High-End Interior Design FAQ

At the luxury level, design fees reflect the depth of service, not hourly labor alone. Our engagements begin at a $35,000 design fee for focused renovations and typically range from $75,000 to $250,000+ for whole-home and new construction commissions. Furnishing budgets are presented separately, so you see exactly where every dollar is allocated.

We use a flat design fee for most commissions, which is determined by scope, square footage, construction complexity, and the level of custom millwork or bespoke furnishing involved. This model keeps the process free of conflict — we specify what is right for the home, not what carries the highest margin.

Our process follows six phases: Discovery & Immersion, Vision & Concept, Design Development, Selections & Specification, Procurement & Coordination, and Installation & Reveal. Each phase has clear deliverables and decision points, so the path from first conversation to finished home is fully transparent.

Focused renovations typically span 6 to 12 months. Whole-home renovations and new construction commissions generally require 12 to 24 months, depending on the builder's schedule, custom fabrication, and the complexity of the finishes. We provide a detailed timeline during the proposal phase.

Before the first wall is framed. Engaging a designer during the architectural planning phase allows interior decisions — ceiling heights, lighting locations, plumbing rough-ins, and millwork — to be integrated into construction documents from the outset. Late engagement is expensive; decisions become change orders.

Fit is about scope, timing, and creative alignment. We accept a limited number of commissions each year — typically six to eight — so the initial conversation is as much about whether we are the right studio for your project as it is about whether your project is right for us.

Our work is defined by a consistent point of view rather than a single aesthetic. We favor layered materials, architectural proportion, and quiet luxury. The expression of that point of view changes with each client's home, location, and temperament.

A decorator addresses surfaces — color, furniture, and accessories. An interior designer shapes the entire interior environment: spatial planning, architectural modifications, lighting infrastructure, material specification, and construction coordination. For projects involving structure, renovation, or new construction, a designer is essential.

Emerald & Oak Design has led luxury residential interiors in Charlotte and beyond for over a decade. Our portfolio includes whole-home renovations, new construction collaborations, and turnkey furnishings for discerning clients. Completed homes are documented in our portfolio and case studies.

Yes. We maintain long-standing relationships with Charlotte's premier custom builders, architects, and trades. For new construction, we function as a design partner embedded in the build team, attending meetings, reviewing drawings, and coordinating selections with the architect and builder.

No. While many of our commissions are whole-home or new construction, we also accept select single-room projects, focused renovations, and design consultations. The minimum engagement is determined by the complexity of the work, not the number of rooms.

We are based in Charlotte, NC, and serve the surrounding communities including Myers Park, SouthPark, Dilworth, Eastover, Foxcroft, Cotswold, Ballantyne, Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie. We also accept select commissions nationwide and internationally.

Yes. Our consultation service provides focused direction on a specific design challenge, material selection, or project planning. It is ideal for homeowners who are not yet ready to commit to a full-service commission but want professional guidance.

Depending on scope, deliverables may include floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, millwork elevations, material and finish specifications, furniture schedules, lighting plans, and a fully installed home. For every project, you receive a complete, curated environment.

For the right project, yes. Our turnkey furnishing model is designed to manage procurement and installation with limited on-site client presence. For new construction and renovation work, regular site visits are essential, and travel can be arranged for out-of-market commissions.