Live Authentically You
Live Authentically You
Live Authentically You
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Select a topic below
SERVICES
What services do you offer?
We offer interior design services ranging from consultations to full remodels and custom homes to furniture and accessory packages. See more info here.
What is full-service interior design?
Full-service interior design means letting our team handle all the details from initial concept to final installation. Full-service applies to a full room, a group of rooms or the entire home in a single project. Our team handles the research, selections, purchasing and coordination to the final install. We can work in phases or one complete room at a time. Full-service applies even if you already own some of the pieces we will use to complete your project.
Do you offer custom options? Do I have to go fully custom?
We do offer many options that are customized to the individual needs of each client and the space we are designing. This could include upholstery, drapery, bedding and finishes on case goods. Custom touches help give a space the uniqueness most clients desire. Of course, not everything has to be custom. We work with a lot of trade vendors and would be happy to incorporate ready-made items into your design. Keep in mind that custom does not automatically mean expensive. Regardless of what route you choose, we guarantee that the finished design will be personalized to suit your lifestyle and taste.
How do you work with trades people?
Because we are not general contractors who will carry out our designs in your home. You are responsible for hiring all the trades people involved, making sure they have proper insurance, documentation, and are qualified to do the work. Trades people include general contractors, architects, builders, remodelers, building designers, plumbers, electricians, wallpaper hangers, painters, handymen, installers, faux finishes, re-upholsterers, audio/video/security installers, landscape architects, carpenters, fabricators, tile-setters, and other flooring installers. We will hapilly meet with the contractors and sub-contractors you hire to review our design plans, drawings, materials and other specifications. Your trades people are responsible for verifying all dimensions before beginning work.
In the event that you don’t have contractors or you don’t have the time to research, we will provide you with a list of trades people that we may or may not have worked with in the past. It is your responsibility to interview them and properly vet them before signing a contract and paying for their services. We act as your advisor and will assist you, if needed, with what questions to ask and points to cover in your meetings with trades people. We can even attend the initial meeting upon request. We will not be interviewing the trades people on your behalf, but instead will discuss design concepts and their feasibility, and later advise you of our observations and expert opinion based on that meeting. We include as part of our service up to 2 meetings with each trades person to review our design plan and material specifications.
We hire trades and artisans responsible for custom window treatments and installation, custom bedding and custom upholstery. We can also provide a list of re-upholsters for you to consider and the same rules apply.
Can I order custom window treatments, pillows, and bedding only?
Absolutely! You don’t have to be a full-service client if you only want custom window treatments, pillows, or bedding. We are happy to meet in your home to take measurements and design the perfect soft finishes for you.
WHY US?
Why should I hire an interior designer? Will this be a wise investment?
Your home is possibly one of the biggest purchases you will ever make and investing in real estate has always been a wise decision. Decorating your home helps to increase its value and is usually well worth the investment. Statistics show that a well decorated home will sell faster and for top dollar. It also can be good for your mental health in that a well-designed space will stimulate your senses, creating feelings of belonging, comfort, nourishment and inspiration.
Interior designers are trained not only to make a room look beautiful, but they understand the psychology of color and effects of proper space planning. They take into account the function of the space, traffic flow, ease of use, proper lighting, finishes, and the health, safety, and welfare of all users. We consider each unique setting and priorities within the client’s budget.
Designers do all the legwork for you – visiting showrooms, specifying furniture, fixtures and equipment, creating mood boards to choose from, handles procurement, shipping logistics, providing direction from beginning to end, and working with trades only resources to help their clients save time, money and headaches. We take on the hard work, leaving you time to focus on other things.
When should I hire an interior designer?
We suggest you hire an interior designer before or around the time you hire an architect, builder or general contractor. Knowledgeable designers are able to enhance the project and ensure that the end result mirrors your dreams.
We’re here to guide you and be your advocate through the process.
How do I know if you're the right designer for me?
We’ll start with a no-obligation, 15-30 min Discovery Call to learn more about your project so that we can identify which one of our services is the best fit for you.
Then you decide if you’d like to schedule a consultation with us. This is your opportunity to meet with Veronica in person and see if you get all the feels! This meeting is packed with design advice for a low investment on your side.
The consultation is a good fit for you if:
BUDGET/COSTS
Do you work with small budgets?
A big part of what we do is to help our clients set a suitable budget for their needs. There are several misconceptions in the marketplace today about what design and decorating cost. We help educate you on the value of design and how to maximize whatever your budget is. The minimum budget to consider before embarking on any full-service design project is around $25,000 and a recommended minimum budget of at least $5,000 per room for eDesign. A la carte options are also available and cannot be combined with full-service or eDesign services.
What are your design fees?
Because each project is unique, we need time to discuss your vision for the project and the scope of work, after which we will be happy to prepare a Fee Proposal for you. We generally charge hourly and estimate the total number of hours required to complete your project. This way, you know upfront what your overall fees will likely be. Any overage from our initial estimate are billed at our standard hourly rate. Although these fees are estimated upfront, staying within the scope typically will not result in increases. You will be informed about the hours used during the design process. Our minimum design fee for a full-service project is $6,700.
Our payment options are checks, ACH, credit cards and cash.
What should my budget be?
Determining the budget is where the realistic picture of your project begins and is a key component to properly planning your design. You should be prepared to discuss an overall budget for your project. If you need help determining what that budget should look like, we are happy to guide you through this process of establishing one. We will walk you through the process of estimating your investment based on our extensive experience with interior design.
We find our clients may know how much they want to invest, but may not know what is reasonable to spend on furniture and fees for a project like yours. If you are purchasing all items for a whole home, budget up to 35% of the value of the finished home for interior design services, project management and furnishings.
Our goal is to work within your investment range.
Do you offer free consultations?
We do charge a non-refundable fee for our initial in-home consultation since we are blocking out a specific time on our calendar and traveling to your home to assess the space, make recommendations, give solid design advice and direction, and put together a Fee Proposal for you. Most clients understand that this is a minimal cost compared to not calling in a professional from the beginning and possibly end up making costly mistakes. Clients have thanked us for the information and guidance that they receive during our consultation, and for them, it is absolutely worth the small investment into making their home one that they can be proud of.
Click here to schedule a consultation.
How much does a consultation cost?
Our design consultations are $367 for up to 2 hours (prices are subject to change without prior notice). After our Discovery Call, we will schedule a time to come to your home for up to two hours of time to review the project in person and give you tangible design advice.
Do you offer discounts?
In our practice, we focus on good design, the expertise and the value that we bring as design professionals to your project. Because our business model is that we are your interior design service provider, as well as your retailer, we do offer the best pricing possible to our clients. As with all retailers, we do not pass along trade pricing. Our pricing model is that we will always offer products at less than the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) on full-service projects.
PROCESS
What is the design process?
In a nutshell, upon initial contact, typically through a discovery call, we will gather as much information as possible about your needs and desires for the space. We then come out to see the space in person, listen to your ideas and vision, discuss the design process and provide you with solid ideas and a direction for your project.
We will email you a Fee Proposal within 3-5 business days following the consultation, outlining the scope of work, the estimated number of hours to complete your project, the minimum estimated design fee, and the advance on our design fee required to get started.
Once the advance on our design fee has been paid, that signals the start of the project, and we begin to assemble trades to acquire quotes, and work on the comprehensive design plan. Every detail is accounted for - drawings, furnishings, finishes, fabrics, and the budget breakdown for final approval.
One revision is included. We require 75% of the purchasing budget and approval of the Furnishings Proposal to move forward with the purchasing and project management phase.
You can read more about the process here.
What should I do to prepare for the consultation?
Feel free to start a Pinterest board or save favorite designs on your Instagram or Houzz account to discuss at the consultation. Photos are a great way to visually communicate your likes and style ideas. Sharing dislikes is also helpful as we wish to source efficiently by recommending items that will resonate with our clients.
What's included in the initial in-home consultation?
After the initial phone conversation, once we have determined that we are prospectively a good fit, the next step is the in-home consultation. The appointment lasts up to two hours. This is a working session where we will provide you with valuable and expert guidance, ideas, and information to get you on the right track with your project. We will take a tour of your entire home and help you focus on a defined project scope. We discuss your style and lifestyle needs, your vision (and ours), your budget (we help you establish one if you are unsure), timeframe based on scope, manage your expectations about the process (the good and the not-so-good things that can happen and how we resolve them), review our tried and true design process in more detail, and details about how we work, how we bill for our services and how we manage every detail of your project.
How long does it normally take if I do full-service design?
Most interior design projects will take anywhere from 3–6 months depending on the scope of work. Construction and remodeling projects typically take longer. We will discuss the timeframe upfront with you before the project begins and source based on this.
If you are on a tight timeline, we suggest that you interview other designers as we want to make sure you have a good fit. There may be circumstances where we can provide rush services which usually will result in higher design, product, and administrative fees. If timing is not an issue, we will do everything in our power to complete your home as quickly as possible. It typically takes up to 10 weeks to design and 10-20 weeks to install. Custom furniture is often built-to-order, and these items can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to arrive (sometimes more).
It is our goal to install as soon as possible. The sooner your home is complete, the sooner you can get back to normal and enjoy your space, which is what we want for our clients. See Our Process to get a better idea.
Can I change my mind if I ordered a custom piece?
Once an order is placed and acknowledgement received from vendor it cannot be cancelled. This is especially true for custom orders. These require extra time, special handling, and skilled artisans to create a unique piece just for you. For that reason, manufacturers will not cancel custom orders. Stocked items can be cancelled but typically, a restocking fee is charged. These fees range from 15% to 35% depending on the vendor.
How involved will I have to be in the design process?
We discuss upfront how you prefer to work and enjoy working with all personalities where some clients like to be very hands-on and involved in the process, or some who prefer to entrust everything into our very capable hands. We have found through years of experience, that the design process runs smoother, and your design dollars go further, when we fully manage the project after learning your needs and desires for your home. We value our clients' ideas and input which ensures that the space will reflect your aesthetic and lifestyle. We will present you with great choices and options, make recommendations and guide you through decisions while educating you in the process. We strive to make the process simple and fun for our clients. We take a very personable approach and make it an enjoyable collaboration. We ask that you give us the chance to earn your trust as we take care of every detail.
Can I use my existing furniture?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage clients to incorporate some of the treasured pieces that they already own for a more personalized and unique design. We respect our clients' desire to repurpose and reuse pieces as much as possible. With that said, we are also very honest about what works and what does not - for example if a piece is just too big for the room, we will recommend moving it to another room where it might work better.
Do I order furniture or do you take care of this for me?
This is where we make your life easy and take the stress of ordering away from you. We purchase all items and handle all the logistics for you. This includes purchasing, procurement, shipment tracking, handling claims for damaged goods, and scheduling deliveries. This is usually a 8-12 week timeframe, longer if a renovation and custom orders are involved after the design approval. We track all orders, store them in our warehouse and prepare everything for white glove installation.
The client is free to order their own items, however for various reasons, this could cause a delay in the design process, such as ordering the wrong sized item or a piece that does not fit the design aesthetic to name a few. For these reasons, it is our policy that the client is responsible for any and all handling to include, but not limited to shipment tracking, delivery coordination, damage claims, and returns for items they purchase themselves. We also charge an additional fee for profit lost and handling of these items for final installation.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Who are your typical design clients?
We have clients from all walks of life - from young professionals moving into their first apartment or home, to empty-nesters getting ready to downsize, career-driven individuals, bachelors, bachelorettes, public figures, high net worth individuals, families with older children, and every other lifestyle imaginable. The common thread is that they all desire a home that will be their personal oasis; one that will complement their lifestyle and taste. Regardless of where you are in your life, we would be happy to work with you for your design needs.
The clients that we work best with are clients who see value in the creative process. Who value the experience, expertise and processes of a professional design team. They are typically clients who will trust us to do what we do best. They are decisive and ready to take action. They are willing to invest in what they truly want their home to look and feel like. They understand the value of high quality design work.
Do you have a signature style that you prefer?
While we have a definite design point of view of neutral tones with sleek metals, stately patterns and authentic elements, we also pride ourselves on our ability to produce a design specific to our clients. It is all part of our commitment to excellence and exceeding industry standards. Most of our clients seek us out for our upscale, minimal interiors we typically create, but we are happy to speak to you regardless of your design style. Our designs are focused on creating spaces that are your personal oasis. A curated, luxurious, livable space that is authentically YOU.
What geographical areas do you serve?
We are in Dallas, but cover most of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and beyond. We have served clients as far as Atlanta, Nashville, Boston, and New York.
Due to licensing laws, we are currently only offering decorating services for non-commercial spaces in Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
What organizations are you affiliated with?
We are affiliated with several trade organizations as a way to build our network and grow the resources that we bring to you. Some of these organizations are American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Interior Design Society (IDS), Black Female Interior Designers (BFID) and Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN).
Do you keep up with the latest design trends?
As one of Dallas's top interior design firms, we frequently update our resource library with the latest finishes. We have access to hundreds of catalogs and thousands of fabric, wallcovering, paint and window treatment samples. We also frequently visit the Dallas Market Center and attend several market events in Dallas, TX, High Point, NC, Las Vegas, NV and international shows like Maison & Objet to source items and stay on the cutting edge of design trends.
We are happy to review samples specific to your project and also offer samples to purchase with our Space-In-A-Case Materials box.
Does DVS oversee the construction of the design?
We are happy to design your renovation and create drawings, elevations and renderings to present to you. We have strong relationships with many local contractors and we will recommend a qualified professional that we enjoy working with.
We are also open to working with your contractor if you have one. We do require having a short meeting with your contractor prior to construction, so that we can ensure everyone is on the same page and set your project up for success.
How do I get started?
You can reach out to us and book a free 30 minute discovery session. We are happy to answer your questions and explain briefly about the design process. We can then decide on a mutual date and time to meet in your home for the initial consultation. If you have been collecting any ideas about your style and preference, please feel free to share them with us. Discuss your ideas with your spouse or other decision makers. It also helps to determine what you would like to spend on your project and the timeframe for completion.
You can also schedule the consultation here.
Design with Veronica Sanders, LLC
By Appointment Only
2001 Ross Ave
Ste. 700-144
Dallas, TX 75201
info@designwithveronica.com | 469.759.3829
Top Interior Design Firm Serving:
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex & Beyond
DISCOVER YOUR DESIGN STYLE
