An interior design consultation is the first step in understanding your project, your goals, and how we can best help bring your vision to life. Whether you are planning a full home renovation, a kitchen remodel, a primary bathroom, new construction, or a furnishings project, the more thoughtfully you prepare, the more productive that first conversation will be.
That does not mean you need to have every answer before we meet. In fact, most clients come to us because they need guidance. But spending a little time thinking through your priorities, budget, timeline, and lifestyle before your consultation helps us give you more meaningful direction from the very beginning.
Start With Your Goals for the Space
Before your consultation, think about what is and is not working in your home. Are you renovating because the layout no longer supports your family? Are the finishes outdated? Do you need better storage, better lighting, or a more cohesive design? Are you furnishing a home that feels unfinished or disconnected?
It is also helpful to think beyond how you want the home to look. How do you want it to function? How do you want it to feel? A beautiful home should support the way you live every day. For one family, that may mean a hardworking kitchen where everyone gathers to cook. For another, it may mean a calm primary suite, better entertaining spaces, or a home that finally feels reflective of their style.
Gather Inspiration, But Do Not Worry About Having a Perfect Style
Inspiration images are helpful, but they do not need to be perfectly edited or overly specific. Save rooms, materials, colors, or details that you are drawn to, even if you cannot explain exactly why. Sometimes the most useful part of inspiration is seeing patterns: warm woods, natural stone, tailored upholstery, vintage pieces, high contrast, soft neutrals, or layered lighting.
It can also be just as helpful to know what you do not like. If there are styles, finishes, layouts, or materials you want to avoid, bring those thoughts into the conversation as well.
Be Honest About Budget, Even If You Are Unsure
Budget is one of the most important parts of any design consultation, and it is also one of the topics clients often feel the least prepared to discuss. Many people do not know what their project should cost or what it will cost once construction, furnishings, materials, labor, and design fees are considered. That is completely normal.
Part of our role is to review the scope of work and help give clients a ballpark understanding of what may be realistic. A kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, whole-home furnishing project, or new construction interior package can vary widely depending on the level of customization, quality, construction needs, and finish selections.
That said, the investment is ultimately yours. It is important to spend time thinking through what you can and are willing to invest in your home.
For some clients, the decision is tied to resale. They may say, “We plan to invest $100,000 into these renovations, live here for another five years, and we believe that makes sense for the home and the market.” For others, the investment is more personal than strictly financial. A family who loves cooking together may choose to invest heavily in a major kitchen remodel because cooking at home is central to their daily life. The value is not only in resale, but in creating a space that improves an experience they care deeply about every day.
Both ways of thinking are valid. What matters is being honest about what this project means to you and how the investment fits into your life.
Do Not Be Afraid to Share a Real Number
It is natural for clients to feel hesitant about sharing a budget. Some worry the number will not be enough. Others fear that if they share their full budget, a designer will spend every last dollar whether or not it benefits the project.
That is not how our studio works.
At R Johnston Interiors, we take budgets seriously. We talk with our clients about their dreams, goals, priorities, and investment level, then help determine how those pieces align. If we feel the budget may not support the full wish list, we discuss that early. Sometimes that means pulling back in certain areas, being more cost-effective with specific selections, phasing the project, or reducing the scope so we do not shortchange the most important spaces.
A clear budget helps us protect the project. It allows us to make smarter recommendations and guide the design in a way that feels aligned, not wasteful.
Think Through Your Timeline
Timeline is another key part of a successful consultation. Are you hoping to start construction by a certain date? Do you have a move-in deadline? Are you planning around a holiday, family event, new baby, or seasonal travel? Even if your timeline is flexible, it is helpful for us to understand your expectations.
Design, construction, custom furnishings, and material lead times all require planning. The earlier we understand your ideal schedule, the better we can help map out a realistic path forward.
Bring Any Relevant Project Information
Before your consultation, gather anything that may help us understand the project. This may include floor plans, real estate listing photos, current photos of the home, inspiration images, contractor estimates, architectural drawings, survey information, or notes about existing furniture and decor you want to keep.
You do not need a polished presentation. Simple photos, measurements, and thoughts are enough to start the conversation.
Our Approach: Creative and Practical
Design is creative, but it is also highly detailed. Our studio brings both sides of the process together. Rebecca’s background in corporate accounting gives our team a very practical understanding of numbers, details, and how decisions add up. We think about design with both a right-brain and left-brain approach: beauty, creativity, and emotion on one side; planning, budget, construction details, and logistics on the other.
That balance is what helps a project move from an idea to a home that feels beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully executed.
The Goal of the Consultation
The goal of an interior design consultation is not for you to arrive with everything figured out. The goal is to begin a clear, honest conversation about your home, your priorities, your investment, and your timeline.
When you come prepared with your goals, inspiration, budget thoughts, timeline needs, and any relevant project information, we can better understand the scope and help guide you toward the right next step.
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