FAQ

Posted by rmitchell on July 29, 2026

Q. What if you don’t decorate in ”my style?”

A. Whether your taste is traditional, contemporary, country or eclectic, I know how to create beautiful interiors in all of them. And if you don’t know what your style is, I’ll help you figure it out or together we’ll create a new one.

Q. Won’t a decorator just do what she wants?

A. Relax. I won’t walk into your house and exclaim “I’m feeling very YELLOW today!” and then paint everything yellow! The space dictates the décor as does the client. As I say, it’s not about me and my style. It’s about you and your style. I will give you the best possible version of your style.

Q. What if I know pretty much what I want/like but I just don’t have the time to do the running around? Can I still hire you?

A. Absolutely. Often clients are too busy to do all the running around so I do it for them. It’s like home-shopping because I’ll return with two to three samples from which to choose based on your taste/budget. And you benefit from my trade-only discounts where applicable.

Q. Isn’t using an interior decorator just for the rich and famous?

A. Not at all! In fact, the trade-only discount that I pass on to clients sometimes off-sets my fee. Which means it costs you the same as if you’d done everything yourself – except that the results are so much better.

Q. I work weekdays. Will you meet me in the evenings or on weekends?

A. Of course. I am available whenever it best suits you - whether it’s during the day, evening or on weekends. The only thing I insist on is meeting (at least once) during the day so I can get a sense of the natural light in your house.

Q. What if I don’t have the budget for high-end furniture and accessories?

A. I can find beautiful things that match your budget. There are so many places now (like HomeSense, Ikea, EBay, etc.) to find affordable home fashion. Most people are surprised to learn where I buy things. The trick is to mix expensive pieces with more affordable items. And if I can’t find it, I will make it. One client wanted a black iron chandelier for her dining room, but the only one in her price range was gold. One can of spray paint later and she had her dream chandelier. This same client wanted a custom headboard in her “boutique hotel - Asian-inspired” bedroom so I found a beautiful cotton shower curtain saving her hundreds of dollars on fabric. Just look at the photo above.

Q. Should I look at magazines for inspiration?

A. Yes! It will allow me to understand what colours/style you like even if you show me nothing but photos of New York City lofts and you live in a suburban bungalow. Because it will mean you want spacious and airy as opposed to cozy and cluttered and that will allow me to give you the best possible look for your home and budget.

Q: How do you charge?

A: I work for an hourly rate which is normally payable at the end of each consultation. However, if the project is expected to go on for one month or longer, I will provide you with a contract outlining how I work. Afterwhich you will be invoiced at the end of each month detailing my hours (dates, time, description), which is payable upon receipt.

Q. How do you charge for purchases you make on behalf of clients?

A. Normally, I request 50% of payment prior to any purchase and the remainder upon delivery.

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