Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the proper way to care for my furniture?

• WOOD FURNITURE - To maintain the longevity and quality of your wood furniture, do not expose to direct sunlight or excessive temperatures. Dust often with a clean and dry chamois or with a non abrasive lint free cloth.
   Attend to spills promptly with a semi damp cloth. Waxing is not recommended.
• GLASS - Dust with a dry lint free cloth. Cleaners with an ammonia base are not recommended. For reduced streaking, apply glass  cleaner directly to a dry cloth first, then apply cloth to glass.
• NICKEL AND BRASS - Dust with a dry Chamois or lint free cloth.
• GRANITE - Use a cleaner specified for Granite only. Do not use standard household cleaners for Granite surfaces as this can dull, damage or remove its natural lustre.

How does your Cyber Designer service work?

Defined by Design’s Cyber Designer service puts you in touch with one of our Licensed Interior Design professionals that will review your design questionnaire and set up a telephone conference with you.  In the time you spend with your designer, they will develop a thorough understanding of your likes, dislikes and wishes.  After the phone consultation, our designers will put together a complete room design that includes wall colors, 2 different custom window treatment designs with fabric samples, furniture recommendations with photos, a scaled space plan, and decorative accessories.  All of this is prepared and assembled on a professional presentation board that will be mailed to your door.  Along with the design recommendation, our designer’s will research local merchants in your area that can provide the goods and services outlined in the design.

 

 

How do I know I will like the design you do for me?

Our designers have years of experience working with private clients just like you.  They pride themselves on their ability to truly understand the essence of a clients wishes and tastes.  During the phone consultation you will be asked the same fact finding questions our designer’s ask their private in home clients.  Very seldom do we receive negative feedback on the design presentation we complete.  Of course, your satisfaction is of utmost importance to us, so we do offer a no charge revision to your design once you have had a chance to review it.

What happens after I receive my design presentation package?

Once you receive your design package you have several options.  You can go to the merchants that we have researched for you and purchase the goods outright in order to put your room together.  In some cases, we will specify items that can be purchased through Defined by Design, so you can either place the order for those goods via our website or by calling us directly.  Generally speaking, Defined by Design does not specify contractors such as painters or wallpaper hangers as we cannot warrant the quality of their work.  It is recommended that you search your local directories and Better Business Bureau for recommendations on contractors.

How do I measure?

Don’t panic…

click here for measuring instructions

Here are pdf instructions for measuring:

A room A room with a fireplace A wall A wall with crown molding A wall with a door A wall with sliding doors

A wall with triple sliding doors A wall with french doors A wall with one window A wall with two windows A window An arched window

Why do you need digital photos of my room

Photos provide a constant visual “cue”.  As our designer’s are working on your design concept, they will refer to the photos for reference.  Your photos will be used by the designer as they plan the space and assist them in making the best use of existing design elements such as lighting from windows, closets that need to be incorporated or other design elements within the space such as fireplaces, tray ceilings, etc.

What if I want more than one room designed?

Once our designs are received, many of our clients want us to design additional rooms for them.  We offer design courtesies for any clients who are having more than one room designed.  Please contact one of our designers for details on pricing for multiple rooms.

What is considered one room?

In many cases rooms are clearly divided by walls and doors.  In other cases the room division is more ambiguous.  In cases where open floor plans are being designed, we ask that you submit a digital photo for an accurate pricing proposal.  Generally there are design elements that allow a clear distinction in rooms even for open floor plans.  For instance, if a kitchen and great room are divided by a countertop bar, that would be a clear separation.  If there is a question, we encourage you to review it with one of our designers prior to agreeing to our service.

Is there a square footage limit on the $395 fee?

Generally there is no square footage limit, rather a one room limit as described in the answer to the previous question.  In the event the room has multiple windows, we still consider them as part of the room and would generally mirror the design for all the windows.  You would still get two separate concepts for the windows per the plan.

How long will it take to get my design presentation package?

Once our designers have reviewed your questionnaire and have received all the required information from you, generally your design presentation will be mailed within 2 weeks.  You will receive an email from us on the day your presentation is mailed.

What if I can’t find the products you show on the presentation board in my hometown?

Our designers generally research merchants for you in the nearest metropolitan area to you.  In the event that you live in an extreme rural area and our designer’s find it difficult to locate merchants in your locale, they will contact you during the preparation of your concept and offer you alternatives.  One alternative is for our designers to specify goods that we can provide to you and ship directly to your home.  As such we would want to gain your approval to complete this type of arrangement.  Of course, you would not be obligated to purchase the goods until you received the presentation and agree with the selections.

Can I purchase the items on my presentation board from you?

Defined by Design is a full service interior design firm.  Although our Cyber Design service requires no further obligation to Defined by Design, many goods that we can supply fit the concept appropriately.  In these cases, goods are available for purchase through our website.  We do offer design courtesies for our loyal clients.  Ask your designer for details.. 

How close to my home are the retailers you research?

In most metropolitan areas we can find merchants within 25 miles of most locations.  In some cases where our designers cannot locate merchants closely, we would contact you for approval to move forward with other alternatives as aforementioned.

Where do you ship to?

Defined by Design currently will ship our presentation and research merchants anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States. View our shipping policy here.

What is your return policy?

 

Read our full return policy here.

What is your privacy policy?

 

Read our full privacy policy here.