1. Why use an Interior Design firm? Can’t I do this myself?
- Expertise: We have an education and deep understanding of fundamental style principles, design fundamentals, spatial arrangements, proportion, furniture selection and quality, and color expertise which achieves a cohesive and well-balanced space.
- Time and Stress: Designing, planning, executing, and styling spaces is time consuming and overwhelming. We listen to your needs and wants, then execute with calm precision, allowing you to remain focused on your life’s priorities.
- Budget: We will manage your investment dollars every step of the way, helping you make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources.
- Project Management: We will oversee the design and installation of your selections, coordinating with contractors and managing timelines and budgets.
2. What’s the difference between Interior Design and Decoration?
If your project includes just furnishings, light fixtures, and some accessories, then Decoration is the appropriate service for your needs. If your scope of work includes construction, permanent finishes and fixtures, new design concepts, Interior Design is the service you require.
3. When should I hire an interior designer?
We suggest hiring an interior designer before or around the time of hiring an architect, builder or general contractor. Knowledgeable designers enhance the project and ensure that you receive the end result you dream of. We’re here to guide you and be your advocate through the process.
4. What’s the reason for bringing in a designer early in the construction or design process?
To avoid costly mistakes or regrets. It’s like making a movie without a director; there’s no one holding the full vision of where you will eventually live. Interior designers coordinate with vendors, builders, architects, and other consultants. They are trained to consider all decisions, how all of the pieces in your project puzzle interact, coordinate those pieces to create a beautiful home.
5. What role do you play in our project?
Keeping your finished home or room in focus. No other professional is focused on how you live and how comfortable you will feel in your home. Our team is your unbiased expert resource, your advocate who is the liaison between all your various services: architect, contractor, and trades people. We communicate the information on the who, what, where and how of your home to the appropriate parties.
6. How do we express your style?
We dig deep before we start because we want to get to know you and understand your lifestyle. To get there, we begin communications with the intention of establishing direction through inspirational elements. In those meetings we ask lots of questions and listen carefully to your answers. Your answers tell us who you are, what you love, what’s sentimental to you, and how you want to express yourself in your home. After we get to know you and research the applicable historical design styles, we communicate our ideas into a unique vision for your home.
7. Can we shop together?
That's up to you! However, our experiences indicate that clients are less satisfied with the process and results when they participate too many details. Our team steers the ship in order to arrive at the design destination. It’s easy for clients to get overwhelmed, frustrated, and distracted with the thousands of selection options. Not to mention, shopping also increases design fees quickly. If the original design vision is executed seamlessly and efficiently, clients are happier with the experience and results.
8. What if I see something online that looks similar to what you specified for less money? Can I buy it myself?
Most of the trade-sourced products selected during our projects are not available directly to the public. Because you have hired us to execute a design vision, ACSI provides all items to assure efficiency and a quality end result. In our experience, clients end up frustrated when they purchase and attempt to manage part of the process themselves. It rarely saves any money.
9. What if I want to do most of the work and just need an overall plan?
Consider one of our Designer for a Day packages.
10. What if I have a designer friend who wants to help me with selections?
That’s great! We love friends and family with a heart for design. Selections are only part of what we do and those alone are not adequate for ensuring the result will accomplish your dreams. Things the friends may not be able to do assure a successful result:
- Lighting plans: How high do the chandeliers hang from the floor? Where are art lights and sconces installed? How do we thoughtfully eliminate can lighting for a more intentional, comfortable lighting plan?
- Furniture plans drawn to scale: These assure your existing and new furniture fit ideally.
- Paint schedule: Without a paint schedule, you will get builder grade paint, minimal color variation, white ceilings, and shiny wall sheens.
- Cabinet designs: Hundreds of decisions to be planned, including cabinet layouts, stock vs semi-custom vs custom cabinetry, storage features, door styles, hardware selections for each area, painted or stained, colors and finishes, solid wood vs pdf vs plywood vs laminate, countertop integration, edge profile vs waterfall, and more.
- Finish floor plans: What happens when hardwood floors at 5/8” meet a tile floor that’s 1 1/4”? Do you want flush transitions?