FAQs

Based in Glen Ridge, NJ, we meet clients on-site and serve Essex, Bergen, Morris, Union, and Monmouth Counties.

Studio Hours & Communication

Our studio is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, by appointment. For active projects, Saturday meetings can be arranged once per month, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, if needed.

We keep communication simple and organized. You can reach us by email, scheduled meetings, or our business phone line, while text messages are reserved for urgent matters only. Emails or phone calls outside of business hours will be answered the next business day or shortly thereafter, so nothing important gets overlooked.

At Whyte Birch Interiors, you’ll work directly with me — Grace, the Principal Designer — from concept to completion. When you hire my studio, you’re hiring my creative vision, attention to detail, and commitment to bringing your project to life.

I do have a talented Design Assistant who helps support the process, but every design decision and detail is guided by me. You might be wondering, “How does she manage it all?” The answer is simple — I intentionally take on only as many projects as I can give my full attention to. That way, each client receives the care, creativity, and design integrity their home deserves.

Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator

You’ve probably heard these terms used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same.

Interior Designers do it all—they handle the technical stuff like floor plans, lighting, and renovations, and make sure your space looks amazing. We work closely with architects and contractors to bring your vision to life, making sure every room is functional and beautiful.

Interior Decorators focus mainly on the finishing touches—fabrics, colors, furniture, and styling—usually after all the hard structural work is done.

Think of it this way: Decorators make it pretty; Designers make it work beautifully.

Our Design Process

1. Consult 
We begin with a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your vision, followed by a 90-minute in-home visit where we offer tailored design guidance.
(Fee: $495, credited toward your total design package if you move forward.)

2. Concept 
Your inspirations guide the creation of custom concept boards and floor plans, ensuring a design that is both beautiful and functional. Feedback is incorporated seamlessly through meetings and email.

3. Execution 
We coordinate trades, vendors, and sourcing—from tiles and fabrics to rugs and lighting—bringing your curated vision to life with precision.

4. Installation 
We manage the installation of key elements, keeping you updated weekly while your space transforms.

5. Styling 
The final touches—furniture, décor, and accessories—complete your space, creating a polished, elevated home you’ll love.

We will recommend the contractors or trades people that we typically work with to execute your project. However, if there is anyone you are comfortable working with, we are also okay collaborating with them.  

Think of the Project Manager as the person keeping everything on track during construction—coordinating with contractors and subcontractors so your project runs smoothly. The Interior Designer is there to make sure your space turns out exactly as you envisioned, overseeing the interiors and fine details to keep everything beautiful and functional.

It depends on your project’s scope, our schedule, the availability of tradespeople, and items like furniture or accessories. Timely responses to design questions also help keep things moving. We stay organized and work closely with trusted trades to keep your project on track, and we’ll provide an estimated timeline with your design proposal.

I’ve spent over 20 years designing a wide range of styles, from European and farmhouse to coastal, mid-century modern, and contemporary. My goal is to create spaces that reflect your personal style while subtly weaving in my own design sensibilities. Personally, I lean toward modern classic style which you’ll often see in my projects and on Instagram.

I can consult on your home’s exterior, including paint colors and finishes, in collaboration with your architect. I also love designing outdoor living spaces—like backyard patios and front porches—treating them as a seamless extension of your home’s interior.

It’s best to reach out early, ideally during the planning stages. If you already have an architect and contractor, we can collaborate on interior layouts and floor plans. If you’re just starting, we recommend hiring an architect first and keeping us in the loop so we can guide interior decisions from the start.

Yes, of course! I am happy to work with you and your builder to design a home of your dreams.

Yes, most definitely! I get asked this question a lot. Selecting paint can be tricky but I’ve had plenty of practice and can certainly help with this.

Yes, absolutely.  No project is too small. We will work within your design budget.

Your personal style often shows in even the smallest details of your home. From the moment I step inside, I can get a sense of your tastes. Early on, we’ll use Pinterest boards and inspiration images to explore and define your style together, making sure your space truly reflects you.

From floor plans and custom cabinetry to paint, lighting, countertops, rugs, décor, and styling, we guide you through every choice to create a cohesive, beautiful space.

While I aim to get it right the first time, design is a team effort between you and me. Most projects include up to two revisions to make sure your space feels perfectly tailored to your vision.

It depends on the scope of the project. Typically the turn-around time is 2 weeks for a small project and 3/4 weeks for larger projects.

Designers often receive 20%–40% off retail from trade-only vendors. Typically, about half of that discount is passed on to clients, while the other half is retained as standard industry practice.

That said, the real value of working with an Interior Designer is our expertise and guidance—trade discounts are just a helpful bonus.

We require a 50% retainer to start, 35% when placing furniture and custom orders, and the final 15% once items arrive and styling begins. During styling, we ask for a physical credit card to purchase accessories and finishing touches.

Design services are non-refundable, as each project is custom and tailored to your needs. However, we are always happy to make edits or reselect options to ensure you love the final result.