A PASSION FOR LIVING
HOW IT WORKS
1.
INITIAL CONSULT
This is step one! We meet. Our first date, if you will. No commitment yet. For this meeting, we come to your home to discuss your design goals, priorities, and preferences, analyze needs, establish the scope of work, and begin to discuss the project budget. In this session, we will spew as much design advice as we can commit to. Most importantly, we talk about you and your story. There is a fee for this meeting to cover our time; however, the fee is waived if the proposed design fee is paid within 10 business days.
2.
PROPOSAL
Now, we propose. We head back to our studio and calculate how many hours we think it will take to do your project and determine the Design Fee. This fee covers our time to work on your project in the design phase (steps 3-6). This includes (but not limited to) tasks like sketching, drawing construction documents, sourcing product, specifying finishes/fixtures, pulling fabric, pricing labor, meeting with vendors and contractors during the design phase, etc.
We will send you a link and password to your client portal. In the portal, you can view your Design Fee Proposal. (An additional Project Management fee is collected in Step 7.) The ball is now in your court. You can say, "No thank you, ladies", or "Love it! Sign me up! Let's get started!". When you have inspected the invoice and you're ready to move forward, you can send a check, do an online bank transfer using the prompts in the portal, or pay with credit/debit card. (FINE PRINT: There is a 3.5% charge on credit and debit card payments.) A signed copy of this process and payment are REQUIRED to move forward just to make sure we're all on the same page. (Pun intended.)
3.
GATHERING
Time to measure. Budget and dimensions are the least fun parts of our job BUT definitely the most important. If it doesn't fit, we didn't do our job. To make sure this part is done correctly, we require a separate measuring appointment. We come to measure all the rooms, windows, existing pieces you have, and then take the data back to the studio to really get started on the good stuff. You are not allowed to hang out with us! We are too chatty for that. ;). Give us a key, a nanny's phone #, or a gate code, and we go at it!
This is also the time to dive into your story full force! We have a list of questions prepared to get you thinking of who you are and how that affects the design of your home. The instructions are simple. Answer only the questions you want; however you want. Copy the questions into an email, and type in your answers. Reformat and send via snail mail. Print it, tote it around, and write in the margins. Call us and ramble off your thoughts. The goal is to dig into who you are so we can design the perfect space for you - the more info, the better. There are NO wrong answers, and there is never too much information.
Covered in the Design Fee
4.
LOVE.HATE
This part might be our favorite!! We typically meet at our studio. First, we show you preliminary scaled space plans and ideas. Sometimes, these include rough sketches and elevations if your project is a renovation or new construction. We present you with TONS of images of molding, furniture, art, light and plumbing fixtures, lamps, rugs, architectural details, and so on…as well as fabric, flooring, cabinet, finish, and paint samples, specific to your project for you to attack. Your job is to share your feelings about the items, samples, and plans. Be honest! Here are a few examples of what we have heard before: "I hate this chair!!", "I'd love this if it were orange", "This looks like my grandmother's table, and I loved that table!" “I need a bigger island in the kitchen” “Marble is not my favorite because of the maintenance” We take all this feedback to create the perfect design for you!
Covered in the Design Fee
5.
SEMI-FINAL DESIGN PRESENTATION
Now that we have you all figured out, we start narrowing in on the design for your space. In our design presentation at our studio, you see scaled floor plans, elevations and 3D drawings (if applicable), samples, selections and general pricing ranges for the entire design. Changes can be made at or after this presentation, but typically there are only a few changes. The Love.Hate meeting should weed out most of the revisions.
Covered in the Design Fee
6.
FINAL DESIGN PRESENTATION
At this meeting, we finish the design for your space down to the last detail and dollar. In our design presentation at our studio, you see finalized scaled floor plans, elevations and 3D drawings (if applicable), samples, selections and pricing for the entire design. This will include any alterations that were made after the semi-final design. At final design, you will see all pricing details for goods, labor, project management, shipping, receiving, installation, and delivery. Minor changes can be made at or after the final presentation, but typically there are very few changes necessary. Please see your specific agreement for further information on revisions.
Covered in the Design Fee
7.
ORDERING . PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Once you have made any final changes to the design and are happy with what is to come, you initiate the ordering by paying 80% of the invoice (including the Project Management Fee) via check, bank transfer, or credit card. (FINE PRINT: There is a 3.5% charge on credit and debit card payments.) Then, we get to ordering and handling all the logistics of getting all the pieces of the puzzle to come together for installation day. Your boards and invoices will be uploaded to your client portal. You will be able to check order status, pay your balances, and review your boards whenever you want. Furniture and custom softgoods typically have a lead time of 8-16 weeks. Prepare to wait a bit. Trust us! It is worth it!! As mentioned above, this is where the Project Management Fee kicks in to cover our time to manage the project. We handle scheduling all of the labor (painter, electrician, plumber, millwork, wallpaper, pillows, etc.), ordering product, coordinating delivery, and dealing with damaged/inaccurate goods. This fee also includes our time to oversee installation and accessorize. We include this fee estimate in the invoice we present to you at the final design presentation. The estimate in the Final Design Presentation is an estimate; however, the fee is not to exceed 25% of the total project unless the scope of the project expands at your (the client's) request. Every Friday afternoon an update is sent to each client to keep you aware of your project’s progress, to ask any questions and/or to get approval on any changes that may come up along the way.
8.
The part we've all been waiting for! We set a date with our installation teams to bring in all the furniture, art, rugs, etc. The installation of most items is done in one day with the exception of construction, paint, wallpaper, and similar tasks. We prefer clients not be present on install day if at all possible. This makes it more efficient for our teams to work together to make your space perfect so that you can more quickly come home to enjoy your new space. We kick you out and get to work arranging each and every piece perfectly. We bring accessories and art so that space feels perfectly finished and tells your story! When you arrive home, you should do nothing but sit in your space, soak it in, and enjoy a glass of...whatever you fancy. We are not present when you arrive home. This is when the remainder of your balance will be due. Your balance - as well as your decision on which accessories to keep - is due 10 business days after you receive your final invoice. Then, voila, you are at home in your new home...hopefully planning your next project with us. ;) Cheers!
INSTALLATION DAY
Covered in Project Management Fee
What if...?
FAQ
How much does a design project cost?
Ugh! We hate to do this, BUT...it depends. This is not the answer you wanted, and we totally understand; however, it really does. It depends on the home, renovation goals, how much furniture you already have, your style, your timeline, etc. There is hope, though. During our Initial Consult we work to understand the general scope of your project, construction considerations, how much furniture you have, etc. Then, we can tell you what our design fee would be to design your home. We estimate our design fee based on the amount of hours we think it will take to source, design, sketch, meet, and present the design. You then get to decide how you want to proceed. We very rarely go over our estimate and always let our clients know before that happens.
What is the best way to get in touch with you?
Email and phone are the best way to communicate with us. We DO NOT TEXT! We have found that texting is a very inefficient way to communicate with our clients, vendors and contractors. The messages are difficult to search especially when there are different chains including different folks. Texts are often read in the moment, thought about, and then not answered. Email and phone calls are much more effective for us, and therefore, for you and your project.
How long will our project take?
Depending on schedules, the design process typically takes 12-14 weeks. Furniture, etc. TYPICALLY takes 20-40 weeks to come in during this time of supply chain challenges. If your project is a renovation or new construction, the timelines vary greatly based on your specific projects, needs, etc.
Can I make revisions?
Because we have the Love/Hate meeting as a part of our process, there is rarely a need for many revisions. Of course, there is the occasional change. Short answer: Yes! You can make revisions. Please see our agreement for details on this matter. We allow 2 rounds of revisions (not to exceed 25% of the project's components) before additional fees are charged.
Do prices ever change?
Periodically, our vendors will have a pricing increase. The increase is typically nominal, but it does happen. Occasionally, items will be discontinued. (It's a real bummer!). This is especially a possibility if we are phasing a project. For example, if we send an estimate and 6 months later you decide to pull the trigger, there will probably be price changes.
Do you take weekend or evening appointments?
No. Unfortunately, we do not. We LOVE our job, and we want to continue to do so. The best way to do that is to reserve our weekends and evenings for family, friends, fun, and rest. You'll like us better on Monday that way.
Anything else?
Email us. Call Us. We are happy to walk you through the process and what it would be like for your specific project.
Check Order Status and Balance
WOC
Waiting on Client
O
Ordered by GordonDunning
S
Scheduled with Vendor by GordonDunning
R
Received at warehouse/workroom (Ready to be installed)
D
Delivered to Client