Common Questions Answered

Anne Parsons Interiors is a full service Interior Design firm with studios in San Diego, CA; Mesa, AZ and Fort Worth, Texas. Below is comprehensive information with answers to many common questions Ms. Parsons is asked during consultations. We hope this helps with your decision to hire a professional. 

-We are often asked, "What style do you design?"  

Ms. Parsons' answer to this often-asked question is, "I focus on each client's lifestyle and personality to tell their story, creating a style that uniquely reflects them.  This approach along with considerations of the architecture, surroundings of the project, budget and client preferences produces a timeless and authentic environment."  

"There  is a common misconception that interior designers help their clients to choose paint, fabrics and soft furnishings but that is all.  While designers are concerned with these aesthetics because our clients are, professional interior designers who have degrees and have been published in major periodicals have expertise across a range of areas including lighting, acoustics, ergonomics, space planning,  lighting and electrical plans, plan review, fire and safety issues, as well as federal and state building codes and regulations.  Given this, I have chosen to just answer common questions below to help the potential client understand what a professional designer is trained and experienced in doing.  We do everything involved in getting spaces ready for remodel, redecorate or paint color choices.  We can advise on the interiors of a proposed structure as well make existing interiors work by planning everything for our fantastic contractors and general contractors to change structure!" 

Some of the questions our clients have before hiring API... 

-Are you professionally associated? 

Yes.  Everyone on staff is at a minimum Allied ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and Ms. Parsons, our Owner and Principal Designer, is a professional member of ASID and a Professional Member of NKBA.   Anne Parsons Interiors has been a member of the Better Business Bureau of San Diego for 13 years and working on a BBB representation in Mesa AZ.  Ms. Parsons holds Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in  Interior Design  from San Diego Design Institute, a CIDA accredited design school in San Diego, CA. 

-Have your projects appeared in any professional magazines?

Yes. Ms. Parsons' designs have been published numerous times in San Diego Home and Garden Magazine in the Before and After full page columns, project features and she writes articles for the Tips From Designers columns.  She has also written several articles for the trade and student bases.

-What sets you apart from other designers? 

We design for our clients, We listen to the frustrations our clients have with their spaces and we care about your project as if it were our own home, office, and wallet.  We program with your family and observe family functions helping us see what is going on design-wise, where are the deficiencies and how we can help where it comes to the built environment.  

-What is your track record for bringing projects in on time and within budget? 

Ms. Parsons is extremely focused on adhering to a track record of bringing projects on time and within budget.  That's not to say that budgets do not change for one reason or another and everything most times takes longer than original estimates but we do our best to estimate both cost and time of completion at the beginning of the project and inform our clients along the way of any changes necessary or optional.  Whether we hit a snafu along the way due to an unforeseen problem or the client adds features they would like to add after approval of the original design concept, we do our best to explain any issues along the way so within our power there is never surprise to the client. 

-What is your interior design philosophy? 

We listen to our clients and really "hear" what they are asking for.  For example, when it comes to our kitchen remodel clients during the programming phase, we observe them during a dinner service while they cook for the family and we evaluate the functioning (or dis-functioning) and listen to the frustrations and note the best changes to make. 

-What is your experience in my type of project? 

Our experience is extremely varied and we have excellent General Contractors, Architects and Engineers who work with with us along the way.  So, if we haven't seen it they certainly have.  We also work with a network of professionals within our association memberships so there is nothing we cannot research within all these means to provide solutions.

-What challenges do you see with my project?  

This would be determined after your initial consultation and perhaps even some programming (observations and discussions).  A consultation is the best way to discover the answer to this question.  However, whatever the challenges as a team we will face them head-on!  There is  always a solution. 

-Will I work with you directly or with contractors? 

Both. You will mostly work with your design firm directly which is preferred so that we  can ensure design intent throughout the project and it helps to lessen confusion in communication between client, contractor and designer.  There are times when the contractor will explain things directly to the client which we welcome.  Also, depending on how you want to pay for their work, you may work directly with them and pay their invoices as the phases continue.  After our clients approve initial design concept we offer project management services to manage your projects. Project Management is a valued service and well worth it in terms of peace of mind; you can be free to go back to work and we manage your remodel. 

-What fees are included in your basic service? 

We have various pricing structures we can explain during our initial conversation.  It varies by project and depends on how you want to move your project along. 

-What services would incur additional fees?  

Additional costs are incurred primarily when we go outside of the original project scope or if we have unforeseen issues.  For example if we find mold in the bathroom walls or asbestos is found in an area that is going to be disturbed and we need to have it professionally removed.  Estimated costs are conveyed to our clients via estimated budgets provided to the client during the design concept presentation, but we cannot always see what might come up that will increase costs. 

***************************************************

Interior Designers know interiors better than any other pro in the build-industry! 

Anne Parsons Interiors has the staff and available subcontractors who are educated and trained to solve problems and provide solutions for our clients.  This could mean advising on aesthetics like color, linens, furnishings, window treatments or it could mean making better use of the space in a remodeling situation or helping determine a construction issue-we can double check your remodel drawings advise.  When your space isn’t working for you a professional designer can design a solution which is safe, healthy, and will better suit your lifestyle. 

We are confident this page has answered many of your questions about working with a designer.  The best thing to do to get started is to contact us and schedule an initial consultation, we can then take it from there.  So much goes into creating the best design for each client's needs; their lifestyle, architecture or total square footage in the case of an office or restaurant, budget and general aesthetic; all part of the many considerations. The staff at API invests the time necessary to "program" with you before we even begin the design process.  As you can see on our PORTFOLIO samples page,  on this site, we have the experience and the happy clients to provide you with the design services you need for your individual project. 

Let's get started so we get your projects finished! 

Terri Anne Parsons, Allied ASID, NKBA, B.F.A. 

Principal Interior Designer and Owner