F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S

If your question hasn’t been answered in the FAQs, please feel free to reach out. We understand that every project is unique and often comes with its own considerations. We are always happy to talk through your ideas, answer any questions you may have, and offer guidance on how the process works. Whether you are at an early stage exploring possibilities or ready to move forward with a project, we would be glad to hear from you and help you decide on the best next step.

WORKING WITH US

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

    Since our inception we have delivered projects across the residential, commercial, workplace, hospitality and cultural sectors.

    Working on both heritage and new build projects, we provide a full design service from renovation stage, alongside complete furnishing, consultancy services and artwork sourcing and creation.

  • San Stae is proudly based in our hometown of Leamington Spa, in the West Midlands. While this is where we’re headquartered, our work is not limited by location. We deliver projects all across the UK, working flexibly to suit the needs of each client and project.

    We are fully set up to collaborate remotely, using clear communication and structured project management to keep everything running smoothly. Where required, we also visit site at key stages, ensuring quality, coordination, and progress are maintained throughout the project lifecycle. This flexible approach allows us to remain hands-on while efficiently supporting projects wherever they are located.

  • At San Stae, we believe your interior design experience should be hugely enjoyable, fun and stress-free. We take a hands-on, collaborative approach, tailoring every project to the people and spaces we work with. Our small, agile team stays involved at every stage, combining creativity with practicality to deliver thoughtful, layered and timeless interiors.

  • San Stae is named after the quiet Venetian neighbourhood where Aly lived during her creative training. The studio grew from a desire to blend art, architecture, and interiors. It was there that Aly discovered the natural connection between curating and design - both rooted in space, story, and atmosphere - and learned how to shape feeling through light, materials, and placement.

  • An interior designer brings clarity, cohesion and confidence to your project. Beyond selecting beautiful finishes, we consider how a space feels, functions and flows - ensuring every detail works together effortlessly.

    Working with a designer saves time and reduces costly mistakes. From spatial planning and lighting design to sourcing materials and managing suppliers, we guide decisions with experience and foresight. You gain access to trusted craftspeople, specialist suppliers and pieces not readily available on the high street.

    Most importantly, a designer helps you articulate what you truly want. Rather than following trends, we create spaces that feel considered, personal and enduring, adding long-term value to your property and to the way you live or work within it.

PROCESS + SERVICES

  • San Stae provides full-service interior design across residential, commercial, and development projects, guiding every stage from initial concept to final installation. We focus on creating spaces that are functional, timeless, and beautifully tailored, combining expert space planning, curated interiors, styling, and bespoke elements. Whether designing a family home, a commercial environment, or a new development, we approach each project with care and attention to detail, ensuring every space reflects the client’s vision while feeling considered, cohesive, and effortless.

    For a full list of our services, you can visit our Services page.

  • Our full interior design service is a seamless journey from initial inspiration to the moment you step into your finished space. To make the process easier to follow, we split it into four stages. Every project begins with understanding you and your requirements. Through collaborative conversations, site visits, and exploration of materials, layouts, and design possibilities, we craft a considered plan that balances aesthetics, functionality, and comfort. Each stage builds on the last - from concept development to sourcing, bespoke details, and the final installation - ensuring every element is intentional and aligned with your vision.

    Read more about each stage on our Services page.

  • You can be involved in the process as much or as little as you’d like. Some clients prefer to be very hands-on, while others are happy for us to take the lead. This is something we’ll discuss in detail during our consultations, so we can tailor the process around your preferences and ensure everything feels comfortable and well-supported from the outset.

  • Yes, we do. Every project and brief is different, so we tailor our approach to suit the client’s needs. We’re happy to work on a consultation basis, offering advice and guidance exactly when and where it’s needed. We can also provide concept-only design, helping to shape the vision for a space, or manage a project from start to finish, overseeing delivery and every detail along the way. Whatever the approach, our goal is to make the process seamless and perfectly suited to you.

  • San Stae has worked on a handful of heritage buildings, from Georgian townhouses to Victorian button factories, including a number of listed buildings. The history and character of each building is central to our approach, and every decision we make is guided by respect for its architectural significance. Our work is carefully considered to complement the building’s style, period, and original features, ensuring any interventions feel authentic and timeless. Preserving the integrity of these spaces while creating functional, beautiful interiors is at the heart of what we do, allowing the building’s story to live on in a contemporary context.

  • Even after a project is complete, our support doesn’t end. We remain available to offer guidance, answer questions, or advise on any future updates or additions to the space. This can include sourcing pieces, recommending trusted professionals, or providing insight on how to care for and maintain the interiors. For larger developments, we also offer community management, helping to ensure a cohesive, well-supported environment for residents. Our aim is to maintain a continued connection so that both individual spaces and broader developments evolve gracefully over time.

    For a full list of additional services, you can visit our Services page.

COST + BUDGET

  • Every project is unique, so costs vary depending on size, scope, and complexity. Smaller private projects tend to have a more defined budget, while larger developments involve more moving parts and variables. We always start by understanding your needs and vision, then create a plan that balances your design ambitions with practical considerations. Transparency is key throughout the process, so you’ll always know what to expect at each stage.

  • We’ll always do our best to work within your budget. From the very start, we take the time to understand your priorities, vision, and financial situation. By making small tweaks and carefully considered choices, we ensure the money is spent where it truly matters - details that will be seen, touched, and lived with every day, while being mindful of areas where savings can be made without compromising the overall feel. Whether it’s a small home project or something larger, our aim is to create a space that feels thoughtful, functional, and truly yours - all while keeping quality and style at the heart of every decision.

  • Larger projects are more complex, involving multiple stakeholders, moving parts, and detailed coordination. In these cases we take a collaborative approach from the very start. We work closely with the Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, Quantity Surveyor, and any other professionals required to keep budgets, timeframes, and priorities aligned throughout the project. Together, we establish realistic budgets, monitor costs carefully, and make thoughtful decisions to ensure spend is focused where it matters most - without compromising quality or design intent.

  • Our full interior design service is offered at a fixed rate, giving you clarity and confidence from concept to completion. This means that from the initial brief to the final installation and styling, you know exactly what’s included and how your investment is being managed. For additional or bespoke services - such as art curation, project management support, or specific consultancy - we can work on a daily rate, depending on the scope and requirements of the project.

    This flexible approach allows us to tailor our service to each client, whether it’s a smaller private project or part of a larger development. We always discuss the best approach upfront, so you understand how the project will be managed and charged. Our aim is to make the process seamless and transparent, so you can focus on enjoying the design journey and the finished space.

ART

  • Art has always been at the heart of everything we do, guiding our vision and influencing every space we create. With over a decade of experience curating, sourcing, and commissioning artwork, our founder and studio lead, Aly Grimes, has shaped the visual landscape of both public and private projects across Europe and the UK. From large-scale exhibitions to intimate installations, her work consistently celebrates the dialogue between art, architecture, and human experience.

    Aly co-founded Birmingham’s renowned Stryx studio, where she championed innovative contemporary artists and nurtured experimental approaches to space and display. Beyond her studio work, she lectures extensively, mentors emerging artists, and provides guidance to institutions seeking to integrate meaningful art into their projects. Her deep understanding of artistic practice informs every corner of San Stae’s work, ensuring that each space is not just designed - but curated, alive, and resonant with creativity.

  • Collecting art can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s really about discovering what speaks to you and building a collection that reflects your taste and vision. We can definitely help with that. With our extensive local and international network of artists and galleries, we guide collectors at every stage - from identifying pieces that resonate with you, to sourcing rare or emerging works, and even advising on display and curation within your space. Our approach ensures your collection grows thoughtfully, meaningfully, and beautifully.

  • Whether your project calls for a single statement piece or a fully curated collection, we bring a wealth of expertise and a truly global perspective to sourcing artwork that perfectly complements your space. Drawing on our carefully cultivated local and international creative collaborators, we connect you with work that resonates with your vision—whether that’s bold and contemporary, timeless and classic, or entirely unexpected.

    From discovering emerging talent to engaging with established names, we guide you through every stage of the process. We advise on selection, acquisition, and installation, ensuring that each piece is not only visually striking but also harmonises with the architecture, light, and mood of your environment. Our goal is to create a seamless experience where art is thoughtfully integrated, transforming your project into a space that feels considered, dynamic, and deeply personal.

  • X

  • Yes, we provide expert curation for both private and public exhibitions, guiding the selection, positioning, and presentation of artworks to ensure each piece is thoughtfully placed and the exhibition as a whole feels cohesive and engaging. Aly Grimes brings more than a decade of experience curating exhibitions across the UK and Europe, offering a knowledgeable and considered approach to each project.

    Our service can also include 3D visualisation, advice on re-framing and re-mounting, professional installation management, and meticulous cataloguing. Every piece is carefully documented, creating a comprehensive record for your collection and ensuring it is showcased to its full potential.

  • Yes, we create bespoke artworks in-house, ranging from contemporary abstract paintings to portraiture pieces. Each piece is carefully crafted to suit the space and vision of the project, and our service includes professional framing and mounting to ensure it is perfectly presented.

    Where we are unable to produce a piece ourselves, we can source artwork through our extensive network of local and international artists, galleries, and craftspeople, ensuring each work is of the highest quality and seamlessly integrated into the overall design.

  • We undertake a wide range of commercial and resi-mercial projects, including bespoke offices, boutique retail spaces, and hospitality venues such as restaurants, cafés, and hotels. We also work on immersive showrooms, dynamic mixed-use developments, and large scale residential buildings and educational facilities such as universities. Our experience spans projects of varying scale and complexity, allowing us to adapt our approach to suit the unique operational, aesthetic, and brand requirements of each client.

  • We begin by immersing ourselves in your brand, understanding its values, vision, and target audience. We also work closely alongside your chosen graphic designer, or if you don’t have one, we’re happy to recommend a trusted professional from our expansive network. Through research, workshops, and collaborative discussions, we translate these insights into design concepts that reflect your identity at every level - from spatial layout and materials to colour palettes and finishes. Throughout the project, we maintain ongoing communication and iterative reviews to ensure every element of the space supports your brand story while remaining functional and visually cohesive.

  • Following the interior fit-out of larger residential schemes, we often extend our design expertise across the wider development. This can include wayfinding strategy and scheme branding in collaboration with a graphic designer, alongside the creation of cohesive printed and digital marketing materials. We draw on the site’s history, context, and stories to shape the narrative, language, and imagery of the project.

    We also produce welcome packs, handover manuals, and furniture packs, while sourcing and directing photography to support marketing and promotional campaigns. To complete the experience, we manage promotional launches and the design and delivery of bespoke welcome gifts, creating a seamless and considered introduction for residents, buyers, or visitors.

    Read more about our additional services on our Services page

  • We create signage and wayfinding solutions that are both functional and visually thoughtful, helping people navigate your space with ease. This includes sourcing and commissioning signage from skilled local craftspeople - whether hand-painted signs, designs that honour historic or “ghost” signs, or contemporary metal cutouts and plaques. Whatever we do, it is carefully considered in line with the building’s history and heritage, ensuring every element feels authentic, appropriate, and to reinforce the character of your space.

  • Yes, we regularly design show homes for developers and property professionals. This can be delivered as a standalone service or alongside our full interior design offering, depending on the needs of the project. Our approach focuses on creating spaces that feel considered and welcoming, helping potential buyers connect with the character of the home. You can view examples of this work in our Great Hampton Street Works and Port Loop projects.



COMMERCIAL PROJECTS