INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Starting a renovation or new build can come with a lot of questions. From where to begin and what to budget, to how the design process actually works. We believe the right designer should bring clarity to the process.
Here are some of the questions we are asked most often about working with The Escapist + Co, our approach, our process and what you can expect when we work together.
How long does the design process take?
The design process is where your project really begins to take shape. We take the time to develop the design properly before construction begins, so that every element feels considered, cohesive and aligned with how you want to live.
For a typical medium-sized project, our design process generally takes 15–22 weeks and includes three key stages:
Concept & Creative Direction — approximately 4 weeks
We establish the overall vision, spatial direction, materiality, colour palette and aesthetic language for your home.
Design Development — approximately 8–12 weeks
The concept is developed in detail, including floor plans, joinery, finishes, fixtures, lighting and key furniture pieces. This is where the design becomes fully resolved.
Documentation — approximately 3–6 weeks
We prepare the detailed drawings and specifications required to communicate the design clearly to your builder and trades.
The exact timeline will depend on the scope, size and complexity of your project, as well as the level of documentation and design detail required. Larger or more involved projects may naturally require additional time.
Our approach is deliberately considered. The more thoroughly the design is resolved before work begins, the more clarity everyone has once construction starts.
How are your fees structured?
Every project is different, which is why our fees are tailored to the scope, scale, complexity and level of involvement your project requires.
Following your initial consultation, we prepare a tailored proposal outlining the recommended scope of works, design services and associated investment for your project.
Our design stages are quoted as fixed fees and invoiced in advance of commencing each stage, giving you complete clarity around your investment as the project progresses.
As your project moves from concept and design development through to documentation, procurement and project coordination, the level of service is clearly outlined so you understand exactly what is included at each stage.
Our approach is designed to provide clarity from the outset, with a considered and transparent process from the first idea through to the finished space.
Do you work with existing builders and architects?
Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with our clients’ existing architects, builders, trades and consultants, working as part of a cohesive team to ensure the design is carried through seamlessly from concept to completion.
We have developed relationships with a trusted network of builders and tradespeople whose work, communication and standards we know and trust. Depending on the scope, scale and requirements of your project, we may recommend a builder or trade partner we feel is particularly well suited to the brief.
Equally, if you already have a builder or architect you would like to work with, we are very happy to collaborate with your chosen team. We believe the best projects come from strong communication, mutual respect and a shared understanding of the design vision.
Our role is to work alongside your build team, providing the design direction, documentation and ongoing support needed to ensure the details are resolved and the original vision is maintained throughout the project.
Ultimately, the right team makes all the difference and our goal is to help create one that allows your project to progress with clarity, collaboration and confidence.
What areas of Sydney do you service?
The Escapist + Co works with clients across Sydney and beyond, with a particular focus on the Eastern Suburbs, Lower North Shore, Inner West and Northern Beaches.
Our Sydney projects have taken us from Darling Point, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Woollahra, Paddington, Bellevue Hill, Bronte and Bondi through to Mosman, Cremorne and the Northern Beaches, as well as surrounding suburbs.
We also work with clients on projects interstate and in regional locations, depending on the scope and requirements of the project. For clients outside Sydney, initial consultations can be arranged either in person or via video call.
How do I get started?
The best place to begin is by getting in touch with The Escapist + Co through our Project Enquiries page.
Tell us a little about your project, where you are in the process and what you’re hoping to achieve.
From there, we will arrange an initial consultation to talk through your home, your ideas, your priorities and the scope of your project. For Sydney-based clients, consultations can be held in person, with video consultations available for interstate and regional clients.
This first conversation is an opportunity for us to understand what you’re looking for and for you to get a feel for how we work. There’s no obligation to proceed beyond the consultation.
We take on a limited number of projects at any one time, allowing us to give each client the level of attention, creativity and involvement their project deserves.
If you’re considering a renovation, new build or full-home transformation, we recommend getting in touch early so we can discuss your project and availability.
How important is the client relationship to The Escapist + Co?
The client relationship is at the heart of every project we undertake. We believe the most successful interiors come from a strong, collaborative relationship between designer and client, built on trust, communication and a genuine understanding of how you want to live.
Your home should feel like an expression of you, not a reflection of your designer. Our role is to listen closely, ask the right questions and uncover the details that make your lifestyle, personality and aspirations unique, then translate those insights into a considered and deeply personal interior.
We take on a limited number of projects at any one time so that we can remain closely involved throughout the journey. From our first conversation through to the final details being installed, you will have our full creative attention and expertise.
What if I don't know where to start?
That's exactly where we come in.
You don't need to have the answers before you contact us. In fact, many of our clients come to us knowing their home needs to change, but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin or how to bring all the decisions together.
Our role is to create clarity from the outset, understanding how you live, what isn't working, what you want your home to feel like and what is possible within the space. From there, we develop the vision, establish the priorities and guide you through each decision.
You don't need to arrive with a finished brief. You just need to know that you're ready for your home to feel different.
