frequently asked questions:
how much will it cost to hire your services for our project?
There are different stages of our design services that you can choose from. We try to offer an a la carte experience so you just take step one with us or go all the way to step three. We want it to be as easy as 1, 2, and 3.
​
stage one
All our services begin with a 2-hour design consultation and it starts at 898 + GST.
​
stage two
Following the consultation, we offer a fixed fee for stage two of our design service and it starts at $3,500 for a one bedroom condo, $4,500 for a two bedroom unit, and $5,500 for a three bedroom unit. If kitchen design is involved, a fee of $850 will be added because of all the detailed planning involved.
stage three
Along with product cost, you should expect to allocate between 40% - 60% of the overall budget of the project on labour costs. For example, if the cost of the project is estimated at $20,000, then the labour and management fee combined should be between $8,000 to $12,000. Please note that this is merely an example. The final amount will depend on how much time it takes for actual work to be done. It is also important to understand that each change or alteration may affect other aspects of the design which in turn could increase the time needed to spend ensuring the overall plans are not compromised.
​
do you offer a free consultation?
We believe that anything worth having is worth paying for. With "free" consultation, you get very limited design tips or professional help from us. With a paid consultation, we want to make sure you get the best value your money can buy. Before your consultation, we actually ask you to fill out an aesthetic and discovery questionnaire so we can have a better understanding of how we can help you create your happy home. On top of that, we ask you to send us pictures/videos of your home along with questions that you may have. On average, we spend about 5 hours before we spend the two hours in your home. All of our clients have told us that it's money well spent.
​
​why should I pay for your consultation when I can get a free consultation from some furniture stores?
We are not affiliated with any single furniture store, so we don't come to your home with the hidden agenda to sell you our products. This allows us to use the vast resources available to us to help you achieve the best design possible.
​
do you get trade discounts & if so, do you pass these on to us?
We have worked hard to establish trade-only suppliers so we can pass on good values to our clients. In effect, we become your retailers, but because we do not have high overhead costs, our designer price often reflects a saving of 10% or more over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Thus, we often ended up stretching our client's budget. If we do shop at retail stores such as Article, Crate & Barrel, CB2, Urban Barn, IKEA, and Wayfair, then we will charge a 20% sourcing fee instead of billing you for every hour for sourcing and making purchases.
​
are we involved in the design process & how can we work with you to get the most out of the experience?
Design projects are very much a collaborative process between us and you as our client. The ‘getting to know you’ phase at the start of the project allows us to understand your needs and your lifestyle. We ask a lot of questions and discuss in depth your requirements for each space. Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
​
While working together, we build a partnership with you & establish trust. When you allow us to complete creative rights, we are able to curate a truly beautiful & functioning space that is distinctly you. We ask that you kindly allow us to do what we do best - source all items you’ve requested our assistance in finding and let us present to you so you can see the entire vision for your space. One small change in a piece of fabric, piece of artwork, or area rug can compromise the entire project. Relax and let us do what we do best.
​
how does retainer work?
When we are ready to move onto the execution stage, we will ask for a retainer cheque. The monies are non-refundable and funds will be deducted as expenses are incurred. The subsequent retainer will be required as the project goes on until such time that the project is completed and no further work is required. If there is a surplus of funds, these monies are applied to the final invoice. The expectation is that the services are ongoing or used within 3 months of signing the letter of agreement as we only take on a limited number of clients at a time.