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Why should I work with you vs. another design company?Often, design projects are some of the most expensive and complicated undertakings a person will make - other than having children or getting married. RS was founded with the mission to offer clients an exciting, well-priced, easy-to-follow design experience guided by a trained professional. Our clients have said that they are super happy they chose to work with us because we actively communicate even after they pay invoices, help them see where their dollars are going, and elevate and inspire their design vision in a way that gives them joy for years on end. Also, we are quite different from most any design services company you will come across in that we: Offer architecture, outdoor, and interior design all in one company. Use a right-sized combination of metrics to determine the best membership option for you. Many companies are afraid to offer such a method because it is unique for the design industry as a way to bill for services. After over two decades of working in the industry, we have completed enough work to confidently measure and manage our delivery as a monthly membership service. See the "Our Work Model + Gift" page to preview some of the spectacular benefits of trusting our process.
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How did you get started doing this type of work?Since I was a little girl, I always enjoyed looking at beautiful homes and buildings. My imagination would run wild with ways to build and furnish spaces that I would love to live in. As I went through school, this love of designing never waned and I started sketching floor plans and elevations for hours on end. Once I started renting and purchasing my own places to live, the power of thoughtfully designed spaces hit home for me in a new way. No matter what our lot in life, we get more enjoyment out of life when the place where we live is well attended to and is outfitted with at least a few things we love, no matter how modest.
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What are some fun facts about you?Colors I can’t resist: Cobalt blue and royal purple. A new favorite is emerald green. Some of my first pets: goldfish, hamster, parakeet, chicken (named Bubba no less) When I can, I like to: play billiards (shoot pool), golf, bowl, and swim. Time management inspiration: “Tomorrow is the busiest day of the week.” - A Very Insightful Person Favorite season: Fall (It used to be spring). I love the smell of the air and the gradual coolness that rolls in. Music artists in my playlist: Coldplay, Robert Glasper, Sia, Sade, and James Brown. What I love about design: The creative problem solving, visualizing spaces, placing the furniture and decor, and the impact and transformation of spaces once the drywall goes up.
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What types of customers have you worked with?We have worked with architects, contractors, retail shopping center developers, K-12 school systems, healthcare building owners & managers, universities, real estate investors, and homeowners.
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Describe a project you think clients can relate to. How long did it take?Prior to founding Robyn Studios, I was asked to get a 2,500 SF home addition project back on track as a project manager. The home owners were very hands-on and were not happy with the architect and contractors that they had worked with on the first phase of work. When I started, the upstairs addition had been framed up but incorrectly. Issues I helped them remedy included: recruiting and vetting new contractors, overseeing the correction of existing plumbing, electrical, and structural work, choosing new fixtures and finishes and overseeing their delivery, and maintaining an extensive database of the entire project. It took 6 months to get the work to the next phase of completion to the point that the client could move back into their home.
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Why would I work with you vs another designer or service?The fact that you are here means you want an easy yet elevated design experience with a relatable, fun-loving, knows-what-she's-doing designer that is committed to understanding what you want and getting you there. I know what it's like to want a living space that is beautifully arranged and rewarding to be in. I also know what it's like to buy and buy and buy and still not have that result. Clients have also shared with me the frustration of hiring a designer only to end up with a design that just simply doesn't work. You, me, and my team? We will: - Seriously have fun - Pin down exactly what we are looking to create - Communicate effectively and efficiently - Walk into a finished space that makes us elated and SO HAPPY that we went on this design journey together
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What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?Be sure to document what you are looking for with plenty of photos and any relevant details such as timeline, budget, and priorities. It can be hard to compare providers because pricing systems vary across the industry. Get as much information as you can for what each person includes per their pricing metric, such as cost-per-square-foot, cost per phase, cost per work session, or hourly rate. We are quite different from most any design services company you will come across in that we use a right-sized combination of metrics to determine the best membership option for you. Many companies are afraid to offer such a method because it is unique for the design industry as a way to bill for services. After over two decades of working in the industry, we have completed enough work to confidently measure and manage our delivery as a monthly membership service. See the "Our Work Model + Gift" page to preview some of the spectacular benefits of trusting our process.
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What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?What is my budget range? When do I want to start? Do I need to have this work done in phases to fit my circumstances? What level of involvement do I need - just initial concepts or work all the way through installation? Do I want a contractor or other professional, in addition to a designer, to be involved from the beginning?
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What is the difference between schematic or design development drawings & blueprints?Schematic and design development drawings show the space layout and descriptions of the work you want done, including dimensions and notes. They can include floor plans and elevations and are meant to communicate your overall ideas with minimal information needed for a preliminary quote from a contractor. On the other hand, permit or construction documents (known to many as blueprints) are a full set of drawings that can be used to get building permits and, if more fully developed into working drawings, build a home or addition. They include not only measurements and notes, but also code information, construction details, product information, and systems floor plans and details for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
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What should I include in my investment budget?A project budget consists of more than the construction costs. This list covers some additional items that should be accounted for: Demolition and proper disposal of items Contractor’s profit Site development costs Design, engineering, architecture and other consultants’ fees Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) Administrative costs Moving and storage costs Shipping, freight and installation costs Sales tax Construction contingency If you also want interior furnishings, a good set of numbers is: 1. Furnishings themselves: 7 to 10% of the home’s overall value. For example, expect to pay between $31,500 and $50,000 to design and furnish a home worth $500,000. 2. The “other costs” category, which include freight charges, cleaning costs, installation and sales tax: A typical formula is 15 – 20% of the overall budget for accessories, 8.5% for sales tax and 12 – 15% for freight and delivery. For a $500,000 home, expect to add at least 36% of the range from line 1 above for and pay an additional $11,340 to $18,000, for a sample total range of $42,840 to $68,000.
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Are the products on this page provided or warrantied by RS?No. This page showcases products from companies with which we have an affiliate relationship. RS can not warranty the transactions that you choose to complete with these companies. We show them on our page because, at the time we originally included them on our page, we believed them to have: - Products that appeal to customers - A reasonably reliable customer service reputation - A sustained brand presence - Compatibility with the types of home design products that RS recommends to clients
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What are the benefits of shopping your page when I already know about these brands?RS does earn a commission any time you use these links, but at no additional cost to you. As a customer who obviously values RS as a design ally, you likely want to see our company succeed. Purchases you make on our Shop page help a great deal! As a bonus, when you shop our RS Curated Shop Page or Collections located elsewhere on the site, free selection assistance services are included!
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