The Design Consultation is the launching pad for every new project. We often start the process with you completing an inquiry form to help us understand what you want to accomplish in your home.

I LOVE reading the inquiry forms because they help us learn more about you. We often bring your completed inquiry form with us to the appointment and it becomes the meeting agenda.  Here are inquiry form responses from a consultation client who’s recently hired us for full service design:

Q: WHY ARE YOU LOOKING TO DECORATE/REDESIGN/RENOVATE YOUR HOME NOW?

A: It’s time for a refresh and I believe a second set of, professional, eyes is what’s needed to take my home to the next level. Simply something I personally want to do. I’m also entertaining more now and want to create a warm and welcoming environment that also aligns with where I am from a maturity standpoint.

 

Q: WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT HOME?

A: I love the construction/layout of my home (townhome), I also love various pieces I’ve picked up along the way in my attempt to design. My home just lacks cohesiveness. Especially my master bedroom – it is like a blank canvas with a few drops of paint here and there – not a complete, beautiful picture – just a few nice dots.

Wow, this client completely aligned with our firm’s values of using your home to promote wellness for yourself and for visitors. They’ve also tried themselves and understand the benefits and value of getting professional help. This scenario pretty much answers the next question:

Why is there a fee for the design consultation?

We charge for a design consultation because this is an intensive, three-hour WORKING MEETING where we provide workable solutions to your individual needs. Our professional advice saves you from making huge mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars. For example, if you choose the wrong paint colors for your home, the cost to repaint would be considerably more that the cost of a design consultation with us. If you decided not to repaint and try to make it work, then all other decisions would be made based on the wrong color. Your home will always lack cohesiveness and continuity.

How disappointing!

Again this is only one example. Paint colors are just one of the many decisions we assist you with during our meeting. Our time together is personalized and very productive. We share all of our ideas, product recommendations, and clear actionable steps to get your closer to achieving your home goals.

Most of our consultation clients fall into two categories—the do it yourselfer (CONSULTANCY ONLY) or the do-it-for-me (FULL SERVICE DESIGN). No matter which category best describes you, you will receive tremendous value from a meeting with our expert team.

Our clients can tell you best:

DO-IT-YOURSELF CLIENT:

Wow!  This was some of the best money I could have ever spent.  I hired Erika after asking my neighborhood group for a reference, her name came up more than once.  We remodeled our house and it was overwhelming trying to furnish the space.  I had so many ideas I was unsure about and knew I needed help.  Erika could not have done a better job for us.  She had great ideas, great resources and really listened to our feedback.  She explained things so well, down to the measurements I should follow.  She took our space to a level only a true talent could reach.  I’m still blown away by how much I got from the experience. – Ann Walker, Atlanta

FULL SERVICE CLIENT:

Erika Ward is an interior design phenom as far as I am concerned! I love what she did to my two bedroom condo.  It is inviting, comfortable, and absolutely gorgeous! There is something to be said about a home that makes you want to spend time in it purely based on how it feels because of how it has been decorated.  From her design consultation to her finished work – it was all a great experience.  I am a picky person who doesn’t trust herself when it comes to huge decorating decisions. Erika eased my discomfort by answering my questions and explaining the “why” behind each option that she presented to me.  Her room renderings were also especially helpful with allowing me to see a vision of what each room would look like once completed.  Trusting Erika with my home was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I love my place! – Marie Porter, Vinings

How do you prepare for a design consultation?

• Compile a list of questions you want answered.
• Have a product budget in mind. If you don’t know, then that’s okay too. We can help you in creating one.
• If you need help deciding on specific materials such as flooring, countertops, or tile, then please have samples to show us at the meeting.
• If you need assistance with furniture layouts using your own furniture, please have measurements of the furniture pieces if they aren’t present in the home.

What is NOT included in the design consultation?

We believe this question is just as important to manage client meeting expectations.

• We cannot design your entire home in two-hours.  However, we can make recommendations on specific pieces. Two hours does not provide the time needed to create a full design plan.
• Renderings are not included in a design consultation. 3D drawings require time and consideration to other elements relate to one another. The design process is a lengthy process that makes up the bulk of the cost in design fees for a full service project. This will not be achieved in a mere two hours.
• Fees paid for a design consultation do not apply to future design fees if you were to hire us in the future for full service design. The initial consultation fee will also not be applied to future purchases. The consultation fee covers the time, travel, and valued expertise provided in the initial two-hour working meeting.

What happens after the design consultation?

Before we depart, we review what was discussed and answer additional questions. Usually clients request a proposal for full service interior design (it’s our do-it-for-you option). Our design fee proposal outlines the scope of work, estimated design fees, and contract terms. We aim to make the design process crystal clear from the very beginning. We follow up by sending the letter or agreement via email or schedule another meeting to review the letter of agreement in person.

We look forward to working with you!

Warmly,

Erika