Frequently Asked Questions

Interior Designers focus on the design details, especially when it comes to the internal flow and feel of a space. We design with our client’s lifestyle in mind, and how each consideration will affect the experience from the front door and throughout.

We enjoy collaborating with Architects, Builders, and Landscape designers and quite often this is when the magic happens. All specialties joining forces to have your best interests in mind. Interior Designers often get involved with designing the details like internal joinery, kitchen, and bathrooms and consulting on colours, materials, fittings and fixtures, right down to the furniture choices and the very last cushion.

If you are starting a project that involves an extensive internal renovation of multiple rooms within the same footprint and you not not have existing conditions or a site plan measured, we will connect you with a registered drafter who can conduct this prior to engaging us.

Our approach is holistic in nature, with every selection and decision working toward a beautiful end result.

This is something we feel very strongly about as we wholeheartedly believe that a good design outcome is built on a collaboration between Designer and Client, through communication, trust, and respect, and these characteristics are what drives our projects.

We encourage prospective clients to view our projects and body of work, view our social media channels as this will give a pretty good idea of what we are about, our approach, and our ways of working.

The design process can be lengthy, especially if you are undertaking an extensive renovation, so having a connection and being on the same page from day one is a very good idea.

All projects at Eclectic Creative start with an Initial Design consultation which you can schedule and make payment to book in a time with us. These meetings generally run up to 45 minutes and take place at the project site. If you are building new we can use this time to look at your Architectural plans you have in motion. We use the time together to understand the scope of works involved in your project and the Interior Design services you require. We discuss things like your renovation/build budget, your timeline, your goals, lifestyle, functionality, aesthetic and so on.

The consultation allows us to understand the full scope of your project and accurately prepare a fee proposal for the work you want to do. You will receive a custom proposal within a few days of our meeting and this will outline the brief, scope of works and our design fees associated.

Currently, our Initial Consultations are $395 inc GST for the 45 minute consultation, in-home and paid in advance to book in the time with us.

For projects outside of our usual 15km radius a travel fee will apply.

Once you have engaged a builder for your renovation, they are responsible for the site, and all the trades. Your builder is the Project Manager.

We offer Design Management during the implementation phase,  ensuring the design details are executed and our design intent is seen through, and assisting with decisions on site. In large projects, especially with older heritage homes, things can arise or change as the project takes shape and it’s best to have a Designer working with the team to ensure the design intent is still resolved.

Depending on your project, we make regular site visits to check on progress at crucial stages, however, the timeline and execution of the build is with your appointed builder.

Design Management is charged hourly in advance, in blocks of time depending on the scale of the project.

We have a range of respected contractors, makers, and suppliers that we put forward to the project depending on the scope of work and project requirements. We base this on their quality of work, network referrals, aftercare service, and communication. You get access to these once you sign on with us and are a client.

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

We have found that giving our decoration clients a rough guide starting from $40,000 + per room give or take is a realistic number to start at for our projects. This could include furniture, as well as soft furnishings like window treatments and rugs (not including custom joinery design.) We tend to add the Artwork,  and accessories on top of this fee,  given that artwork can vary greatly in price. 

This is a very general guide to keep in mind as an expansive living room will require more items than a kid’s bedroom for instance. We will talk with you about your budget and the best ways to tackle this especially if you are furnishing an entire home.

It also depends upon the level of specification and where items are being sourced from. There will be a big difference between a big box retailer and a custom piece or European brand for instance.

The million-dollar question and of course, depends on a range of variables such as your location, the scope of works, degree of detail and customizations, the style, condition, and age of your house, and the level of specification for materials, finishes, fittings, and appliances. Also remember many trades and builders can give you a low number in order to win the job, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

So, the best person to ask is the Builder and Trades as they are the ones tendering and quoting for the job.

Keep in mind they will give you ballpark figures and estimates for based on job sizes or areas to be renovated such as Kitchens and Bathrooms and the actual fee can vary widely.

This is why you need to engage a professional Interior Designer and have a detailed specification pack from us including concept, plans, drawings and schedule in order for the builder to quote according to what is specified.

Also, ensure your builders and trades are registered and licensed.

Yes! Here are just a few from some fabulous clients!

“Our experience with Eclectic Creative has been fantastic. Jess has been instrumental in transforming our newly renovated house into a home. She brings so much creativity, warmth and ease to the interior design process, sharing beautiful and innovative ideas, while always ensuring that our personal style is reflected. Jess has been responsive, flexible and a genuine pleasure to work with. We recommend Eclectic Creative very highly and will certainly engage Jess and her team again in the future.”

– Lindsay and Andy in Elwood

“We knew from our first meeting with Jess that she was ‘the one’ to help us with our interior design. Jess’ warm, understanding nature and her ability to take random snippets of information like ’north side vibe’ and ‘warm and welcoming’ and create interiors that flow and function just how we imagined, is truly special.
Jess’ extensive list of trades and contractors is incredible. There is literally nothing Jess and her team can’t do, from custom joinery, to window furnishings to specifying furniture within a budget. We talk about Jess and the Eclectic Creative team to anyone who will listen, and look forward to calling on Jess’ expertise in the future.”

– Candice and Jon in Carnegie

“Such ease to work with. Nailed the concept, which might have been challenging given we weren’t to sure of where we wanted to go but very happy with the path Jess led us.”

– Kahn and John in Brighton

“Thank you Jess for all the amazing help during our renovation. Jess and her team provided us with assistance with choices like colour scheme, tiles, paint, tap ware and fittings from the very beginning of our project. Jess also helped with selecting furnishing and fabrics, colour schemes for rooms and all the little details that have made our home beautiful. Jess was super responsive during what was a very stressful process at times, and worked within our budget. Every suggestion she made has been spot-on!! Can I keep you on my speed dial forever?? Thanks!”

– Anneke in Kew

“Jess is an amazing and intuitive interior designer. She is brimming with ideas from the moment she walks into any space and they are completely on point. Not only is Jess a personable and lovely human being, she is talented and works with you to decide what can work for you (and your particular style) in any space you throw at her. I would thoroughly recommend Jess for any interior design project. She just has a natural knack for understanding her clients needs and brings out their natural style. She also has a black cat which is totally cool.”

– Zoe in Elwood

“Jess has been a fantastic help in assisting in making choices for our house renovation. Jess was amazing at taking very general and sometimes vague ideas of preferences, turning those ideas into workable solutions with great results. Thanks Jess!”

– Jo in Malvern

“Jess and team transformed our little apartment into a gorgeous home. we just love it and feel so happy when we come home. our home reflects us, its beautiful – but doesn’t look ‘off the shelf’. Jess has an amazing eye for combinations that work and utilised our favourite pieces and made them shine. After transforming the inside of our apartment she used her exceptional gift with plants to create a balcony that I use every day now to enjoy greenery in an urban setting. Not only does Jess have professional expertise, she has a genuine care for the client – I really enjoyed her company and looked forward to every consultation. I wish there were 6 stars available for a review.”

– Roslyn in Abbotsford

“Jess is an absolute dream to work with. When we were looking for an Interior Designer we wanted someone who understood our vision for our new project and also someone who could bring their expertise and challenge us on design. Jess is the perfect fit for our renovation. Her eclectic yet contemporary style has inspired our mid-century modern renovation. Jess has delivered design plans that far exceeded our expectations in every way – colours, textures, and creating new spaces in our home. Her communication is on point as is her professionalism. Having almost finished phase 1 of the renovation project, we are looking forward to working with her on the next phase later in the year. Thanks Jess!”

We can provide floor plans, detailed design for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and other areas such as wardrobes and shelving, assistance with furniture placement, as well as 2D design elevations, joinery design and 3D renders. Electrical plans and more in-depth consultation with our trusted lighting designer can also be arranged.

All our designs are to scale but conceptual in nature, and it’s the responsibility of the builder or a relevant trade to check and measure all the measurements on-site and materials to ensure it’s built to code. We provide detailed material schedules outlining the selected materials, finishes and fittings.

For any construction drawings, particularly relating to structural alterations, whether it be internal, additions or extensions, an Architect, or registered Drafter, and/or engineer would need to be engaged.

We can put you in touch with our registered draftsperson to complete the existing conditions, liaise with Council, arrange permits, and will work with them to formulate the proposed layouts.

We service inner Melbourne and northern pocket of Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Collingwood to Clifton Hill, Richmond and Abbotsford, West and North Melbourne to bayside and eastern suburbs comprising of Middle Park, Albert Park, South Melbourne, Elwood and St Kilda to Camberwell, Canterbury, Glen Iris, Hawthorn, Kew down to Beaumaris, Blackrock and Brighton.

However, if your project is outside of these areas, or rural or interstate we’d love to hear from you.

We specialise in multi-room and full home interior renovations for older, heritage and midcentury residences in Melbourne. We are full service meaning we like to take our clients from concept to completion, even meeting during the implementation and construction phase of a project.

Why? We care deeply about the end result and that the design intent is carried.

And because of this, as our studio has grown and evolved, we no longer offer one-off consultations.

We do have minimum project budget requirements for construction and implementation with interior renovations starting from a budget of 70K (this is construction not design)  and generally this would be one small space/room and predominantly work with clients of budgets in the range of 350K- 750K  range into the multi million. Interior Design fees are seperate to this.

Yes! We have been featured in Australia’s leading design blogs from The Design Files to Adore Magazine (print and online) Interiors Addict as well as Home a full home feature in Home Beautiful Magazine including the front cover.