Questions To Ask a Luxury Interior Designer 

Choosing an interior designer for your space is an exciting moment when it comes to designing a home. The designer will have an impact on the whole design project, helping you make design decisions from start to finish. Before you decide to work with a luxury interior designer, it’s essential to ask them consultation questions to learn if they are the right designer for you and your design vision. From their experience, process, and overall design experience, it’s essential to make sure they are the right person for the job. This helps you ensure that both of your visions align and that they are the right designer for you. 

What services do you offer?

When it comes to interior design, there are a variety of services that designers can offer. Ask what services they provide to make sure they are experts in the specific service you are looking for to ensure your interior design project goes smoothly. 

Do you welcome client involvement? Do you prefer clients to be hands-off?

You may want to be heavily involved in the process, or you may want to take a more hands-off approach and let the designer work their magic. Knowing if the designer wants you involved and giving input along the way or the designer prefers complete creative control will ensure that you two do not clash along the way. It helps you trust the process and your designer. 

What do you find challenging about designing a home?

Knowing what the designer may have a challenge with will help you understand their strengths and weaknesses. Think about your particular project and where they might have a challenge. This will help you understand when there may be a struggle or miscommunication and give you peace of mind about what parts of the project will be their strength. 

Have you ever made a mistake on a project? How did you handle it?

Some mistakes can be costly, and it’s important to see how designers handle errors and misunderstandings. Knowing how they handle it if something does go wrong will help ease your mind about potential mishaps.  

What budgets do you work with? What do you prioritize when planning a budget?

Asking these questions early on will help avoid any headaches down the road. Knowing your designer’s priorities align with yours is essential to creating a space that fits your personality and style. For the designer, knowing what your budget is will help them make the best choices for your style. 

What is your signature design style? What inspires you?

This is a popular question to ask designers. It helps give you insight into the designer’s aesthetic and style to see if it matches your vision and if they are the right fit for you. Understanding how they navigate the creative process and what inspires them will help you better understand their side of the design process. 

What is your project management style?

This is an essential part of any design project, whether it’s a complete renovation, home build, or quick design refresh. Knowing how they manage projects will give you an idea of what their preferred communication style is. If it’s different from yours, ask if they are flexible and willing to adapt. Knowing this will help both sides understand how to communicate during time-sensitive decisions. 

Ready to personalize your space so that it is unique, timeless, reflective of your style? Contact us to get started.

Leslie’s Favorite Things

Leslie Moore is the founder and senior designer at L.Moore designs. With a passion for design, she is an experienced interior designer with 20 years of experience in residential interior design. She uses on-trend designs to create a fresh design for every client’s space with an impeccable eye. Learn more about Leslie and her favorite things, from her favorite design project to what she loves to eat for lunch. 

How did you get into interior design?

“Studied and majored in Art History, history of architecture classes were my favorites. I went back to school in Interior Design 5 years after graduating, simultaneously working for a commercial designer, but it was my love for homes that led me to work primarily as a residential designer.”

When you are not working with clients, how do you like to spend your time?

“Walking & hiking, tennis, eating, newest hobby is paddleboarding.”

What is your office style like?

`2021 brought a major overhaul to my office with new paint and carpet, which required me to completely empty the space and did a major purge before any item went back in, feels very uncluttered and organized, now granted it is an active working office, so yes there a ‘piles’ here and there!”

3 things on your desk you cannot live without?

Red ink pens! #1 item not only on my desk but in my purse, on the kitchen counter, everywhere!!

Do you have any pets?

“Golden retriever girl dog 5 years old named Ryder, 4th golden in 32 years, my husband adores this dog breed!”

Do you listen to music while working? If so, what is your go-to playlist?

“Honestly, no, I like to stay quiet… I have learned I can focus best this way.”

What inspires you?

“Travel, art & nature.”

What is your favorite thing to help clients with?

“Master bedrooms – clients are very reluctant to prioritize their own personal spaces over other common spaces that the entire family will use. I have learned through my years of work there is actually nothing more important than creating a sanctuary in that very personal space. Each time we have finally completed Master Bedroom projects, the client almost always expresses, “I can’t believe I waited so long to do this.” In my current work with clients, I always try and steer them to prioritize that space.” 

What is one tip you think everyone needs to hear?  

“Hiring and working with a designer will add more cost to an interiors project, but that will more than be made up for with the end result because of the expertise and resources that Interior Designers are able to bring to a project.”

Favorite lunch while working?

“Ham sandwich with tomatoes, chips on the side, and mint lemongrass tea!”

Ready to work with Leslie? Connect with us today!