Everything you need to know before, during, and after working with Kristen — from first consultation to final reveal.
Great design starts with clear communication. These are the questions Kristen hears most often from new clients — answered with the same honesty and clarity she brings to every project. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, her door is always open.
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The first step is a complimentary discovery call — usually 30 minutes. We’ll talk through your project, your vision, your timeline, and your budget. Kristen will share how she works and whether the project is a good mutual fit. From there, if you’d like to move forward, we’ll schedule an in-home consultation and begin putting together a proposal. Reach out here to get started.
Kristen specialises in residential interiors — new home design, full remodels and renovations, room-by-room redesigns, and curated interior styling. She also accepts select boutique commercial projects where the brief aligns with her aesthetic. Projects range from a single room refresh to multi-year full home builds.
Kristen’s primary focus is Malibu and Pacific Palisades — where the bulk of her work has been for over 21 years. She also works throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Brentwood, Palisades, and select projects beyond. Reach out to discuss your location.
Kristen works with clients who are serious about quality — not necessarily those with the biggest budgets. She’ll be transparent about whether a project scope and budget are aligned from the outset. For smaller projects like a single room or a styling engagement, investment levels are more accessible than a full-home renovation.
To ensure every client receives her full attention, Kristen intentionally limits the number of active projects at any time. This is part of what makes working with her feel different — you are never one of many. If her calendar is full, she’ll let you know and add you to the waitlist.
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Every project follows the same five-phase approach: Discovery (understanding your life and vision), Concept Development (mood boards, spatial planning, material direction), Design Development (detailed specifications, sourcing, custom items), Procurement & Installation coordination, and Final Reveal. Each phase is collaborative — you’re involved at every decision point, never surprised.
Timelines vary considerably by scope. An interior styling engagement may be completed in 6–10 weeks. A single-room redesign typically takes 10–16 weeks. A full home renovation can span anywhere from 6 months to 18+ months depending on construction, custom fabrication lead times, and procurement. Kristen will provide a detailed timeline estimate during the proposal phase.
As involved as you want to be. Kristen works with clients across the full spectrum — from those who want to be at every presentation to those who prefer to trust her completely and simply arrive at the reveal. She’ll calibrate her communication style and approval checkpoints to match your preference from day one.
Both. Kristen has a trusted network of contractors, craftspeople, and tradespeople she has worked with across Los Angeles for years. If you have an existing contractor relationship you’re happy with, she is experienced in working alongside them. She’ll always prioritise the outcome over a preference for any particular team.
Design is an evolving process and minds do change. Kristen handles revisions and scope adjustments professionally — some changes are absorbed within the existing agreement, others may require a change order. She will always be transparent about cost and timeline implications before proceeding, so there are never unwelcome surprises.
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Kristen structures her fees differently depending on the project type. Full-service projects are typically billed on a flat design fee plus a percentage-based procurement fee on furnishings and materials. Styling and consultation engagements are usually priced as a flat project fee. All fee structures are discussed and agreed upon before any work begins — nothing is hidden.
The initial discovery call is complimentary. An in-home site visit and consultation — where Kristen walks your space, takes measurements, and develops a preliminary brief — is billed at a flat rate that is credited against your project fee if you move forward. This ensures that her time and expertise are respected at every stage.
Every project is different, but to give you a realistic picture: interior styling engagements often start around $8,000–$20,000 in design fees. Single-room redesigns range from $15,000–$45,000 including furnishings. Full home renovations and new home design projects typically involve total investment (design + furnishings + construction) of $150,000 and above. Kristen will always align the scope to your budget honestly.
Yes — this is standard in the industry and will be clearly outlined in your agreement. Kristen’s trade relationships mean she can access pricing, availability, and custom options that the general public cannot, which often offsets or more than covers the markup. She will always show you retail comparisons so you can see the value clearly.
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This is perhaps the most important question to ask any designer, and the honest answer is: it will look like you. Kristen’s design philosophy is rooted in listening first. She doesn’t have a signature style she imposes on every project — she has a signature process that draws out yours. Her work across 21 years looks wildly different from project to project, because every client is different.
Absolutely. Many of Kristen’s most meaningful projects involve integrating existing pieces — heirlooms, antiques, or simply furniture clients love — into the new design. She’ll assess each item honestly: what to keep as-is, what to reupholster or refinish, and what to gracefully retire. No piece is sacred or disposable by default.
Kristen communicates proactively and consistently. You’ll have a dedicated project manager as a single point of contact, regular progress check-ins (frequency agreed at the start), and a shared project platform where you can track selections, orders, timelines, and approvals in real time. You’ll never need to chase an update.
The relationship doesn’t end at the final reveal. Kristen remains available for post-installation adjustments, sourcing additions as your needs evolve, and design advice as your family or life changes. Many of her clients return years later for new rooms, seasonal refreshes, or entirely new homes. She considers these long-term relationships among her greatest professional honours.
Kristen believes the best answers come from a real conversation. If your question isn’t answered above, or if you’d simply prefer to talk it through, she’d love to hear from you. No pitch, no pressure — just an honest dialogue about your project.
Ready When You Are
The discovery call is free, informal, and the most important 30 minutes of your design journey.
