JAMIE KERN, ASID


Jamie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from Brenau University in Atlanta, Georgia and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Business Law from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She is an NCIDQ Registered Interior Designer offering her clients a comprehensive background with 15 years of interior design experience, 10 of those years as owner of her own design studio, and 15 years of experience in the financial sector of corporate business.

Kern’s body of work has been widely published. Her work has been recognized by the American Society of Interior Designers for design excellence and featured as a case study in the interior design textbook “Beginnings of Interior Environments” for the education of up-and-coming interior designers. Her work is featured in the hardback anthology “Modern Interior Design – American Collection” published in 2010.

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FAQs

Get to know our process

FIRST TIME HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

The FAQs listed below are designed to help you better understand the process and benefits of working with an interior designer.

Design is not what it looks and feels like.

Design is how it works.

– Steve Jobs

How do we begin the process?

The first thing we do is set up a consultation appointment that will allow us to get to know each other. We’ll discuss the scope of the project, your preferences, vision, goals and lifestyle needs. At that time Jamie will walk the spaces under discussion and take preliminary measurements.

How long is the consultation and is there a charge?

The cost of the consultation is $500. A consultation will typically last 1 ½-2 hours.  If client and designer enter into a contract to work together on the project, the $500 consultation fee will be credited back to homeowner on the downpayment invoice.

What happens after the consultation?

If after the consultation you feel ready to move forward, we move into the conceptual design phase. What that means is that Jamie takes all of the information you’ve discussed and begins to pull together a design for your space or spaces.

What does the conceptual design cost?

The conceptual design runs on average $3500 per room with discounts applied if more than one room is being designed at a time. However, if construction is involved, like for instance a kitchen or bath remodel, the price of the conceptual design will be significantly higher. Kitchen design fees start at a minimum of $8,000 with fees increasing in direct relationship to the size and complexity of the kitchen. Keep in mind that each project varies in size and scope so we evaluate the design fees on a per job basis.

 

Payment of a nonrefundable deposit in the amount of $1500 will kick off the conceptual design process.

What do I get with the conceptual design?

With a conceptual design, Jamie will schedule another meeting where she will again sit down with you and go thru the concept and selections in detail. The balance of your conceptual design fees will be due at that time. Your conceptual design will include necessary drawings, sketches, furniture and floor plans, photos of furniture selections, accessories, artwork, lighting, paint colors, floor and wall finishes as applicable to your project. At this time a budget will be presented showing total costs of all items presented. You will receive a binder with all of the information discussed so that you can keep for your files to review.

What if I don’t like everything presented during the conceptual design presentation?

Not a problem. We anticipate that some things may need to be refined to reach your ideal solution. Simply tell us what you’re not comfortable with and how we can better meet your needs and those items will be reselected and represented for your approval. The conceptual design fees include 2 rounds of revisions. After the second round of revisions, we will begin to charge an hourly fee of $125 per hour for further reselections.

 

It is not in our best interest to prolong the selection process in order to bill a few hourly fees during the conceptual design phase. We are most profitable when we can meet our clients’ expectations in a timely fashion.

What happens once I am happy with the conceptual design selections and ready to move forward?

That’s when we kick the project into gear. We will create the purchasing contract detailing the approved budget and payment schedule. A signed contract and down payment of approximately 65% of the approved budget will signify acceptance and we will begin issuing purchase orders.

How long will it take for me to receive my goods?

The average lead time for purchasing is approximately 8 weeks. This can vary for each job and with each manufacturer. While we purchase from reputable manufacturers who provide quality products we are unable to control the availability of the manufacturers’ stock.

What does the Delivery/Installation fee cover?

Because we want to protect your investment we work with qualified manufacturers who ship goods via common carrier to a bonded and insured warehouse with a manned loading dock of our choosing. We contract directly with a local warehouse whose employees will receive all deliveries, inspect the goods, store the goods and then make a final white glove delivery of all products.   Should any damages be detected upon receipt of the goods from the carrier, the warehouse will be responsible for making necessary claims that will enable us to replace the piece.   In some instances, the warehouse may deem the product “fixable” in which case they will also take care of repairs on site prior to delivery to your home.  White glove delivery includes transport, unboxing, removal of debris, Assembly as required, installation of artwork, and placement of all furniture pieces within the home according to the approved furniture plan. The designer will be on site directing the placement of each piece and supervising the work.

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