Frequently Asked Questions — Interior Design in Carmel, Indiana
Good design starts with understanding how you live—what matters to you, where you gather, how light moves through your home. I've answered the questions I hear most often from clients. If you don't see yours, get in touch.
Investment & Timeline
What is your interior design project minimum?
We design projects spanning a minimum of 2-3 rooms, depending on scope. This ensures we can create cohesive, intentional design throughout your home rather than isolated spaces.
Investment depends on scope, scale, and level of customization. Full-service projects vary based on architectural involvement, millwork complexity, and furnishing requirements. During our initial consultation, we align your vision with investment and clarify what your project realistically requires.
How do your design fees work?
For the initial design phase, we charge a flat fee for concept development and design directionthen bill hourly during the execution phase on a monthly basis. We provide a range of the amount of hours needed to execute your project, but the time will vary depending on the complexity and scope of work. Our design fee is typically 10-20% of your project budget. For new construction projects, we generally work at 5-8% of the build cost.
To book your project on our calendar, a design fee retainer is required.
How far in advance should I book with you?
We recommend reaching out as early in your project as possible. Since we take on a limited number of projects at a time, our availability can fill quickly. The sooner you connect with us, the better we can align on timing and get you on our calendar.
On My Approach to Interior Design
What makes our interior design approach different?
I lead every project personally, working with a small team that shares my commitment to craftsmanship and precision. By accepting only a limited number of full-service projects each year, I ensure that every detail receives thoughtful attention.
My approach is rooted in English tradition — layered, collected, lived-in rooms that feel like they've evolved over time. Never precious. Always comfortable. I believe good design should feel just as right in your daily life as it does in a photograph.
Based in Carmel, I work throughout the Indianapolis area and on select projects nationwide.
What's my interior design philosophy?
Craftsmanship, color, and charm — these three things weave through everything I do. Charm comes through pattern, texture, and detail. It's the things that make a room feel collected and lived-in. Good design is built to age beautifully. It feels warm and inviting, working just as well in daily life as it does in a photograph.
Do you work with existing furniture and family heirlooms?
Yes. I layer them in thoughtfully with color, pattern, and complementary pieces so the room feels cohesive and intentional. Often, the pieces your family already owns are exactly what give a space depth and meaning.
Photography, Privacy, & Communication
Do you take on projects that will be photographed or published?
Photography is how the work is documented and shared. It allows a project to become part of the studio’s evolving portfolio.
In many ways, it’s similar to an artist exhibiting their work. The design deserves to be seen and properly captured.
For that reason, professional photography is important to our studio.
That said, privacy is always respected. We do accept projects that will remain private, and expectations are discussed clearly at the outset.
How involved will I be in the design process?
You will be involved in the decisions that matter most to you.
We guide you through a structured process where key selections are presented clearly and intentionally. Rather than overwhelming you with endless options, we curate and refine so that each choice supports the larger vision.
Collaboration is important. Your lifestyle, preferences, and priorities shape the direction. At the same time, clients hire us for clarity and discernment. When something disrupts proportion, balance, or the overall composition, we will say so. That professional guidance is part of the value. The goal is a home that feels personal, cohesive, and considered — not a collection of disconnected decisions.
What if I don't love something once it's installed?
Because I remain involved through installation, adjustments are addressed immediately if needed. My role is to ensure the room feels resolved before the project concludes.
On Materials & Craftsmanship
Where do you source furnishings and finishes for interior design projects?
I work with trade-only vendors, specialized makers, and artisan sources, sometimes across the country, sometimes internationally, whose craftsmanship and material knowledge I trust.
This is where real work happens: the sourcing, the selecting, the consideration of how a particular stone reads in light, or how a fabric will wear over time. I often source from High Point, New York design markets, and established trade relationships I've built over years.
I also develop custom upholstery and bespoke millwork in collaboration with craftspeople who understand the level of detail my work requires.
Do you design custom millwork and cabinetry?
Millwork is often what creates character in a room. Custom cabinetry, built-ins, architectural details — these are the bones of a space. I work with skilled craftspeople who understand proportion, scale, and finish quality. Every millwork project is drawn specifically for your room, your architecture, your needs.
That might mean custom cabinetry that respects the original character of a 1960s estate, or that complements newer construction. The approach is the same: craft-first, detail-obsessed.
Will these pieces last? How do you choose materials for longevity?
Yes. I specify materials, finishes, and pieces meant to age beautifully. The upholstery is built to outlast trends. The stone is chosen for how it will look in twenty years, not just how it photographs. The cabinetry is crafted to be handed down. I'm designing rooms that grow more beautiful as they're lived in.
Second Homes or Vacation Homes
Can you design a second home or vacation property?
Yes. The approach is the same. The difference is usually in pace. A vacation home can be designed more intuitively because it's not bound by the daily logistics of family life.
On My Wallpaper & Fabric Line
When will your wallpaper and fabric line be available?
It's currently in development. The patterns are born from hand-stamped and hand-painted work — starting with designs in my own home.
If you want to know when they're ready, follow along on Instagram or reach out to be added to the early list.
Seeing My Work
Where can I see examples of your interior design work?
On Instagram (@jessiesurberinteriors) and in my portfolio on the website. I also post process work — sourcing, behind-the-scenes moments, how I think about pattern and color — because I think the thinking is as interesting as the finished rooms.
Can I visit a finished interior design project to see the work in person?
I respect client privacy deeply, so I don't share home addresses or arrange home tours without permission. The work lives in my portfolio and on Instagram. That's usually enough to get a sense of how I think about spaces and what's possible.