Timing matters more than most people realize, and it looks different depending on the type of project.
For new construction, we ideally like to start six months to a year before construction begins. That gives us time to think through the floor plan, how you’ll actually live in the home, and how design decisions affect the overall investment, including the finishes, but also the bigger moves that are difficult or expensive to change later. Starting early allows the design to inform the build, instead of trying to layer it on after decisions have already been made.
For a renovation, we recommend starting the design process at least three to four months before demolition. That time allows us to develop a thoughtful plan, finalize selections, and work through the full scope of the project. It also gives contractors the time they need to properly price the work with their trades and subcontractors.
In both cases, earlier planning leads to smoother projects and better results. It gives everyone the space to make good decisions instead of rushed ones.
Working with an interior designer is a good fit if you’re looking for a collaborative partner rather than help on an item-by-item basis. Our best clients enjoy being involved in shaping the overall vision and then trusting us to bring that vision to life through the many detailed decisions that follow.
The design process involves hundreds of choices. We take on that responsibility by managing the details, making thoughtful decisions, and presenting our recommendations instead of asking you to weigh in on every small selection. That approach allows the home to come together as a unified whole.
If you’re looking for highly tactical support on individual pieces or prefer to be deeply involved in every decision, we may not be the right fit. But if you value expertise, trust the process, and want a home that feels intentional and complete, working together can be a very good match.
We work on residential renovation, new construction, and furnishings-focused projects. They often includes whole-house renovations, larger remodels, new builds, and furnishing projects for one or more rooms.
Whether a project involves construction or furnishings only, our work is centered on designing the entire space from top to bottom. That means furniture, lighting, window treatments, rugs, art, and the details that make a room feel finished and livable. We don’t take on projects that are limited to sourcing individual items or making isolated selections without an overall plan.
Some clients choose to complete their projects in phases by addressing construction first and furnishings later, and we’re comfortable working that way as long as we’re designing with the full picture in mind from the start. Our goal is always the same: a home that feels cohesive, thoughtful, and complete.
All of our work begins with a paid consultation, but the purpose of that meeting looks different depending on how you want to use our expertise.
A standalone strategy session is a focused, working meeting designed to answer specific questions in a defined amount of time. These sessions are highly tactical. Clients come to us with plans, ideas, samples, or challenges, and we use the time to provide as much expert guidance as possible. We help them evaluate options, think through next steps, and make informed decisions. This option is best for those who want professional input but plan to move forward on their own.
The initial consultation for a full-service project serves a different role. It’s the starting point of a longer design relationship. During that meeting, we’re gathering the information we need to understand the home, the goals of the project, and how the client lives. That information allows us to prepare a detailed proposal and, once the project moves forward, begin the design work.
Both types of consultation are valuable. The right fit depends on whether you’re looking for targeted advice to move yourself forward, or a design partner to lead the project from planning through completion.
The cost of working with an interior designer depends on the type of project, how many spaces are involved, and the level of support you’re looking for throughout the process. Because no two homes or projects are the same, there isn’t a single number that accurately reflects the investment.
Rather than offering broad ranges, we start with an initial consultation to understand the home, the goals for the project, and how you’d like to work together. From there, we prepare a detailed proposal that outlines what the work includes and how we’ll support the project from start to finish.
For most clients, the consultation is the best way to determine whether working together feels like the right fit and investment for their home. We can also provide some initial ranges for design fees during the discovery phone call, prior to booking the consultation.
We don’t publish specific budget minimums because projects vary widely, and numbers without context can be misleading. What matters most is whether the budget supports the kind of project you’re hoping to accomplish.
During the initial consultation, we talk through priorities, expectations, and how you want the home to function and feel when it’s finished. That allows us to assess whether the budget aligns with the level of work involved and whether there’s a realistic path to completing the project without compromising the end result.
Sometimes that means refining priorities or planning the work in phases so the home can come together over time. Our role is to help clients make informed decisions so they’re not left with a partially finished home or spending money twice on the same decisions.
Our process is designed to be organized, thoughtful, and supportive from start to finish. We begin by getting to know you, your home, and how you live, including what matters most, what isn’t working, and what you want the finished space to feel like.
From there, we establish a clear design direction and guide the project forward through planning and decision-making. We manage the details and help sequence decisions so the project moves forward in a logical way, rather than feeling reactive or piecemeal.
Once design decisions are in place, we stay involved as the work happens. For construction projects, that means supporting the design through the build. For furnishings-only projects, it means ordering, delivering, and setting up the furniture and finishes so the space comes together as intended. Our role is to see the project through so the final result reflects the original design plan.
Our process is designed to respect our clients’ time. You do not need to manage the details or be involved in every small decision. That is our responsibility. We handle the day to day coordination, research, and decision making so the process does not become another job on your plate.
Your involvement matters most at key moments. We rely on you to share how you live, what matters to you, and to weigh in on decisions that shape the overall direction of the home. From there, we take the lead and bring forward thoughtful recommendations so your time is spent on meaningful decisions rather than endless choices.
This approach works best when there is trust on both sides. We guide the process and pull the details together so the home comes together as a complete picture rather than a collection of individual decisions.
We are based in Des Moines, Iowa and primarily work with clients throughout the Des Moines metro and surrounding communities.
In addition to our local work, we also take on projects in Pennsylvania, specifically in the Wyoming Valley, Lehigh Valley, and the Poconos, broadly spanning from the Philadelphia area north through the Poconos. We have also designed projects for clients in Baltimore, Colorado Springs, and Florida.
For projects outside the Des Moines area, we are thoughtful about fit and logistics. We take on long distance work when we can remain meaningfully involved and see the project through to a finished result, whether that involves travel, coordination with local teams, or phased engagement. We hold regular meetings via Zoom and combine those with strategic site visits throughout the project.
The best place to start is by completing the inquiry form on our website. That allows us to learn more about your home, your goals, and what you’re hoping to accomplish.
Once we review your inquiry, we’ll reach out if it feels like a good fit to discuss next steps and determine which type of consultation makes the most sense. From there, we’ll outline how we can work together and what the process would look like moving forward.