Frequently asked questions…

Knowing there are many different ways to complete a renovation, build or interior decoration project I understand the importance of having the right team to go with it!

Getting started with me at MARG. Studio is a gradual process that will allow you to ask as many questions as you need and work out whether or not I can provide the services you need to complement the project.

Getting started is as simple as having a no obligation free chat to me at a time of your choosing. From there, my process gradually takes you through from initial ideas, concept design to completion.

I work with clients who see the value in knowing when to spend money on investment pieces and products and when to find something more cost effective. It’s not about splashing cash for the sake of it. My clients tend to be working on projects that will be around for a long time so know investing in design services will make this happen.

Rather than being driven by specific styles, I am driven by specifying materials and products that have been made well, fit your lifestyle and own interior style. 

I have no desire to create the same thing over and over again. One of the main reasons I got into interior design in the first place was because I love so many different styles of interiors and they couldn’t possibly all fit in my own home!

While of course there can be a common aesthetic across some of my projects, your project will be uniquely yours guided by Emily at MARG. Studio to make sure we are making the most of your space, your requirements and your interiors style. 

Firstly, if you don’t really know and have no idea how to work it out that is totally fine!

That’s the beauty of having someone else help drive your project. My job is to tease your style out of you. The end result will be driven by you and guided by me.

You will have multiple opportunities to approve the design, mood boards, products and materials during the design process so you can feel confident we are going in the right direction (and not around in circles!). I always make sure I fully understand what it is you are wanting from your interior, renovation or build project before we get started. This ensures that the design is truly reflective of you.

You may have come across interior design pricing structures such as:

• Hourly rate

• Flat fee

• Percentage of building/product costs

At MARG. Studio I work with a combination of all three to make sure you are getting the best fit for your project. Just as there is no one size fits all for interiors, my fees are tailored to you and your requirements. I want to make sure you are getting exactly what you pay for (hopefully more but never less!).

This pricing structure also means you aren’t paying for things that aren’t necessary for your project that could happen with off the shelf pricing structure. 

For a little more detail on my project phases and how they are charged visit “How much does an interior design cost?”.

How long is a piece of string? (Just joking… kind of). Like your fees this will depend on the Scope of Work that is required for your project. As a rule of thumb I would say it always takes a little longer than you might think so leave plenty of time so you we can “design once and design well” together. 

As an example it has recently taken my clients and me a year from initial contact to start building/installing (although there were a few 2020/2021 hiccups in there too!). 

If required for smaller interior decorating projects (furniture, art and styling) I can work towards tighter timeframes by working with products that are either in stock or have shorter lead times. Just remember the old “good, fast, cheap” balance! 

I’ve found the most successful interior projects are the ones that allow enough time in the design phase to properly work through the process. I work with clients wanting to create homes that last them a lifetime so I make sure we aren’t rushing our choices and you get the outcome you came to me for. If you are unsure about where you are up to in your project or how MARG. Studio might be able to fit in with your timing, don’t hesitate to book in a free chat with Emily to get a better idea.

Professional designers (whether that be for interiors, graphic design, architecture etc) will work with some version of this Design Process. This ensures any project that comes across their desk will run in the most efficient way possible. 

In short, MARG. Studio’s interior design process starts broad (gathering information and requirements specific to your project) and refines into the detail as we go through the phases (starting with an overall look and feel concept all the way to final documentation and specification). 

While I can certainly guide you towards certain aspects that will keep the management of your project on track (access to suppliers, trades etc) I will only be one arm of your project process and therefore don’t offer project management on full renovations and builds. In this kind of project you will have various trades and services required to complete it. Therefore it’s worth considering if you have the time to project manage the whole thing yourself or if your builder or architect is offering this service. 

For smaller, interior decorations (furniture, art and styling) MARG. Studio will absolutely coordinate the design, delivery and install from start to finish which will be discussed in your Scope of Works.

I have some clients who like to come with me to showrooms and get involved with lots of the smaller, nitty gritty selections like robe hooks and towel racks whereas other clients who would prefer to leave that ball in my court so I can streamline the process and take the head ache out of going to showroom after showroom. 

There will be certain items in the process that I will have you select (with guidelines from me to make it easier) like appliances but otherwise I tailor your project to account for how much time you have to spend on your project.

The idea is that your project will deliver you not only the outcome you are after but also the level of ease or involvement you are after. 

Where MARG. Studio is ordering products, materials and furniture on your behalf from my reputable suppliers you may find you have access to or share relevant trade discounts. 

For bigger interior design projects where materials are ordered by trades and builders, you will be working directly with those trades and builders and their individual trade structure.

For smaller interior decoration projects one of the main benefits of working with Emily is that you not only have access to a design professional to make selections but depending on your fee proposal you may find you have access to trade discounts. This can often make these smaller services cost neutral to the client.. win/win.

Knowing that most of my business comes from word of mouth via past happy clients or even those same past happy clients coming back I know how important it can be for you to get a sense of how I worked with them.

I include as many testimonials as possible in my Projects portfolio but if you have more specific areas you would like to know about from a past client please don’t hesitate to let me know and I will chat to them on a case by case basis. 

To find out more about how MARG. Studio can be involved in your renovation or build project to “design once and design well” view my Services here. They include full interior design for renovations or new builds all the way to furniture, art and styling. 

All of my projects start with an initial free chat so please book in your time and we can chat about taps, tiles, timing or even just the weather.