Elizabeth Bee Interior Design

Highly recommended! Before commissioning Elizabeth to design a large extension and refurbishment project we cut our teeth using her services to design and project management an en-suite and family bathroom. So thrilled with her professionalism and most Importantly, the results and adherence to budget, we immediately commissioned her to design the extension and refurb. This work is currently underway and again Elizabeth has exceeded our expectations. Elizabeths product, technical and design knowledge plus patience has removed the stress of having the builders in. Elizabeth oversees her remit to an exacting standard, dedicated to achieving the highest of standards through knowledge, creativity, attention to detail and due diligence. Elizabeth has a little black book of quality, well priced suppliers - highly recommend you take full advantage! I took the designs elsewhere for comparable quotes, none could match those obtained by Elizabeth in both quality and cost. On the mention of cost, Elizabeth is very aware of this element and will always supply the most cost efficient option without compromising your chosen design.
May 19th, 2020

We asked for a guesstimate for work based on a floorplan and some photos. Elizabeth's 22k guesstimate was goodvalue compared to otherinterior designers (quoting 30k+). Through a subsequent 150 consultation, Elizabeth enabled us to understand our expectations were not realistic for ourbudget and the work would cost 30-40k. We would even struggle with the basics such as painting (which went from the 6k guesstimate to 16k once Elizabeth's trades contact provided a quote). We considered finding affordable tradespeople to work with Elizabeth but decided we're too busy to manage a multiple-element project. Instead we're focussing on only the painting for now using affordable tradespeople and online design websites (which has given us ideas on colour schemes etc). We had expected some tangible design ideas during the consultation with Elizabeth but did 90% of the talking. A 4-5 star experience would be more design input because this was the main expertise we sought from the consultation (not to just cover someone's time as the customer's time can be equally as important, for example, in our case we are key workers and do not have much spare time). The 3 stars is because Elizabeth responded to emails promptly and was very focussed on compiling a proposal on her fees while our expectations on design advice may have been unrealistic (it's difficult for designers to compete when so much is freely available online). For transparency, we requested a refund for the consultation. Elizabeth's response was the most lengthy email from her so key points were: "I was extremely surprised to receive this email from you after all the time I have put in for you so far. I have spend time preparing spreadsheets, answering numerous emails, attending a 2 hour consultation, setting up and adding items to a joint Pinterest board andproviding a detailed proposal, all for 150. I am a high - end interior designer that charges for my time so I am very confused by your email. This is all evident from my website and nothing has been hidden from you......The initial consultation was to cover my time at the meeting and travel expenses. This was to discuss the work with you in detail in order to be able to prepare a proposal to outline my fees;which I provided. I spent two hours with you, plus over an hours travel time, at your home discussing options and offering suggestions and advice.I would have stayed longer with you, but you rushed me out as you had another appointment!I had brought samples and wasprepared to stay to discuss these with you,butyou told me to leave.......The trades I work with do not work for me. They are all self employed and provide their own estimates, once a site visit has been undertaken. All trades do this.I explained that you can use your own trades and suggested that you obtained various quotes.Regarding the decoration, I explained that you would require a decorators quote to get an accurate price and it could well be less than my guesstimate. I am not a decorator......Unfortunately I feel your budget is just not in line with your expectations for your home, which I imagine is very frustrating. If you cant afford to spend the 150 on a consultation, you should not be employing an interior designer who uses high end materials andtradesmen."
May 27th, 2020