind?

Not at all — you’re the inspiration. I design based on your preferences, lifestyle, and vision. My role is to elevate your ideas into a cohesive, beautiful, and well-designed space that feels uniquely you.

What if I don’t love the design?

Design is a collaborative process. Your feedback is built into every stage. Each phase includes a presentation where we review the direction together. From there, revisions are always possible to ensure the design aligns with your vision before moving forward.

What does a typical project timeline look like?

Timelines vary by scope, but most clients complete the concept and sourcing phase within 3 to 6 weeks. Furniture lead times may affect the final timeline.

Where do you source furnishings?

We primarily source from retail stores that align with your style, timeline, and budget. If your project would benefit from trade-only vendors, we can provide options and access where appropriate.

What if I just need help with finishing touches?

Absolutely! Our 2-hour Mini Design Session (virtual or in-person) is perfect for smaller projects or when you need expert guidance without full-service design.

Can you help me plan the layout for my space? 

Layout planning is a core part of our process. During your first session, we review what’s working, what isn’t, and how you’d love the space to feel and function. From there, the studio develops thoughtful layout options during our design time, along with any sizing recommendations to ensure everything fits and flows comfortably.

Can you help me finish a space that’s already partly furnished? Can you work with furniture or decor I already own?

Yes — absolutely. Many clients come to us with pieces they already love or a room that’s “almost there,” and our Hourly Design Package is ideal for this.

We build on what you have by refining the layout, adding missing layers, sourcing complementary pieces, and creating a cohesive look that ties everything together. Whether you need help selecting a few finishing touches, choosing colours, or pulling the whole space into a unified design, we can step in at any stage.

Our goal is to make your existing items shine while filling in the gaps with thoughtful, well-matched selections.

Can you help me choose paint colours and finishes?

Absolutely. Our Hourly Design Package is perfect for selecting paint colours, finishes, and all the small details that make a home feel cohesive. We help you narrow down options, choose tones that work with your existing elements, and create a palette that feels intentional and aligned with your style.

Whether you need a full-home paint plan or guidance on a single room, we can support you with clear recommendations and curated selections.


Sourcing, Purchasing & Trades

Where do you source furnishings?

We primarily source from retail stores that align with your style and budget. If you’d like access to trade-only vendors, we’d be happy to provide options for you.

Do you handle product ordering and installation?

  • Retail Purchases: Our virtual services do not include ordering or installation of retail items.

  • Trade-Only Purchases: We can order products from our trade-only vendors for you. A retainer is required, and this service is billed hourly.

  • Installation and Styling: If you’re local to the South Okanagan, we can coordinate installation at the end of the project for an additional fee.

Do you offer trade pricing on retail items?

At this time, we do not offer trade pricing on retail items, as our virtual service model does not include managing retail orders or deliveries.

Do you offer product ordering or installation?

Retail Items: Virtual services do not include ordering or installing retail items.
Trade-Only Items: We can provide access to trade-only selections shipped directly to you.
Installation: For clients in the South Okanagan, we can coordinate installation for an additional fee.

Can you recommend a contractor or trade professional?

Our virtual design services do not include project management or coordination of subcontractors. However, if we have a trusted local trade resource, we’d be happy to share their contact details. You will be responsible for requesting quotes and hiring them directly.


Pricing, Payments & Policies

How does payment work for design services?

Our studio follows a transparent and streamlined fee structure to keep the process clear from the start.

  • Mini Design Session
    This session is prepaid and required at the time of booking to secure your spot.

  • Hourly Design Package
    You can choose between pre-purchased hourly blocks (10 or 20 hours, billed upfront) or monthly invoicing based on actual time spent. Hours are tracked carefully, and any unused prepaid hours are refunded within 7 days of project completion.

  • Furnishings & Styling Packages
    These are billed as a fixed, prepaid fee based on the number and type of rooms included.

We accept payment via bank transfer, and credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee.

What happens to unused hours in my design package?

Any unused hours are flexible. You can carry them forward to a future project or request a refund when your project wraps up. This ensures you only pay for time you truly need.

 
 

Still Have Questions?

Contact us here