Helaine Tregenza Interior Design Inc.

$175/hour

estimated price

Zip code

Customer budget

Structural changes

Square footage of scope of work

It’s free, with no obligation to book

Introduction: The essence of my interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment. I look at design as problem-solving - I always enjoy the creative challenge and the ability to bring a client's vision into reality. I also am an "Aging In Place Specialist" certified by the National Association of Homebuilders.

Overview

Hired 9 times

Serves Carmel by the Sea, CA

2 employees

14 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Zelle.

Social media

Facebook, Instagram

Featured Projects

15 photos

Specialties

Client style

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for value, professionalism, and punctuality.

Great 4.7

7 reviews

5

86%

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3

14%

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Read reviews that mention:

Huong L.

Jun 8, 2017

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Hired on Thumbtack

I hired Helaine for interior design services of our new home to try something new. In hindsight, the design process with her was much longer than what I wanted. It took almost 6 months just to get 8 items finalized when I originally requested completion at ~3 months. She was slow to respond in the first couple of months, so it was as if I was put on the back burner compared to other clients she had. Helaine was nice to work with, but she didn’t listen to our needs in terms of price and design. Perhaps her style is much more “fancy” than the average homeowner, but as a client, I expect that my requests would be catered to. For reference, most of the items Helaine recommended to me were much above Pottery Barn’s pricing standards. I spent almost $15K just for the main furniture items in the dining/living room. At times, I felt like Helaine was borderline pushy to try to get me to adopt her design style even after I rejected it. There was also a couple times where she charged me the wrong hourly rate, and had I not caught it, I would have overpaid. Overall, I wouldn’t go through this experience with Helaine again for my next home considering the costs and mediocre service that I received. There’s other interior design services I would consider first such as online design services (e.g. Laurel & Wolf), and in-home services with Pottery Barn/West Elm for a flat rate, etc.

Helaine Tregenza Interior Design Inc.'s reply

I agree - this client should have gone to an online or catalog type of service such as Pottery Barn, as she had expectations that were not realistic in working with an interior designer nor an understanding of ordering fine furniture and what it takes to create a cohesive design, especially at the price point she ultimately wanted. Also the process did not take 6 months, it took 4 months, and all pieces were well within the standard industry timeline, many arriving very quickly, others taking longer. The lead time for certain pieces such as custom upholstery is much longer than buying off the shelf. I let this client know up front that it was not possible to do what she wanted in 3 months. I attempted to guide this client to make good design decisions and ultimately pulled a rabbit out a hat to create what she wanted within her budget. Also, her financial priorities changed after she had hired me; she repeatedly made it very difficult to meet with both me and my service provider and overall had unrealistic expectations.

Interior Design

Jane B.

Jul 20, 2015

Helaine has advised me on all phases of the remodel and design of my Monterey vintage cottage. I was never less than completely wowed by her discerning eye, flair for style, and delightfully unexpected solutions, especially in a small house with unconventional layout and awkward spaces. Helaine exudes taste, style, and creativity, and is never anything less than encouraging, charming, tactful, and classy. It is a real treat to have her guidance and the results speak for themselves. Her creations never look overly "designed" and she will work within your style while pushing you to consider solutions you've never dreamed of. She is also extremely knowledgeable about art, design history, and making the most of your space. I cannot recommend Helaine highly enough!

Cathy F.

Sep 12, 2017

Working with Helaine is a pleasure. She is not only an expert in her field but she is friendly, understanding and responsive as well. She abides by your budget and your timing and does a great job, whether it is a large project or a small one. She has been immensely helpful in pulling together our house in California with the items we currently have and filling in the gaps with new ones. She has consulted on everything from paint color and tiles to furniture, draperies and lighting. She also stepped in to help with our kitchen renovation when we were stuck with design decisions and saved the day! Helaine works well with builders, architects and others involved in a project. She is a great person to have on the ground when you are doing projects long distance like we did. I worked with designers in the past in other states we lived but I have never had such a good experience as I have had with Helaine. She is knowledgeable and approachable and gets the job done to perfection!

Dan K.

Nov 29, 2016

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Hired on Thumbtack

Helaine did a wonderful job of transforming our empty new house into a great home! Specific things she helped with: 1. material and finish selections such as floors, cabinets and countertops 2. used the finish pallet to choose furnishings and decorations 3. provided turnkey ordering and delivery of all furnishings, decorations and lighting 4. followed up on any products that needed rework or replacement We would recommend Helaine for any project big or small. Dan

Interior Design

Kate B.

Jul 22, 2017

Helaine was a total pleasure to work with on our bathroom remodel. She has a great sense for what looks good and most importantly, what is functional and practical. Her deep knowledge and access to great resources made it a turn-key experience, so we didn’t have to run around on our time looking for tile and plumbing fixtures. She was organized and responsive and we are thankful and appreciative for the work that she did. Highly recommended and worth every penny!

Helaine Tregenza Interior Design Inc.'s reply

Thank you for your kind words Kate! Appreciate your willingness to trust me the process - and so enjoyed collaborating with you to achieve your goals.

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Typically it is an hourly fee for all design work and project management.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I utilize a New Client Questionnaire, which helps me understand your lifestyle, taste, goals and plans for your space. My contract clearly spells out all terms and I take a retainer when commencing a new project, which is dependent upon the scope of the project.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.