Questions owners ask
Short answers first, then the detail.
What does Lush Living Designs do?
We design, source and install interiors for short-term rentals and boutique offices in North Carolina and nationwide. We are short-term rental owners as well as designers, so we design for bookings, reviews and wear and tear, not only for looks.
Where do you work?
We are based in Apex, NC and take projects nationwide, including design, sourcing and in-person installation. Outside North Carolina, travel is billed separately: flights and a daily per diem only, since we stay on the property during the install. Recent projects are in Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Raleigh and Lake Lure.
How much does short-term rental interior design cost?
Design, procurement and installation fees for a 1,250 sq ft rental with 7 rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room and an outdoor space run $8,550 at the Basic tier, $10,688 at Mid Tier and $13,359 at Premium. Furniture and goods are quoted separately. Your price depends on room count, tier and add-ons.
What is the difference between the Basic, Mid Tier and Premium design tiers?
Basic focuses on function and fast turnaround with affordable, in-stock furnishings. Mid Tier adds custom mood boards, color schemes, sourced pieces and light styling, and suits most units that want a higher nightly rate. Premium adds a full design concept, high-end and custom selections, designer styling or murals, specialty finishes and coordination with trades for light renovations.
What is the Lush Listing Audit?
The Lush Listing Audit is a 60-minute live video walkthrough of your short-term rental, room by room, for $250. You get feedback on layout, lighting, color and flow, plus a ranked punch list emailed within 3 business days.
Do you design commercial spaces?
Yes. We design boutique offices and hospitality interiors, including office suites and showroom spaces.
What are the main services Lush Living Designs provides?
We offer a full-service design experience in three phases. Design: a custom plan with space planning, furnishings and visual presentations. Procurement: either a shoppable storefront you buy from yourself, or full ordering management by our team. Implementation: delivery, placement, styling, art hanging and cleanup, so the property is ready for guests.
How involved is the design phase?
We take a whole-home, systems-based approach, designing every room to work together visually and functionally. You weigh in at two key checkpoints: the mood board and the final design plan. Once you approve the vision, our team moves forward on its own so the project keeps its pace.
How do design revisions work?
After you approve the mood board, revisions are limited to two major item changes per room. This keeps the design consistent and the timeline on track. Changes beyond that need a formal change order and may carry additional design fees.
Which procurement option is best for me?
There are two options. The Shoppable Storefront lets you buy each item directly and manage your own orders, which also makes returns simpler. Full-Service Procurement is hands-off: we order, track and receive everything for you, and we can reach wholesale-only vendors with better pricing. This white-glove service comes with a higher fee.
How do you determine your pricing?
We use a flat-fee, value-based pricing model. Your service fee is based on project size, square footage, design time and the overall investment in the interior. We choose goods that balance price and quality, and we review the furnishings budget with you before ordering.
Do you mark up the cost of goods?
Yes, we apply a modest markup on sourced goods. It covers purchasing, vendor coordination, shipping management and quality control. The markup varies with each vendor's trade pricing and factors like tariffs, so we do not publish percentages. With our trade discounts, the price you pay is often below retail.
Will I receive an itemized breakdown of product pricing?
We do not share line-item pricing for each product. Your client portal lists every item with its status, and shows pricing as totals by room, with subtotal, tax and shipping broken out, plus a project total. Vendor prices change often, and room totals let us make substitutions without asking you to re-approve every piece.
How long does a project take from start to finish?
Most projects follow this timeline: design in 1 to 2 weeks, procurement in 4 to 6 weeks, and installation in 1 to 2 weeks. Delays usually come from late approvals, vendor shipping issues, or a property that is not ready for installation.
What are your business hours and how do you handle communication?
Our core business hours are Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm. We reply to emails within one business day, schedule meetings and site visits in advance, and send weekly project updates. Planned closures, including holidays, are announced ahead of time.
What vendors do you typically use?
We source from a wide network of trusted trade vendors, artisans and premium manufacturers. Options range from high-end brands like Restoration Hardware to value retailers like Wayfair, plus wholesale-only suppliers for hospitality-grade linens and essentials.