work together

Our full-service design process begins with an in-home consultation, a working appointment lasting up to two hours. During this time, we really spend time listening to you and your needs! We assess your space, gather information about your preferences and challenges, and define the project scope. This step is crucial because every project is unique. The consultation allows both the designer and client to make introductions, and determine we are a mutal fit for each other. Our goal at Slate Studios is to ensure an exceptional client experience and deliver on our promises. The fee for our in-home consultation service is $395, payable in advance to secure your appointment. Regardless of the outcome, our consultation provides valuable advice, ideas, and recommendations that make it a worthwhile investment.

There are a few things you can do to prepare to make the most of our meeting! • All homeowners or decision makers should be available at this time • Consider which rooms are a priority and will be incorporated in the scope • If you have floor plans of the home as-built, renovation drawings, or new build plans, please have those prepared to review • Think about your likes + dislikes about the space, what changes you want to see and what problems need to be addressed • Prepare some inspiration to share with us so we can get a feel for your design style, pinterest, instagram, and magazines are your friend. It's true what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words! • Begin thinking about formality, how you use the space, do you have colors you prefer, patterns you like, or furnishings you want to incorporate or if easier, which should we avoid? • What furnishings or finishes would you like to see stay in the space • Prepare a list of any questions you want to remember to ask We know sometimes our clients can feel a little uncomfortable having a stranger in their home, especially when it's not in the condition you may want it to be. However, we have seen it all! We know peoples homes don't look like they do in magazines, and if your home was in perfect condition, you wouldn't need us. So let us assure you, that is no concern. We love to see how you live to get to know you better.

This is the most common question we get asked and we have a few blog posts on the topic. Since no two projects are the same, and the costs are not known until the design is finalized, it is impossible to provide an exact amount upfront. Our approach is to create a plan focused on your wish list. This plan includes the scope of work, drawings, and design selections which we then have trades prepare pricing for. Once we have real numbers to work from, we can then begin a discussion on how to proceed. At that point, you can decide what the budget is.

While Interior design and interior decorating are often used interchangeably, they have distinct differences. Interior designers possess formal education and certifications, specializing in space planning, renovation, construction documents, contractor management, and collaboration with architects. Interior designers understand how people interact with a space to create not only a beautiful design but also a functional one. Interior decorators focus on a portion of the design process which is typically decor, color schemes, aesthetics, and decorative elements. They may lack formal schooling and licenses, but experienced decorators can also work with contractors and builders. At Slate Studios, we support all designers and decorators and aim to educate our clients about the difference, as our team primarily consists of interior designers.

For furnishings and accessories, the average project takes 8-9 months from start to finish. For kitchens, bathrooms, and extensive renovations the average project takes 12-14 from start to finish. These are averages only, projects could take more or less time as each project has its own set of challenges that we help our clients navigate. In the post-covid climate, there are still supply chain shortages, labor shortages, material shortages, and installers are stretched thin due to demand. We always recommend that our clients have patience during this process and don't settle! We have found its best not to rush, and to ensure the design is exactly the way you want as you will be living with it for years to come. We will discuss your individual project timeline in detail, and can guarantee it will be worth the wait!

Yes! Although Slate Studios has our trusted team of tradesmen, contractors, electricians, plumbers, wallpaper hangers, painters, carpenters, and so on, we are also happy to work with your contractors and subcontractors. We are experts in this arena and have experience dealing with the trades to make your project and experience as stress-free as possible.

The short answer, yes. Often our clients are surprised to hear that we do not ship items directly to their home. An average project may have upwards of fifty items ordered for one space. Imagine needing to be home to receive fifty deliveries, having to open and inspect each box, and then find room in your house to store them before the installation takes place. Instead, we leave this stress to our professional crew. Many trade vendors we purchase from also do not deliver to residential addresses as they ship items palettized and require a commercial warehouse with a loading dock.

Yes, Katie has her NCIDQ certification, which is the globally recognized hallmark of a highly qualified interior designer. NCIDQ certification assures that interior designers meet industry standards not only for aesthetics but also understand building codes, construction methods, and life safety. Katie is also fully licensed to practice Interior Design by the Florida State Board of Architecture and Interior Design. Like all of the trades, contractors, and installers we do business with, we are also fully insured. We carry professional and general liability insurance.