At Lewisham Interiors, we’re often asked about our process, services, and how we help clients across Melbourne bring their spaces to life. As experienced interior designers in Melbourne, we’ve compiled answers to our most common questions below to help guide you through your design journey.
About Our Process
We begin with a discovery phase to understand your vision, needs, and style preferences. Next, we develop concept designs, refine them based on your feedback, and finalize the plan. Once approved, we handle procurement, coordinate with trades, and manage the installation. Throughout the process, we provide regular updates and maintain open communication.
Absolutely! Many clients come to us without a defined style. Part of our expertise is helping you discover and articulate your preferences. Through our guided conversation, image sharing, and thoughtful questions, we’ll uncover the aesthetic that feels right for your space and lifestyle.
While we value your input on major decisions, we don’t need to consult you on every detail—that’s what you’re hiring us for! After understanding your preferences, we’ll bring you curated options for key elements but handle smaller decisions independently to keep the project moving efficiently.
Financial Considerations
Your total project investment typically includes design fees (our professional time), furnishings and materials, contractor/trade labour if renovating, delivery and installation costs, and a contingency fund (we recommend 15–20% of the project budget). We provide detailed estimates for all these components before work begins.
We pride ourselves on finding creative solutions! If an item exceeds your budget, we’ll present alternatives at different price points that maintain the design integrity. Sometimes, we might suggest allocating more budget to key statement pieces while finding savings elsewhere.
Transparency is essential. If unexpected costs arise (like discovering electrical issues behind walls), we immediately notify you with the details, explain the implications, and present options. No additional work proceeds without your explicit approval.
Working With Us
We welcome as much or as little input as you’d like to provide. Some clients prefer to be involved in every selection, while others trust us to make most decisions after establishing the direction. We tailor our process to your preferred level of involvement.
Design evolution is natural! If you discover new items or ideas after approval, we’re happy to evaluate how they might integrate into the plan. Depending on timing, this might require adjustments to other elements or timeline extensions, which we’ll clearly communicate.
We use detailed visual presentations, material samples, and 3D renderings where appropriate to help you envision the final result. Throughout implementation, we conduct quality checks and keep you updated on progress. Our final installation is meticulously supervised to ensure every element meets our standards.
Practical Matters
This depends on the project scope. For minor updates, absolutely! For major renovations involving multiple rooms or systems (plumbing, electrical), living elsewhere during peak construction periods is often more comfortable. We’ll provide specific recommendations for your situation during planning.
Helpful information includes: existing floor plans (if available), inspiration images you love, items you want to keep, functional requirements for each space, budget parameters, timeline constraints, and any special considerations (like pets, allergies, or accessibility needs).
Yes, we coordinate all aspects of implementation. We have established relationships with reliable contractors, craftspeople, and installers who meet our quality standards. We handle scheduling, site meetings, and quality control so you don’t have to worry about these details.
After Project Completion
We stand behind our work. If issues arise with design elements we’ve specified within six months of completion, we’ll help address them. For manufacturer defects, we’ll assist with warranty claims. Our goal is your complete satisfaction, even after the project concludes.
Yes! We provide a personalized care guide for your new space, including cleaning recommendations for specific materials, maintenance schedules for special items, and contact information for recommended service providers (like specialty cleaners or repair professionals).
We love building long-term relationships with our clients! Many return for additional phases or new properties. As someone familiar with your style and preferences, we can work efficiently on future projects. We also offer “refresh” services for seasonal updates or when you’re ready for small changes.
Still have questions? Contact us — we’d love to hear about your space and how we can help bring it to life.