What It's Like to Work With an Austin Interior Designer
From the first consultation to the final flourishes, here's what the interior design process looks like at Sarah Stacey Interior Design.
Hiring an Austin interior designer can sound more intimidating than it is. You don't need a clear vision or a finished Pinterest board. You don't need to know the difference between a console and a credenza. You just need a space that isn't quite working and some trust that the right designer can get you there.
At Sarah Stacey Interior Design (SSID), we want your experience to feel exciting rather than stressful. Here's what you can expect when you work with our studio:
How It Starts: From First Inquiry to Kickoff
You Fill Out Our Contact Form
The process starts when you email us at sarah@sarahstaceydesign.com or fill out a short form on our website.
We ask for the essentials, including your name, project location, scope, and how you heard about us.
Abbey Reaches Out
Within a short window, you’ll hear from Abbey, our Client Services Manager, via email. She’ll explain typical investment ranges and invite you to book a 15-minute discovery call.
The Discovery Call
Up next is the discovery call with Sarah Capps, one of our lead designers.
During the 15-minute session, you'll talk about your project. We'll cover what you're hoping to do, where you are in the process, and what feels unresolved. Sarah will explain how we work.
If it feels like a good fit, you'll talk about next steps. There's no pitch and no pressure, just a friendly conversation to see if we're right for each other.
The Design Strategy Session
Decide to move forward? The next step is a paid, on-site Design Strategy Session with Sarah Stacey.
During this in-depth session, Sarah walks through your space with you and asks questions about your tastes, style, and how you live. Together, we'll define scope, priorities, and a budget.
The fee is $750 and covers our time together and time building your proposal. You'll leave with clarity on project direction and a genuine sense of what working with us feels like. If we move forward together, the session becomes the foundation everything else is built on.
The Proposal
After the Design Strategy Session, the team puts together your proposal. This detailed plan outlines the scope of work, how we bill, what to expect from us, and the steps to get started. You'll have time to review it, ask questions, and decide if you want to move forward. If you do, you'll sign an agreement and put down a retainer to officially kick things off.
The Design Questionnaire
Once the paperwork is in, Abbey sends you our Client Design Questionnaire. This question-and-answer form is intentionally thorough. Some questions are practical (How do you use your kitchen? How many coats need to hang in your closet? What are your must-haves for the primary bathroom?), and some are less obvious (What's your favorite plate? What would your home look like if it were a movie? How do you feel about plants?)
Both types of questions matter. The answers help us build a picture of your aesthetic world. We're looking for the colors, textures, references, and emotional sensibility that will shape every decision we make for your home.
The Design Process
The Visioning Phase
Once we've decided to move forward together, we begin the visioning phase. We pull together a mood board with colors and images that capture your style and personality. The goal of a mood board is to develop a clear picture of your aesthetic.
Space Planning
Once we have a shared vision in place, we move into space planning. Using CAD software, our team maps out your interior and creates a preliminary 3D model of the space. This important step helps keep the design spatially balanced and functional.
Selections and Concepts
Drawing from your mood board and space plan, we source furniture, finishes, lighting, and accessories. Once we have a working set of selections, we develop two full concept boards, each representing a distinct direction for your space. You choose the one that resonates.
Design Development
Once you've approved the concept, the design becomes more detailed. We further develop the space plan, adding furniture placement and material specifications. We convert everything into a final 3D model to scale. For projects that involve custom elements — such as a fireplace surround, bespoke millwork, or sculptural fixture — we sketch and model.
Procurement and Project Management
Once designs are approved, we handle procurement. That means sourcing and coordinating deliveries. We have relationships with artists and craftspeople throughout Austin and beyond, and access to trade resources that aren't available to the public. Every order is tracked, every delivery inspected, and every damaged or incorrect piece handled before it reaches your home.
Construction
For projects that involve renovations and building work, we move into construction once the designs are finalized.
We coordinate with trusted contractors and vendors, manage timelines, and oversee progress to make sure everything aligns with our design plan. Throughout the process, we stay in close communication and conduct site visits.
Installation and Styling
The final phase is installation. This step is when a project goes from a plan on paper to a space you can live in.
Once the furniture and fixtures are in place, our team styles the room with books, art, objects, plants, and more. In other words, we add the layer of life that makes a designed space feel personal.
What to Expect When Working With an Austin Interior Designer
Every project is different. However, a few things are consistent no matter the scope, including:
We communicate. You won't be left wondering what's happening or when. We set timelines at the start of every project and keep you in the loop as work moves from manufacturing to installation.
We'll ask you to commit to your decisions. Once a custom or special order is placed, the item can't be changed or returned. Taking a day or two before finalizing major choices is worth it.
Expect the unexpected. Delays happen. Items get discontinued. Installation timelines shift. In our experience, something will always require a workaround. We plan for it, and in most cases, you won't know there was a problem before it's been solved.
We push where it counts. Our job is to help you find what's true to you. We may end up leading you somewhere unexpected.
Ready to Start?
If you're looking for an interior designer in Austin, the next step is a conversation. Whether you have a full renovation ahead of you or a room that just isn't clicking, we'd love to hear about it. Schedule your initial consultation with our Austin interior design studio.
FAQs
How much does an interior designer cost in Austin, TX? Fees vary based on project size and scope. A smaller decorating project is a different investment than a full renovation. The best way to get a sense of the cost is to reach out and tell us about your project. We're happy to talk through scope and fees in an initial Discovery Call.
What does an interior designer actually do? An interior designer handles everything from space planning and material selection to procurement and contractor coordination. At SSID, we're involved from the first concept until the very last object is placed on a shelf.
How long does an interior design project take in Austin? It depends on the scope. A straightforward decorating project can come together in a few months. A full renovation or new build typically takes 12 to 24 months, including design, procurement, and construction. We set a realistic timeline at the start of every project and stay in communication throughout.
Do I need an interior designer or an architect? For new construction and major renovations, you likely need both. Architects handle the structure, floor plans, and building codes. Interior designers handle the look, feel, and livability of the interior. At SSID, we collaborate closely with Austin architects and recommend that they be brought into the project early.
What areas of Austin do you serve? We're based in Austin and work throughout the city, including Rosedale, Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Westlake, and East Austin. We also take on projects across Texas, Tennessee, and beyond.
Do I need to have a clear vision before reaching out to an Austin interior designer? No. Many clients come to us knowing only that something about their space isn't working. The visioning process is designed to draw out your ideas, even if you don't yet have the words for them.
