Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding our process, how we work, or what we can do from you, please visit our FAQ page by clicking below. We answer a wide range of questions here including about budget, what consultations can help with, and more details about how we can help you create your dream space.

Q. How far in advance do I need to send materials?
A. Depending on the time of year . Once we receive the materials we can review and put our thoughts together for your consult.

Q. What type of consultation is best for me?
A. Most clients can get through the majority of their layout questions with one 90 minute call. If we are going to be working on layout and aesthetics, two calls will work better. Notes decks are helpful to solidify everything we’ve talked about, and I often add examples and additional info into the notes decks to save time during the call.

Q. How do I see your schedule?
A. You can see my schedule and book a time with the link provided after checkout.

Q. How far in advance are you booking consultations?
A. You can see my schedule and book a time with the link provided after checkout. I can accommodate consult calls usually within 7-14 days of booking.

Q. Will you draw plans for me?
A. Regretfully, I cannot offer drafting services for my consult clients at this time.

Q. Can I see a sample notes deck?
A. Yes! Feel free to request one via email or our contact form.

Q. What happens if we need more time?
A. We can extend a Short Call into a Long Call if I don’t have a schedule conflict, and I can bill you afterwards. If you need to expand a Quick Sweep into a Full Sweep, I can invoice you for the difference after our first call.

Q. How much does a Studio Dearborn kitchen usually cost?
A. If you are considering working with us, keep in mind that a typical Studio Dearborn kitchen will start around $100K for cabinetry and design services (for a medium sized kitchen), so homeowners should budget for $250K+ (with minimal changes to floor plan) for their entire renovation, factoring in construction costs, appliances, countertops, fixtures, etc. If you need help calculating your budget, please check out our free budget estimator under ebooks.

Q. How soon should I reach out to you about a project?
A. We recommend that clients reach out at least 6 months prior to their planned “start date”, to allow adequate time to get in the queue and complete the design phase before ground breaking. If your project timeline is tighter, please feel free to reach out, but know that we may not be able to accommodate your schedule.

Q. Do you work with other design professionals and architects?
A. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with your architect, interior designer or builder. As kitchens are a very specialized area of design and construction, our clients are best served when we work in partnership with other design professionals from the earliest stages of project planning. If you do not have a team assembled yet, we can recommend other trade professionals (including architects, general contractors, and interior designers) who are a good fit for your project.

Q. Do you only design kitchens?
A. We can design cabinetry for any room in your home, in conjunction with your kitchen project. (At this time, we are not taking on projects that do not include a full kitchen renovation.) We are frequently commissioned to design bath vanities, mudroom built ins, laundry rooms, home offices and family room built-ins as part of a larger home renovation.

Q. During a consultation, what types of questions can you answer and what design elements can you help with?
A. Here are some typical questions we often answer in the course of a consultation call:
What changes can be made to optimize my kitchen layout?
Are clearances between cabinets adequate?
Should I move the refrigerator to another wall?
What are the benefits of a speed oven?
What are some favorite countertop materials? What are the pros and cons of each?
How can I make sure there will be enough light in my kitchen?
What changes should I make to improve flow?
What’s the best flooring material for my kitchen?
Should I do open shelves or closed cabinetry?
Where would you store spices, oils, and cutting boards in my kitchen?
Where should I place the microwave?