Working with an Interior Designer at Angela Todd Studios
What is it like working with us? As an introduction to our Portland team, below are answers to common questions from our clients.
What can I expect from your design team?
You will find the Angela Todd Studios team professional, approachable, and committed to your satisfaction. We are advocates for your vision, and when challenges arise we are competent problem solvers. Most of all, you will find the experience working with our team lighthearted and fun. You can expect the best value for your investment in your project, and we will work hard to deliver exceptional, remarkable service you will remember for years to come.
What are the benefits of working with a designer at your firm?
We offer something special to our clients – something intangible – but important nonetheless. Our work helps our clients relax more easily, it helps them organize their lives, it offers a place to unwind, and it is a backdrop to something really precious – their lives and those they love. That is the heart of what we do. We don’t believe all of our magic is in a great countertop or sofa selection: Our real magic is in knowing you and how you want to live.
What happens at my initial design consultation?
Our initial consultation brings our interior design services to your home for an in-depth interview to learn about your design objectives and outline the scope of work to accomplish your goals. After learning about you, we may offer some design ideas or resources for your project. At this initial appointment, we also measure and photograph areas for our reference. Our first meeting usually lasts one and a half to two hours.
What kinds of questions should I be prepared to answer?
We will be asking you questions at our first meeting about how you live, what your goals are, and about your personal preferences. You may also want to think in advance about colors, styles, moods and ideas that appeal to you. Don’t worry if you
and your spouse don’t see eye to eye on the design plans. We are expert at finding common ground to ensure everyone gets what they want from the new design.
How do I prepare for my upcoming design consultation?
If you have been dreaming up ideas or doing research before calling us, please share with us any magazine tear sheets, photos or online images that may inspire you. Even if these images aren’t exactly what you want to see in your project, we can find the common thread in the images that appeal to you. For our clients that are digitally minded, here are two resources you may find useful to gather ideas and concepts:
www.Houzz.com includes inspiration from thousands of interior and exterior design projects from interior designers, builders, and architects all over the Nation. You can search by room, keywords, styles, regions and colors. We suggest you create an account and add images that appeal to you to an idea gallery. You may email the idea gallery to us with comments, or we can review it together in person.
www.Pinterest.com is a virtual bulletin board. After joining the site you can “pin” photos from the World Wide Web and your personal computer to this virtual board keeping it all in one place online.
How do you charge for design services?
Our initial consultations are $495 for up to a two hour appointment, and hourly thereafter. We may charge additionally for travel time, and in that case we will discuss that with you in advance. After the initial consultation, we will draft a design agreement outlining our scope of work together. Once you sign and return the agreement with your deposit and we will get started on your project.
Although we charge by the hour, we find our client’s design time billable invoices average 10-15% of the total cost of their furnishing and construction projects.
It is helpful for me to determine my overall design budget?
Yes it is. We work with clients with budgets from moderate to upscale – and we are comfortable helping both types of clientele. In all cases, we help you make choices where to effectively spend your investment dollars for the maximum effect. The value of an interior designer is that we know what mix of pieces and finishes will create an amazing space in your home. If your whole dream project can’t be tackled with your initial investment, we can also help you plan the total picture so you can implement in phases.
We look forward to meeting you at our upcoming consultation appointment and to learn more about your goals for your project. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please call our studio at 503.208.2997 or email us at designteam at angelatoddstudios.com
Angela Todd
Owner & Principal Designer
Angela is the principal designer at her boutique interior design firm in Portland, Oregon. She is known for creating memorable backdrops that tell the story of fascinating and intricate lives.
