frequently asked questions
Can sdh design anywhere in the US and abroad?
Yes! sdh serves clients all over the US and internationally with edesign
Does sdh design Airstreams, trailers, ADUs, and tiny homes?
Yes! For Airstream, trailer, ADUs, and/or tiny homes, purchase its equivalent below:
• room refresh for existing spaces' decor, tile and paint only
• bath remodel for existing spaces' decor, tile, paint, plumbing fixtures, hard-wired lighting fixtures, and refacing (not replacing) existing cabinetry
• kitchen remodel for new and/or entirely empty spaces (gutted, or soon to be gutted), and those to be completely redesigned.
Can I design more than one room?
Yes! Once a room design is finalized, we can start the next.
If you are short on time and would like to do more than one room at once, contact us. Subject to availability.
When should I plan to build out the room?
sdh offers a streamlined process that designs one room at a time. Once you have your sdh room design, decide what's best for you and your team:
a. build out the design
• space out the times your home is "under construction."
or
b. design your next room(s), and build out all later
• gain time to save for your investment
• minimize the time your home is "under construction, and
• maximize any economies of scale your GC may be able to provide.
Most prefer b. to limit time their home is "under construction."
Does sdh provide construction documents?
Not at this time. We offer conceptual floorplans and elevations.
Please note, a general contractor (GC), architect, and/or structural engineer will be needed to determine which permits are required - if any, and what can and cannot be moved. Our conceptual drawings cannot be used for permits or construction; however, a GC can use the sdh room design to prepare and/or assist in obtaining any drawings, measurements, and calculations required for permits and construction, as well as labor/material quotes.
When permits are required please be sure to get them!
What are “general paint, tile, textile, and finish suggestions?”
sdh suggests retail (and "non-retail" for full service) paint, tile, textile, and finishes for flooring, furniture, electrical fixtures. plumbing fixtures, and other hardware. You may choose to incorporapte these sdh suggestions for your room, or use the sdh suggestions as general guidance for your own research into similar items and finishes to complete your sdh room design.
Does sdh recommend local service providers, such as GCs, architects, structural engineers, or installers?
sdh is not an architect, engineer, or general contractor and does not provide such services or make recommendations about providers of such services. Both diy and full service require you to find and manage your own team. sdh room designs communicate the design intent; however, your team is responsible for the final measurements, design, permits, and follow through.
Does sdh speak with contractors?
Yes! If your project requires any third-party contractors, subcontractors, specialists, suppliers, or consultants (each a “Third-Party Provider”) to perform work based on sdh proposed concepts, order extra "talk"-throughs (see sdh additional services) for the purpose of general conformity of the design plan.
Fine print: You will enter in a contract directly with each Third-Party Provider and be solely responsible for, and sdh shall have no responsibility for, interviewing, coordinating with, or managing any Third-Party Provider. sdh is not responsible for their oversight and shall not be held liable for any delay, action, or failure to act of any such Third-Party Provider. sdh provides no warranty, guarantee, certification, or responsibility for the performance, quality, or timely completion of any work performed or materials installed by any Third-Party Provider, nor their agents or employees. Third-Party Providers shall be responsible for compliance with all laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the Third-Party Provider’s services.
Order extra "talk"-throughs any time between room design purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
Does sdh provide Title 24 calculations?
No. While we are familiar and appreciate Title 24, our design recommendations must be reviewed, adjusted, and submitted for Title 24 compliance by a Title 24 professional to meet code and be permitted.
Could I use my existing lighting, finishes, or furniture?
Yes! When telling us about your room, you’ll be prompted to provide photographs and dimensions of any pieces you wish to keep.
Who orders the roomlist items and when?
Upon receipt of the final room design, we recommend checking with your GC and permitting department(s) before purchasing.
• diy - you order the roomlist items
• full service - sdh orders the roomlist items on your behalf as part of purchasing concierge.
What if I fall in love with an item that may not be “eco-friendly”?
We understand that not all selections may be “eco-friendly.” That’s OK. If you believe what you love will bring you joy for years to come or meet another personal benchmark, that too, is an “eco-friendly” option.
What does sdh consider sustainable design?
When possible and viable for your budget and timeline, sdh recommends multi-purpose items that may or may not be salvaged, reclaimed, recycled, vintage, second-hand; long-lasting and/or repairable; fair trade; made locally; made with sustainable, circular, and/or healthy materials; and/or manufactured and/or shipped using sustainable, circular, and/or healthy methods.
Please note that while the amount of items and finishes available that meet one or more of the above qualifications has increased, it still takes a great deal of time to research them. We are excited to take on this challenge and with our flat rates, you can be, too. We believe voting with the dollar is tremendously effective in the design world. Thank you for supporting those who share the sustainable mission, albeit often "imperfectly."
Where can I learn more about sustainability and interiors?
The complete green building & sustainable home renovation guides by Ecohome
https://www.ecohome.net/guides/
Architectural Digest, "Designers vs. Climate Change"
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/designers-architects-take-on-climate-change
Architecture 2030, "Why the Built Environment?"
Los Angeles County's "Our County" plan
Goal 2: Buildings and infrastructure that support human health and resilience
https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/goals/goal-2
Construction Material Pyramid interactive based on Northern Europe/Scandinavia data
https://www.materialepyramiden.dk/
Passive House International
https://passivehouse-international.org/index.php?page_id=79
Project Drawdown on Buildings
https://drawdown.org/sectors/buildings
Parson's School of Design, Healthy Materials Lab
Don't see your question here?
What is diy?
The diy sdh room design provides everything you need to communicate the design intent to the contracting team of your choosing. You:
• procure finish samples
• purchase the recommended retail items.
diy deliverables include:
One (1) each of the following:
• 45-minute design consult
• moodboard of recommended items and finishes
• roomlist of retail items including general paint, tile, textile, and finish suggestions *
• conceptual floorplan and elevations
• 20-minute "talk"-through
• revision
Two (2):
• 45-minute "talk"-throughs
Up to six (6):
• finish reviews - each review is for a specific category, such as "white paint" or "white tile," and includes up to 5 samples per category.
* Want to upgrade to full service to include "non-retail" items (to-the-trade, custom, and/or commissioned items), sample procurement, and purchasing concierge? See full service for more information.
What is full service?
Upgrade to full service to have everything you need to communicate the design intent to the contracting team of your choosing, including:
• sample procurement
• unlimited finish reviews
• purchasing concierge, and
• both retail and "non-retail" items and finishes in your design. *
* "Non-retail" examples:
• to-the-trade - sourced from showrooms not typically available to the public
• custom - designed and built in conjunction with a studio/workshop, and
• commissioned - created just for you.
"Non-retail" are non-refundable purchases, with lengthier order, production, shipment, and delivery times, and full service takes care of their unique coordination, including:
• additional drawings
• collection of sales/use tax, and
• additional "talk"-throughs.
full service deliverables include:
One (1) each of the following:
• 45-minute design consult
• moodboard of recommended items and finishes
• roomlist of retail and non-retail items including general paint, tile, textile, and finish suggestions
• conceptual floorplan and elevations
• revision
Three (3):
• 45-minute "talk"-throughs
As needed:
• 20-minute "talk"-throughs
• finish reviews
• purchasing concierge
What is purchasing concierge?
Included with full service, purchasing concierge is the coordination of all retail and "non-retail" purchases on your behalf, via retainer and/or authorized use of a credit card. This excludes any dimension- and site-specific items that must be purchased by a GC such as countertops, glazing, etc., as well as any items you specify that the GC wishes to purchase. sdh assists until the last purchasing concierge purchase is received!
Exclusive to full service, purchasing concierge cannot be purchased as an additional service.
How much are sdh additional services?
Want even more than diy or full service? The following sdh additional services are available exclusively to room design clients:
• extra "talk"-through:
- 20-minute - $50
- 45-minute - $100
• extra finish review:
- diy $100
- full service included
• extra revision:
- room refresh $700
- room remodel and bath refresh $900
- bath remodel $1,200
- kitchen refresh $1,500
- kitchen remodel $1,700
• design budget:
- room and bath refresh $200
- room and bath remodel $400
- kitchen refresh and remodel $900
• 3D rendering:
- room and bath $900
- kitchen $1500
• on site installation:
- contact us
Order these anytime between room design purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is a "talk"-through/ extra "talk"-through?
"talk"-throughs are 20-minute and 45-minute videochats discussing the design and/or finish review, and are included with diy and full service.
extra "talk"-throughs (20-minute and 45-minute) are available as a sdh additional service to discuss any detail of the room design with you and/or any member of your team - a GC, architect, structural engineer, subcontractor, sales person, artist, or installer.
Order these anytime between room purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is a finish review/extra finish review?
finish reviews are a design comparison of up to 5 samples within a specific category - such as "white paint" or "blue paint."
diy includes 6 finish reviews (you procure 2 of each sample: 1 to be sent to you, 1 to sdh). Any additional are "extra finish reviews" available as sdh additional services.
full service includes unlimited finish reviews (sdh procures 2 of each sample on your behalf: 1 to be sent to you, 1 to sdh).
View samples with as many items and finishes possible for color, sheen, touch, and perceived durability in the room:
• in natural daylight
• under the proposed light bulb during the day and night
• window treatments in front of a sunny window with any possible liners
Order these anytime between room purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is a revision/extra revision?
revisions are one or more changes to or a re-design of the originally presented design. diy and full service include one (1) revision when requested in writing within five (5) business days of the 45-minute "talk"-through, and before finish review has begun.
Any additional revisions are "extra revisions" and a sdh additional service.
revision and extra revision deliverables include one (1) each of the following:
• moodboard of recommended items and finishes
• roomlist of retail items including general paint, tile, textile, and finish suggestions (full service also incorporates "non-retail")
• conceptual floorplan and elevations, and
• 45-minute “talk”-through
Order these within 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is a design budget?
A design budget is a Google Sheet or Excel spreadsheet made for either planning a design (listing estimated prices and quantities), or planning for purchase (listing actual prices and quantities). Both types of design budgets include estimated shipping and delivery fees, and exclude estimated tax, labor, freight, and installation.
A design budget is not included in diy or full service and is a sdh additional service.
Order these anytime between room design purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is a 3D rendering?
A 3D rendering is one view of the final room design that depicts the roomlist suggested items in their suggested locations in a realistic visual representation. A 3D rendering is not included in diy or full service and is a sdh additional service.
Order these anytime between room design purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
What is on site installation?
on site installation is when a designer travels to the job site to observe an installation. This is not included in diy or full service and is a sdh additional service.
Inquire about this anytime between room purchase and 90 days after receipt of the room design.
From whom does sdh source?
sdh sources retail products and finishes from a variety of online and brick and mortar retailers, including vintage and second-hand retailers, with your space, timeline, budget, and overall sustainable design in mind.
For full service upgrades, sdh also sources and customizes to-the-trade, custom, and/or commissioned items and finishes from online and brick and mortar showrooms, shops, and artisans.
Our item and finish recommendations are based on the various information you provide online and during our videochat(s). The final selections are up to you! Please note, some of our product links may contain affiliate links through which sdh may gain a commission.
Is edesign right for me?
edesign is an easy, and often more linear and economical professional interior design option for clients who wish to:
• focus on one room at a time
• embrace a quick, more decisive, single revision process
• meet virtually, and
• take on many of the tasks traditionally completed by the design team:
-share personal, photographic, and technical information upfront (including measurements)
-locate, hire, and manage all third-party providers
-order samples*
-purchase items*
-budget**
-receive items
-install items.
* included in full service
** available as a sdh additional service
What is the payment policy?
diy, full service and sdh additional services are paid in full, in advance of work.
full service includes sample procurement and purchasing concierge that can be done on your behalf upon written approval, as well as retainer payment and/or credit card authorization.
What is the refund policy?
Both the fee for our services, and purchase of samples, goods and finishes (if any) are non-refundable. sdh offers a personalized interior design service that caters to your individual room, existing items (if any), and provided information. Our comprehensive process includes conceptual development, space planning, research, drafting, and presentation. sdh cannot guarantee absolute satisfaction; however, we are committed to giving our utmost effort to exceed your expectations.
What is sdh's background?
Susan has Bachelor's of Arts in Interior Architecture and Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her business began in 2004, before graduating college. She also has a BA double major in Political Science and International Studies, magna cum laude, from Virginia Tech. Susan is an active member of Climate Designers. She supplements her education studying sustainable design, zero waste, Passive House, the climate and housing crisis, "missing middle housing," travel trailer and other small space design, disaster-considerate building materials, and vernacular architecture.
Now on Tongva land in Los Angeles, where Susan co-directed the local Free Forest School, you'll find Susan happiest playing with her kids in Nature, practicing vinyasa yoga, and seeking collaborative partners in climate design and policy.
