What is remodel vs. renovation?

Renovation usually means restoring or updating an existing space without fundamentally changing its structure, while a remodel involves altering the layout or structure itself (moving walls, reconfiguring rooms, changing functions). In Total Renovation, we often combine both, improving what exists and reshaping what no longer works.

What is the difference between repair and renovation?

A repair fixes something that is broken, a leaking pipe, damaged flooring, faulty wiring. A renovation goes further: it improves, rethinks and elevates the space as a whole so it better supports your lifestyle, comfort and long-term needs.

How do I renovate a house?

Renovating a house starts with clarity: understanding how you live, what doesn’t work and what needs to change before touching finishes or hiring builders. From there, the process moves through space planning, design development, technical documentation, tradespeople selection and on-site supervision, which is exactly the structured path my Total Renovation service provides from A to Z.

How long does a full renovation take?

The duration of a renovation depends on the size of the property, the complexity of the work and the level of structural changes involved. A full renovation typically takes several months, including planning, design, approvals and construction, which is why having a clear process and on-site supervision is essential.

Is hiring an interior designer worth the investment for a renovation?

An effectively managed renovation prevents costly mistakes, design inconsistencies and budget overruns. My role is not to increase your spending, but to structure it intelligently — protecting both your investment and the long-term value of your home.

Total Renovation
Service

Projects from A to Z

Stella Studio | Interior Designer Geneva at work on a full renovation in Geneva

Stella Studio | Interior Designer Geneva choosing materials with clients for their total renovation project.

The purpose:

Total Renovation is my most comprehensive service: from drawing the first floor plan until your move-in date. It is your energy, time and stress saver - knowing that your renovation project will be fully handled by a professional who has your best interest at heart.

What I do:

Everything that's in Phase 1 - Space Planning & Optimization
Everything that's in Phase 2 - Design & Style
Send out the building manual, collect builders' quotes and help you choose your contractors
Coordinate with contractors, various builders and craftsmen
Oversee the project's advancement at every step, finding solutions when surprises occur, I hand you back your keys.

Let's talk about your renovation:

Enquire

The role of Total Renovation

A full renovation is intense. There's no going around it, it's brain-heavy, time-consuming and having all the answers isn't innate. And as we know these decision will shape the way we live for years to come, they may be even harder to make. My goal is to make your place change your life for the better. However renovating doesn't always equate to a nicer home, here are common issues I step in to prevent:

Focusing only on aesthetics

A marble countertop will not fix poor lighting. Designer taps will not compensate for bad layout. Real comfort comes from thoughtful decisions at every level: technical, spatial and visual.

Erasing character instead of enhancing it

Original parquet floors covered. Beautiful mouldings removed. Proportions altered unnecessarily. In the rush to “modernise,” the charm that made the property special disappears and we're not feeling comfortable in it anymore.

Underestimating the time needed

You may have an idea of the time needed to conceptualize a plan, make stylistic and finishing choices, but time spent on the building site with the contractors is often forgotten. Yes they know their trade, but surprises are common and someone needs to find solutions without compromising on your dream home.

Not knowing about technical and regulation uses

In Geneva and French region, regulations, co-ownership rules and structural constraints matter. Without knowing about these complexities and having structured method to approach them, timelines stretch, costs escalate and you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

Total Renovation addresses all of these points with method, creativity and respect for your home’s architecture.

Tell me more about your project

Who this is for

You're looking for someone who will handle your renovation from A to Z

You know your home doesn't reflect your lifestyle. You’re ready for meaningful transformation, but you don't know how, or don't want to, do it yourself. You want to be able to depend on someone who has your best interest at heart with transparency and understanding at each stage.

You value charm and authenticity

You live in Geneva or surroundings and appreciate old-world details, solid materials and want everything to feel adequate in your space. You don’t want trends. You want a comfortable, curated home.

You want someone who will handle both the creative and structural aspects

You understand that renovation requires conception, sequencing and a whole lot of decision-making. You want to hire an interior designer who has a creative eye and materials knowledge as much as technical space-planning and project-planning skill sets.

You are ready to invest in quality

You know that doing it properly once is better than correcting mistakes later, or worse living with a half-finished/half-adequate home for decades to come.

Enquire

How my renovation process works

Residential - Commercial - Office Space - Health Institutions

Phase 1 - Space Planning & Optimization

The foundation + architectural & technical study

We begin with a detailed brief: your lifestyle, constraints, timeline, investment level, long-term plans. I then analyse the existing structure, building regulations, natural light, volumes, and technical systems.

Layout options

I draw three floor plans, each answer your brief in a different way. We choose together which flow and organisation you prefer.

More about Phase 1 - Space planning & Optimization here

Phase 2 - Style & Design

Concept & design direction

We define your aesthetic preferences, then I draw perspective drawings choosing: colour palettes and wallpapers, materials and finishes and draw elevations of bespoke storage, glass partitions, furniture etc.

Detailed drawings & documentation

Plans, elevations, material specifications, bespoke elements, shopping lists and builders' manual. Everything is clarified before construction begins.

More about Phase 2 - Style & Design here

Phase 3 - Total Renovation

Finding, assessing and retaining contractors

Now that the concept phase is done, I will solicit all trades needed for the refurbishment of your space. This includes all technical specialists such as architects and engineers, if needed, to plumbers, electricians, decorators etc. Thanks to my air-tight builder manual we will receive adequate quotes and I will help you choose between options. The questions of price is important, but not the only factor to consider.

Coordination & follow-up

I'm involved during the entire renovation work implementation to ensure coherence between drawings and reality. My job here is to make sure all trades are following the builders' manual but also finding solutions when surprises arise, up until the final check and you can move in.

What this
service includes

After the Space Planning phase

Eligibility

Phase 1 - and all its documents
Phase 2 - and all its documents
Finding, choosing and retaining builders
Tradespeople coordination and oversight during the entire renovation project

At the end of the process, you have a home that is truly yours, a coherent home with spatial and aesthetic integrity
Preserved or enhanced architectural character
Materials chosen for longevity and comfort
Clarity about what was done and why
A space that supports daily life beautifully

What this service gives you, above all, is the reassurance that you are making the right decisions regarding your home. You have someone who not only understands what you want, but also goes deeper into what you actually need and sees it through all the uncomfortable phases of a remodel. It is an investment for your immediate peace of mind - you're not alone - as well as your long-term well being - This space is going to look absolutely fantastic and you're going to be happier in it -.

This is what I call - Make Your Place Yours

Your project is a good fit if:

You own an apartment or house in Geneva or surrounding areas
You understand that this space doesn't work for you right now
You are planning a significant renovation
You want a curated interior that combines charm, purpose and real comfort
You do not know how to/want to deal with contractors, a demolition or a construction site.
You want a key-turn service

The projects I take on:

Full apartment renovations
House renovations
Period properties
New builds
Partial renovations ex: kitchen refurbishment, bathroom design etc.
Investment properties for added value results
Select commercial or professional spaces and health-related spaces that seek a home-feel experience

How to begin working with me

Step 1 - Reach out

Send me details about your property, timeline and objectives.

Step 2 - Initial talk

We organise a video call where I ask you enough questions to formulate a quote, if I need to see the site before I make you an offer, I will let you know during this call.

Step 3 - Proposal

You receive a structured proposal outlining phases, deliverables and fees.

Step 4 - We begin

Once you sign off, we start making your place yours.

Let's make your place yours

Stella Studio | Interior Design Geneva - Demolition phase Collonges Project

Stella Studio | Interior Design Geneva - Collonges Project Kitchen view

What my Total Renovation service is and isn’t

It is:

A turnkey renovation solution
A structured, phased design process balancing charm, function and comfort
Professional coordination and on-site supervision
Human expertise and design eye guiding every step
A long-term investment in your quality of life

It isn’t:

A trend-driven makeover
A Pinterest replication
A contractor-only coordination service
Anything generated by artificial intelligence

It is me - my structure, my eye, my experience - designing and protecting your renovation from concept to completion.

Feeling like this is exactly what you're looking for?

Tell me about your project

Estelle a su intégrer nos idées tout en proposant les meilleurs agencements possibles. A l'écoute, créative, efficace et rapide, elle a tout de suite compris ce que nous recherchions et a su transposer nos souhaits. Elle nous a fait gagner de la place et réaliser des économies, tout en créant un joli espace de vie, chaleureux et pratique. Je vous la recommande sans hésitations :)

Anna-Léna S.

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right interior designer in Geneva means looking beyond beautiful images. I urge you to find someone who can rethink your layout, define a coherent aesthetic that matches yours, understand local regulations and coordinate builders with structure and clarity. If that's what you're looking for. Most importantly, choose a professional whose approach feels aligned with your values and that you understand. As my father tells me: never invest in anything you don't understand. And if you want to know more about this decision-making process, I wrote not one, but two (!) blog posts about it: how-to-choose-an-interior-designer-in-geneva Part I(https://www.stellastudio.ch/post/how-to-choose-an-interior-designer-in-geneva) how-to-choose-an-interior-designer-in-geneva Part II(https://www.stellastudio.ch/post/how-to-choose-an-interior-designer-in-geneva-part-ii)

Total Renovation Service