Making a shift from teaching to interior decorating has be uplifting and amazing. Working with clients, I am presented with similar questions over and over. Below, I delve into these questions to help you with your decisions about working together on your home decorating project.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between an Interior Decorator and an Interior Designer?
An interior designer is generally involved with a building project from the beginning, and will even be working with the architect. As an interior designer, they help create functional interior space by understanding how the clients will use each room. A designer may consider light, sound and other design aspects but is also well versed in building codes and structural considerations.
An interior decorator isn’t involved with the design of the building or the layout of the interior space. A decorator is focused entirely on the furniture, colors, textiles and textures of a room. As a decorator, my job is to capture the personality and style of the residents and express it in their space. When decorating, as we encounter building code and structural considerations, we will reach out to professionals well versed for guidance and solutions.
Why do I need an Interior Decorator?
Whether you need a little help or a lot, from answers to a few questions on color selection or furniture layout to help on planning and completing a remodel or new construction project, the advice and guidance of an Interior Decorator is invaluable.
Having a professional Interior Decorator on your team who has the knowledge and experience of countless similar projects as well as the information and expertise for finding the exact products and trades-people you need to get the best result for your project is priceless. Working with an Interior Decorator will help you to move seamlessly and efficiently through the project, as well as help you prevent costly mistakes or side-steps along the way.
Do you offer FREE consultations?
As much as we wish every service could be complimentary (free mani/pedi anyone?!) I have to charge a fee for initial consultations due to the amount of time and energy put into the site visit, ideas and proposals I put forth. Even if you don’t continue to work with me after the consultation, most clients have thanked me regardless. The ideas presented during our initial consultation save you in terms of your time going forward and help you by avoiding costly mistakes had you gone without seeking advice from a professional. (Please note if you cancel your consultation without a 24-hour notice, a cancellation fee will apply)
What is your Fee Schedule?
My fees are based off the scope of work and I charge a simple flat design fee when possible. This flat fee will include all services and renderings. However, sometimes smaller jobs will be billed at an hourly rate depending on the scope of work. Check out my services here.
What cities do you work in?
Jennifer Lynn Interiors works primarily throughout the Hudson Valley in New York. Jennifer is from Kingston, NY. In addition, Jennifer Lynn Interiors has worked across the country virtually creating spaces for clients to implement on their own. During this process, a similar approach to a full-service design package occurs. We will jump on a conference call and discuss your options and the best plan of action for your space and fee. We then engage in some pre-gaming on any fact-finding (preferred design styles, requirements for each room, how you live and work in your home etc.) you photograph the residence and take formal measurements. We will upload all of these elements in my private studio online to keep everything organized for both of us to see. From there I prepare a schematic virtual design presentation, showing you our initial drawings, proposed material selections, palette options, and concepts. After design approval of that stage, I work with you on narrowing down the final selections, pricing, and implementing the design.
Can I use my existing furnishings?
Of course! I encourage you to hold on to treasured pieces and will work with you to incorporate these items into your new decor. We have a flexible approach to design that honors and respects our client’s existing pieces and encourage all our clients to repurpose as much as possible as it is a more sustainable approach to design.
Do I have to make purchases through you?
No. You are welcome to make any purchases on your own. Most clients do purchase through Jennifer Lynn Interiors, because of the discount that can be passed along.
Where do you get your furniture?
We purchase products from a variety of sources. We also use local stores, to trade showrooms, and retail locations, as well as online and catalog retailers. If our clients have sources that they prefer to work with, we are more than happy to do so. We also work with local custom upholstery and drapery workrooms.
Why do you have a design fee and purchasing fee on the product?
The design fee is for design concepts, solutions to the problems, and advice on any purchases. When a product is ordered through the designer, there is a great deal of time spent on producing purchase orders, ordering cuttings of fabrics, and wall-coverings from current stock for approval. Our procurement fee is 25-30% plus the cost of goods sold.
As professionals, we have access to wholesale vendors with whom we have built a relationship with overtime to ensure quality control of your purchased items before they arrive to you.
Additionally, time is spent on coordinating deliveries and generally ensuring that the whole process runs smoothly until the item is delivered to the client. The purchasing fee covers this entire process and assures the clients’ peace of mind. In addition, to having insider accesses to products you still save with designer discount and are typically not subject to full retail costs.
There is always the option of a customized shopping list that you can purchase overtime that is with retail prices. I would compile the products and create a clickable shopping list and on your time, you can purchase the pieces when you are ready. This will not include any designer discounts.
Freight and Delivery Fees:
Freight and delivery fees apply when ordering furnishings, fabrics and or accents. These fees are passed on to the client at no additional markup. Freight fees are billed by the weight and typically run on average .80-.95 cents per lbs. For example if you are ordering whole a living room set with sofa, loveseat, end tables, ottoman, entrainment center etc. expect to pay about $750.00 in freight. FYI- Retailers roll this cost into your purchase of your items and make it seam as if they giving you something for free when they really aren’t.
Delivery for the day of reveal or just getting your items sent to your home and allowing you to set up yourself. The typical hourly rate for this can be about $90 | hr. and can take anywhere from 3-6 hours depending on the size of the job.
What should I have at our first meeting for my project?
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Collect clippings from magazines and photos of items and decors that appeal to you. Or the link to your Pinterest Boards of your ideas
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Think about colors, styles and effects you like.
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Know what you want to accomplish, what the room or house should do for you when finished.
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Should it be formal or casual, traditional or contemporary?
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Know your objective and lifestyle needs.
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Establish a time frame in which you would like to work
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Have a budget in mind and be honest about it with your designer. Having a ballpark figure is a good start.
What is your process?
For my signature virtual design: Step one — We schedule a one-hour video conference call so that I can get to know you, your space and what you envision for this project. Step two — You send me photos of your space, your measurements and your inspiration for the room. I take this information and get to work. Step three — I send you a customized mood board, complete with a color scheme, space plan and a fully-designed first draft digital rendering of your space. Step four — We schedule a second conference call to go over any initial thoughts on the first design. I take your feedback and thoughts and get to work designing a final plan for your room! Step five — You get everything you need to create your newly designed room: a 3D digital rendering of your space complete with a shopping list of where to get all the items plus detailed directions on how to turn this vision into reality! And finally…Once you’ve got everything you need and you start designing your space, I’ll give you a call a few weeks later to check in on your progress and help out with any niggly questions or problems!
For my full-service decorating projects, the process is essentially the same. As we start gathering all the items, I get to work putting everything in place. I’ll be on-hand to manage the whole project — from the vendors to the contractors — you can leave it all to me. And finally…I’ll be there every step of the way to ensure your complete satisfaction. Your home should be your happy place and it’s my honor to help you turn it into just that!
Will I recover the investment when decorating my home?
Your home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make. A well-decorated home enhances that investment. If at some point you choose to sell your home, statistics show that a well-decorated home will sell faster and command a higher price. Your return will on your investment will be 7 fold with pride as well as financially!
Ready to get started today? Let’s make a plan. When we chat, we will find the best plan of action for your project.
Not Sure yet? Check out my client love….
Jennifer Lynn was wonderful to work with (living room). She incorporated the items I had that I wanted to keep and recommended accents that highlighted my taste. All close to the budget I had. The design looks fabulous. I would highly recommend Jennifer. ~ Emily
I’ve used Jennifer virtually now for the design of two rooms. Each time I feel like Jennifer totally ‘got’ us. She can take all of my ideas and Pinterest visions and come up with a design that’s so us (yet has a few things I somehow never would have thought of), and is so beautiful and affordable. Her vision boards and 3D layouts are detailed so things not just look great, they fit great and work together. Jennifer is patient, professional, kind and incredibly talented. I feel like I’ve met her, even though we have only worked together online. Thank you (again) Jennifer! We love our master bedroom. ~ The Roberts Family
Jennifer Tampasis, with Jennifer Lynn Interiors, is an exceptional interior designer who is passionate and very knowledgeable about her work. We hired Jennifer to help us design and decorate our new home. Her kind, pleasant demeanor put us at ease throughout the process of picking paint colors, tile work, carpet, artwork, window treatments, and furniture. From the beginning, Jennifer was very patient. She never tried to force her opinion or style on me, but gently guided me in the direction of perfection for me as an individual. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with her and I look forward to many projects in our future together. ~ Sue & Jeff
