Everything you
need to know.

The best way to find out is a conversation. We offer a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation — at our Paddington studio, at your home, or by video call — where we can hear about your project and you can get a sense of how we work. There is no obligation and no cost.

We work exclusively on residential interior design projects — from single rooms to full home renovations and new builds. We do not take on commercial projects. Our work is centred in Sydney and, for the right project, Christiana is available to travel interstate.

We deliberately limit the number of projects we take on at any one time. This ensures every client receives Christiana's full attention throughout the process — not a junior designer. If you are planning a project, we recommend getting in touch early.

Yes. For larger projects, Christiana is available to travel and work in person anywhere in Australia. We also offer a remote design service for clients who prefer to manage implementation themselves or are working on a more focused brief.

Every project begins with a briefing session — a deep conversation about your home, your lifestyle, and what you want to achieve. From there we develop a design concept, refine it through close collaboration with you, and manage the process through to completion. The exact scope depends on the project.

It depends on the scope. A single room can take 6 to 12 weeks from brief to completion. A full home renovation typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the extent of construction involved. We will give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you informed throughout.

As involved as you would like to be. Some clients want to be across every decision — we welcome that. Others prefer to give a clear brief and trust us to execute. We adapt to your preference and always keep you informed of key decisions and milestones without overwhelming you with detail.

Yes — full project management is available. We have established relationships with trusted builders, cabinetmakers, upholsterers, and specialist tradespeople across Sydney. We coordinate the process end to end so you do not have to manage multiple parties yourself.

Yes. Christiana leads every project personally. This is not a studio where you brief a principal designer and are then handed to a junior. Every design decision is made by Christiana — which is why we limit the number of projects we take on at any one time.

Yes. Our service can encompass the full scope — from architectural changes to furniture selection, material specification, lighting design, and final styling. We can also design bespoke furniture pieces specifically for your home, including through our Vienna Collection.

The Design Institute of Australia outlines several recognised fee structures for residential interior design — including hourly rates, percentage of project value, fixed fees, and combinations of these. We typically work on a combination of a fixed project fee and hourly billing for additional work. We provide a clear fee proposal at the outset so there are no surprises.

According to the Design Institute of Australia fee guidelines, full-service residential interior design projects are typically charged at 12% to 18.5% of the total project value for projects above $100,000. For larger projects above $500,000, this typically reduces to 10% to 15%. These are industry benchmarks — actual fees depend on scope, complexity, and the level of service required.

Design fees are separate from construction, furniture, and materials. Using the DIA benchmark of 10% to 15% for larger projects, a renovation with a construction value of $500,000 would typically carry a design fee in the range of $50,000 to $75,000. Every project is different — we discuss fees openly at the initial consultation so there are no surprises.

No. The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary for all new enquiries. This is the conversation where we hear about your project, answer your questions, and determine whether we are the right fit. There is no obligation and no cost.

We have access to trade pricing on furniture and materials that is not available to the public. How we handle this varies by project and is always disclosed transparently in our fee proposal. Our priority is always specifying the right product for the space — not the product that earns the highest margin.

We do not have a strict minimum, but we are best suited to projects where there is meaningful scope for design — whether that is a single room done properly or a full home renovation. For smaller or more focused briefs, our remote design service may be a better fit, with packages starting from $500.

The Vienna Collection is a range of bespoke furniture pieces developed by Christiana in collaboration with specialist artisans and workshops in and around Vienna. The collection currently includes an expandable dining table and companion chairs in European walnut, inspired by early Viennese Biedermeier design. Learn more about the collection.

Yes. The Vienna Collection is available to commission independently of a full interior design engagement. Each piece is made to order and can be customised to suit the scale, finish, and material preferences of your home. Lead time is approximately 16 to 20 weeks from confirmed order to delivery in Australia.

Yes. All Vienna Collection pieces can be customised — scale, timber finish, upholstery fabric, and configuration can all be adapted to suit your space. We will advise on what customisation is possible and the implications for lead time and pricing at enquiry stage.

Vienna Collection pieces have a lead time of approximately 16 to 20 weeks from confirmed order to delivery in Australia. This reflects the time required for production by hand in Vienna and international freight. We recommend planning well ahead if the pieces are needed for a specific date or occasion.