FAQs

At Sarah Yarrow Interiors, we are committed to doing what we can to reduce our footprint on the environment and build thoughtful conscious spaces for our clients. We do this by standing behind our ethos of restoring existing homes rather than knocking down and always building brand new. We try to reuse and restore existing materials where we can and supporting Australian made suppliers and those who provide environmentally friendly materials. In our office, we are paper free with all systems being online and cloud based. This allows our team and contractors to work from their site location and aids with reducing unnecessary travelling. We are proudly members of 1% for the Planet and supporters of Greenfleet, a non profit organisation committed to restoring our bushlands via their native reforestation program. This is just the beginning though, our commitment to sustainability is at the forefront of our minds and we’re constantly looking for ways to be better and do better for our people and the planet. Future initiatives in the pipeline are to become a B-Corp certification business, this process is already underway!

We sure do! While most of our projects are based in Sydney’s Eastern & Southern suburbs, we absolutely love travelling and exploring projects outside of the metropolitan area. We especially love the regional areas of NSW from the Southern Highlands to the Central/Mid West of NSW, some of the most beautiful regions in Australia we think! Reach out though if your project is located elsewhere as you never know, it might just be the perfect fit. Get in touch to chat more.

Of course! While we are set up as an entirely holistic service to assist clients with their project from end to end with architectural design, interior design, construction and interior decoration, we do know that some clients just need one portion of that process. Sarah Yarrow Interiors can assist with interior design and interior decoration (styling) projects only and the process begins with completing the enquiry form then jumping on a call to discuss your needs and establish if we’re the right fit.

Budget transparency is exactly why we encourage the openness of this conversation right from our first meeting together - so we’re all on the same page.

Letting us know your actual budget allows us to make appropriate design suggestions, specifically tailored for you. If we’re sourcing furniture or artwork for you, then knowing your budget ensures we can narrow our focus and hone in on a few key suppliers to present you with the best selections based on your brief. If we’re designing your renovation or build, knowing how much you’re willing to spend will help us in those design decisions and specifications.

Sometimes our client's wish lists, needs list and available budget don’t total up to the same number. Don’t worry if this sounds like you - that’s where we guide you through the process, review the scope of work and determine:

• What are the priority items?

• Can we execute the project in stages or delay the project to increase the budget?

If there is a strict budget in place we often present clients with two options for furniture, with variations in cost, however, please note that if choosing the lower cost item, the quality will be compromised as a result. We like to be transparent, and want our clients to be in total control to make decisions on what areas they want to spend a bit more on and where they want to pull back.

This being said, our ethos is entirely around working with, and supporting the use of sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes. We encourage all of our clients to purchase the best quality products they can afford following these principles. That way, everyone wins.

Given we work with a structured process, we’re often able to give you a ballpark time frame in Phase 2 (Design Development), on how long your specific project will take. By that stage, we have received quotes from trades (if your project involves construction) and/or lead times from furniture suppliers (if your project is decorative). From that, we can provide you with pretty accurate timeframes.

Variables to consider on timing:

• The availability of tradesmen;

• Lead times – most custom furniture, wallpaper, curtains and lighting have 12 – 16-week lead times globally;

• The size of the project - it is important we factor these decisions into the overall design presentation.

We have three key service offerings at Sarah Yarrow Interiors depending on your needs and required level of involvement from us. Each service begins with a Consultation, we have three to choose from: Full Service Design, One Off Consultation or Virtual Consultation.

Project consultations are best for those who want to outsource the design, sourcing & execution of their project to a professional.

Sometimes clients who use this service are either feeling a bit overwhelmed, don't know where to start or simply don’t have the time or desire to spend on pulling the project together. Below are some common scenarios:

• You’re unsure how to consolidate all your design ideas into one cohesive style or how to integrate your existing furniture pieces with new changes

• You lack the time or expertise to design and create the kind of space you desire;

• You’d like advice regarding purchasing furniture/artwork/lighting that is the correct scale and proportion to YOUR space;

• You want to avoid making expensive mistakes and suffering “buyer’s remorse”;

• You want it done well and with minimal fuss so you have a comfortable and beautiful home to enjoy each day!

In this consultation we:

• Deep dive into all aspects of your project

• We’ll lay down the foundations of your project by going through our “4 Pillar” strategy of:

Scope
Style
Timeline
Budget

• We start with a detailed brief and learn what’s currently working for you and what’s not.

You’ll have the beginnings of an action plan. After nutting out the 4 Pillar (Scope, Style, Timeline and Budget) requirements, we'll go away and create your detailed proposal and plan to move forward. This will include comprehensive notes detailing discussions and a proposal including the ways we can help you accomplish your project.

One week after the Consultation, our team will organise for you to meet again (in person or phone) for approximately 45 minutes, where Sarah will walk you through each aspect of the plan.

During this meeting, you’ll likely have more questions (from our initial consultation), which is why this follow up consultation is vitally important. As the initial briefing process is crucial in laying the foundation for the success of the project, it’s essential we spend time getting to know you, what you want and what will work for you.

The time spent upfront allows us to address any changes or questions you may have and talk through how we can best work together to make your dream home a reality. The cost of the consultation includes both meetings.

Regardless of which consultation you decide to book, a little preparation on your end will help to ensure you receive the most value from the meeting. Things to consider prior to the Consultation:

1. Create a Brief (Scope) - Consider what you require help or guidance with and create a ‘must have list’ and a ‘wish list’. If you’re booking the One-Off Consultation, write down ALL the questions you have, that way, we can maximise your time together with Sarah and tackle as many as we can.

2. Find Inspiration (Style) - What styles do you like or don't you like? Try to find a few inspirational images that will help convey the sense of style you’re wanting to achieve. Words can be interpreted differently but a picture really does paint a thousand words. This could be as simple as a screenshot on your phone, Pinterest board, or magazine pages.

3. Think ahead (Timeframe) - What’s your ideal timeframe for this project? Is there a special event you’re wanting to have it completed for? Or will your project be slow and steady to be paced out in stages? Whatever your needs, it helps us to know when you’d like it complete and your motivation behind it.

4. Let’s talk dollars (Budget) - A key pillar in the project - think about how much you’re happy to spend. Keep in mind, construction (if necessary), furniture and decoration and design fees.

There are no perfect or correct answers here so don’t worry if you're not 100% clear on what you want, that will come as we move through the process together. Even if you only know what you don’t want, it helps to have a starting point so we can build framework and direction from there.

Just remember we’ve been through this before – so you can trust we’ll ask the right questions and discuss all of this in far greater detail at your consultation!

The Presentation (in Phase 2) is a really exciting time for both client and designer, it’s where the months of hard work, dreaming and planning culminate.

At this meeting, we start by walking clients through our proposed drawings to show the spaces as a cohesive space, conveying the overall vision of the design. We use floor plans to show the layout of rooms, furniture placement and how the spaces connect to each other. Elevations help us to focus in on details on one particular wall e.g. a new fireplace, joinery design or kitchen shelving.

Also, at the Presentation we show clients a detailed breakdown of each piece we’re proposing, complete with samples you can touch and feel. The same process occurs whether we’re helping with finishes selections (kitchen bench top, tiles, flooring etc.) or furniture, lighting and artwork.

We bring as many samples as we can so you can touch and feel fabrics, timber finishes or stone.

Be honest! Our goal is to delight our clients and to always ensure we’re creating a project which is entirely reflective of them. In short – it’s all about YOU. So if there’s something in the presented design that you don’t absolutely love, then please tell us. We can only make a change if we know about it and work through it to ensure every detail is perfect for you.

We’re all for a collaborative approach and this means there’s lots of communication and open discussion where clients have the chance and space to provide feedback and workshop ideas in our initial design stages.

If your project requires construction or trades, we have over the years acquired a ‘little black book’ of the best of them! All our construction work is organised and managed via our partner company, Yarrow Build. They will quote the works, manage all the relevant trades and ensure the highest level of craftsmanship in completing the job. They are also liaising back to your design team consistently to ensure the design is being executed as intended. That’s the beauty of having one team guiding you through from concept to completion!

Simple answer is, no. We’re really good at interiors and that’s our passion. So, we focus all our time, energy and effort to be the best at that.

That depends on the type of service you purchase from us. If you book a One-Off Consultation, we’ll provide a summary of notes with product and supplier suggestions following the appointment - this forms your action plan so you start researching and shopping with confidence to make the purchases yourself.

If, however, we’re designing your project and specifying the decorative pieces, including furniture, we’ll order those on your behalf. So, once our suggestions are approved by you, we place the order, arrange the delivery logistics, installation and final styling. This service also ensures we manage any faulty or damaged products on your behalf.

Of course! As exciting as it is building a new house or undertaking a renovation project, it is also a daunting time. We understand this, which is why all our projects are full-service end to end solutions. That means, we have one team - interior designer, architect (if needed) and builder. Our projects are successful because we have one team from start to finish. Because of this, we generally don’t take on projects to service only a portion of the process e.g. finishes selection only. The design is part of a bigger process and one we like to support you through from start to finish.

Let’s get started! Each design journey with us starts by completing hte enquiry form (found on the Contact page). From there, we’ll send you through some important information about working with us. Once read, if you still feel like we’re a good fit, we’ll be in touch to arrange an initial call to chat through your project further.

Book Now

It’s a 15-minute call with Sarah to discuss your project. In this call she’ll ask you lots of questions and you’ll get to tell her about what you’re trying to achieve, what’s working and what’s not.

The call also allows you to get to know each other a little more and decide if we’re a good fit for you (interior design is a very personalised service so it’s important we have a good connection to make the whole thing work well!), and vice versa.

If you’re happy - from there you’ll book a mutually suitable time for the Consultation. Upon your consultation booking, you will be sent an information booklet outlining some key information, a pre-consultation questionnaire and the invoice for payment. Payment is required no less than 48 hours BEFORE the consultation, otherwise we will reschedule. The invoice you’ll receive has an option for online payment via credit or debit card to make payment easier for you.

One-off consultations are best for clients who are designing and managing their own projects, but would like to check in with an expert for guidance and reassurance on key decisions.

Typically, clients who use this option tend to ask for:
– Advice and guidance on the best way to set up your rooms utilising your existing furniture;
– Suggestions around selecting new furniture pieces, and what to look for when out shopping;
– An expert opinion to assist you in making those hard decisions – things like paint colour, flooring, tiles and finishes;
– A professional review of the drawing plans of your renovation or new build to assist in ensuring you have the best layout and functional use of the space.

These consultations are a great way to get all your questions answered so you can confidently move forward on your own.

Book a consult

The one-off consultation is 2 hours in length, held onsite at your home with Sarah. We walk through your project space room by room, and focus on the specific spaces or ideas you’d like to address or are undecided about. If you’d like to use the 2 hours to have Sarah review drawings, plans and finishes, she will review these with you while talking through each space and element to ensure what’s on paper will result in a functional, cohesive space at completion.

After the consultation, you’ll receive follow up notes with Sarah’s advice, recommendations and actionable suggestions. Often a fresh and objective set of eyes with no emotional connection to the space provides clarity and gives you confidence in the decisions you’ve already made.

You’ll have all your burning questions answered so that you can feel confident in ordering those tiles, advising the painter of your chosen wall colour, or placing the order for lounge/rug/dining table. Remember: you can ask Sarah as many questions as you like in that allocated consultation!

And, if you feel like you might need another ‘check in’ further down the track - no problem - just get back in touch and we’ll book you in for another One-Off Consultation so Sarah can answer any additional questions that have popped up since our last meeting.