Frequently Asked Questions

General

What suburbs do you work in? Kate Kerin Interiors is based on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. We offer in-home services for suburbs within 15km of North Sydney – this includes the upper and lower North Shore, inner Northern Beaches, Inner City, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West. For suburbs more than 15km from North Sydney please contact me as we still may be able to assist. And don’t forget our e-Design service is available to anyone, anywhere!

What are your qualifications? I have a Diploma in Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute, including advanced modules in Bathroom and Kitchen design and training in SketchUp. After completing multiple renovations alongside my husband, the pandemic led to a decision to create Kate Kerin Interiors and put my design experience into practice. Prior to this, I spent over 25 years running not-for-profit arts organisations and have been awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Sydney University), Graduate Diploma in Arts Management (UTS), Master of Policy Studies (UNSW) and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance (Kaplan).

Initial Consultation

How long will my initial consultation last? Initial consultations usually last between 90 minutes and two hours, and can be in your home (ideal) or via zoom.

What will be covered in my initial consultation? We will get to know each other, and you will outline what you have in mind for your project. I will show you some examples of my work to date, and we will have an initial discussion about your budget.  I will follow up with an email summary of our discussion and propose some next steps.

When is payment required? You will need to pay for the initial consultation before booking an appointment.

Communication

How often will you stay in touch? I commit to regular communication, with a weekly email check-in and more frequent communication when required. I will also make site-visits on an agreed schedule and you can contact me via SMS, telephone or email if you have questions. I don’t mind you sending your query outside of office hours, but I will usually not respond until I’m next in the office.

What are your office hours? I work flexibly from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. If you contact me within those hours, I undertake to respond within 24 hours (usually faster). If you contact me outside of my office hours I will usually respond the next business day. Weekend and evening appointments may be arranged by request.

The project

How much will my project cost? This will depend on the scope and complexity of your project as well as the level of quality finishes you choose. I will work with you to ensure your budget is realistic and sufficient to achieve your goals. My website contains some guides to prices.

Who will select my tradespeople? You can choose your own trades if you wish, or I can recommend some of my trusted trade contacts. Ultimately you will contract with and pay the selected trades yourself.

I live in an apartment, what is required? You may require permission from your body corporate or strata manager, depending on the project. I can assist you with any paperwork and will form a professional relationship with your building’s representative.

Can I make suggestions and changes to your design? When we have our initial consultation, we will talk about your ideas and plans. You can make suggestions and requests through the design process, and some revisions to plans are built into the scope of the design work. However there will be a limit to the number of revisions that can be accommodated, as outlined in your contract with Kate Kerin Interiors.

Clientele

I have access requirements, can you help me renovate? Kate Kerin Interiors has experience working with older clients, some of whom have particular access needs. We can offer advice with regard to building design that accommodates wheelchairs and walkers, and we design rooms that take into consideration mobility issues, sight and hearing needs, safety in the kitchen and bathroom, and specify furniture that is both comfortable and practical. None of this needs to negatively impact on the style or design of your home. I love the challenge of designing a beautiful space that is also practical, functional and safe for older people or those with particular needs.

I’m considering downsizing, can you assist? Of course! Downsizing from a large family home to a smaller dwelling is one of life’s big challenges. It can be emotional deciding which items to keep, and which to leave behind. Kate Kerin Interiors will respect and work with your choices, whether that means starting afresh or retaining some special pieces to be integrated into your new home. We are also mindful that sometimes other family members have a perspective on treasured heirlooms and we can work with the entire family to solve tough design and furnishing decisions.

I’m not an older person, are you interested in my project? Yes! Although we specialise in working with older clients, many of our projects are with young families and those under retirement age. Good design is for everyone; we would love to work with you. Check out our “Projects” page to see some of our designs for family homes and other featured projects.

I’m not downsizing, are you interested in my project? Absolutely! Kate Kerin Interiors undertakes a wide range of renovations and interior design projects. We are happy to chat with you about any project, large or small.