Interior Design Services

Interior designers are trained in concept-based design, which means that before we select specific items – whether it’s a sofa or a soaking tub – we develop a design concept for the entire project. At Daunt Designs, we have a clearly defined interior design process that starts with getting to know your needs, wants, style and vision for your home. The design then takes shape through 4 phases:

Inspiration: in the inspiration phase, we share images and narrow down the overall vision and style of the design.

Concept development: your interior designer will produce concept boards so you have a clear picture of how each space will look.

Design specification: you’ll see all of the materials, furniture and finish selections as well as samples you can see and touch.

Construction/Installation: finally, when all the designs are approved, we work closely with your contractor to execute the design to the highest quality.

Working with a Montana interior designer means we’ll be onsite at critical moments, as well as being able to recommend all the best local craftsmen and suppliers. For more on what to expect, check out our blog post: What to Expect From an Interior Designer.

Don’t need full-service design? We also offer design consulting for more limited project scopes. Contact us for more information.

While my personal style tends towards more mountain modern and transitional designs - I don’t play favorites when it comes to your dream home. I’m well versed in a variety of architectural styles and have worked on a diverse range of interior design projects - from a rustic barn conversion to an ultra-modern lakehouse. That said, most of my clients are looking for clean lines and comfortable spaces, without compromising on that wow factor.

I do encourage homeowners to use natural, organic materials whenever possible - whether it’s local Lake McGregor stone or European birch, using natural materials grounds the home and reflects the stunning Montana landscape. And a moody space that adds a little bit of drama is always welcome.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, take a look at our project portfolio to get a better sense of recent projects.

While this depends on the scope of your project, there are some rules of thumb for the interior design process. If we’re working together on a full-service design for a remodel or new build project, you can estimate around 3-6 months from the initial inspiration phase to the start of construction. Once construction starts, I work closely with your contractor to keep to their schedule. The goal is to have all designs complete and materials selected before they break ground or lift a hammer.

For furnishing projects that are part of a new build or remodel, we often wait on furniture selections until construction has started. In addition to the time it takes to complete the design, procurement and install of furnishings can take an additional 3-9 months depending on the level of custom pieces included. This often fits well with the construction schedule, so that everything comes together when your home is completed for furniture to be installed right after.

It’s always ideal to get an interior designer involved as early as possible, especially for a new build project. Read more on these blog posts to understand why.

Building Your Dream Home
Home Design Tips for New Construction

While the above timelines are ideal for a smooth, stress-free project, I regularly get calls from overwhelmed homeowners who are halfway through their new build and realize they need help. Don’t panic - I’ll do my best to work with a tighter timeline, depending on the scope of design support you need.

All design time is billed hourly. For full-service construction projects, we work on a retainer model where a total number of hours is estimated against a set scope of work at the beginning of the project. A percentage of that estimate is taken as a retainer deposit, and when the retainer is exhausted, regular hourly billing starts. You will always know where we sit with hours worked against the scope.

If you need minimal design support, smaller packages of hours are available. These are best used when the homeowner is taking the lead on their own project, and they want limited design consultation for specific purposes.

The budget for design fees can vary depending on the complexity and scope of your project - for example, are you including window treatments? Do you need an electrical plan? Reach out to share more about your project and we would be happy to discuss your budget.