Process FAQ

Highly Personalized Interior Design

Avoiding formulas and predictable design, Tina believes that every project brings differing goals and problems to solve. Just as each person is unique, a home should reflect the tastes and lifestyle of each client.

“I believe that a home should feel like it has evolved over time.”

our process faq

How can you help me transform my home or room and still make it reflect my lifestyle and personality?

The design process typically starts with an in home consultation but online consultations via Zoom or Facetime are welcomed too. This allows us to discuss your expectations and determine our role as your designer. Our objective is to understand your lifestyle, your particular needs and underlying preferences as well as specific likes and dislikes. Most people know what they don’t like but have trouble expressing what they want. This process helps us create a picture of your inner personal style which forms the basis for any design concept.

How will you help me visualize your ideas?

I understand how hard it is to imagine how a new room layout, window treatments, furniture, fabrics and colors will look all together. Communicating ideas to you with pictures and material samples, floor plans and drawings, brings the whole vision together and is a key part of the design process. This will enable you to feel comfortable with your choices and confident moving forward to the next stage of investing in the transformation.

We all have mistakes in our closet but making the wrong choices for your home can be very expensive and one you will be reminded of every time you enter the room!

I am concerned about how much it will all cost?

When we have our initial consultation, we will discuss your expectations in terms of cost, quality and timescale. We can provide guidance with general indications as to what typical furnishings may cost. By purchasing furnishings and fabrics at considerably less than retail prices from our trusted sources, we are frequently able to save you money. We also work out a detailed budget for you or work to a budget that you set.

As a designer, our role is to bring to life a new vision for your home within a reasonable budget with which you feel comfortable.

How do you charge for your services?

That depends on your needs and how you would like us to help you. We typically charge an hourly rate for the design phase and provide an estimate of total fees.

Depending on the nature of the project, we may be able to agree a fixed fee for the design concept phase or a total project fee if you prefer to work this way.

Purchasing of furnishings and materials for your project is dealt with separately. Managing the purchasing, checking specifications and samples are correct, deliveries are scheduled and installations carried out as required, as well as dealing with the unexpected, is an important part of our job and ensures that you get the final result you have been expecting.

We will develop a budget and you will receive Proposals for each purchase for your approval with everything itemized so that you can keep control on costs. A purchasing management fee is included in the sale of furnishings, which are sold to you based on wholesale trade prices.

Testimonials

I thought that I would never like the family room in my new house. I couldn't work out why it felt so uninviting and jarring, even though I had spent a lot of money on the room with a different designer. Tina had a totally different approach. She really listened to me and understood the kind of style and feeling that I wanted the room to project. The room now gives me so much joy every time I look at it from my kitchen. I finally feel at home!
C.C.
We have used Tina Dann-Fenwick's design services for the past 5 years. She is professional, listens to our criteria and designs to meet our needs. Tina is meticulous in her research of options and is in constant contact with the providers to ensure that goods/services meet deadlines. We have employed Tina for all size projects from the design of a single window treatment to a kitchen remodeling.
Nancy
Tina has a keen design sense and she endeavors to ensure that her designs reflect our taste. She has access to a wonderful variety of furniture, fabrics and decorative accessories.
John & Nancy
We are thrilled with what we have achieved so far. Tina is a truly intuitive designer who is also super organized and professional. We cannot wait to work on the next project.
S. Shelley
I recently purchased a 15 year old house here in Chicago Land and am working on making it a home. When I got stuck on my sun room I hired Tina to help me. Tina transformed my sun room and greatly enhanced other spaces in my home. The sun room has an unusual layout and is oddly situated between my kitchen and dining room. I never used the room because it felt "cold" and uninviting and I couldn't imagine how to fix it. Now the room is my favorite place in the house! It is warm and inviting but bright with a definite sun room feel...I found Tina a joy to work with and she collaborated very well with the different contractors and/or vendors. The sun room project involved many choices including wall coverings, cabinets, flooring and furniture. Tina took pains to understand my needs and tastes as well as my husbands and while making us both happy was not easy or simple, she did so repeatedly. The more I worked with the Tina the easier it became because not only did she learn more about my style, l learned more about my style (and my husbands)!
Brenda
I enjoyed working with Tina. She understood well my desires. In one instance, we were even able to decide on fabric over email (with photos) rather than physically meeting. I was in total confidence that her choices would meet my needs. Overall, the window treatments look very professional and bring a lot of class to the apartment. The workers she works with are also very professional, leaving the apartment in pristine order.
S.Z.L.
I was quite skeptical when I started the design process as I had previously worked with two other design consultants and had been left feeling disappointed with what we had achieved. Tina's approach has been consultative at every stage and I truly feel that she took the time to understand our requirements. She has also helped me to define my design style and to understand much of the methodology of design and the context of why one style appeals more than another. We are thrilled with what we have achieved so far. Tina is a truly intuitive designer who is also super organized and professional. We cannot wait to work on the next project.
Client
Tina worked with us to create a wonderful living room. After interviewing us to get a feel for our tastes, she gave us two choices, so it was not too overwhelming for us. She provided a new floor plan, selected new fabric for two chairs, the paint for the walls, new coffee table, new lamps. She designed a bookshelf and also suggested adding crown molding to the room, both of which add a lot to the room. She helped us find the re-upholsterer, electrician, painter, and carpenter. She was an enormous help when our work schedules got crazy; she was able to come in when needed for workmen and deliveries. We are really enjoying our new living room!
Meg
We worked closely with Tina to re-design our basement which included a kitchen, bathroom, family room, bedroom and games room. We were already into the process working with an architect and had selected a GC but were feeling quite stressed with the major design choices we had to make which included flooring, kitchen & bathroom cabinets, tiling, fireplace design, built-ins and shelving and paint colors. Tina stepped in and was able to quickly understand our style and family needs for the spaces. We loved all the design choices she presented to us and we are thrilled with the end result. We now have a basement that not only meets our needs but looks fantastic. Tina had excellent knowledge and attention to detail - she gave us advice on important things we had not even thought about. We very much enjoyed working with Tina and would highly recommend her.
Stuart
Tina designed a new fireplace surround/bookcase for around our fireplace and redecorated our living room. She did a fantastic job. We could not be happier with the results. She got the look I was going for and steered me towards good choices for the fabrics etc. The reupholsters and others she worked with all did a top-notch job as well. I have never used a decorator before and found the whole experience working with Tina to be easy and very professional. I would gladly work with her again and highly recommend her.
C.S.
Tina began by designing a custom fireplace for me that has totally transformed the feel of my living room. Previously the room felt out of step with the rest of the open plan family and kitchen area and now with Tina’s guidance the rooms all flow together harmoniously. Tina is a true professional and has been very patient and understanding during the process. She is happy to let an idea “rest” for a while or give you a gentle nudge if you are wracked with indecision. She always offered a choice of options and was happy to work around existing elements I wanted to keep. She has an amazing eye for color and texture and for finding just the right lamp or accessory to complement your soft furnishings. I am looking forward to working with Tina again soon.
Julie
Tina helped me refresh my office/lounge, and I am pleased with the results. Tina gave me good advice and offered a nice selection of choices She was responsive to questions and most helpful in supervising the installation of the window treatments. Overall, I have been very pleased with Tina's work.and recommend her highly.
N.S.

For more reviews, view Tina’s profile on Houzz

Houzz Reviews