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FAQ

Design Queries

We have a wide range of services that we offer here at Lucy Furniss Design & Interiors. We are very accommodating when it comes to helping you with your design needs. No project is too big or small. You may just need a second pair of eyes to tell you you're on the right track or perhaps you have no idea what you're doing and you want us to take care of everything. There is something for everyone amongst our Design Services. You can find most of what we offer on our Design Services page however if you can’t find what you are looking for then don’t be afraid to reach out to us on our Contact Us page as we are always happy to help.

The first initial contact is either a discovery phone call or discovery email to make sure we are the right fit for each other. There is no charge for this. 

Following on from this we then have a Design Consultation which is $299 + gst (excluding travel fees). This can be done either in person, on-site or online. There are some Design Services where a Design Consultation is not necessary such as Colour Schemes and Window Treatments

A more detailed overview of our pricing can be found on our Design Services page.

To begin a project with us you can Make A Design Enquiry or you can email us at hello@lucyfurnissdesign.com.

We will ask questions regarding yourself, your family, your preferences, household habits and hobbies, functional needs, and desired outcome for your home. All of this will allow us to follow the right path in defining your unique style. Our goal for every project is to always understand the vision of the homeowner and create a space that satisfies all of their needs.   

We know how stressful renovating, building and styling can be given the multitude of options, styles and suppliers there are out there. We have developed a streamline design process to ensure you get the design you’re after while actually enjoying the process. You can read more about that process by clicking on here: The Design Process.

This really depends on the type of project we are working on. For example if it is a paint colour consultation this can have a turn around time of 48 hours. If it was for say a full new build there are a lot of other factors that contribute to the speed of the process such as waiting for building consents and other trades. For the part that we do in terms of selecting finishes and materials this can actually be done in as little as 1-2 weeks but in most cases it is best to take your time and sometimes some decisions need to be made in stages. It all depends on the size of the job and the context of what’s involved. 

If you are on a tight timeframe, we will absolutely do everything we can to complete your home as quickly as possible but please let us know at the beginning of the process (we will of course discuss this in our initial consultation). If there are urgent items required then we will need to let our suppliers know and there may be “rush charges” applied. 

In terms of speeding up the process the best thing you can do is make decisions as quickly as possible once we have presented our ideas to you.

Every budget is specific to your own project. We will work with you in the beginning to establish what your budget may be. We will always get quotes from all trades, suppliers and services before beginning the project so you know what your costs are going to be but we always suggest allowing room for unexpected costs that can often arise in both building and renovating. Unfortunately in today’s economy things are forever changing so while we will do our best to stick to your budget it is sometimes not always possible. 

Our professional fees are calculated on a fixed fee and/or hourly rate depending on the project’s requirements and scope. 

The initial consultation/discovery call is a really important part of the project as this can really establish many of the fees and costs involved right from the beginning.

We are based in Morrinsville, 35kms out of Hamilton in the heart of the Waikato

We sure do. We have multiple options available to work with you either locally or nationwide. This can be done in person or remotely. Travel fees will be discussed during the initial consultation or discovery call.

We are available Monday through Friday. Evenings and weekends are reserved for our families. We do our best to accommodate our clients' busy schedules and have done consultations and presentations remotely with no issue. We may also be unavailable some days during the school holidays.

Any inspiration images that you have collected, such as from magazines or Pinterest are often a great starting point. This will help us further uncover your style and direction. It can even be a good idea to have examples of styles you do not like as well so we know what to stay away from during your interior design project. 

If you don’t have these though don’t panic, it’s not compulsory, we can work with you to find your style as some clients have no idea what they like and that is okay.

No we do not have a minimum project size. No project is too big or small. We have created designs for multi dwelling complexes right down to a single cushion for one chair. We love all things design. 

Upon request/if required we will create and maintain an Excel spreadsheet of your budget. The budget will include trades and services fees, design fees as well as furnishings separated by room.

We have a range of respected contractors, makers and suppliers that we can recommend for your project depending on the scope of work and project requirements. We base this on their quality of work, network referrals, aftercare service and communication. Our professional team consists of  painters, a wallpaper hanger, flooring suppliers, tilers, kitchen manufacturers, and a window treatment workroom. We are not general contractors and have several local area builders who we recommend to our clients who are renovating or building. 

Once quotes and estimations are approved, you, the client, will enter into a separate contract with each contractor/builder and or maker.

Yes, absolutely. We will discuss this as part of your initial consultation. There are additional fees involved if project management is required. We can help take care of everything required to complete your project including design, trade management, site checks, procurement, installation and styling.

Yes, we love working anywhere and everywhere. Your customised initial proposal will detail what’s included as well as the travel fees. We are currently working on some projects that are in Central Otago, Wellington and New Plymouth. 

Yes we absolutely can, in fact we work without many clients throughout New Zealand and even Internationally. The majority of this communication will be done via Email and Google Meet. We would generally require photos or videos from yourselves and sometimes measurements or plans if you have them. We can also physically send you samples and any formal documentation. 

As an Interior Designer, we focus on all of the design details, especially when it comes to the internal flow and feel of a space. We enjoy working with Architects, Builders and even Landscape designers. When we all come together as one it can make for quite a magical creation and as a collaboration we will all have your best interests in mind. 

Interior designers often get involved with designing the details such as the kitchen, bathrooms, colours, window treatments, flooring, tiles, materials, fittings and fixtures, right down to the furniture selections and even the very last cushion.

If it’s for a New Build then I would highly recommend getting in touch as soon as you have a draft plan from your architect. We are able to take a look at your plans and assess for any potential issues later down the track when it comes to furniture placement, window treatments, lighting positions, tile layouts and kitchen designs. 

For a renovation project then I would engage with us as soon as possible. The bigger the lead time the better and the more likely you are to avoid delays or issues down the track. 

I truly believe that it is never too early but can sometimes be too late.

We have certain requirements we must meet and maintain to open our trade accounts and keep them in good standing. We always aim to give you a part of our trade discount but while we do our best to price our goods to be competitive with retail, there are times when we can’t beat big online retailers or box stores. In these instances, we may be able to provide you with the information to purchase on your own. 

We sure can, however if we feel certain pieces won’t work with the vision you are wanting to create then we will be sure to let you know. It is of course easier to work with a blank canvas but we also understand that budget can be a factor so we will always be very mindful when it comes to your wants and needs and do our best to work with what we can. 

We absolutely love taking photos of our projects throughout the process and especially at the end. We will ask your permission at the initial consultation and you are more than welcome to opt out if preferred. Often we find our clients love seeing the before and afters. We will also sometimes submit our work to local and national publications but again, we would not do this without your permission first. We never share our clients' names or addresses. 

At this stage, yes, you will be working directly with Lucy. You may sometimes have contact with some trades if they have specific questions for you as the client. 

We deal with a wide range of suppliers, wholesalers and retailers throughout New Zealand and Internationally. Not everything is able to be seen in person but we will always do our best if there is something specific that you would like to see or try. We will often recommend trying sofas, dining chairs etc before purchasing as there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to seating. It is entirely up to you whether you see them in person or not and many of our clients never do see items until it shows up in their homes. Lucy has a wide range of experience and knowledge when it comes to all things design and quality. Just let us know your preference.

We promise not to take it personally! Please just tell us what you don’t like and why, and we will fix it at no charge whenever possible. It does take a little extra time at the beginning of the design process to get to know your taste. We will always aim to make our clients happy as we believe at the end of the day it is about what the client wants. 


Artwork Queries

Generally we are able to get standard orders shipped within 2-3 business days. If it is a custom order then this can take 1-2 weeks. Sometimes delays are caused by courier services which are out of our control but we always aim to let you know of any issues that may arise. 

NZ (Flat fee) - $8.50

Australia (Flat fee) - $20

International (Outside of NZ & Australia) - subject to a quote.

You will be emailed a tracking link once your order is picked up by our courier. International orders will not receive a tracking link.

Yes you may if you live locally (Morrinsville, Waikato). Please select this option at checkout.

Unfortunately this is most likely not available as we outsource our printing and there is generally a 48 hour turnaround even if it is artwork that has already been created. 

Please feel free to email us about any artwork enquiries. If it is something already on our website then we do prefer that you order through our shop however we understand that sometimes you want something specific added to your order so we are more than happy to answer any queries via email.

Payment is made when you place your order online or if we send you an invoice. We offer credit or debit card, PayPal or internet banking. All prices include GST are stated and charged in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

Lost or damaged orders are replaced for free. Please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order and we will organise a replacement for you.

We apologise if we have mixed up your order and most definitely want to correct it. Please get in touch with us and we will organise a collection if needed and get your correct order out to you as soon as possible.

Unfortunately we do not offer returns on our Artwork. These are all custom printed per order and we do not hold stock. Please email us with any queries though as we are always open to discussing any concerns and always aim to have happy customers!

We don’t offer this as a standard service but are happy to be accommodating if need be. We definitely will not provide this for Hometown Prints or Letter Prints.

Yes we most definitely can do this. Our website offers standard sizing but can have them printed to any size you like. Please email us for a quote. 

We can definitely arrange this and have done so in the past. Please note that this will have an increased lead time and additional fees. Please email us for a quote. 

Yes we do. All international orders are shipped using NZ Post and may be passed on to a National carrier once in the country of destination. Australian orders are tracked. The Rest of the World have the option of standard mail tracked/insured courier or untracked/uninsured courier subject to a quote. Please email us for an International Shipping quote (Outside of NZ & Australia). 

We generally use Post Haste or NZ Post depending on which service can get your order to you the fastest and most economically.

You will be emailed a tracking link once your order is picked up by our courier. International orders will not receive a tracking link.

Our A4 prints are shipped flat. Anything larger is shipped rolled in a tube.