Frequently Asked Questions

WORKING WITH FRENCH & FRENCH

  • French & French Interiors provides full-service interior design for residential and boutique commercial projects in Santa Fe, New Mexico and beyond. We manage the entire interior design process — from space planning and concept development through material selections, furnishings, lighting, procurement, and final installation — all while coordinating closely with contractors and trades. Our expertise as a high-end interior design firm ensures a cohesive design, a streamlined process, and a finished space that is functional, intentional, and highly personalized.

  • Yes — French & French Interiors is a true full-service interior design firm. That means you’re supported from the first conversation through the final install day, with our interior design team managing design, sourcing, ordering, logistics, and installation while coordinating closely with contractors and trades. You get a smoother, more enjoyable experience, and a better final result.

  • It means you don’t have to juggle a hundred decisions alone. As a full-service interior design firm, we handle the details across residential interior design and high-end interior design projects — from initial concept to the last lampshade placement — so you can focus on the excitement of watching your home come to life. We guide decision-making, protect the design intent, and manage the details so the interior design process runs smoothly from concept through installation.

  • We specialize in high-end residential interior design and boutique hospitality interiors. Our residential work includes new builds and remodels, with deep experience in historic renovations throughout Santa Fe, New Mexico and beyond. On the commercial side, we partner with brands and business owners from boutique hotel, retreat centers, institutional, charity work, apartment complexes.and one-of-a-kind spaces with strong identity and soul.

  • Yes to all three. French & French Interiors works on renovations (including historic homes), ground-up new builds, and furnishings-only interior design projects. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining what already exists, we meet you where you are and elevate the interior design experience from there.

    Check out our recent remodel of the historic Applegate Estate in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently featured in Architectural Digest. In this project, we worked closely with the builder and client to reimagine the home while keeping its soul intact.

LOCATIONS & MARKETS SERVED

  • French & French Interiors is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where our studio was founded. While Santa Fe remains home, we work with clients across the United States.

  • French & French Interiors serves clients internationally. Our interior design systems are designed for seamless long-distance collaboration, supported by regular site visits and close coordination with local trades, no matter where your project is located.

  • Yes. While we are Santa Fe interior designers by origin, many of our projects are located outside of New Mexico. We offer interior design services nationwide and frequently work with clients remotely, supplemented by site visits as needed.

  • Absolutely. French & French Interiors works throughout New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and rural areas like the Pecos Wilderness, as well as across the United States. Our interior design team regularly collaborates with local trades and partners on projects near and far.

    Explore our recent commercial ranch interior design project for MEA, located just south of Santa Fe.

  • Yes. French & French Interiors regularly works with clients on interior design projects in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and beyond.

    View a recent St. Petersburg, Florida interior design remodel and our room from the Kips Bay Show House in Dallas, Texas.

  • Yes — and we do it exceptionally well. French & French Interiors combines virtual collaboration with strategic site visits, weekly check-ins with local trades, and hands-on coordination through installation. Distance never compromises the quality of the interior design experience or the final result.

DESIGN STYLE & APPROACH

  • In three words: sophisticated, whimsical, and grounded. French & French Interiors creates expressive, layered interiors that balance bold color and pattern with restraint and intention. Every interior design project is designed to feel elevated, personal, and deeply livable.

  • Yes — joyful, curated maximalist interior design is part of our signature. For French & French Interiors, maximalism isn’t about excess; it’s about storytelling. We layer color, pattern, art, and texture in a way that reflects your life, your travels, and your personality without ever sacrificing balance.

  • Comfort is non-negotiable. Your home should feel as good as it looks. French & French sources high-quality, enduring pieces and prioritize layouts that support real life — family gatherings, quiet mornings, and everything in between. Luxury interior design, in our world, should be inviting.

    Explore the Hollyhock House, a second home interior design project created for longtime clients as a gathering place for family from across the country. The project reflects our approach to livable luxury interior design, blending comfort, function, and our signature use of color within a sophisticated, layered design.

  • Every project begins with understanding how you live and what matters most to you. French & French Interiors brings the full depth of our interior design studio’s experience to design and execute spaces that are thoughtful, layered, and built to last. Our interior design work is informed by travel and shaped by long-standing relationships with artisans and makers, allowing us to incorporate custom, locally crafted, and globally sourced pieces that give each project depth, character, and meaning.

  • Always. French & French Interiors has spent years cultivating relationships with local and international artisans, craftspeople, and makers. Custom furniture, bespoke textiles, and vintage pieces are integral to our interior design work, allowing your home to become a true original, rich with character and craftsmanship.

PROCESS, TIMELINE & INVESTMENT

  • Our interior design process is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and excitement at every stage, while we handle the complexity behind the scenes. Here’s a general breakdown of how our full-service interior design process works, beginning to end:

    • Design inquiry and introductory call

    • Contract, scope definition, timeline, and retainer

    • Concept development and creative direction

    • Detailed interior design selections, drawings, and renderings

    • Coordination with contractors, trades, and artisans

    • Full-service installation and styling for a move-in-ready home

  • Timelines vary by scope, but most interior design projects include a minimum of four weeks for concept development and eight weeks for detailed design. Procurement and construction run concurrently and depend on trade availability. Our interior design team is proactive and highly organized to keep projects moving efficiently — without cutting corners.

  • Our interior design projects are tailored, high-touch, and deeply customized. Investment reflects the scope, complexity, and level of craftsmanship involved, and we’re transparent about expectations from the start.

    To learn more about our interior design fees and project structure, complete our design inquiry form to schedule an initial call with our team.

  • Yes. Our minimum interior design project budget is $100,000. This allows us to deliver the full-service interior design experience, quality sourcing, and livable luxury that define French & French Interiors and ensures your investment results in a home that truly supports and reflects your life.

  • We recommend reaching out as early as possible, ideally before construction begins or major design decisions are made. Early collaboration allows our interior design team to guide the process holistically and deliver the best results.

  • Collaboration is key to a successful interior design project. French & French Interiors works closely with architects, builders, and contractors from the earliest possible stage and can recommend trusted professionals if needed. We provide detailed interior construction documentation and remain actively involved through regular check-ins to ensure the design is executed beautifully and correctly.

  • To begin working with French & French Interiors, we invite you to submit a design inquiry through our website. Our interior design team will review your project details and follow up to schedule a consultation and discuss next steps.