3 Most Common Interior Designer Questions

I finally pulled together a much-needed FAQ page for my website. Sorting through the best questions took time, but I wanted to provide clear answers—check them out here. Most FAQs cover how I work, my process, and my credentials. But a few stand out. Today, I’m diving into the three most common interior design questions, answered over the years and collected from web inquiries, friends, colleagues, and clients. Let’s get into it.

What’s the Difference Between a Designer and a Decorator?

We embrace both both terms. But the difference matters. Many designers dislike the word “decorator,” but it has its place.

I studied interior design, a program now called interior architecture – same program, just a new name and for good reason – to avoid confusion and respect the professional service. This program covered drawing, construction methods, codes, and sustainability. As part of my education, I worked in commercial interiors, which I continued to do for 15 years. Perspective: you don’t decorate a commercial space—you design it. While working at large architecture firms, I learned AutoCAD, how to create construction drawings, and the ins-and-outs project management. I also mastered rendered floor plans, 3D visuals, creating material boards and craftig presentations. All skills ensure projects run smoothly, from design to installation. That’s design—anything a general contractor needs to be invovled with.

Decorating is different. It’s the fun details—wallpaper, side tables, throw pillows, and art. Some selections and elements overlap with ‘design’, but each has its own process. Both are essential for a fully finished home. All designers decorate, but not all decorators design.

At our studio, we separate design and decorating when organizing projects and billing clients. If someone calling themselves a designer lacks formal training and experience, it’s worth asking questions—the distinction is important.

How Do You Bill for Interior Design Services?

We bill hourly.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve tested flat fees, hourly rates, markups, and shared discounts. Hourly billing simply works best. It reflects experience, insight, and time spent on each project.

A seperate fair and transparent pricing approach: we charge a markup on products purchasesd in relations to design. This covers several essential aspects of the ordering process—time spent creating and processing invoices, following up on orders, handling delivery, and overseeing installation. With so many variables that can go wrong, this fee ensures a smooth process and accounts for any necessary back and forth. The mark-up is applied after we calculate your total costs, and includes our to-the-trade discounts.

This markup applies to both construction-related and design-related purchases, though the exact percentage varies by project and client. While specific numbers aren’t listed online, serious clients are welcome to schedule a call to review the details. Inquire here to learn more.

Do You Take on Small Projects?

Yes!

Most of my week focuses on large-scale projects. These projects take years and demand a hands-on approach, utilizing our most refined skills—detailed drawings, construction planning and management, large-scale purchasing, and more. Many clients don’t fully grasp the complexity of a renovation or new build—sometimes not until they’re in the thick of it. It’s a lengthy process with countless moving parts.

We dedicate two days a week to smaller projects for clients who aren’t ready for a full renovation. Our partial services provide expert guidance—enough to ensure you have professional advice, without the long-term commitment of a full-scale project.

For a quick expert perspective, we also offer one-hour virtual sessions where you bring your design challenges to the table. If you’re in the Boston area, we provide in-person, two-hour consultations, followed by a detailed summary with recommendations, links, and key insights from our meeting.

Interior Design Questions Answered

After doing this for 20 years, accumulating experience, and learning from the best, we have plenty to share. And the wild part is—we’re still learning (in the best way). Always exploring new technologies, taking on professional challenges, and educating ourselves to get even better. Check out the rest of FAQ’s here and stay tuned for more insights shared here on the blog, and reach out if we missed something you’re dying to know. Learn more by checking out other blog posts on our process and services.