FAQ

• We begin with an initial design consultation lasting up to 2 hours, preferably in your home.  Here we get a feel for the space and discuss the details of the project including your budget and timescale, what you’re trying to achieve and how we can help.

• We ask lots of questions in this meeting – what do you love about the space, do you have any inspiration for this project, what do you want to change? – and you have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like too and receive some initial guidance and advice.  Measurements and photos are taken of the space.

• You may find the advice you receive during this meeting is sufficient for you to proceed with your project on your own.  If you find you need additional assistance with your scheme, the consultation fee is deductible against the design fee.

• We follow up with a design scheme for you including a mood board, to-scale room plan, sourcing list and styling tips.  This can be emailed and discussed over the phone or presented in person.

• If necessary, the design is tweaked until you are happy with the look.  We aim to make the process simple and enjoyable.

• Once the design scheme is agreed, you can choose how much involvement we have in the process.  You can supervise the work yourself based on the design plan or we can help with the recommendation of tradesmen, implementation of work and project management.  We charge an hourly rate for this service or a percentage of the overall project cost.

HOW DO YOU CHARGE?

• The initial consultation lasting up to 2 hours at a fixed rate of £75.  You may find the advice you receive during this meeting is sufficient for you to proceed with your project on your own.  If you find you need additional assistance with your scheme, the consultation fee is deductible against the design fee.

• We offer various fixed price packages starting from as little as £395 per room but we are also happy to work on an hourly fee basis of £50 per hour should you prefer.

• We can also customise a package to suit your project if our listed packages are not completely suitable for you. 

CAN YOU WORK WITH MY EXISTING FURNITURE?

• Absolutely!  We appreciate that not every project will begin as a blank canvas and we enjoy taking what you have already got and making it work.  After all, often the most stylish homes are filled with bits and pieces you have acquired over the years and that’s what makes them so interesting and unique. 

• It’s amazing how with a fresh perspective, perhaps some new accessories or a new lick of paint, you will fall in love with your home all over again!

CAN YOU RECOMMEND TRADESPEOPLE OR DO WE NEED TO SOURCE OUR OWN?

We can recommend tradespeople and liaise with them on your behalf.  We appreciate that you may also have your own tradespeople that you may prefer to use and we are also happy to work with them as well.

WHY CHOOSE SMITH OGDEN INTERIOR DESIGN?

• We are Steph and Helen, founders of Smith Ogden Interior Design.  We are passionate about creating beautiful homes that help enhance your overall well-being and happiness. 

• We buy into the theory of biophilic design and aim to incorporate natural elements in our work.  Simple things like improving natural lighting, adding more greenery and using natural materials can have a hugely beneficial impact on both our mental and physical well-being.

• As well as hands-on practical experience, we each have Diplomas in Interior Design having studied via the internationally recognised Interior Design Institute.

• Creating your ideal home can sometimes feel unnecessarily stressful and hard work!  We aim to make the process fun and rewarding with a calm, relaxed and reassuring approach.

• We do however relate to the sense of urgency sometimes required and, with skills honed in our previous careers, we are (modestly!) great at working to a budget and timescale, project management and meeting deadlines. 

• Listening to our clients’ wishes, needs and frustrations is one of the essential elements of our role.   We love getting to the root of how you want your space to work to help you create a stylish home that works for you.  We don’t have a set formula as we believe your home should be beautifully unique reflecting your personality and functioning to fit your lifestyle.  

• We can relate to the demands of busy family life and all that it entails in the home (eg never enough storage, accommodating pets, limited budgets, finding a calm place for homework etc!). We believe that organisation is key and when everything has a place in your home, you can then focus on making it gorgeous so that you can create your own little sanctuary.

• Great interior design should be accessible for everyone and we are very competitively priced.  We are happy to work within limited budgets and, as interiors obsessives, we are in touch with trends and products across all price ranges. 

• Not fans of a ‘fast fashion’ approach to interiors, we still love a bargain and especially enjoy discovering a one-off treasured gem at a flea market or at good old Home Sense!  We have no snobbery when it comes to tracking down the right item for your home and are equally comfortable shopping at the high street or high end!  That said, sometimes those investment pieces pay dividends and we can advise you on which items are worth the splurge!  After all, buying good quality design stands the test of time.

• Not only can we save you time, hassle and money, we could help add value to your home making it a place to be proud of and happy in!

• We pride ourselves on our down-to-earth approach as well as our honesty and integrity and creative vision.  Click here to see what our previous clients have to say!    We’d love you to get in touch if you feel we can help!