residential Design Services
NEW BUILD
We offer complete start-to-finish design work for those looking to tackle new construction. When it comes to details, we truly handle it all, providing our clients with 2D & 3D drawings, space planning, material selection, merchandise procurement and project management throughout.
Our talented and dedicated design team uses our Stil James Design Process to collaborate & communicate with you every step of the way. This makes life easier and allows you to focus on the enjoyable aspects of home design.
Initial Consult & Walk-thru: $350
Billed hourly based on Scope of Work
RENOVATION
Considering a re-work of your original space? We love taking something apart and putting it back together. Whether you’re considering a whole home re-model or looking to give your dated kitchen a refresh, we are here to help.
We use our expertise and experience to determine what is needed to make your vision come to life. We work collaboratively with your contractor & trades people to ensure that all of the little details are not forgotten and partner with our vendors to create a seamless selection, order, delivery and install process.
Initial Consult & Walk-thru: $350
Billed hourly based on Scope of Work
JUST LIPSTICK
We love getting calls about whole home furniture projects or lighting upgrades. We work with incredible partners locally and abroad to source products that fit your style and space. We also provide furniture and lighting placement to scale based on your room’s specifications and your communicated needs.
We have a serious finger on the pulse for all your design needs and our Stil James Design Process allows the project to be quick and painless to ensure you are purchasing the right things for your current or new home.
INITIAL CONSULT & WALK-THRU: $350
Billed hourly based on Scope of Work
Design Concierge
This service is for the DIY’er client. You want to execute a project yourself but want to ensure your selections are the right choices and that you’ve truly optimized your budget.
Whether your project is a gut renovation or a single room in need of a refresh, Stil James can guide you in creating a fully-realized space that you’ll love living in. You can show us your space in person or over video, put together a presentation with photos and/or links on what you’re considering, or simply chat and take notes.
What types of things do we typically advise on with our DIY clients?
Billed as a flat rate package based on design requirements
Our Process:
Discovery
Because each project is unique, Discovery is an essential part of our process. We’ll learn about what you’re trying to achieve with your home, your lifestyle, and what inspires you. You’ll learn about our process, what to expect when working with our design team, and our pricing.
- 1. Fill Out Initial Home Design Questionnaire
- 2. In-Home Consultation or Virtual Meeting
- 3. Initial Design Presentation + Scope of Work (including designer fee breakdown)
To begin step 3 of the Discovery Phase, an initial investment of $350 +HST is collected to ensure both parties are equally committed to the process before investing in further work.
PLANNING
This critical part of the project can take weeks or months depending on the scope of work & complexity involved. During this phase, we collaboratively plan your space, make all material and product selections, then produce and present a comprehensive design package. This package outlines all of the visual and technical design details and sets your project up for success once Implementation begins.
- 1. Concept Development & Onboarding
- 2. Design Package Development & Presentation
- 3. Client Presentation
IMPLEMENTATION
This last phase of the design process is where we bring everything to life. We facilitate with key project partners like builders, contractors, tradesmen and more to execute our vision and plans. We deliver and set up all of the furniture we’ve selected for your project and pull your space together so you can truly start to enjoy your new space. We leave you with you all of the nitty gritty around the project like paint colours (for touch-ups), supplier information & finishes.
- 1. Product Procurement
- 2. Construction
- 3. Delivery, Install & Reveal
- 4. Photography & Leave Behind
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started?
If our design services sound like what you need, please fill out our Contact Us questionnaire to schedule an in-home consultation. During the consultation, we will come see your space, listen to your ideas and vision, discuss the design process and provide you with solid ideas and a direction for your project. We do charge a non-refundable fee of $350 + HST 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 design advice, and then put together a Concept Design & Fee Proposal for you.
What is included in the initial in-home consultation?
The appointment lasts approximately an hour. This is a working session where we will provide you with valuable and expert guidance 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 estimate one if you are unsure), and timeframe based on scope. We will help manage your expectations about the process (the good and the unexpected things that can arise and how we resolve them), review our design process in more detail, and give you more information about how we work, how we bill and how we manage every detail of your project.
How long does the design process usually take?
Generally, six months is a good rule of thumb. Smaller projects can take as little as three months. Larger projects can take upwards of one year. We will give you a clear timeline & scope of work as it relates to your project.
When should I approach your team to get started?
Right away! If you are thinking about involving our team in your project, it’s best to get us involved right off the bat. We’re full of knowledge and ideas that you may not have considered on your own and it can be burdensome and costly to go backwards or make changes once your ball is already rolling.
What geographical area do you cover?
We are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia but if we are a good fit then where you live doesn’t matter as much. If you are located outside of Nova Scotia and you like what you have seen in our portfolio, and how we work, we would be happy to talk about your design needs, and can figure out the logistics from there – even if you are international.
Is there a minimum budget required?
While we technically don’t have a defined minimum product budget for your project, a very important part of the value that we bring to you is to help you develop a budget. We advise you of what the ideal investment range should be to execute on your vision during our initial conversations. We understand the importance of having a defined spending plan from the very beginning, and we take pride in helping our clients realize their design vision at a price point that works for them. We find that a typical starting point for any room in a full service project would be around $50,000, excluding design fees.
What is your pricing?
At Stil James, full service interior design is charged hourly and billed monthly so there are never any surprises for our clients. An overall project estimate, specifically tailored to each project, is determined and discussed in detail with each client during the Discovery Phase.
How do I know if you are the right fit for my project?
That is a great question and we are happy you asked! We understand that we are embarking on a project that will last quite a few months – maybe even years if it is a new build. Therefore it is important that we get to know each other and establish trust. Trust, great listening skills and communication are very important to us and we set these standard for ourselves from the onset. Our great testimonials speak of the outstanding relationships we have built with our clients, many of whom are repeat clients or referrals. We are happy to provide references if that is ever needed. We are our clients’ biggest advocates, and when you hire us, you save time and money. You don’t have to lift a finger because we take care of it all for you.
