Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Andy Yates Design offer interior design services in Michigan?
We have design studios in both Grand Rapids and Douglas, Michigan, allowing us to serve clients across the state and throughout the Midwest. Locally, we frequently work in East Grand Rapids, Ada, Forest Hills, and Cascade. Along the Lake Michigan lakeshore, our service area includes Saugatuck, Douglas, Castle Park, Holland, South Haven, and Grand Haven. We also regularly travel for luxury interior design projects in Metro Detroit (including Birmingham and Oakland County) and Northern Michigan retreats in Traverse City, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs.
Do you specialize in lakefront and coastal interior design on Lake Michigan?
Yes. Designing for waterfront living requires a unique balance of elevated luxury and practical durability. Operating out of our Douglas studio, we have extensive experience designing primary residences and vacation homes along the Lake Michigan coastline. We understand how to maximize natural light, frame architectural views of the water, and source materials that hold up to the Midwest coastal environment, all while keeping the space artistic and sophisticated.
I live out of state, but I am building a vacation home in Michigan. Can you manage the design remotely?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are based in Chicago or out-of-state and rely on us to manage their Michigan interior design projects from afar. We have a highly structured, efficient interior design process designed specifically for remote collaboration. We act as your on-the-ground advocate, coordinating with local Michigan architects, builders, and tradespeople to ensure a seamless, turnkey experience so your home is perfectly ready when you arrive.
What is the signature design style of Andy Yates Design?
Rather than forcing a single signature look, we create spaces with style and purpose tailored specifically to you. We describe our work as luxury interior design, elevated. Whether we are designing a modern downtown Chicago penthouse, a historic estate in East Grand Rapids, or a contemporary lake house in Fennville, our goal is to deliver artistic, smart interiors that inspire and delight.
How do I start a luxury interior design project with you?
The interior design process should be fun and exciting, not overwhelming. The first step is to book a complimentary Discovery Call with our team. During this call, we will discuss your property, your vision for the space, and how we can deliver a simple, efficient, and deeply personalized design experience for your Michigan or out-of-state home.
When should I hire you?
The simple answer is “as soon as possible”. As an integral part of any project (renovation, new construction, decorating, kitchens, baths, etc.), you should hire a designer at the very beginning. Design expertise is best leveraged to your advantage before any other commitments have been made (to an architect, builder or other contractor). Why? To use the film metaphor, designers really are the directors of the show; we need to begin the journey with you, to help aggregate the right team of professionals, and establish a narrative and concept for the entire project at its earliest stages. This way, we create our lens, through which we can clearly make every decision, and know it is right for you.
How much do you cost?
How much does an interior designer cost? This is a complex question, and has been answered all over the internet, in several different ways. The more relevant question is “How much will my specific project cost?” For that, we have to have a clearly-defined scope of work, for your unique project. The simple answer: we charge $200 / hour for professional design services. We also offer flat fee packages for clearly-defined projects starting at $5000.
How do you charge fees?
This is another very popular question. Our goal is to understand the nature of every individual residential or commercial project, and tailor a fair, comprehensive proposal for your entire scope of work. When we meet to review your budget in detail, we discern the actual costs associated with design, merchandise and other trades involved. We can then ascertain the best model for you: hourly or a flat fee, or a mix of both. We buy exclusive merchandise and resell those products to you, including a profit, at a discount off of retail. Generally, most full-service projects are a combination of all of these. Learn more about the design process from soup to nuts, as we say.
Do you work weekends? Do you text clients?
Normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 9-3 ish. Exceptions are made for appointments after hours or on weekends. This should be arranged in advance.
Email is always the best way to communicate (expect a response within 48 hours, every time). Our team avoids using text as a means to convey anything important about a project. Trust us, it can become very messy, and we never want any valuable information lost in “the ether” of texting. We always follow-up phone discussions with an email summary of our conversation.