Frequently Asked Questions

Most people who reach out to me have never worked with a design consultant before. That’s completely fine. Here’s exactly what to expect — from first contact to the finish line.

Step 1 — Tell Us About Your Project

It starts with a simple form. Once we receive it, we’ll reach out to schedule a complimentary first conversation — no commitment, no pressure.

Step 2 — Our First Conversation

This is where we get to know each other and your project. You tell me what you’re working on and what you need. I ask questions — not just about the project itself, but about how you live, what matters to you, and where you feel uncertain. By the end of this call I’ll have a clear sense of what’s involved and whether there are ways I can help that you haven’t yet considered.

I’ll give you an honest estimate of the hours your project will require and what that will cost. If it makes sense to move forward, we do. If it doesn’t, I’ll tell you that too.

This first conversation is always complimentary.

Step 3 — Your Homework

Once you’ve confirmed the engagement and a deposit has been received, I’ll send you a short homework assignment. It sounds more daunting than it is. I’ll ask for any plans or drawings you have, and inspiration images for each space — just one sentence per image explaining what draws you to it. That single sentence tells me more than you might expect.

Step 4 — The First Consultation

With your homework in hand, we meet via Zoom. We review where you’re headed, I ask any remaining questions, and I begin proposing directions and ideas. This is where the real work begins.

Step 5 — Follow Through

After our session, I’ll send a detailed response by email — answers, recommendations, material directions, and anything else that came out of our conversation. We then meet again to review, refine, and make sure everything is clear. Most projects wrap up cleanly at this stage.

From the first conversation to the final deliverable, you work with me directly. Not an assistant. Not a junior designer. Me.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Every project is different, but here are some typical ranges to give you an honest sense of what to expect.

Kitchen or bathroom consultation package — $400 to $800

Plan review for a stock or architect-designed home plan set— $600 to $800

Full guidance on a custom home — approximately $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot

All work is billed at $200 per hour. I set it there deliberately — this kind of service should be accessible to people who need it, not just those with unlimited budgets.

  • Every client works with me directly. This is my practice and these are my clients. You will never be handed off to an assistant or a less experienced designer.

  • Yes. All consultations are conducted virtually via Zoom, which means geography is never a limitation. I have worked with clients across the country.

  • A traditional interior designer typically manages your project from start to finish and charges accordingly. What I offer is different — expert guidance that puts you in the driver’s seat. You make the decisions. I make sure they’re the right ones. My background spans architecture, construction, and interior design, which means I can see your project the way your contractor sees it and the way a designer sees it simultaneously. That combination is rare and it prevents a lot of expensive mistakes.

  • If you’re looking for someone to make every decision for you and manage every vendor relationship, full-service interior design is probably a better fit. What I do works best for people who want to be involved, want to understand what they’re deciding and why, and want a trusted expert in their corner without the full-service price tag.

  • Absolutely — and this is one of the most valuable moments to bring in outside expertise. Having a second set of experienced eyes on plans before anything is built can save you from decisions that are difficult or impossible to undo.

  • It’s never too soon. In fact, the earlier we talk, the more I can help. Early guidance prevents the kind of cascading mistakes that happen when decisions get made in the wrong order.

  • No one can honestly guarantee that — and you should be skeptical of anyone who does. What I can guarantee is that I’ll listen carefully, ask the right questions, and give you my honest professional opinion every single time. The homework I ask you to do before we meet exists precisely to make sure we’re working toward something that reflects you, not a generic idea of what a nice home looks like.

  • Yes. Regularly. That’s part of what you’re paying for. There’s no value in a consultant who simply validates every decision you’ve already made. If something isn’t going to work, or if there’s a better way, I’ll tell you — clearly and respectfully, with an explanation of why.