HOW LONG DOES A FULL SERVICE DESIGN PROJECT TAKE?

The design phase of a full service project takes approximately 6-8 weeks from the time you approve the floor plans to the time we are ready to present the completed design plan to you. From there, our team begins placing orders and production can take anywhere from 12-16 weeks, plus additional time for shipping and freight. Our furnishing only projects are typically around seven months in length while our new construction and large scale renovation projects can last a year or longer.

WHO WILL MY DESIGNER BE?

Every project is designed by both designers, Melinda and Suzanne. In addition to our combined forty years of experience, you’ll have the support of our whole team throughout the entire process. 

WILL YOU PHOTOGRAPH OUR HOME? WE’RE VERY PRIVATE.

We love photographing our full service projects and ask permission at the time of contract signing. We submit our work to local and national publications, and never share our clients' names or addresses, unless the client has agreed to be interviewed and named in the publication.

CAN YOU INCORPORATE OUR EXISTING PIECES INTO THE DESIGN?

All spaces are designed from scratch, so we can’t guarantee your existing pieces will work (although we are happy to incorporate them if they align with the overall aesthetic you are hoping to achieve). Special consideration will be given to heirloom pieces and antiques so long as they do not compromise your design.

If you have a lot of existing items you’d like to incorporate or repurpose, a Power Hour session will be a better fit for you.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A BUILDER?

We have several local area builders we recommend to our full service clients who are renovating or building. We love when clients engage our firm once plans are drawn and before the contractor is selected so we can make a recommendation for a company that will meet their standards—not just in quality, but also in how they communicate.

For clients who already have a contractor in place, we’re happy to collaborate with them throughout the design and construction process to ensure the implementation aligns with the approved design and meets our standards for quality workmanship. However, we are not licensed general contractors.

IF I NEED WALLPAPER OR WINDOW TREATMENTS, CAN YOU MAKE A RECOMMENDATION?

We have a team of talented fabricators and workrooms we rely on for our full service furnishings projects. We will manage the estimates, coordinate the schedule of work, and provide them with the information to complete their part in your project. No need for you to lift a finger during this process.  

DO YOU OFFER EVENING OR WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS?

Our studio is open Monday through Friday. Evenings and weekends are reserved for our families. We do our best to accommodate our clients' busy schedules and offer consultations and presentations remotely with no issue.

I’M NOT IN ILLINOIS. DO YOU TRAVEL?

Yes, we love working in communities outside of our own and are available to travel for select full service, full home projects. Your customized proposal will detail what’s included for your project scope as well as the travel fee. We are currently designing waterfront homes in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

I’M RENOVATING OR BUILDING. CAN YOU HELP ME MAKE SELECTIONS?

Our team is experienced in designing and managing large scale renovations and full home new construction projects - in fact, it’s our specialty. If you’re building from the ground up or renovating a full floor or more, our Full Service Design will suit your needs.

WHAT KIND OF BUDGET SHOULD I HAVE FOR FURNISHINGS?

For our full service projects, we have a three room minimum and our clients have a furnishing budget starting at $150,000. The rooms in our portfolio reflect this level of investment and quality.

If you are working with a smaller budget, our Designer for a Day service, for single room furnishing projects, has a smaller furnishing minimum. Clients should have a budget between $30,000 and $100,000 for furnishings and accessories selected during their design session.

During the research phase of each project, we help our clients develop a realistic budget to achieve their goals.

HOW DO YOU PRICE YOUR FURNISHINGS?

At North Shore Nest, we have carefully curated relationships with over one hundred to-the-trade vendors, sourcing only from those who share our commitment to excellence and meet our high standards for quality and service.

While we strive to price our furnishings so they are competitive with retail, there may be times when we can’t. In those instances, we may be able to provide you with the information so you can purchase on your own.

However, many of our clients appreciate the value of our comprehensive, white glove services and prefer to have us handle everything for them. When you purchase custom furnishings through North Shore Nest, our team takes care of the procurement, order management, delivery coordination, and expert installation—ensuring every aspect of your project is managed with care and precision.

INQUIRE TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER