FAQs

These are the questions I am most often asked, along with how I approach the process and what you can expect when working together.

FEATURED QUESTIONS

When should I bring in an interior designer?

As early as possible. Ideally, at the same time as your architect or contractor.

The most important decisions happen at the beginning. When I am involved early, we can align layout, lighting and materials from the start and avoid expensive revisions later.

What's it like to work with you?

I guide the process while keeping you involved in the decisions that matter.

I develop the design direction, narrow the options, manage the details and coordinate closely with your contractor and other professionals. You always know what we are working on and what decisions are coming next, without having to manage all of the details yourself.

How involved will I need to be?

My role is to act as an option funnel. I do not present endless choices. You will see a small number of well-considered options that align with the overall design.

This is not a personal shopping process and we will not be going store to store together.

In the early phases, you can expect a video or in-person meeting every one to two weeks. As the project progresses, meetings become less frequent.

You will always have input, but the process is structured to keep decisions clear and the project moving forward.

What kind of investment should I expect?

Every project is different, and the investment depends on the scope of work, the size of the home and the materials and furnishings involved.

During Project Discovery, we talk candidly about investment so I can understand whether your expectations and the scope of the project are aligned. From there, I can recommend where the budget matters most and help you make informed decisions throughout the project.

When can we start or what is your availability?

I take on a limited number of projects at a time so each one receives the attention it requires.

Some projects can begin within a few weeks, while others are scheduled further out. The best approach is to reach out early so we can discuss your timeline and determine if it is a good fit.

What is your policy on returns or changing your mind?

My process is designed to prevent issues before anything is ordered. We review material samples when available and plan furnishings using to-scale floor plans so everything is understood in context.

Most items are custom or made to order, so returns are not possible once orders are placed.

A remorse return is defined as a change of heart rather than a product issue. These are not permitted once items are approved.

If there is damage or a defect, I handle it on your behalf.

Getting Started

How do we get started?

Every project begins with Project Discovery, a focused meeting of up to 90 minutes, ideally in your home. This time is entirely focused on you, your home and what you want to accomplish.

I ask questions, listen closely and help define the path forward, including priorities, scope, timing and investment. Project Discovery gives me the understanding I need to prepare a proposal tailored to your project.

Project Discovery is $500 and is applied to your design fee if we move forward together.

Why should I hire an interior designer instead of doing it myself?

Designing a home involves hundreds of decisions that all affect how the space functions and feels. Most clients come to me when they realize how difficult it is to make those decisions work together.

I bring clarity and cohesion to those decisions, helping you make thoughtful choices early and keeping the big picture in view throughout the project. You are getting a clear plan and a finished result that supports how you actually live.

Do I need to have a clear style before we begin?

No. Most clients do not.

I help define your style based on your preferences, your home and how you live. The goal is not to fit into a category. It is to create a home that feels intentional and personal.

Process and Collaboration

What types of projects do you take on?

I focus on remodels, new construction and full-home furnishings. Many projects begin with one space and expand as we refine the overall vision.

Each project is guided by a Professional Services Agreement that clearly defines scope and deliverables. This allows the work to evolve while maintaining structure and accountability.

Do you work with my contractor or builder?

Yes. I collaborate closely with your contractor, builder or architect.

I provide design drawings that communicate layout and intent. These are not technical or as-built drawings. Construction drawings are handled by your contractor or architect.

How long does a project typically take?

Most projects take several months to over a year from initial planning through installation.

I manage the design timeline closely. Construction timelines are managed by your contractor and can vary.

When do we select furnishings for a new construction or remodeling project?

Furnishings can be selected and ordered while construction is underway. In fact, planning them early allows the furnishings timeline to move alongside the construction timeline.

What is the Timeless Sanctuaries Experience?

For projects that include furnishings, my Timeless Sanctuaries Experience (TSE) manages what happens after selections are approved. I handle ordering, tracking, receiving, storage and installation coordination so hundreds of individual pieces can make their way from a design plan into your home.

It is a significant part of how I take a project from decisions on paper to rooms that are actually finished and ready to live in.

Investment and Planning

How do you approach budgets?

I work on a flat design fee, so you know what you are paying for design services when we begin.

The overall project budget is a collaborative effort. We establish a realistic range early so decisions can be made with clarity and intention.

Design Approach

What makes your work different?

I never lose sight of the fact that this work is about people, not furniture or finishes.

I focus on function as much as aesthetics. Layout, storage, lighting and how the home is used all drive the design. The result feels thoughtful and easy to live in.

Can you incorporate pieces I already own?

Yes, when it makes sense.

I often incorporate existing pieces so the home feels layered and connected to your life, not entirely new.

Installation and Final Results

What happens after I approve my furnishings?

Once furnishings are approved, quite a bit happens behind the scenes.

Through my Timeless Sanctuaries Experience, I manage ordering, vendor coordination, tracking, receiving, inspection, storage and delivery. If something arrives damaged or incorrect, I handle that too.

When everything is ready, I coordinate the white glove installation so the pieces arrive together and are placed according to the design plan. You don’t need to track a sofa across the country or figure out where to put six dining chairs that arrived three months before the table.

What is the Timeless Sanctuaries Experience?

For projects that include furnishings, my Timeless Sanctuaries Experience (TSE) manages what happens after selections are approved. I handle ordering, tracking, receiving, storage and installation coordination so hundreds of individual pieces can make their way from a design plan into your home.

It is a significant part of how I take a project from decisions on paper to rooms that are actually finished and ready to live in.

Learn more about what happens behind the scenes after furnishings are ordered →

What happens at the end of the project?

At the end of the project, everything is installed and ready to live in.

Most projects are professionally photographed after installation. This is included in our agreement and you can opt in or out.

You get to walk into a home where the decisions have been made, the details have been handled and everything is where it belongs.

Working Relationship

What kind of working relationship should I expect?

The best projects are built on trust, clear communication and mutual respect.

I work with clients who value professionalism, kindness and integrity. In return, I am a strong advocate for my clients and treat their home and budget with care.