What are the services you offer?
Morris Nathanson Design is a full-service Interior Design Firm, that can take your idea from concept to reality.
We offer Schematic, (conceptual) Design, Construction Documentation, ("hardlines" or "blueprints"),
and Contract Administration, (supervision) services for your project. We also provide specifications
for all furniture, decorative lighting, and hard finishes. On most projects, we design not only the
interior, but also the exterior façade and signage treatments as well.
We are partnered with a variety of allied design professionals including: Architects, MEP and HVAC
Engineers, Graphic Designers and Kitchen Designers to assist you in developing your project.
Do you design anything besides Hospitality projects?
In its over 40 years of business, Morris Nathanson Design has done a wide variety of design work, including:
- High Fashion stores
- Jewelry Stores
- Card and Gift Stores
- High-End Electronics
- Law and Medical Offices
- Educational facilities and school libraries
- Adaptive Re-use projects, including Mill conversions.
My project is very small, are you too big a firm for my needs?
Morris Nathanson Design enjoys the challenge of working on projects of all sizes and complexities,
from a simple stand-alone kiosk, to full-service restaurants, hotels and clubs. We are known for the
passion we bring to working with the "first-time" entrepreneur, as well as the well-established operator.
How much does it cost?
We can’t say until we review the scope of the project with the client. Every project is different,
with different problems and complexities. You should be aware that we calculate our fees solely on
the amount of hours we feel will be required to complete our scope of work. Our hours are then multiplied
by the hourly rate of the person performing the task(s).
Please Note:
We do NOT base our fees on a percentage of the total project cost.
We do NOT purchase or "Rep" products, (such as furniture or lighting) for resale to our clients.
What is the cost for an initial visit?
Our initial meeting is provided for you at NO fee. Potential clients can meet us at our offices in
Pawtucket, or we can meet them at a location of their choice, (such as the Project Site). If we travel
to you, we DO CHARGE for reimbursable expenses, such as train tickets or airfare, but, again, our time
is NOT charged.
What is the process?
The process is relatively straight forward, and involves these steps:
A potential client contacts our firm, and a senior member meets with the client, to assess the project, and to determine a
scope of work so that a Proposal can be generated. Note: this initial visit is at no fee to the client.
A Proposal for Services is generated, which includes an outline of services to be provided, and a fee for the services.
If the Client agrees to the fee, a formal contract is sent to the Client.
Once the contract is signed and returned to MND with a retainer, work is scheduled, and the project commences.
Our project scope typically involves three phases:
Schematic Phase:
This is known as the "creative" phase, when initial floor plans, artistic renderings and image and materials are created.
These materials are then formally presented to the Client in a meeting. At the end of the meeting, the Client should have a very
clear idea of what the design for their project will look like.
Construction Documentation Phase:
After the Schematics are approved by the Client, the Construction Document Phase begins, and all of the NON STRUCTURAL
drawings required to create a set of documents for the Contractor to bid and build from are generated.
These drawings include: plans, elevations, sections and details thru millwork, door and hardware schedules, and specifications
of all hard finishes, lighting, and furniture.
Contract Administration:
This final phase typically starts well before the Construction Document Phase is done, and includes all the interfacing and
communication required between Client, various professional trades (such as the Project Architect, Engineers, etc.), the Contractor
and Sub Contractors, and anyone else involved in the designing and build-out of the project. The major part of the tasks in this phase
could be described as "trouble shooting". Also included in this phase are site visits to the project during the build-out.
There are typically 3-9 visits, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Please Note:
The time required for the various phases varies, according to the size and complexity of the project.