FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Where is your design studio located?
- Do you work on out of state projects?
- In what areas of Southwest Florida do you work?
- I've never worked with an interior designer before. What should I expect?
- Are your designers licensed?
- What kind of services does Collins & DuPont provide?
- I saw a beautiful Collins & DuPont model done in a Mediterranean style, but that look just isn't for me. Do your designers do other kinds of interiors?
- In what local communities have you completed projects?
- Do you charge for your services by the hour?
- I've got a budget figure in mind for interior design of my new home. How can I ensure you will work within my budget?
- Collins & DuPont designed my home ten years ago. I'm ready for a style update. What next?
- I purchased a residence that was originally designed by Collins & DuPont and I'd like to make some updates. Who do I call?
- Where can I see examples of your design work?
Q: Where is your design studio located?
A: Our corporate headquarters, showroom, and design studio is located at 8911 Brighton Lane in sunny Bonita Springs, Florida. From the south (Naples area), head north on Tamiami Trail (US 41). Go one light past the intersection of US 41 and Bonita Beach Road. At the second light, Highland Woods Boulevard, turn right. Make your first left onto Signet Lane, and you will see Collins & DuPont at the intersection of Signet Lane and Brighton Lane. From the north (Fort Myers area), head south on Tamiami Trail (US 41). Go past the light at Old 41 and US 41. The second light after that intersection is Highland Woods Boulevard. Turn left on Highland Woods, make the first left on Signet Lane, and you will see Collins & DuPont at the intersection of Signet and Brighton Lane. Please do not hesitate to call us at 239-948-2400 if you need more specific directions. [view map here]
Q: Do you work on out of state projects?
A: Collins & DuPont is often invited by local clients to assist with a project in their home state, or a vacation residence in another part of the country. Previous project include residences in California, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These projects range from updating a client’s northern residence to the decorating and furnishing of client's newly purchased home, or a new construction project. Believing in the team approach, Collins & DuPont works with out of state builders and their affiliates as well as warehouses and workrooms to create a seamless whole that exceeds the client’s expectations. An organized approach to each project including attention to detail as well as deadlines, open lines of communication and a willingness to go the extra mile mean that each and every project, whether local or distant, delivers what we promised when we promised.
Q: In what areas of Southwest Florida do you work?
A: We are located in Bonita Springs, central to both Lee and Collier counties. Many of our clients' residences are in Bonita Springs, Naples, Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island, but we are proud to offer our services to clients throughout the region and across the United States. During the firm's more than twenty years in business, we have worked in nearly every area of the region and have a sophisticated understanding building, design, and and real estate in this market.
Q: I've never worked with an interior designer before. What should I expect?
A: While some of our clients have worked with interior designers on past projects, others are new to the process. We do all we can to make the process clear, straightforward, mutually satisfying, and enjoyable. Designing a home is a tremendous undertaking that can be overwhelming at first. Our trained, professional designers are here to make it more manageable, and most importantly, a pleasant, personal experience. When you call Collins & DuPont, you will be matched with a designer and team of design staff who will assist her on your project. Your initial meeting with the designer will be a chance for you to meet, discuss your ideas and inspiration, and gain a level of comfort with the designer and our process. Once you've decided Collins & DuPont is the right fit for your project, we will provide you with a letter of agreement outlining the scope of your project, what services we will provide, and how we will be compensated for our services. From there, you will meet on a regular basis with your designer at our design studio or by phone. As your project progresses, all selections you make will be proposed in writing for your review and approval. When your project is completed and ready for delivery of furniture, accessories, and other goods, our skilled services department will coordinate the delivery and ensure your purchases are delivered in excellent condition.
Q: Are your designers licensed?
A: Our principals and interior designers are all licensed to practice interior design in the state of Florida. An interior designer must have a degree in interior design, a number of years of work experience in the field, and must pass a comprehensive set of examinations know as the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) to be licensed by the state. Continuing education in areas such as building codes, green design, and other industry standards must be completed on a biannual basis to maintain a Florida interior design license. State licensure assures interior designers are skilled professionals who have the training and experience to design safe, functional, and beautiful spaces for their clients. Our design staff members work under the supervision of a licensed interior designer at all times. For more information on interior design practices and professional standards, visit the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) at www.asid.org/designservices/
Q: What kind of services does Collins & DuPont provide?
A: Collins & DuPont is a full service design firm. We provide our clients complete interior design services from the initial design concept to project delivery. The scope of your project will dictate the services we provide, which can include:
Cost Estimates - furnish to or obtain for you preliminary estimates of the project cost
Floor Plans, Furniture Plans, and Elevations - prepare floor plans and elevations showing recommended interior detailing treatments and furniture layout
Selection of Furniture, Fabric, and Accessories -prepare a selection of furniture, fabrics and accessories recommended for installation.
Purchasing - purchase goods by signed proposal and deposit as outlined in letter of agreement
Warehousing – storage of goods until project delivery at our contract warehouse
Interior Detailing Changes and Built-Ins - prepare sketches of proposed interior detailing changes, layouts, and/or specially designed built-in units or other items. Meet with custom cabinet builder to select door styles and finishes.
Color Palette - develop a color scheme including paint, wallpaper and faux samples.
Floor and Wall Tile/Stone - submit samples of recommended floor and wall materials. Visit tile showrooms as requested by client.
Outside Contractors - oversee work performed by outside contractors away from the site, such as manufacturers' specially designed furniture, window treatments, and upholstery
Work Done at the Site - oversee contractors' work done at the site such as installation of built-in units, painting, wallpaper hanging, installation of flooring and window treatments
Consultations - consult with architect, landscape architect, lighting technicians, audio/video technicians or others retained by you in connection with the overall job
Project Delivery – coordinate and oversee delivery and placement of goods (including furniture, art, and accessories) at site
A: Many of our projects are remodels of existing homes. Our designers are well attuned to the special challenges of a remodeling project, including securing the right general contractor and subcontractors, and will work with you from the beginning concept through the final delivery.
A: Our designs are not “cookie cutter.” You will not see Collins & DuPont design the same home for one client after another. We treat each client's home as a unique place that deserves a unique design. Our designers are trained to be active listeners, to ask questions, and to determine not just what style appeals to their client, but how the home will fit their lifestyle. Active participation and input from clients throughout the process is how our designers know what direction the interior design should take. Designers use this feedback to incorporate such details into their client's home. For example, a client might come to us with photographs of amazing architecture from a recent trip to Europe that they want to replicate in a decorative element. We design homes to be lived in, to play host to dinner parties and guests, and to be enjoyed day in and day out. In a designer's eye, the greatest compliment a client's home can receive is that the home looks like the a reflection of the people who live in it.
A: Personal touches like antiques and family heirlooms give a home character and make it your own. We love to bring a client's antiques into our design and make it a unified whole.
A: Yes! Our design staff of twenty-five, headed by principals Kim Collins and Sherri DuPont, has an appreciation for a wide variety of interior design styles. Whatever your vision is, they can execute it: a cozy Old Florida beach home, an elegant Tuscan villa, a restrained French estate, a sleek contemporary loft, or a transitional high rise condominium. Sources of inspiration are all around – the designer's task is to work with you to bring elements of yourself into the design and put your unique stamp on it.
Q: In what local communities have you completed projects?
A: We are pleased to work with clients in gated, golf, condominium, and other high end residential communities in Bonita Spring and Naples including Aqualane Shores, Audubon, Barefoot Beach, Bonita Bay, The Brooks, The Estuary at Grey Oaks, Grey Oaks, Mediterra, The Moorings, The Moraya Bay Beach Club, Pelican Bay, Pelican Landing, Port Royal, Quail West, The Strada at Mercato, Tiburon, and Treviso Bay.
Q: Do you charge for your services by the hour?
A: Each of our clients receives a customized letter of agreement for their project that clearly outlines how our services are billed. In general, we only charge an hourly rate for our designers' and draftspeoples' time for architectural plans, owner selections, and meetings with our clients' builders and subcontractors. We do not charge clients for selection of fabrics, furniture, or accessories, administrative services, or other tasks that fall under our standard scope of design services. At any time during the course of a project we are here to help if you have questions about a billing matter.
A: An open, up front discussion of the scope of the project and your budget is the first step. Our designers will go over your budget and what services you need to make sure everyone involved understands the scope and expectations. During the course of your project, design staff has tools to monitor the project budget and will work with you to keep selections within the bottom line of your project's scope. We work on projects from one room remodels to 10,000 square foot residences custom designed from the ground up. At Collins & DuPont, there is no typical project.
Q: Collins & DuPont designed my home ten years ago. I'm ready for a style update. What next?
A: Our business is successful because of our many wonderful repeat clients! We look forward to discussing your existing design and creating a plan for one room or an entire residence. Just like fashion, interior design is constantly evolving. Even the most classic design can benefit from an update after four to five years. What's more, if you worked with Collins & DuPont in the past, you may be surprised by how much the firm has grown. We have access to thousands of manufacturer resources and excellent relationships with the best local general contractors and subcontractors.
A: No one knows our designs better than we do! We are always happy to assist in updating an existing Collins & DuPont design for a new homeowner, or to help you put those personal touches on a former model. Call our office at 239-948-2400 or email us at info@collins-dupont.com to discuss your needs.
Q: Where can I see examples of your design work?
A: The best way to see what Collins & DuPont can do for you is to visit one of our model homes. Call our office at 239-948-2400 or email us at info@collins-dupont.com for our current model list or to tour a model. You can also get a sense for the range of styles and projects we have completed in the past by browsing our online portfolio here. Whether you love Tuscan style or want a more transitional look (or anything else you can imagine), our talented interior designers will work within your vision to create your dream home.
