Services · 02
À la carte design.
À la carte design from 7 Maple Design is expert direction for one room or one decision. Lora Short helps with paint colors, layout, tile, lighting or a furniture plan, and you carry out the plan yourself.
What is included
What can à la carte design cover?
Pick the piece you need help with. Paint colors are one of the most requested.
- ✦Paint colors
- ✦Color and material direction
- ✦Tile and finish selections
- ✦Lighting
- ✦Layout and furniture plan
- ✦Shopping and sourcing lists
Every à la carte project starts with the same free consultation.
Who it is for
Who is à la carte design for?
Homeowners who are comfortable managing their own project but want an expert to make the high stakes calls. It is also a good fit if your budget is tight and you want the design dollars spent where they matter most.
If you want a designer through the whole project, full-service design is the better fit.
The process
How does à la carte design work?
- 01
Free consultation
A conversation about the space, the budget and the timeline. No cost and no obligation.
- 02
Direction
Clear direction on the room or the decision: colors, materials, layout or a furniture plan.
- 03
You carry it out
Take the direction and run with it yourself, with a shopping and sourcing list in hand.
Recent work
From the portfolio.
Finished rooms from 7 Maple Design projects. Tap a photo to see it larger.
Common questions
Questions about à la carte design.
Answers from the Designer Q&A.
All 115 questions →
What is à la carte design?
It means hiring a designer for one specific piece instead of the whole project. Paint colors, a furniture plan, a tile selection, a second opinion on your contractor's drawings. You get professional direction without committing to a full engagement.
Who is à la carte design right for?
Homeowners who are comfortable managing their own project but want an expert to make the high stakes calls. It is also a good fit if your budget is tight and you want the design dollars spent where they matter most.
Can you help me pick paint colors?
Yes, and it is one of the most requested à la carte services. Color reads differently in every room depending on light, adjacent finishes, and fixed elements like flooring, which is why the swatch that looked perfect in the store often disappoints on the wall.
What if I only need help with one decision?
That is exactly what à la carte service is for. Bring the one decision.
What is a design consultation?
A working session in your home where we walk the space, talk through what you want, and I give you direction you can act on immediately. Many clients use it as a one time service and take it from there. Schedule a free consultation →
Do you work on one room or only whole homes?
I work with single spaces or homes as a whole. Kitchens, primary baths, and living rooms are the most common single room projects.
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Let's begin
Bring the one decision.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.