Because major home projects are expensive, emotional, and full of connected decisions.

A residential designer can help you make better decisions before those decisions become expensive to change.

Major home projects involve hundreds of connected choices: floor plan changes, cabinetry, windows, doors, lighting, tile, countertops, plumbing fixtures, flooring, exterior materials, appliances, storage, furniture placement, and more.

Without a clear design direction, those decisions can become reactive and overwhelming. Homeowners may end up making choices too quickly, comparing contractor estimates that are not based on the same scope, or realizing too late that a layout or finish decision does not support how they actually live.

A residential designer helps bring clarity to the process.

For many renovations, additions, kitchens, and custom homes, clients do not need the full scope of licensed architectural services or full-service interior design. Instead, they need thoughtful design guidance that connects the big decisions: layout, flow, cabinetry, finishes, lighting, furniture placement, daily function, and builder collaboration.

RIAD Studio helps clarify the design intent and overall direction of the home, while your builder or contractor manages construction means, methods, pricing, scheduling, and execution. When structural or technical expertise is needed, a structural engineer or other licensed professional can be brought into the project team.

This creates a right-sized approach: more comprehensive than decorating, more focused than full-service furnishings, and well-suited for homeowners who need a home that works beautifully without unnecessary layers of process.

Ideally, reach out 6–12 months before you hope construction will begin.

Good design takes time. The earlier we are involved, the more thoughtfully we can help clarify your goals, evaluate layout options, develop the design direction, coordinate selections, and prepare the information your builder or contractor will need.

Early design work can make contractor conversations more productive and help reduce rushed decisions once construction is underway.

If your project timeline is shorter than 6–12 months, you are still welcome to reach out. Just know that the more complex the project, the more valuable early planning becomes.

Design fees are estimated based on project scope and billed hourly against a design retainer. After an initial consultation, RIAD Studio provides an estimated range of hours needed to complete the design scope discussed.

As a general guideline, design fees often range from 8–20% of the total construction costs for renovations and additions, and 3–6% for new construction. Actual fees vary based on scope, complexity, revisions, decision timelines, and construction-phase involvement.

Absolutely! We are used to working with contractors big and small and will happily meet your team to develop a working relationship and set expectations.

RIAD collaborates on design intent, layout, finishes, cabinetry, lighting, materials, and details.

Your builder owns pricing, scheduling, construction methods, site safety, and execution.

Communication between client, contractor, and designer is critical to a smooth project and we can be as involved in facilitation that communication as much or as little as you like.

Emily helps clients navigate one of the most complicated experiences they'll ever undertake with confidence, clarity, and exceptional design judgment.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.