frequently asked questions

Every project is different. If we haven’t answered your question here, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Person folding fabric swatches on a white table.
Person folding fabric swatches on a white table.

general

  • San Stae is an interior design and art studio founded by designer, curator and artist Aly Grimes.

    We work across residential and commercial projects, creating interiors that feel personal, timeless and full of character.

    From heritage renovations to contemporary new builds, we offer both full and individual design services spanning renovation, furnishing, styling and artwork sourcing.

  • Renovating or furnishing a property involves hundreds of decisions, and it’s easy for things to feel disconnected along the way. That’s where we come in.

    We bring clarity, direction and cohesion to the process, helping you shape a home that feels considered from start to finish. From layouts and lighting to materials, furniture and artwork, we guide decisions carefully to avoid costly mistakes, reduce stress and save you time.

    Most importantly, we help create spaces that feel cohesive, considered and unique.

  • Architects and interior designers often work closely together, but they focus on different parts of a project.

    An architect is responsible for the structure of a building - layouts, extensions, construction and planning regulations. An interior designer focuses on how the space looks, feels and functions once those foundations are in place.

    At San Stae, we often work alongside architects and contractors from the early stages to ensure the interior vision is considered throughout, creating a more seamless and cohesive end result.

  • We deliver both private residential and commercial projects from full home renovations and individual room schemes, to workplace, hospitality, wellness and cultural environments.

    Regardless of scale or sector, our focus is always on creating spaces that feel thoughtful, distinctive and deeply connected to the people using them.

  • The studio was founded to bring together Aly’s two passions for interior design and art, shaping a practice rooted in both disciplines.

    As a nimble, hands-on studio, we remain closely involved at every stage, building strong relationships with our clients and creating projects that feel completely individual rather than formulaic.

    We have developed particular expertise in heritage renovations, combining sensitivity to a building’s history with a refined, contemporary approach.

    Our grounding in both art and design, alongside a wide international and local network, allows us to work in a more inventive, collaborative way bringing depth, character and originality to every project.

  • People, place, history and atmosphere are always our starting point.

    We don’t define ourselves by a signature style, but by a considered approach. Each project is guided by context and collaboration, resulting in spaces that are refined, timeless and deeply individual.

    We take on a limited number of projects at any one time, offering a highly personal service from start to finish working closely with our clients in a way that is collaborative, curious and practical.

  • San Stae is proudly based in Aly’s hometown of Leamington Spa, with a studio presence in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.

    Our central Midlands location enables us to work on projects all across the UK.

  • San Stae is named after the Italian neighbourhood Aly lived in during her creative training in Venice, where her love for art and architecture collided, realising the synergy between interior design and curating art.

A cozy dining area with a wooden table, three wooden chairs, a window with sunlight shining through, a radiator, and a wall shelf holding decorative items and a plant.
A cozy dining area with a wooden table, three wooden chairs, a window with sunlight shining through, a radiator, and a wall shelf holding decorative items and a plant.

residential projects

  • We offer a range of interior design services to suit different project sizes, budgets and levels of support.

    Our Full Interior Design Service is a comprehensive, end-to-end offering for larger projects - from renovation stage through to furnishing and final styling.

    For clients wanting quicker guidance and clear direction, we also offer our Design in a Day service - a focused one-day design experience complete with moodboards and shopping lists.

    Alongside this, we provide a selection of individual services including space planning, kitchen and bathroom design, bespoke joinery, lighting design, furniture sourcing, styling, 3D visuals, home staging and post-project refreshes.

  • Absolutely. We regularly work on single rooms, smaller spaces and more focused design support. Whether you need help refining a layout, sourcing furniture, designing bespoke joinery or simply pulling a room together, we tailor our involvement to suit the project.

    We also offer flexible consultancy support for clients managing parts of the process themselves.

  • The best place to start is with a complimentary 15-minute discovery call.

    We’ll chat through your project, answer any early questions and help guide you towards the service that best suits your space, budget and where you are in the process.

    Whether you’re planning a full renovation or simply need help making key decisions, we’ll point you in the right direction.

  • Ideally, as early as possible. Bringing us in at the beginning helps create a clear vision from the outset and ensures important decisions are considered before work begins.

    That said, it’s never too late to bring in support. We’re often brought into projects that are already underway, whether to refine ideas, solve layout challenges, create cohesion or help move things forward with more clarity and confidence.

  • Every project is different, but our full process usually starts with an initial consultation where we get to know you, your space and how you want it to feel.

    From there, we develop layouts, concepts, materials and designs before moving into sourcing, detailing and implementation. Depending on the service, we can oversee everything from renovation stage through to the finishing touches.

    Throughout the process, we keep things collaborative, organised and easy to navigate.

  • Costs vary depending on the size of the project and the level of support required.

    Our Full Interior Design Service is offered on a fixed-fee basis, with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum packages available depending on project scope and complexity. Individual services are charged on a half-day rate.

    Every brief is tailored to your budget, priorities and level of involvement.


    You can find a full breakdown of services and pricing on our Residential Services page.

  • As much or as little as you like.

    Some clients want us to manage everything from start to finish, while others prefer support at key stages or with specific decisions. We’re happy to work collaboratively, alongside your architect or contractor, or step in selectively where needed.

  • We’re very happy to collaborate with your existing contractors, tradespeople and suppliers, but can also recommend trusted makers and specialists we regularly work with if needed.

  • Yes, we provide both physical and digital home staging for sale, rental or photography purposes helping properties feel inviting and aspirational.

A living room with white walls, a large blue sofa with colorful pillows, a black coffee table, a textured black pouf, a vibrant orange rug, and a window showing green trees outside. There are two colorful abstract wall hangings above the sofa.
A living room with white walls, a large blue sofa with colorful pillows, a black coffee table, a textured black pouf, a vibrant orange rug, and a window showing green trees outside. There are two colorful abstract wall hangings above the sofa.

commercial projects

  • San Stae works across developer residential, hospitality, workplace, leisure & wellness and cultural sectors, creating interiors that are client-led, operationally refined and emotionally engaging.

    Our portfolio ranges from large-scale residential developments, amenity spaces and heritage refurbishments through to workplaces, wellness environments and boutique accommodation.

  • We offer a full interior design service from concept to completion, including briefing, space planning, concept design, technical drawing packages, lighting and electrical layouts, material specification, FF&E, procurement, contractor coordination, installation and styling.

    We also offer a selection of individual services for flexible, targeted design support on more specific projects.

  • We believe the best interiors feel like a natural extension of a brand, story or place.

    At the start of every project, we take time to understand your audience, operational needs, long-term goals and the experience you want people to have within the space. We then develop a clear creative brief and narrative that informs every design decision.

    Particularly within hospitality, accommodation and public-facing environments, we carefully consider how people move through and emotionally respond to a space, creating interiors that feel immersive, memorable and commercially effective.

  • As early as possible. We are typically brought in once planning permission has been granted, working from the architect’s floor plans to shape the interior layout, functionality and user experience before key decisions are fixed.

    Early involvement allows us to coordinate spatial planning, lighting, furniture layouts and M&E requirements from the outset, helping create a more cohesive design and avoid costly changes later.

  • Yes, collaboration is central to how we work. We regularly coordinate with architects, contractors, project managers, M&E consultants, lighting designers, branding teams, fabricators and specialist suppliers throughout the design and delivery process.

    Our role is often to bridge the gap between concept and execution, ensuring the design vision is carried through while meeting practical, operational and commercial requirements.

  • Yes. Using advanced 3D modelling and CGI visualisation, we bring concepts to life before construction begins.

    These visuals help clients, stakeholders and contractors fully understand layouts, finishes, lighting, furniture and atmosphere early in the process, reducing revisions later on.

    We also produce detailed joinery drawings and bespoke design packages for custom elements including banquette seating, bars, reception desks and built-in furniture.

  • Absolutely. We often work beyond the interior architecture itself to help shape the wider identity of a space or development.

    Particularly within hospitality and accommodation projects, we understand the importance of branding in creating a memorable guest experience and strong sense of place. We collaborate with graphic designers, artists and fabricators to develop signage, environmental graphics and branded touchpoints that feel fully integrated into the interior concept.

    For larger residential, mixed-use and guest accommodation schemes, we carefully consider navigation, arrival experience and user journey, creating cohesive environments where every detail contributes to the overall atmosphere and experience.

  • Yes. We provide full FF&E procurement support, sourcing furniture, lighting, materials, artwork and accessories that align with the design vision, operational needs and budget.

    We manage supplier coordination, ordering, deliveries, installation and final styling to ensure the completed space feels cohesive and fully resolved.

    For larger residential and build-to-rent developments, we also design and deliver complete furniture packages for apartments and amenity spaces.

  • Yes, our involvement can continue well beyond completion.

    Depending on the project, we provide ongoing styling updates, operational adjustments and seasonal refreshes.

    For build-to-rent and large residential schemes, we also support resident experience initiatives including show apartment management, resident events, re-staging and digital communications.

    We also support photography shoots, filming, events and location hire management to help completed interiors continue performing as valuable commercial assets.

  • Every project is unique, so our fees are tailored to the scope, scale and complexity of the brief.

    Following an initial conversation, we prepare a detailed fee proposal outlining the recommended scope of services, deliverables and project stages.

Interior room with white brick wall, an abstract painting with bold colors, a small wooden table, and a white seating area with decorative vases and tray.
Interior room with white brick wall, an abstract painting with bold colors, a small wooden table, and a white seating area with decorative vases and tray.

art services

  • Art has always been central to our practice, shaping the way we think about interiors, atmosphere and experience - often forming the starting point for a scheme.

    We offer art consultancy and curation services for both residential and commercial projects, including sourcing, commissions, murals, styling, collection development, exhibition curation, framing, installation and artist liaison.

  • That’s completely normal - most clients know the feeling or atmosphere they want to create but aren’t sure how to translate that into artwork or where to begin finding it. That’s where we come in! We guide the process from start to finish, helping you refine ideas, explore styles, and discover pieces that genuinely connect with you and your space.

  • Yes - we work across both residential and commercial interiors, from private homes and show flats to restaurants, bars, offices, wellness spaces and public environments.

    Whether the project requires a single statement piece or a complete artwork scheme across multiple spaces, we source, commission, style, frame, and install works tailored to the environment. We carefully consider the architecture, lighting, audience, brand identity, and atmosphere to ensure the artwork feels fully integrated into the experience of the space. Our aim is always to create interiors that feel distinctive, layered and authentic.

  • Absolutely. We work to all budgets and believe thoughtful curation is possible at many different scales.

    At the outset of each project, we establish a clear understanding of your priorities, budget and the role artwork will play within the space. From there, we source pieces that deliver the strongest visual and emotional impact while remaining commercially and practically appropriate.

    Whether you are looking for one-off piece from an emerging artist or a large-scale artwork package for a commercial project, we tailor our approach to suit your requirements.

  • Yes. We regularly manage bespoke commissions for both residential and commercial projects, including original paintings, murals, sculptural works, portraiture, installations and large-scale artwork schemes.

    For clients looking for something truly unique, we oversee the full commissioning process from concept development and artist selection through to approvals, production, framing and final installation.

    We also make original artworks in-house made by the San Stae team, with each piece developed specifically around the scale, palette, and atmosphere of the interior.

    For commercial spaces, we also design bespoke murals, integrated graphics and feature walls that help strengthen visual identity and create memorable focal points within the environment.

  • Yes. We work with private collectors to manage, develop and care for collections over time, whether that involves introducing new works, refining how pieces are displayed, or overseeing more detailed collection management. Our services can include cataloguing, photography, reframing, rehanging, acquisition support, loan coordination, consignments and long-term curatorial planning. We can also provide digital visuals and installation plans to help clients preview arrangements before implementation.

    Our founder Aly, has experience managing significant private collections, including major urban and contemporary art collections, bringing both curatorial sensitivity and strategic oversight to each project.

  • Yes. We work with cultural institutions, organisations and private collections to curate public exhibitions, shaping everything from the initial concept and artwork selection through to layout, installation and presentation.

    Our services include exhibition planning, artist coordination, 3D visualisation, cataloguing, installation management and curatorial guidance.

    With more than a decade of experience curating exhibitions across the UK and Europe, Aly brings a thoughtful, informed and highly practical approach to exhibition-making.

  • Yes. We provide artwork rotation and refresh services for private collectors, hospitality venues, workplaces, show homes and commercial interiors that benefit from evolving visual content over time. This can include rotating existing collections, introducing new works seasonally, short-term artwork loans, or sourcing pieces through our gallery and artist network. The service is ideal for spaces that want to remain visually fresh, culturally engaged and responsive without requiring a complete redesign.

    For residential clients, art rotation can also be a wonderful way to bring new energy into a home and experience different works over time.

  • Yes. Through our sister platform, San Stae Art Class, we deliver creative workshops and art experiences for architecture and design practices, showrooms, hospitality venues and private groups.

    Sessions can be tailored for team building, client entertainment, wellness retreats, hospitality activations, or beginners wanting to explore creativity in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

    We regularly collaborate with design-led businesses and premium brands to create thoughtful, engaging experiences centred around art and making.