Fig Leaf and Co: A Charleston Interior Design Studio for Custom Homes and Spaces

What Fig Leaf and Co does

Fig Leaf and Co is an interior design studio in Charleston that works with homeowners and businesses to design custom spaces. The studio handles everything from selecting furniture and finishes to planning room layouts and color schemes. They work on residential projects—kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, full home renovations—and also take on commercial work for offices, restaurants, and retail spaces.

The studio operates as a full-service design firm, meaning they don't just suggest ideas and leave you to execute them. They source materials, coordinate with contractors, manage timelines, and oversee installation. If you're renovating a historic Charleston home or designing a new build from scratch, Fig Leaf and Co handles the design decisions that tie the whole project together.

Key Takeaways

• Fig Leaf and Co offers full-service interior design for homes and commercial spaces, from concept through installation.
• The studio specializes in custom design work rather than off-the-shelf solutions, tailoring each project to the client's needs and space.
• They manage the entire process including material sourcing, contractor coordination, and project oversight.
• The studio works on both residential renovations and new construction projects throughout the Charleston area.

How the design process works

Most interior design studios follow a similar sequence: initial consultation, design concept development, material and furniture selection, and then project execution. Fig Leaf and Co typically starts with a meeting to understand what you want, what your space currently looks like, and what your budget allows. This conversation shapes everything that follows.

After the initial meeting, the studio develops design concepts—mood boards, floor plans, color palettes, and furniture layouts. You review these concepts and provide feedback. Once you and the designer agree on a direction, the studio moves into sourcing: finding the specific pieces, fabrics, paint colors, flooring, and fixtures that match the design. They then coordinate with contractors for installation and oversee the work until completion.

The timeline varies depending on project scope. A single-room refresh might take a few weeks from concept to completion. A full home renovation can take several months. The studio communicates timelines upfront so you know what to expect.

Types of projects Fig Leaf and Co takes on

The studio handles residential interior design across all room types: kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and home offices. They also work on whole-home renovations, which means coordinating the design across multiple rooms so the overall aesthetic flows. If you're updating a historic Charleston home, they understand the architectural details and period-appropriate finishes that matter in older properties.

Beyond residential work, Fig Leaf and Co designs commercial spaces. This includes office interiors, restaurant and bar design, retail storefronts, and hospitality projects. Commercial design requires different thinking than residential—traffic flow, durability, brand identity, and code compliance all play a role—and the studio has experience managing those constraints.

Working with a designer versus doing it yourself

Hiring an interior designer costs money upfront, but it often saves money overall. Designers have relationships with vendors and manufacturers, which can mean better pricing on materials than retail. They also know which choices will hold up over time and which won't, so you avoid costly mistakes like picking a fabric that stains easily or paint that shows every fingerprint.

A designer also saves time. Sourcing materials, coordinating contractors, managing timelines, and troubleshooting problems during installation takes dozens of hours. If you're working full-time or managing a complex renovation, that time has real value. The designer handles it so you don't have to.

For smaller projects—repainting a bedroom, swapping out light fixtures—you might not need full-service design. But for kitchens, bathrooms, or whole-home renovations, a designer's expertise typically pays for itself.

Charleston's design culture and Fig Leaf and Co's place in it

Charleston has a strong design community rooted in the city's architectural history and coastal aesthetic. The city's older homes—many built in the 1700s and 1800s—set a design tone that influences contemporary work. Local designers often blend historic details with modern comfort, respecting the bones of old buildings while making them livable for today.

Fig Leaf and Co operates within this context. The studio understands Charleston's architectural vernacular, the materials and styles that feel at home here, and the balance between preservation and update that Charleston homeowners often want. Whether you're designing a new construction in a suburban development or restoring a downtown historic property, the studio brings that local knowledge to the work.

How to contact Fig Leaf and Co

To learn more about the studio's work, you can visit their website or social media pages, where they typically post photos of completed projects. Most design studios offer an initial consultation—sometimes free, sometimes at a small fee—to discuss your project and see if it's a good fit.

When you reach out, have a clear sense of what you want to accomplish: a single room refresh, a kitchen renovation, a full home redesign, or a commercial project. Know your approximate budget range if you have one. The more specific you can be about your needs, the better the designer can assess whether they're the right fit and what the project might cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire Fig Leaf and Co?

Interior design fees vary based on project scope, size, and complexity. Some studios charge hourly rates, others charge a flat project fee, and some charge a percentage of the total project cost. Contact the studio directly for pricing information specific to your project.

Do I have to use Fig Leaf and Co's recommended contractors and vendors?

Most design studios have preferred contractors and vendors they work with regularly, which streamlines communication and ensures quality. However, you can usually discuss alternatives if you have specific preferences or existing relationships. The designer's job is to coordinate the work, whether it's with their usual team or yours.

What if I don't like the design concept the studio presents?

Design is collaborative. If the first concept doesn't match your vision, you provide feedback and the studio revises. This back-and-forth is normal and expected. If after several rounds you're not connecting with the designer's approach, it may be worth discussing whether the project is a good fit.

Can Fig Leaf and Co work on a tight budget?

Designers can work within budget constraints, but the budget affects what's possible. A designer's skill is partly in making smart choices within your limits—prioritizing where to spend and where to save. Be upfront about your budget from the start so the designer can plan accordingly.

How long does a typical interior design project take?

Timeline depends on project size and complexity. A single room might take four to eight weeks from concept to completion. A kitchen or bathroom renovation typically takes two to four months. A whole-home renovation can take six months or longer. The studio will outline the expected timeline during your initial consultation.