The initial meeting, lasting up to an hour is free when an order is issued. This is followed by a consultation to determine the brief. Consultations are charged on an hourly rate, please contact us for more details. [top]

Q: Do you do interior design for commercial projects?

All commercial enquiries are welcomed from office and boardroom space design to lifts, staircases, hotels and B & B's. [top]

Q: Why work with an Interior Designer?

It saves you time and money.

You avoid costly mistakes.

Your design is bespoken.

You are left to enjoy your life to get on with it without the endless choices, the responsibility has now shifted from your shoulders to ours.

You qualify for lower than normal retail prices for soft furnishings etc.

[top]

Q: Why choose aardesigns?

We have many years of experience and have a satisfied client data base to prove this. We work well within budget, and supply on time every time. We have a holistic approach taking into consideration all factors having an impact on the brief. We use a green approach to design incorporating eco friendly products and support local craftsmen and indigenous base line products, where possible. [top]

Q: Will using a designer be affordable?

We always start off with your budget and work within those guidelines. You should not feel afraid or in the least intimidated in discussing what you can afford. Be open and honest and say this is what I can afford, this is what I would like to spend and that is what I want for my money. A good designer will be able to work within all reasonable budgets without creative compromise. Also, the public in general do not realize but some of the 'wow' factor rooms that make it to publishing took years of layering and adding to finally create the end result. Rome was not built in a day. We have a client and her husband who literally had to save up, and month by month bought the art and beautiful accessories for the classic design of their living room. The beauty of it was they had a blue print for the design of the room and could independently continue to build onto the creative. This particular client's home was featured two years later in a large publication and weren't they proud! But they achieved it bit by bit. We think the daunting aspect of budget might be the compromise that comes into play to achieve results. Whatever goes into the design scheme will be quality rather than quantity. We never compromise on quality. [top]

Q: How does the process work?

After you have made contact you should have a reply either by phone or email within 3 working days. We then set up an appointment to meet. This usually takes the shape of an informal meeting on site. The initial meeting, lasting up to an hour, is free followed by a consultation to determine the brief. Consultations are charged on an hourly rate. During the initial meeting we will have the chance to get to know each other and to determine the outlines of the brief. At the next meeting a full survey will be done and now will be the time to communicate all of your ideals, dreams and aspirations, newspaper and magazine clippings that you would like to taken into consideration. We will now plot and plan, much of the brief will establish whether you simply require mood and sample boards, a design conceptual creative or whether you would like us to source and style the finishes, furniture, fabrics and accessories. Maybe you would like us to oversee the entire project, or in tandem with yourself or maybe you feel confident just with the design blue print in hand. [top]

Q: What happens during the design stage?

A finished design incorporating some floor plans will now be produced and supplied to you complete with specified details, depending on the brief. Accompanying this design blue print will be either mood or sample boards or maybe just a simple colour coordination scheme board, with schedules attached for colourways and wallpaper. At this stage you can choose to find your own contractors or allow us to use our own. Which ever way you choose to go, there will be no pressure or hidden costs should you decide to use your own contractors. We will be at hand to guide you through. [top]

Q: Who will manage the project?

If you wish, we can take care of planning applications, drawings and liaise with all the contractors involved. We can oversee the project and protect your interests [top]

Q: What's the smallest job you'd consider taking on?

We can help you even with the smallest room in your home or business. After all there is almost as much planning and design involved as there is in a large room, sometimes you have to get even more creative! [top]

Q: What's the largest project you'd consider taking on?

We have not yet experienced a project too large for us to take on and have successfully completed two large wine cellars in South Africa, exhibition stands and a boutique hotel. [top]

Q: How long does it take to complete an average project?

The amount of time required depends upon the size and complexity of the design. For example straight forward sales can take up to 3 to 6 days to deliver on. A design master plan may take 2 to 6 weeks to complete. The purchasing and installation phase usually takes 1 to 2 months. If all of the furnishings are custom ordered, it is not uncommon for a project to take 6 to 8 months from concept to completion. [top]

Q: Do you work in a particular style?

Design styles vary from contemporary, old world, traditional, classic, modern, eclectic, or any other style reflecting your taste and lifestyle, set against budget. We also do retro, quirky and more. [top]

Q: Do I have to use the design aspect of your services?

No. You can decide to buy fabric only and use our upholstery service as a straight forward sale and service. We also offer consultations as gift vouchers and these have been tremendously popular, or you can 'purchase' a shopping day out, as a treat for someone or for yourself. [top]

Q: Do you work with builders, developers and buy-to-let landlords?

Bespoken product packages like decorating and furniture are available taking into account cost and budget considerations, sales targets and volume. [top]

Q: Is there an advantage to purchasing the furnishings directly from you?

Yes! We purchase directly from the manufacturer at competitive prices. We are then able to offer you soft furnishings at competitive rates and this is constitutes one of the financial advantages of working with an interior designer. We are also in touch with the very latest and best designs trends and an array of fabric houses and can pass this information on to you. [top]

Q: Are you insured?

We have public liability insurance with an indemnity of £1m. [top]

Q: How do I get started?

Phone us at 078 1010 1907 or click on the Contact Us page and complete the email. We will then contact you shortly. [top]