Hiring an interior designer: How does it work?

At Breeze Giannasio Interiors, first a short questionnaire and follow-up phone conversation will help us evaluate your project, and if we may be of help. We then offer an initial home consultation. In this meeting Breeze will walk through your home or business with you, and speak with you about the specific needs of your interior design or construction project. No actual design is done in this meeting, just an evaluation of the project scope and your particular needs and timing. You can review her portfolio, and learn more about specific projects in the portfolio. After this meeting, a design fee proposal will be sent to you for your review.

How do you charge?

We maintain competitive design fees. There are a few ways that we charge but our design fee will typically have a combination of a fixed fee and hourly estimates.  Please view the options under this tab for typical scopes that might apply to your project.  Breeze's hourly rate is $150/hr.  In addition to the design fee, we offer options when it comes to purchasing product and furnishings. In most cases we offer a discount off of the retail price of product with a commission on product sold.  

What will our project cost?

It depends on the level you wish to take your project. If you have a specific design fee budget in mind, we are more than happy to prepare a proposal, stating what we can offer, keeping within your budget.

 

How do we get started, and what is next?

Before beginning work, you go through a detailed questionnaire that helps us get to know you better.  We take a design fee retainer that is applied to your final invoice.  We then engage in a visioning session and work with you on any fact finding (preferred design styles, requirements for each room, how you live and work in your home etc.) we photograph the residence, and take formal measurements. From there we prepare a schematic design presentation, showing you our initial drawings, proposed material selections, palette options, and concepts.  After design approval of that stage, we work with you on narrowing down the final selections, pricing, and implementing the design.

How do we get started, and what is next?

Breeze Giannasio Interiors works primarily in Los Angeles and Hawaii with select engagements on the east coast. On the books currently are projects in Los Angeles, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, Hancock Park, West Lake Village, Fullerton, Palm Springs, Honolulu, Maui, Waikiki, Hoboken and Washington DC (Logan Circle, Dupont Circle and Georgetown).

Can I see samples of your work?

The Portfolio page on this site has a sampling of our home design work. Feel free to contact Breeze to see more images of other projects.  And please consider following us on Facebook, Houzz, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

What is your style?

We don't have a style that we stick to. Our clients preferences, the architecture of the home or building and its natural surroundings, and also the budget will dictate the interior's style direction. Breeze Giannasio Interiors seeks to bring out her client's personality and best self in each space.

Where do you get your furniture?

We purchase product from a variety of sources, curated over years of trade experience.  We also use local stores, to the trade showrooms, and retail locations, as well as online and catalogue retailers. If our clients have sources that they prefer to work with, we are more than happy to do so. We also work with local custom upholstery and drapery workrooms.

Do we need to use your contractor or architect?

No. We will work with your builder, or tradespeople. We are more than happy to refer you to those who can help as well. You will not pay us for construction related labor, that is between you and your contractor.

Do I have to make purchases through you?

No. You are welcome to make any purchases on your own. Most clients do purchase through us, because of the discount we pass along coupled with our trade contacts and procurement and installation experience.

What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?

Interior decorators typically focus on the decorative elements of a home, such as: paint color, furniture, décor, window treatments, bedding etc. Interior designers do this, and more. Designers typically have formal program training. An interior designer should have knowledge of interior architecture principals, drafting skills, general building code guidelines and more.

 What experience do you have?

Breeze Giannasio holds a Masters in Interior Design and worked at an architecture firm focusing on multi-family housing and hospitality projects before starting her own practice. She worked one on one for four years for her hospitality design mentor, Michael Bedner, icon of hospitality design and co-found of HBA.  She has also studied fine art domestically and internationally.  Her law degree from Harvard Law and years of practice as a corporate attorney permeate her business in subtle ways as well.  Breeze has worked on both residential and commercial interior design projects nationally, with a particular focus on Washingon DC, Los Angeles and Hawai’i. 

How long will our project take?

This will vary per project. A typical kitchen remodel may take approximately 3 months to design and build. A living room remodel may take a month to design, and 2-3 months to receive and install all product and furniture. If you are remodeling your bathroom, the process may take only a month from start to finish. A custom home design from start to finish may take 3 months to layout, and plan the details and an addition 3 months to procure and install. We are happy to work with you on your timeline and advise whether your aspirational timelines are realistic.