What does the discovery stage of an interior design project look like?

Discovery starts with a long, unhurried conversation. The family talks and the designer asks questions about how you live, what your routines look like, and what your taste leans toward. We also share a questionnaire to capture preferences in writing, so nothing important gets missed before concept work begins.

Can I be involved in material selection, or does the studio choose everything?

Material curation is collaborative. Nilaya brings a curated shortlist based on the discovery brief, the home's light conditions, the budget, and durability requirements. The family makes final calls. The designer's role is to explain trade-offs honestly, not to override your preferences.

Do you work with families who already have furniture they want to keep?

Yes, often. The space planning and styling stages both account for existing pieces. A well-loved dining table or a family heirloom is a starting point for the design, not an obstacle. The process adapts; it does not require a blank slate.

What is the difference between space planning and technical design?

Space planning answers where things go and how the home flows. Technical design answers exactly how each element is built, specified, and coordinated with every trade on site. A space plan decides the wardrobe sits on the east wall. Technical design draws it to millimetre precision and hands the drawing to the joiner.

Is the styling and final reveal stage included in the project fee?

Styling is part of the complete Nilaya project, not a separate add-on. The final layer is where the first five stages either succeed or fall short. Objects, art, and soft furnishings sourced or commissioned at this stage have their own procurement cost, which is discussed transparently before that stage begins.

How We Work - The 6-Stage Nilaya Design Process

Before a single drawing is made, Nilaya Studio begins with a question. Here is the full six-stage process, from the first unhurried conversation to the moment a home becomes unmistakably yours.