Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Patina Design Studio offer?

Patina Design Studio offers Full Service Design, Furnishing & Procurement, Pre-Purchase Design Review, Layout Assessment, Design Positioning Strategy and Design Consultation. The most appropriate service depends on the property, project stage, scope, timing and level of involvement required. We can help assess which service is most appropriate during a complimentary introductory call, before booking a Design Consultation.

What types of projects do you work on?

Patina Design Studio’s main focus is high-end residential work, including substantial renovations, new builds, apartment renovations, off-plan apartment reviews, furnishing projects, boutique developments, premium holiday homes and selected properties being prepared for sale. We also take on select hospitality projects, including boutique hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as premium retail and workplace projects, depending on the brief, scope and alignment of design values.

Who do you work with?

We work with homeowners, developers and private clients seeking highly considered residential spaces. Our projects range from substantial renovations and new builds through to apartment renovations, boutique developments, furnishing projects and holiday homes. We often collaborate closely with architects, builders, consultants, trades and broader project teams throughout both the design and construction phases.

Do you only work on luxury homes?

Patina Design Studio is best suited to high-end residential projects where the level of planning, detail and coordination is substantial. For us, luxury is not about excess. It is about clarity, proportion, functionality, materiality, lighting, detail and the experience of living well in the home. We also consider selected hospitality, retail and workplace projects where the brief, scope and design values are aligned.

Can Patina Design Studio work on both renovations and new builds?

Yes. Patina Design Studio works across both existing homes and new builds. For renovations, our role is often to improve how the existing home functions, flows and supports daily life. For new builds, we are often engaged early to help shape the spatial planning, interior architecture, materials, detailing, furnishing and overall experience of the home before key decisions become fixed.

Do you offer furnishing and styling only?

Patina Design Studio offers Furnishing & Procurement where the scope covers an entire space, multiple rooms or a whole home. This can include furniture, lighting, artwork, rugs, window treatments, accessories, custom pieces, procurement coordination, installation and final placement. Some clients engage the studio specifically for furnishing and procurement without larger renovation or construction works. Styling is included as part of the final installation stage, but we do not offer styling as a stand-alone service, urgent styling, small furniture sourcing or single-item purchases.

Do you take on projects with existing furniture or pieces clients already own?

Yes, where appropriate. We can incorporate existing sentimental furniture, artwork or meaningful pieces into the broader design direction. The aim is not to discard what matters, but to integrate the right pieces in a way that feels personal, resolved and aligned with the overall home.

Are your services turn-key?

Yes. Full Service Design and Furnishing & Procurement are structured to carry the project through to installation and handover. For Full Service Design, this includes the design direction, spatial planning, interior architecture, documentation, construction-stage involvement, furnishing, procurement, installation and final placement. For Furnishing & Procurement, this includes sourcing, procurement coordination, delivery, installation and styling, so the home is handed over complete and ready to live in.

What types of projects are best suited to Patina Design Studio?

Patina Design Studio is best suited to projects where design, planning, coordination and long-term liveability need to be considered properly. This usually includes substantial renovations, new builds, furnishing projects, property reviews and design-led developments. We are not the right fit for styling-only, single-item sourcing, DIY design support, remote-only work or purely cosmetic updates.

Can we engage you to review a property before we purchase it?

Yes. A Pre-Purchase Design Review can help you understand a property’s spatial potential, limitations and renovation opportunities before making a major commitment. Patina Design Studio looks beyond cosmetic finishes to assess layout, flow, natural light, storage, structural constraints and whether the property can realistically support the way you want to live.

Is a Pre-Purchase Design Review different from a building inspection?

Yes. A building inspection assesses defects, moisture, pests, compliance and structural concerns. A Pre-Purchase Design Review is different. It focuses on spatial potential, layout functionality, natural light, storage, renovation opportunity and whether the property can support your lifestyle and long-term plans.

Does Patina Design Studio take the place of a buyer’s agent?

No. Patina Design Studio does not take the place of a buyer’s agent. A buyer’s agent assists with property sourcing, value assessment and purchase negotiation. Patina Design Studio assesses the property from a design perspective, including layout, spatial potential, natural light, constraints, renovation opportunities and long-term liveability.

Can you identify renovation opportunities before I buy?

Yes. We can assess the visible design potential of a property before purchase, including opportunities to improve layout, storage, circulation, joinery and daily functionality. This advice is based on the information available at the time of review and does not replace building, structural, planning or compliance advice. Existing conditions, consultant findings, council requirements or approvals can affect what is ultimately possible.

Can you review an off-plan apartment before purchase?

Yes. We review off-plan apartment plans to assess layout, storage, lighting, electrical placement, joinery, finishes, furniture planning and upgrade opportunities before key decisions are locked in. Early review can help identify whether developer changes should be requested before construction progresses too far.

Do you work on off-plan apartments?

Yes. Patina Design Studio works with clients purchasing or personalising off-plan apartments, particularly where there is an opportunity to review layouts, finishes, joinery, lighting, storage, furniture planning and developer upgrades before decisions are finalised. The earlier we are involved in the building process, the greater the opportunity to request changes before developer decisions, procurement and construction details become fixed.

Can you help compare multiple properties that we are considering purchasing?

Yes. We can help compare multiple properties from a design and liveability perspective. This may include reviewing layouts, orientation, natural light, storage, renovation potential, constraints and the level of work likely required to make each property suitable.

What happens after a Pre-Purchase Design Review?

After a Pre-Purchase Design Review, we provide clear advice on the property’s visible layout potential, limitations, key considerations and likely design opportunities. If you proceed with the purchase, the review can help inform the next stage of thinking and may lead to a Design Consultation, Full Service Design or Furnishing & Procurement, depending on the property and intended scope.

Why is spatial planning so important?

Spatial planning shapes how a home functions, flows and feels before finishes or furniture are introduced. A home can contain beautiful materials and furniture, yet still feel frustrating if the layout has not been properly resolved. Circulation, storage, natural light, furniture placement, privacy and daily routines all need to be considered early.

How do you approach designing for everyday living?

We begin by understanding how the home needs to support the people living in it. This includes routines, storage, movement, privacy, entertaining, family life, maintenance and the practical moments that often shape whether a home feels easy to live in. From there, we resolve the planning, detailing, materials, lighting and furnishing so the home works as a complete environment, not a collection of separate rooms.

What makes a home feel resolved?

A resolved home is one where the planning, detailing, lighting, materials, functionality and overall experience feel connected. It is not only about how the home looks, but how clearly it supports daily life.

What is The Invisible Layer Series?

The Invisible Layer Series is Patina Design Studio’s newsletter exploring the thinking, planning, coordination and detail behind highly considered homes. It looks at the less visible decisions that shape how a home functions, feels and endures. Selected editions are also published in the Journal.

Do you follow trends?

We are more interested in longevity than trends. Each project is shaped around the client, the property, the architecture and the way the home needs to function. The aim is to create a home that feels refined, personal and enduring rather than tied to a passing style.

What does the process of working with Patina Design Studio look like?

Patina Design Studio follows a structured process from early planning through to completion. Projects move through Pre-Design, Design and Design Execution, with each stage building on the decisions made before it. This allows the brief, spatial planning, design direction, documentation, construction coordination, furnishing, installation and handover to be considered in the right sequence, rather than as isolated decisions.

When is the best time to engage an interior designer or interior architect?

The earlier, the better. Many of the decisions that shape how a home functions are made before finishes and furniture are considered. Early involvement allows spatial planning, lighting, joinery, circulation, storage and key details to be resolved before they become more difficult or costly to change.

Why does early planning matter so much?

Early planning helps align layout, lighting, joinery, materials, services, furniture and construction decisions before they become disconnected. When these elements are considered from the beginning, the home is more likely to feel resolved, functional and coherent.

How involved do clients need to be throughout the project?

Clients are involved at key briefing, feedback and approval points. Patina Design Studio guides the process, presents considered recommendations and manages the many decisions required across the project. The aim is for clients to remain informed and involved without needing to manage every detail themselves.

How far in advance should we reach out?

Ideally, as early as possible. The most valuable time to involve Patina Design Studio is before layouts, architectural plans, structural decisions, joinery, lighting and key details are fully resolved. Early involvement gives the studio more opportunity to improve how the home will function, feel and support daily life.

Will you help us make decisions throughout the project?

Yes. One of the benefits of working with Patina Design Studio is having guidance across the many decisions required during a residential project. We help clarify priorities, resolve options and ensure decisions work together rather than in isolation.

Do you present multiple design options?

We explore options where they are useful to the project, but the goal is not to overwhelm clients with endless alternatives. Our role is to test the brief, resolve the right direction and present considered recommendations. Each decision is assessed in relation to the whole home, including planning, proportion, materials, lighting, joinery, furniture and the way the space will be lived in.

How long does a project typically take?

Project timing depends on the scope, approvals, consultant input, documentation, builder availability, construction programme and procurement lead times. The Process page outlines indicative timing for each phase. We can usually give a clearer view of overall timing after Step 3, once the brief, concept direction, scope and project team have been better defined.

Can we be living in the home during construction?

No. For the type of substantial renovation work Patina Design Studio is usually involved in, clients should expect to live elsewhere during construction. This allows the builder and trades to work safely and efficiently, protects the programme, and avoids the disruption of living through major building works.

Are you involved during construction and do you attend site?

Yes. For Full Service Design projects, Patina Design Studio remains involved during construction to help protect the design intent, resolve details, respond to site conditions and coordinate with the broader project team. Site meetings are an important part of maintaining alignment between the documentation, design direction and built outcome.

Do you manage furniture sourcing, procurement and installation?

Yes. Furnishing & Procurement is designed to remove the burden of sourcing, ordering, tracking, coordinating and installing the many items required to complete a home. Patina Design Studio manages the selection, supplier communication, procurement coordination, freight, delivery, placement and installation, so the final result is cohesive and the client is not left managing separate suppliers, deliveries or installation details.

What is handover like at the end of the project?

For Full Service Design projects, handover is intended to feel complete, resolved and ready to live in. Patina Design Studio coordinates final installation, furniture placement, artwork, accessories and styling. This can also include unpacking, organising kitchens and wardrobes, removing packaging and preparing the home for handover. After completion, the studio remains involved to help address defects, resolve outstanding items and ensure the home settles properly.

Can you work with our architect or builder?

Yes. Patina Design Studio has preferred architects, builders and consultants we have worked with previously and can recommend a team we believe will be a good fit for your project. If you already have someone you would like to engage, we can work alongside them too. We regularly collaborate with architects, builders, consultants and trades throughout the design and construction process. Our role is to help connect the broader design intent with the detailed decisions required to bring a project together cohesively.

Who will be working on my project?

Each project is led by Jacqui Hurwitz, founder and principal of Patina Design Studio. Jacqui sets the design direction and remains closely involved throughout the process. Depending on the scope, the project may also involve the studio team, architects, builders, consultants, suppliers, trades and specialist collaborators. Patina Design Studio intentionally takes on a limited number of projects each year so each project receives a high level of involvement and care.

Do you work on projects outside Sydney?

Yes. Patina Design Studio is based in Sydney and undertakes selected interstate and international projects where the scope, location and level of involvement are suitable. Projects outside Sydney may require travel time, site visits and additional coordination costs, which are discussed before engagement.

Can you work remotely with clients?

Patina Design Studio does not offer remote-only design services. For selected interstate or international projects, parts of the process may be handled remotely, but this is supported by planned site visits, in-person reviews, material assessment and proper project coordination.

How does Patina Design Studio handle project photography, publication, and privacy?

Completed project photography is an important part of Patina Design Studio’s portfolio and media presence, and is discussed with clients during the project process.

We understand that many clients value discretion. Patina Design Studio does not publish client names, exact addresses, personal details, or private circumstances without permission. Where a project is photographed, published, submitted for awards, or shared online, the way the project is identified and described is handled with care.

How do we get started?

You can begin by submitting an enquiry through the Enquiries page. We review each enquiry carefully to understand the property, scope, timing, budget and level of support required. If the project feels aligned, we will arrange a short introductory call before confirming the next step, which is a paid Design Consultation with Jacqui.

What information should we prepare before enquiring?

Helpful information can include the property address or suburb, current plans if available, photos, your intended scope, desired timeframe, approximate budget, and any key priorities or concerns. You do not need to have everything resolved before reaching out.

Can you help us understand what is possible before we commit to a renovation?

Yes. A Design Consultation can help clarify the opportunities, constraints and likely scope before a larger commitment is made. This is particularly useful when clients are deciding whether to renovate, purchase, reconfigure, stage works over time or proceed with a more substantial design engagement.

What happens after we submit an enquiry?

After you submit an enquiry, Patina Design Studio reviews the information provided and considers whether the project appears aligned with the studio’s services, scope and availability. If it feels like a suitable fit, we will be in touch to arrange a short introductory call. From there, the next formal step is a paid Design Consultation.

Is the introductory call a Design Consultation?

No. The introductory call is a short initial conversation to understand the nature of the project, confirm whether Patina Design Studio is likely to be the right fit, and explain the next step. It is not a design advice session. Detailed review of the property, plans, scope and design direction happens during the paid Design Consultation.

Do all projects begin with a Design Consultation?

Yes. All projects begin with a paid Design Consultation. This is the first formal step in working with Patina Design Studio and allows Jacqui to review the property, plans, goals, timing, constraints and likely scope before recommending the most appropriate way forward. Even if a client does not proceed into a larger engagement, the consultation provides a clearer understanding of the project, the design opportunities, the likely level of involvement required and the decisions that need to be considered before moving forward.

How much is the Design Consultation?

The Design Consultation is $1,200 inc GST. Payment is required before the consultation is scheduled and confirmed. The consultation gives clients access to Jacqui’s review of the property, plans, priorities and likely scope, and provides a clear starting point for deciding the most appropriate next step.

How are your fees structured?

Fees are tailored to the scope, scale, complexity and level of involvement required for each project. The Design Consultation is a fixed fee of $1,200 inc GST and is paid before the consultation is scheduled. Following the Design Consultation, Patina Design Studio prepares a recommended scope of work and design fee estimate for the next stages of the project.

What’s included in the project proposal?

Following the Design Consultation, Patina Design Studio prepares a tailored proposal outlining the recommended service pathway, project considerations, proposed scope of works, estimated design fees and next-step recommendations. The proposal is intended to give clarity around how the studio would be involved and what level of work is required to move forward.

Do you provide a fee estimate before the Design Consultation?

No. We can speak generally about the service pathway that may be suitable, but a meaningful fee estimate requires proper understanding of the property, plans, scope, complexity, timing and level of involvement required. This is why all projects begin with a paid Design Consultation.

Why do you ask about budget?

Budget helps us understand whether the intended scope, level of finish, construction requirements and design involvement are aligned. It also allows us to guide priorities realistically and avoid developing a scope that is disconnected from the broader project parameters.

Do you work with fixed construction budgets?

We work with clients who have clear financial parameters, but construction costs are ultimately confirmed by builders, trades and suppliers. Our role is to help align design decisions, priorities and scope with the broader budget as the project develops. Cost implications are discussed throughout the process so decisions can be made with greater clarity before larger commitments are made.

Is there a minimum project size?

Patina Design Studio is best suited to projects that require meaningful design involvement rather than small, isolated updates. We consider each enquiry based on scope, timing, location, budget, complexity and the level of design input required. Full Service Design is intended for significant new builds, substantial renovations and complete residential redesigns. Smaller or more focused enquiries may be better suited to a Design Consultation, Layout Assessment, Pre-Purchase Design Review or Furnishing & Procurement, depending on the project.

Can we engage you for one part of the process only?

Sometimes, depending on the project and stage. Design Consultation, Pre-Purchase Design Review, Layout Assessment, Design Positioning Strategy and Furnishing & Procurement can be engaged independently where appropriate. For larger projects, we usually recommend engaging the studio early enough to ensure the design direction and execution are properly aligned. Patina Design Studio generally does not document, install or style design work completed by others.

How many projects do you take on each year?

Patina Design Studio intentionally takes on a limited number of projects each year so each project receives the time, attention and level of detail required. This allows Jacqui and the studio to remain closely involved throughout the process.