Frequently Asked Questions!
Here are some questions we frequently get asked. Please take a read prior to reaching out with your inquiries:
Why should I hire an interior designer? When you hire Lord Interior Design, you are tapping into decades of experience, relationships we have carefully cultivated, our vision, and importantly, our ability to toggle and handle issues. We have a depth and breadth of knowledge and contacts at our fingertips ready to employ on your project so that you can focus on doing what you do best. You hire an interior designer to get the job done with complete care and expert precision.
What sets you apart from other design firms? We are visionary team players who value relationships and respect everyone’s time and money. We are who you choose if you want to have a beautiful home, work with kind and knowledgeable people, and remove the stress of curating and designing your space!
What is Decorating, and how is it different from Design? Design is related to the structure and layout of a space whereas decor is the furniture, accessories, rugs, and art that bring a home to life. When we do a design for clients, we like to also consider the decor during the process and make sure we account for every luxury and comfort you might want in your new space. We design with a fully developed concept in mind.
Some clients come to us strictly for decor. Their space is already in great condition and now they want to elevate! Our team LOVES to decorate and bring personality and new life into a space. We live for a good zhoozh (yes, it’s a word)! This can be anything from selecting materials and specifying furniture for a few rooms or it can be an entire overhaul to give a consistent and thoughtful flow to your space.
Does Lord Interior Design work with DIY clients?: No, we do not. We team up with the best professionals in the business who know how to get things done and done right. It ends up saving everyone money and headache in the long run. Trust us!
Do you ever turn down projects? Yes, we do. Interior design is an intimate process. We need to know that you are a good fit for us as much as you need to know that we are a good fit for you. Trust, respect, and, frankly, fun are all imperative.
Who is your ideal client? Luckily we have had many, many ideal clients. They are the folks who love design but know they can’t do it themselves. They are busy people who need to have things taken care of. They respect that the professionals will do what they are hired to do. They like to have fun with the process and trust that we have their best interest at heart. We are so thankful for these amazing clients.
Can I shop for my own items or do I have to order only through Lord Design? Our happiest clients are the ones who come to us to do what we do best, which is to deliver the whole package. Your time is valuable and we have the experience, the team, and the vision. It has always proven to be in the client’s best interest to let us handle all procurement.
There are some instances where we step back but that means you are completely on your own to order, track, inspect, store and install all items that you purchase.
What if I like to shop and I find things after we have already settled on a design? A design plan doesn’t happen in a vacuum. One decision informs the other. By changing one pillow or changing your mind on tile, you can create a domino effect of changes. If you leave it to us until everything is done, you’ll know for sure what you can add to the space without throwing the design off.
Can I include my friend in on the design? They have really good taste and have decorated their own home beautifully. It is difficult enough to navigate the waters of design with one client or a client and their significant other and perhaps a family. To then introduce another person, who won’t be living in our design and is not the decision-maker is problematic. For this reason, we ask that we keep the vision for your space between us.
When should I get a contractor or builder involved? As early as possible. We like to work collaboratively with the build team and we want to know who the team is early on so we can all get on the same page.
Should I get the contractor and architect first and then get Lord Design involved after plans are ready? This certainly happens and we can make that work but the absolute best way to ensure that your new home or remodel is everything you want is to have the interior design team working in tandem with the rest of the team. Space planning is crucial for making sure the flow of your home works for you. We always recreate your plans in 3D, which brings to light a lot of things that might otherwise have been overlooked.
If you have not yet decided on a contractor or architect, we have trusted colleagues we’d be thrilled to refer you to.
Do you always do your plans in 3D? Yes. Every time we try to skip this step to save time and money, we end up wasting time and money. It is the best way to convey the end result and for you to feel really secure about moving forward with your design.
Do you make any exceptions to this rule? Nope. We’d hate for you to miss out on this valuable tool.
How much will interior design cost for a remodel or a new construction project? A very fair, but difficult, question because each project is so unique. The very best way to estimate how much you will spend for interior design on a remodeling or new construction project is to estimate that you will spend anywhere from 8 -13% of the cost of construction on design time, typically. The main share of design costs are in Phase One. You can expect 70% of the cost in this phase. Phase Two will be about 20% and the last 10% in Phase Three. If Interior Decorating has been included with the project you will see more billing in the last phases.
How do you bill? We bill hourly. You will receive invoices monthly. Our office manager will review all of this with you at the start of the process. Our Letter of Agreement also explains what is billable.