The
Process
At Mae Design Studio, our process is designed to be thoughtful, collaborative, and well-structured. The goal is so your project feels clear, supported, and enjoyable from start to finish. While every home and client is unique, the phases below outline how we typically work together.
how we
work together
Successful projects rely on clear communication, timely decisions, and mutual trust. To support this, we’ve created our Policies & Procedures, which explain how we manage communication, revisions, timelines, procurement, and coordination.
These policies are part of your agreement and help ensure a smooth, respectful experience for everyone involved.
1
Initial Inquiry & Consultation
Every project begins with an inquiry or consultation to understand your goals, timeline, and level of support needed. This helps us determine the best service for your project, whether that’s full design, design-only, consulting, or support during implementation.
Following the consultation, we’ll provide a proposal outlining recommended services, fees, and next steps.
2
Agreement & Onboarding
Once your proposal is approved, we’ll prepare a design agreement and any applicable exhibits based on your selected services. After the agreement is signed and the initial payment is received, your project is officially scheduled.
During onboarding, we’ll gather key information, preferences, and inspiration to ensure we’re aligned before design work begins.
3
Design Development
This phase is where ideas take shape. We develop a cohesive design direction tailored to your space, lifestyle, and goals.
Depending on your scope, this phase may include:
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space planning and layouts
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material and finish selections
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furniture and fixture recommendations
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mood boards, drawings, and design visuals
Design presentations are collaborative, and your feedback helps guide the refinement process.
4
Design refinement & approvals
After the initial design presentation, we refine the design based on your feedback and finalize selections. Clear approvals at this stage are essential to keep the project moving forward and to maintain timelines and budgets.
Once designs are approved, any changes beyond the included scope may require additional services or fees.
5
procurement (if selected)
For clients who select procurement services, we manage the purchasing of approved furnishings, fixtures, and materials on your behalf.
This phase may include:
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order placement and tracking
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vendor coordination
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delivery scheduling and receiving support
Availability, lead times, and pricing are subject to vendor policies and market conditions, and we’ll keep you informed throughout the process.
6
Design implementation (if selected)
If design implementation services are included, we support the execution of the design by coordinating with contractors and vendors to ensure the design intent is carried through.
While we do not act as a general contractor or supervise construction, we serve as a design liaison, helping address design-related questions and maintain aesthetic consistency during the process.
7
Completion & Follow-Up
As your project nears completion, we’ll address any remaining design details and ensure deliverables outlined in your proposal have been provided. Additional services or support beyond this point can always be added as needed.
Ready to get started?
If our process feels aligned with the way you’d like to work, we’d love to hear more about your project.