FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I often am asked about my projects: How do I work & who are my clients? Here’s a helpful way to break down all the details.

Question 1: How does this work? I’ve never worked with a designer before.

Answer: If you have a space in your home that you want to transform with a professional design plan, hiring an interior designer ensures every detail is well thought out. Designers bring access to textiles, furniture sources, and materials that aren’t always available to homeowners. By choosing a designer whose style you love, you gain a trusted partner who can create a vision you may not have imagined on your own. At Becky Carbone Interiors, we combine creative ideas with a proven network of carpenters, upholsterers, painters, and installers to bring your project to life. Many of our best clients are those who appreciate beautiful interiors but don’t have the time, resources, or desire to handle the legwork themselves. With professional guidance, your home can be elevated into a polished, personalized space that feels both stylish and comfortable.

Question 2: How do you charge for your work? And do you have minimums?

Answer: Every interior designer works differently, and I am no exception. As a South Shore-based interior designer, I run a one-person studio with low overhead, which allows me to charge hourly rates for both design work, project execution, and sourcing of furnishings, textiles, and décor. I do have a project minimum—I typically begin with at least one full room design. From there, I can expand into additional spaces, but I am not a “bits and pieces” type of designer. My best work happens when I start with a room that needs a complete overhaul or an empty space that requires a from-scratch interior design plan. This ensures a cohesive, professional design that elevates your home and reflects your personal style.

Question 3: Can you work with my budget?

Budgeting for interior design services can feel tricky, and for many clients it’s an education process. While there are general formulas for how much it costs to furnish a room from start to finish, the final price often depends on choices and decision-making. Design fees tend to increase when clients want to see multiple options, change direction often, or restart the planning process. From the very beginning, I aim to be transparent about design costs and help you set realistic expectations. Sometimes budgets don’t align with the desired outcome—after all, who doesn’t want a gourmet dinner for the cost of a hot dog? In those cases, we work together to prioritize and scale back in a way that stays true to your vision while respecting your budget. A mix of high and low design solutions is often the best approach, even with larger budgets. For example, we frequently reupholster existing furniture pieces. This not only saves money but also provides the perfect opportunity to introduce fresh fabrics, textures, and style into your home.

Question 4: How involved should I be in the interior design process?

The most successful interior design projects begin with clients sharing their style preferences, goals, and budget—and then trusting me to build the design plan. When homeowners are overly hands-on—ordering swatches or sourcing items independently—it can slow the process and reduce cohesion. If you’ve chosen Becky Carbone Interiors because you connect with my design style and trust my expertise, the process becomes seamless and enjoyable. By allowing me to guide the creative direction, sourcing, and project execution, you’ll get a beautiful, functional space that reflects your vision while staying on budget.

Question 5: What are your references & credentials?

Answer: I do not have an interior design degree. I majored in Political Science and International Relations at Syracuse & completed half of a Suffolk University MBA before taking some time off when my children were born. When my youngest was in PreK, I jumped in & started “Farmhouse Fresh Interiors” in 2015. I’ve been plugging along on my own for 10 years but have also done some side gigs to gain more experience. I’ve worked for an antique renovation company in Norwell as a Project Manager. I worked on the first design team in Boston for Serena & Lily, gaining lots of insight into how furnishings are made & sourced. I briefly joined a very talented team as a full time designer with lots of travel & large scale projects and realized I couldn’t keep up that kind of pace at the stage of life that I’m in. I’ve done recent consulting for a design/build firm in Hingham helping with kitchen & bathroom design plans. I have 10 years of hands on experience working for families on the South Shore primarily but with some north of Boston & Metrowest clients sprinkled in. I love getting off the South Shore!

Question 6: What is your style of design? What are you known for?

Answer: This might be my favorite thing that I’m asked about. I’m really known for my passion of using lots of textiles - fabrics and wallpapers layered in. I tend to go simple & classic on the furniture and try my best to get the bigger staple pieces at a reasonable price so that an important part of your budget can go to the fun stuff - the pretty fabrics and wallpapers. I tend to shy away from projects where the homeowner has no interest in incorporating textiles but if you have an appreciation for that and feel like it will help add lots of charm, character and coziness to your space, we might be a great fit!

Question 7: Can you give me an example of a recent project that has gone really well?

Recently, I spent six months on a residential interior design project in Duxbury, MA for a family of four relocating from the city. Their new home needed both renovation updates and all new furnishings, since very little was moving with them. The house felt dated and wasn’t their style, so we began with a complete design overhaul. We created a furniture plan for the entire first floor, along with a new kitchen and powder room design, updated lighting, flooring, and fresh paint colors throughout. To bring warmth and personality, we incorporated fabric swatches, rugs, wallpaper, and custom window treatments for the family room, living room, powder room, and mudroom. The project also included custom upholstery and layered textiles, which gave the home charm and comfort while keeping everything cohesive. By blending their preferred colors with inspiration from a designer they admired, we achieved a home that feels both fresh and welcoming—tailored perfectly to their lifestyle.

Question 8: I don’t think I’m ready for a designer. What is some good advice you can give me?

Even if you’re not ready to work with a professional interior designer, there are a few key rules to follow when decorating your home. My biggest piece of advice: don’t buy a single item until you have a full design plan in place. Start by creating a mood board so you can visualize how furniture, fabrics, colors, and décor will work together. Take the time to make adjustments before purchasing—this will save you from costly mistakes and mismatched pieces. Most importantly, choose items that truly make you happy. A thoughtful plan combined with pieces you love is the best foundation for a beautiful, cohesive home design.