You may want to go through some of these FAQs to start, or simply fill out the form on the connect page, or call 416-524-5221. If you get voicemail, leave a detailed message and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

I always like to start with a telephone conversation where you basically get to ‘interview’ me to see if we are a good fit together. I will have questions about your space, style, budget and timelines, and I will then fill you in on how I may be able to help you out for your specific needs. At this time, you can ask me as many questions as you need about my services and fees; or, feel free to go through these FAQs to familiarize yourself with Toronto Designers.

There is never any pressure if you want to start with a telephone conversation, or even just an email. I hope you will feel relaxed enough so that we can just get to know each other and figure out if you need my services.

Look for inspiration in photos so that I can understand your vision. You can send these images (on a Pinterest board or Houzz Ideabook…) in advance of our meeting, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have time as we can explore ideas when together too. As for what to do to your house – do nothing! Don’t tidy up as it is important for me to see how you live to see what may or may not be working with your current setup.

I like to try to reuse as much as possible. I also like to recommend second-hand stores where possible. And lastly, it also helps not to waste, so working together ensures we get it right the first time around.

I am an interior decorator. An interior decorator works within the confines of a building’s parameters. An interior designer requires a specific degree accepted by ARIDO. A designer is capable of doing working drawings for permits, including extensions.

I have an undergraduate business/finance degree from Concordia University (Montreal), a Professional Interior Design degree from The Regent Academy of Fine Arts (England), and a certificate in Interior Design from Seneca College (Toronto).

Yes, I have full interior design coverage for myself.

Yes, for-in home. Within one hour’s drive. But check in with me if you are further. For e-Design, of course, I am available wherever you may be.

Here, we get to meet each other and start the decorating venture. It is best to meet at your location, even if virtually, so I can get a sense of what you have and how you live. We then come up with a plan for each space needed that includes all the elements of design – window treatments, lighting, lay-out (floor plans), colours, fabrics, flooring, etc. I try to re-use as much as we can and want, and we move forward from there. At the end of this consultation you will be handed personalized notes on the spaces we worked on, as well as a full package of resources which includes places to shop, trade & retail discounts, referenced contractors lists and helpful contacts and articles. If this is enough, take it and run as your time and budget allow. You will be armed with enough resources to do a lot on your own, with a plan that is tailor-made for you.

We meet on Zoom, but otherwise the consult is pretty much the same as ‘what can I expect from the initial consultation’.

No problem! This is actually my favourite kind of design work. I love to work with what someone has as it is typically more personal this way. I might suggest some new purchases; for example, fresh paint colours, new lighting, trendy pillows, etc. Anything you need or prefer to keep, stays.

We can either continue where the last designer left off, or start fresh. We don’t want to waste the efforts you have already paid for, but of course only if they are worth saving.

After the initial consultation, I will give you a full list of my referenced professionals so you can contact them directly on your own.

Yes! This is part of the portfolio that I give you at the end of the initial consultation. I pass on my full discount, not just a portion.

No problem. It’s all about you. There are no timelines, unless you want them. There are no agendas, unless you want that too. Your time and budget are key, so whatever fits. My only constant is the initial consultation, which is a minimum of two hours. After that, you choose… or we can choose together based on what seems to be best for you.

My time is yours as you prefer. Since I simply charge by the hour, you can choose exactly what you need from me.

After we’ve had our initial consultation, I like to send an email to acknowledge our time together. If I thought of anything to add to the plans before this email, I like to include that too. I also attach a contract for you to have a look. If you are OK with the contract, you can then choose to sign, scan and email it back as you need. Even if this contract is signed, there is nothing to pay unless you use my services. Once it is signed, feel free to use as little or as much of my services as you need.

After my email and contract signing, we move forward on the plan we came up with. You can continue to use my services only as you need and want, and at any time that I feel you can do some on your own to save on my fees, I will recommend that. I can help you shop or even shop for you; source products; and we will continue to collaborate on the plan to be sure it continues in the right direction. Sometimes a new piece is found for a steal that doesn’t quite fit the original plan… so we tweak. Styling surfaces, organization, and hanging pictures can all be part of this little bit more.

No. This is not something I do. I use paper and pencil and old-school drawings. And I’m pretty quick at this point too. I do scaled floor plans on graph paper as needed, and that works well for most applications and designs.

I can do kitchen and bathroom design, but it is best left to the designers and millworkers of this field. That said, I can guide you with finishes, millworkers and contractors, but will not manage these extensive renovation projects.

I have several referenced professionals that I recommend. They are all fully insured and honest.

I pass along all my designer discounts to my clients. The percentage ranges from store to store and supplier to supplier. I get 10% and up. You need to be a client of mine to receive these discounts. Typically the store needs to be in touch with me to ensure you are my client.

The first two hours of the initial consultation are $459 for in-home or e-Design. After that, the hourly rate goes down to $110/hour in 15-minute increments. Follow-up visits are down to $110/hour. HST is added.

Yes. Minimum two hours for in-home or shopping. Minimum 30 minutes for virtual on Zoom. Minimum 15 minutes for online sourcing, phone or email inquiries.

I have a minimum two hours for in-home or store shopping. A minimum of 30 minutes for virtual on Zoom. And a minimum of 15 minutes for online sourcing, email or phone inquiries. Some get alarmed at the 15 minute minimum, but if I have to wrap my head around your space it does take a bit of time to get it right. What I like to recommend is that if a client does some of their own legwork (shopping, sourcing, etc.), then they can put together an email with images, links and the like so that it becomes more worthwhile. But, if a quick email is asking about one small thing that I can answer quickly, I won’t charge. If the day goes on with many quick questions, it will add up to the one charge of 15 minutes, or the amount of time used if more.

No. I trust my clients and I simply work by the hour. I do, however, have a contract that I prepare for you to have a look at after our initial consultation. It basically states that you agree to pay me for my time and I agree to pass on my designer discounts where available…With a few other legal protections.

There are no travel fees for virtual consulting. A flat rate of $75 within Toronto is charged for each in-home visit or shopping date. The boundaries in the GTA are Richmond Hill down to the water, Scarborough in the east and Mississauga in the west. Beyond these limits, there is a $125 travel fee to within one hour of driving time. Beyond one hour is where I stop. BUT, this doesn’t mean I can’t work online with you. Parking fees are extra as is charged.

The store or supplier typically just needs to confirm you are my client with one simple email. If you need more help than an email confirmation, fees will be charged at my regular hourly rates in 15-minute increments. You can always assess whether this works out to your advantage.

Flat fees are not always what they seem to be. I do work fast, but I don’t want to work fast just so I can finish your job and get to the next one. Working carefully with my time allows for the best solution, not just the fastest. It also allows me to suggest some of the things you can do on your own to save on my fees.

I accept payment in the form of cash, cheque, or eTransfer. Payment is expected in advance for the first two hours for virtual consultations.

Once you’ve contacted me, I add you to my mailing list. I do a few blogs a month that most of my clients find helpful and interesting. If you don’t want to stay on the list, simply unsubscribe as indicated in the first email you get from me through Mailchimp…. Or after a few if you do want to give it a chance.