Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL / ECOINTERIORS
Which service is right for me?
Where do you work?
EcoInteriors is based in Santa Cruz, and we work in various parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. However, we can also work virtually with eDesign services, the EcoRental Design Package, or a interior design consultation.
What does ‘Eco’ in EcoInteriors mean?
We care about sustainability including people and planet health and hold these at the core of our design work. We also specialize in rentals but work in homes of all shapes, types, and sizes.
Do you have discounts/partnerships on sustainable home decor and furniture?
We are currently working on partnerships and creating trade accounts with sustainable and ethical brands. (Please reach out if you’d like to partner!) We do pass along free samples or and discounts to clients when available.
Do you have a particular style?
EcoInteriors’s Designer and Founder, Lara, personally likes a relaxed, organic modern interior design style that incorporates a lot of natural materials, soft bright colors, plants, mid-century accents, cozy textures, and is uncluttered. However, EcoInteriors work with you is about your style. We’re not about trends, but we are all about you loving your space and finding ways to live more sustainably.
Do you do rented offices, vacation rentals staging, trailers/boats/tiny houses, etc?
EcoInteriors generally does residential spaces, but we’re always open to hearing about and considering your project! So tell us about it here!
Why the rebrand?
EcoInteriors used to be branded EcoRental by Lara Isaacson Consulting. We simply branded around rentals as they are usually left out of much interior design and organizing advice and services. However, we realized this created some confusion because we do also work with homeowners. EcoRental services are still offered but our company name is now Lara Isaacson Interiors, dba EcoInteriors. We’ve added the service name EcoRemodel to differentiate our homeowner services.
Does EcoInteriors use AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
EcoInteriors committed to providing living wages for creative humans, rather than using underpaid interns/employees, outsourcing abroad, or to AI. You can rest assured that all our designs are created by and supporting a sustainable, independent creatives with your specific needs and wants front and center.
Do you work with folks with physical disabilities or on universal design?
EcoRental is not an expert on ADA codes or universal design (design for folks with limited physical abilities or with disabilities). However, we are happy to work with any physical abilities, disabilities, learning differences, identities, sensitivities, and more that you may have or experience! It’s all part of being human and we specialize in spaces for real people! If you have specific concerns, please reach out here.
ECOREMODEL (FULL SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN)
Do I need to get rid of all my stuff and start from scratch?
Definitely not! We encourage you to keep anything that is already working for your space. Reusing what you have is more sustainable and saves you money. If you are ready to part with something, we can recommend the most sustainable way to dispose of the item or pass it on.
What if I don’t know my personal style?
That’s A-okay! We tailor our coaching to your understanding of your style and/or the discovery of your style.
Do you offer contractor/construction services or recommendations?
For full service interior design or non-structural rental projects, we have a trusted General Contractor partner (Remedy Building, LLC) who works with us regularly. We are also open to coordinating with your chosen contractor.
Do you work with folks with physical disabilities or on universal design?
EcoInteriors is not an expert on ADA codes or universal design (design for folks with limited physical abilities or with disabilities) but it is a passion of ours. We are happy to work with any physical abilities, disabilities, learning differences, identities, sensitivities, neurodiversity, and more that you may have or experience! It’s all part of being human and we specialize in spaces for real people! If you have specific concerns, please reach out here.
Do you do interior decorating for homeowners or just interior design and remodels?
We are happy to work on your non-structural interior decorating needs! We price this work similar to the EcoRental projects as long as there won’t be structural work (starting at $550 per room for the design–depending on the scale of project, plus an hourly fee for product sourcing and all other work).
What are the benefits of hiring an interior designer for a remodel?
Remodels can be time intensive (many months) and require coordinating a lot of players (client, contractor, possibly architects & engineers, manufacturers, retailers, etc). An interior designer not only helps you enjoy the process of selecting materials, items, and layouts for your space (relieving a lot of pressure), but they also act as a project manager, keeping all the parties informed and on track while keeping the who project design and budget in mind. We also create a 3D rendering (digital image) of your space with the new design, helping you visualize the completed space (helping ensure it’s what you want) before any materials or furniture has been ordered. Full service interior design is the best way to get professional help with all the potential costly and exasperating pitfalls a remodel can bring. However, for those on a tighter budget or with more experience, EcoInteriors also offers consultations to come in at key points in the process.
Do you create architectural, structural, or engineering plans?
Not currently, but we’re happy help you source these if needed for permitting your remodel (with the EcoRental Design package) or to review plans to give you an interior design perspective (see Consultation page for fees). Also, we are looking for an EcoInteriors partner who can do architectural remodel plans, if you have these skills and like what we do, please contact us!
What if I’m not a homeowner?
EcoInteriors also works with renters through EcoRental services!
ORGANIZING
Do you make people get rid of stuff?
Nope! Anything you discard is up to you. We provide guidance and recommendations but no judgement on what you keep.
Do I need to buy a bunch of storage bins?
Nope! EcoInteriors actually recommends you don’t buy any storage until the organizing is complete. Most of the time, people have all the storage they need already.
Do I have to be a renter or homeowner?
Nope! EcoInteriors organizes with both renters and homeowners.
Where do you work?
Organizing is recommended to be done in person (limiting the radius where we work to the Greater Bay Area). However if you just need a bit of help, we can offer a video chat coaching session to get you started with some short check-ins in the weeks following to help you troubleshoot the process and support your progress.
Do you do the organizing for me?
EcoInteriors works a bit differently than some of the celebrity organizers on TV. We do the work WITH you. (Otherwise how would you know where things are after we leave?!) However, we do take the guess workout of organizing and reduce decision fatigue while getting a ton accomplished in a short amount of time.
Do you use the KonMari (Marie Kondo’s) method?
EcoInteriors is not certified in the KonMari method and does not follow this method religiously. However, EcoInterior’s founder, Lara, found Marie Kondo inspiring as she created her own process for professional organizing. After all, items in your home should be useful and bring you joy!
What is EcoRental’s home organizing process?
Each project process is custom to your needs and project size, but in general we follow these steps.
1. Visioning for the space & needs assessment
2. Planning session duration and frequency (based on needs)
3. Day of, we pull out and categorize all the items together in a neutral space.
4. Client interacts with items and is coached through deciding what to keep by what brings joy or is useful
5. Client is coached through sustainable disposal of items they decide to discard
6. We reconfigure the given space(s) and items to meet the client’s needs and vision
7. Repeat 3-6 until complete. Depending on the level of help desired, EcoInteriors can be with you at all times throughout this process or gives you direction and checks in periodically to troubleshoot and see progress
8. You enjoy your newly organized space and newly learned skills for upkeep!
PRICING
How much does interior design typically cost? Is EcoInteriors comparable?
EcoInteriors strives to be as affordable as possible while sustaining a living wage. However, our eDesign is cheaper than most professional online interior design services (upwards of $500 a room) and is comparable or much less than traditional interior design services that can cost sky’s the limit upwards of $1,500 a room for the design fee.
Why do you need a deposit?
To hold spot on our calendar. We want to make sure you are committed. Otherwise we might book other clients during that time.
Is deposit refundable?
Only if EcoInteriors cancels the job before we begin work (which is highly unlikely). If you cancel the job, the deposit pays for the work to prepare for your sessions.
What is the work priced per hour on top of the flat rate design fee for the EcoRemodel Design Package?
The flat rate design fee covers the initial design costs (meetings, documenting, design plan booklet, & rendering). After that, the amount of work varies widely–depending on how much help you want, the size of the space, how much purchasing you’d like to do yourself, etc. We give an estimate before we start on these hours and let you know if anything changes or needs new approval along the way.
Why is home organizing priced per hour or by day/half-day?
The amount of work for home or office organizing varies widely–depending on how much help you want and how much work you want to do yourself. We’ll give an estimate before we start and let you know if anything changes or needs new approval along the way.
EcoRemodel 