Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you offer?
1.
We work across furniture selection and procurement, full home renovations, kitchen and bathroom design, space planning, and full project management from concept through installation. We also work directly alongside architects and contractors when the project calls for it. For a full breakdown, visit our Services page.
What kind of projects do you take on?
2.
We take on full home renovations, room-by-room furnishing projects, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and everything in between. Most of our work is in Greater Boston and New England, though we work further afield when the project is the right fit.
We work best with clients who have a point of view about how they live and want a designer who will listen carefully before making a single recommendation. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear about your project.
Why should I hire Nubuor Designs?
3.
Every project at Nubuor Designs is led by Margaret, start to finish. No junior designers, no handoffs, no project coordinators filtering your questions. You work directly with the person who knows your home, your taste, and your vision intimately.
Margaret spent years leading residential projects at prominent Boston design firms before founding Nubuor Designs, from full home furnishings and furniture design to large scale renovations. That range is what makes the studio equally at home sourcing the perfect chair as it is managing a gut renovation. Decisions happen through real conversations, not through layers of staff.
Many clients return for second homes or ongoing work because they have found something that is genuinely hard to find: a designer who knows their aesthetic instinctively and stays invested long after the project is done.
As one client put it: 'We interviewed three popular Boston designers with beautiful portfolios and impressive credentials. Then we met Margaret and realized we'd rather work with someone who actually answers our calls than someone we can name drop at dinner parties. Best decision we made for our home. She is the designer you hire when you want an exceptional home, and a great relationship with the person designing it.”
How do you bill?
4.
Our fee structure depends on the scope, timeline, and type of project. Depending on what you are taking on, we may propose a flat fee, hourly rate, or percentage based structure. We walk through all of this during our initial call so there are no surprises.
For a deeper look at how interior design billing typically works, read our blog post.
Do you have a minimum project fee or size?
5.
We do not have a fixed minimum, but we are structured around projects with enough scope for us to do our best work. Over time we have learned where we bring the most value: when we are involved deeply enough to influence how a home works and feels as a whole, whether that is a major renovation, a full furnishings project, or rethinking several spaces together. We are probably not the right fit for someone who wants to refresh with a few accessories or rearrange what they already own, and that is completely fine. We are looking for clients who are ready to make a meaningful change, and we are always upfront and honest about what that requires before any commitment is made.
Reach us through our Contact page, or email margaret@nubuordesigns.com.
We typically respond within two business days.
6.
How can I contact you?
What happens after I contact you?
7.
We will be in touch within two business days to schedule an introductory call. That first conversation is about understanding your project at a high level: the scope, the timeline, your budget, what is working in your current home and what needs to change. It is also a chance to get a sense of whether we are the right fit for each other.
If it feels right on both sides, we will follow up with a detailed proposal and contract outlining scope, timeline, and your investment. Once that is in place, we meet at your home for a walkthrough of the space, followed by a dedicated virtual session to align on aesthetic direction and narrow in on the design vision before the creative work begins.
Do you work with architects and/or contractors?
8.
Yes. We regularly work alongside architects, contractors, and other members of the project team, particularly on renovations and larger-scale projects. We see the designer, architect, and contractor as having different but complementary roles. Architects focus on the building, structure, and larger architectural decisions; contractors bring the plans to life and manage the construction; and we focus on how the home functions, feels, and comes together down to the smallest detail. We work closely with the entire team throughout the process so that design decisions, construction, materials, and the way you actually live in the home remain aligned.
When should I add an interior designer to my renovation team?
9.
As early as possible, and ideally before you have signed anything with a contractor. The decisions that are hardest to undo, layout, flow, and structural changes, happen at the beginning. Getting a designer involved early means those decisions are made intentionally rather than walked back later at significant cost.
We wrote a full post on this if you want the longer answer.
How long will my project take?
10.
Every project is different, but here are realistic ranges to plan around. Renovation estimates do not include prior design time:
Furnishings Only: 3-12+ months from consultation to installation, depending on scope and furniture lead times. Custom pieces, vintage sourcing, and supply chain variables can all affect this.
Kitchen Renovations: 20-25 weeks from demolition to completion
Bathroom Renovations: 16-20 weeks from demolition to completion
Full Gut Renovations: 14-20+ months, depending on structural complexity and permitting
New Construction: 18-24+ months from groundbreaking to move-in, with our design work beginning before construction starts
We review projections in detail during the discovery call and revisit them as the project develops.
Can you help before I purchase a house?
11.
We recommend bringing a designer in early and in some cases, are available to guide in the home purchasing process. If you're considering a home that needs work, we can walk the property with you, and help assess its potential. We can also help you understand the likely scope of the renovation and connect you with the right professionals when additional expertise is needed. The earlier we understand the property and what you want from it, the more useful we can be in helping you decide whether it is the right home for you.
How many projects does Nubuor Designs take on at a time?
12.
Over the course of a year, we take on 1-2 full gut or large renovations, 2-3 full scale furnishings projects, and 1-2 kitchen or bath renovations. We also offer 3-5 two hour consultations for clients who want design direction.
Projects at different stages share a calendar. The early phase of any project, at any scale, is the most intensive, while layouts, specifications, and selections are finalized. Construction and procurement are lighter, with site visits, approvals, follow ups, and inspecting deliveries as they arrive.
Some of our homes are designed in phases over several years, as families settle in and anticipate new needs. Returning clients are part of how we plan the calendar.
Margaret leads every project herself, with a high touch personal approach, which is why our project count stays small. When our calendar has room for a large renovation, we hold that space for it rather than filling it with smaller work.