FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

  • Getting started is simple. Download my service guides to learn more about how I can help you, then reach out through my contact form so that we can schedule a Discovery video call — I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • As early as possible! Complex projects work best when I have the oportunity to collaborate with architects and inform important decisions such as layout, plumbing and lighting plans before you put in your planning application.

    The most common mistakes I fix at this stage include living room doors or radiators where the sofa needs to be, lighting and plug sockets in the wrong place for the best furniture layout, and pokey shower cubicles shoved into the corner of a bathroom when there’s room for a walk-in with a better layout. These kind of things make a big difference to how lovely your home is to live in!

    I’m also a dab hand at spotting unecessary/expensive changes that won’t add value to your lifestyle.

  • Projects involve close collaboration with clients and are supported by a small number of trusted design colleagues and craftspeople. This intentionally small-scale, one-to-one way of working allows for a thoughtful, unhurried process and ensures consistency, discretion and clarity of vision.

    Projects are developed through a combination of video calls and strategic site visits. This approach allows for flexibility while maintaining the benefit of clear communication combined with personal, face-to-face discussion.

    You can read more about my design approach here.

    If you have any specific communication needs just let me know!

  • I offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity.

    You can 'Ask Me Anything’ by booking a Consultation as stand-alone support or the start of a bigger project, details of which can be found here.

    I offer ‘Designer for a Day’ rates for smaller projects and advice, details of which can be found here.

    For larger projects I will put together a bespoke Project Proposal and Quote for design fees after our initial consultation. Typical fees start from £1000 per room. More information can be found here.

  • The cost of renovating and furnishing a period home varies significantly depending on the age, condition and scale of the property, as well as the level of structural work involved. Upgrades to improve layout, fenestration, insulation and day-to-day functionality while respecting the character of the building cost considerably more than purely decorative and furnishing changes.

    Furnishing budgets can also vary considerably depending on the number of rooms, the level of custom upholstery, soft furnishings or cabinetry required. A typical furnishings budget for my clients starts at £7,000 per room.

  • You need to separate your budget into construction and labour, professional fees, and interior furnishings. Within the interior design portion, it’s helpful to think about the project in three stages.

    Firstly, allocate funds for items required during the build phase, such as flooring, tiles, mouldings, ironmongery, switches, sockets and fixed lighting.

    Secondly, budget for kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and any joinery-heavy spaces such as boot rooms, dressing rooms or libraries.

    Finally, allocate funds for furnishings and decoration, including furniture, upholstery, soft furnishings and artwork. This stage is usually approached on a room-by-room basis.

  • It depends how big your house is and what changes you are making! On large country estates I work with clients over a year or more. Smaller projects take place over several months.

    A standard planning application and a listed building consent application both take approximately 8 weeks. When requesting quotes from builders for your renovation, I always recommend asking for a timeline breakdown so you know what to expect.

    Your interior design work will run alongside construction, with floor plans, kitchen, bathroom and lighting decisions made before construction starts, followed by 2nd fix specifications and procurement, and lastly room-by-room design work can be carried out so that FF&E specifications and procurement are ready in time for the end of the construction work.

  • Just let me know if you have an access issues to your property. From ordering products that flat-pack to requesting smaller transport vehicles, there’s always a way!

Design

  • Yes, most of the homes I work on are historic building and I’m used to working within the perameters of listed building consent, creating sympathetic interiors that accomodate the needs of modern life without compromising historic features. Communication is key - I can help you find out what the restrictions are on your property and make sure we build a good relationship with your local authority Conservation Officer.

  • One of the most common mistakes is trying to force an old house to behave like a new one. Period properties need a different approach; respecting the proportions, materials and history of the building is essential to creating a home that feels cohesive and comfortable.

    Other common pitfalls include underestimating the importance of lighting and how much of it you need, neglecting built-in storage, and not incorporating warmth and comfort into the scheme when restoring tradiational materials such as stone floors.

    The most successful renovations balance practicality with atmosphere, allowing the house to retain its sense of age and character while functioning beautifully for modern life.

  • Yes, all the best interiors blend old and new. Your home will be designed around and enhance the way you live your modern life. History has some of the best answers to modern lifestyle dilemas which can be seen in the recent popularity of pantries, sculleries and boot rooms! Mod-cons can be incorporated sympathetically with clever layouts, storage and use of materials.

    You can read more about how I do this here.

  • Historic properties often have awkward circulation, underused rooms and very little built-in storage, particularly in homes that have evolved over several centuries. I approach approaches spatial planning with sensitivity to the architecture, improving flow and functionality without stripping away character.

    This involves a deep-dive into how you want to live and might result in rethinking how rooms connect, changing the use of rooms to create hard-working spaces such as boot rooms, laundry rooms, sculleries, or pantries to support everyday family life.

    Clever storage can be carved out of awkward and wasted spaces by introducing bespoke joinery, improving storage within existing architectural features.

  • Yes, I love to source antiques, vintage furniture, artisan-made pieces and art through trusted suppliers, craftspeople and online sources. These relationships allow the studio to source distinctive pieces with character and provenance, alongside unexpected found objects and repurposed items that bring individuality and layered character to a home.

    I always incorporate work by local artists and makers to help homes feel connected to their landscape and surroundings.

  • Yes no problem, one of the most sustainable practices in interior design is incorporating antiques, vintage and reclaimed materials. I have lots of B-Corp certified suppliers in my trade directory too.

Practical