Architecture d’intérieur à Lausanne
What services does House of Moods provide?
House of Moods is an interior architecture and renovation studio based in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. We support homeowners through the design, planning and implementation of residential interiors, from an initial consultation to the completion of a larger renovation. Our services may include space planning, interior concept development, furniture layouts, lighting design, material and finish selection, bespoke furniture and architectural joinery design, kitchen and bathroom guidance, furniture sourcing, procurement support and renovation coordination. For renovation projects, we can also help define the scope of work, collect and review quotations from specialist companies, develop a preliminary project budget and coordinate the different trades involved. Depending on the project, these may include painters, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, installers and other specialised professionals. Some clients need support throughout the entire process. Others approach us for a specific stage, such as reviewing a new-build electrical plan, redesigning one room, developing a bespoke wall unit or helping them make a series of important material selections. Our involvement is therefore adapted to the objectives, complexity and scale of each project. Selected services, including painting, carpentry and furniture manufacturing, may also be provided through our extended team, depending on project requirements and availability. Our role is not limited to making a property look more attractive. We consider how the home functions, how the rooms connect, how lighting and storage can be improved, and how individual decisions contribute to a coherent whole. The objective is to make the design and renovation process clearer while creating a home that feels personal, comfortable and appropriate for the way its owners live.
Do I need an interior architect or an interior designer?
The right professional depends on what you want to change and how technically involved the project will be. An interior designer may be sufficient when the main objective is to improve the appearance of an already functional room through furniture, colours, textiles, lighting and decorative elements. An interior architect generally becomes more relevant when the project involves rethinking the way a space functions. This may include changing layouts, improving circulation, designing built-in storage, planning lighting and electrical points, coordinating kitchens or bathrooms, developing bespoke furniture, or preparing several specialist companies to work within one overall design. The distinction is not always absolute, and professional titles and services may overlap. The most useful question is therefore not simply which title a professional uses, but whether their experience and scope of service match the needs of your project. At House of Moods, we work beyond decoration. We consider the relationship between space, function, lighting, materials, furniture and everyday life. We can also support the budgeting, sourcing and implementation stages when these form part of the agreed scope. For example, if your living room already works well and you mainly require help choosing furniture and creating a more coherent atmosphere, a focused interior design service may be appropriate. If the same room requires a new lighting strategy, bespoke wall unit, electrical modifications, surface renovation and coordination between several trades, a broader interior architecture and renovation service is likely to be more suitable. A first consultation helps identify the actual level of intervention required. In some cases, the project is simpler than the homeowner initially expects. In others, decisions that appear decorative may have technical or spatial consequences that benefit from being reviewed as part of a wider plan.
At what stage should I contact House of Moods?
Ideally, contact us before making major decisions or committing to contractors, products and permanent finishes. Early involvement provides more opportunity to review the project as a whole. It allows the layout, lighting, technical requirements, materials, furniture and budget priorities to be considered together rather than addressed as a series of disconnected decisions. For renovations, a useful time to contact us is when you know that you want to improve the property but have not yet finalised the scope of work or requested definitive contractor quotations. We can first help clarify what should change, what may remain, and which interventions are most important. Once this direction is defined, the relevant specialists can prepare quotations based on a clearer and more comparable scope. For a new-build property, it is advisable to contact us before the developer’s main selection deadlines. Decisions concerning electrical points, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and finishes often arrive earlier than homeowners expect. Reviewing these elements before they are fixed can reduce later modifications and help the completed property feel more coherent. It is also helpful to involve us before ordering major furniture. A sofa, dining table or bed may appear to be an independent purchase, but its proportions and positioning can affect circulation, lighting, electrical planning and the balance of the entire room. That said, projects do not always begin under ideal conditions. We are also approached after construction has started, after quotations have been received or when several selections have already been made. In those cases, we assess what has already been decided, identify the remaining opportunities and explain where our involvement can still add value. The earlier we are involved, the greater the flexibility. However, the most important point is to seek professional guidance before uncertainty leads to expensive or difficult-to-reverse decisions.
Can you help with both renovations and new-build projects?
Yes. House of Moods works with both existing properties and newly constructed homes, although the design process and priorities are different for each. In a renovation, we begin by understanding the existing property. We review what works, what should be improved and which elements are worth retaining. Depending on the scope, this may involve new layouts, surface finishes, lighting, electrical modifications, bespoke storage, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture and coordination between specialist companies. Renovations often require a careful balance between design ambition and existing conditions. Dimensions may be irregular, previous work may need to be adapted, and technical limitations may only become clear as the project develops. Our role is to bring these considerations into one coherent plan and help the client make informed decisions before and during implementation. In a new-build project, the main challenge is usually the number and timing of decisions. Buyers may be asked to approve electrical layouts, kitchen configurations, bathroom finishes, flooring, doors and other materials within a relatively short period. These selections are frequently presented separately, even though they will eventually form one home. We help clients review those choices as part of an overall interior direction. This can include checking whether electrical points correspond to the intended furniture layout, whether the lighting supports how the rooms will be used, and whether the selected materials create a consistent atmosphere throughout the property. We can also assist with furniture planning, bespoke elements and the transition from the developer’s standard specification to a more personal finished home. In both renovations and new builds, our objective is the same: to ensure that individual decisions work together, support everyday life and contribute to a home that feels intentional rather than assembled one choice at a time.
At what stage should I contact House of Moods?
Ideally, contact us before making major decisions or committing to contractors, products and permanent finishes. Early involvement provides more opportunity to review the project as a whole. It allows the layout, lighting, technical requirements, materials, furniture and budget priorities to be considered together rather than addressed as a series of disconnected decisions. For renovations, a useful time to contact us is when you know that you want to improve the property but have not yet finalised the scope of work or requested definitive contractor quotations. We can first help clarify what should change, what may remain, and which interventions are most important. Once this direction is defined, the relevant specialists can prepare quotations based on a clearer and more comparable scope. For a new-build property, it is advisable to contact us before the developer’s main selection deadlines. Decisions concerning electrical points, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and finishes often arrive earlier than homeowners expect. Reviewing these elements before they are fixed can reduce later modifications and help the completed property feel more coherent. It is also helpful to involve us before ordering major furniture. A sofa, dining table or bed may appear to be an independent purchase, but its proportions and positioning can affect circulation, lighting, electrical planning and the balance of the entire room. That said, projects do not always begin under ideal conditions. We are also approached after construction has started, after quotations have been received or when several selections have already been made. In those cases, we assess what has already been decided, identify the remaining opportunities and explain where our involvement can still add value. The earlier we are involved, the greater the flexibility. However, the most important point is to seek professional guidance before uncertainty leads to expensive or difficult-to-reverse decisions.
Do you work on apartments as well as houses?
Yes. We work on apartments, houses and other residential properties, including primary residences, secondary homes and pieds-à-terre. Apartments and houses present different design questions, but neither is inherently more or less suitable for interior architecture. Apartment projects often require particularly thoughtful use of space. Storage may be limited, rooms may need to serve several purposes, and the position of windows, structural walls and existing technical installations may restrict the available options. Well-designed joinery, lighting and furniture layouts can make a significant difference without necessarily changing the entire structure of the property. Apartment renovations may also involve building-specific considerations, such as access, working hours, shared areas, co-ownership rules and restrictions on changes that affect the building. These practical factors need to be understood and integrated into the planning process. Houses may offer more space but often involve a greater number of connected decisions. The design may extend across several floors and include entrances, staircases, living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage areas and outdoor connections. Creating continuity between these spaces becomes an important part of the project. The appropriate service depends less on whether the property is an apartment or a house and more on the actual objectives. A compact apartment can require highly detailed planning, while a large house may need only a carefully defined intervention in a few key rooms. Our approach begins with how the property is used and what the client wants to improve. We then determine the design and level of support required for that particular home.
Do you take on small projects?
Yes, provided that the project is a suitable match for our services and current availability. Not every client requires a complete renovation. We may be approached to redesign a single room, improve an entrance, develop a bespoke wall unit, resolve storage problems, review a lighting plan or help with a defined series of material and furniture decisions. Small projects can have a substantial effect on daily life. A carefully planned bedroom, functional home office or well-integrated storage solution may improve the way an entire home is used, even when the intervention is limited to one area. The important distinction is between a small project and a simple request. A single room may still involve detailed measurements, layouts, lighting, bespoke furniture, technical coordination and several specialist companies. The scope is therefore assessed according to the work involved rather than the number of square metres alone. For clients who do not need a full interior architecture service, a focused consultation or defined advisory package may be more appropriate. This can provide professional direction while allowing the client to manage some aspects of implementation independently. We discuss the expected deliverables at the beginning of the project. These might include a consultation, proposed layout, design direction, sourcing assistance, bespoke design or coordination of specific work. Establishing clear boundaries is particularly important for smaller assignments so that both the client and the studio understand what is included. Where our schedule or service model is not suitable for the request, we prefer to explain this honestly rather than accept a project that cannot receive the appropriate level of attention.
Do you work throughout Switzerland?
House of Moods is based in the Canton of Vaud, and our primary working area is Vaud and the surrounding regions, including Geneva. This geographical focus allows us to remain closely involved in projects, attend site meetings when required and maintain established working relationships with specialist companies in the region. Projects outside our usual area may still be considered depending on their scope, location and the level of site involvement required. A design-focused assignment that can be managed through a combination of online meetings and planned visits may be possible at a greater distance. A renovation requiring frequent on-site coordination would need to be assessed differently. When reviewing a project outside Vaud or Geneva, we consider practical factors such as travel, access, local trade coordination, the number of expected site visits and whether the project can be supported to the same standard as our regional work. Any travel time or related expenses would be clarified before the engagement begins. We do not claim to provide the same level of local coverage in every part of Switzerland. Our priority is to ensure that the proposed service is realistic for the property’s location and the project’s requirements. Clients with properties outside our principal service area are welcome to contact us with a short description of the project, its location, approximate timeline and the type of support required. We can then determine whether the assignment is suitable for remote design support, scheduled on-site involvement or a more comprehensive service.
Can you work with clients who live abroad?
Yes. We can work with clients who own a property in Switzerland but live abroad or spend only part of the year here. Remote ownership often makes renovation decisions more difficult. Clients may not be available for every contractor visit, delivery or material review, and information can quickly become fragmented between different companies. A structured process and clearly defined responsibilities are therefore especially important. Our work can include online design meetings, digital presentations, written approval procedures, coordination with specialist companies, planned site visits and regular project updates. Where appropriate, we can represent the agreed design direction during discussions with the professionals carrying out the work. Before implementation begins, we aim to resolve as many decisions as possible. Materials, layouts, products, technical requirements and responsibilities should be approved in writing so that the project does not depend on continuous last-minute responses from the client. Clients living abroad remain involved in the important decisions. Our role is not to make unauthorised choices on their behalf, but to organise the information clearly, present the available options and help the approved project move forward while they are away. The exact level of support depends on the scope. Some clients require only remote design guidance for a Swiss property. Others ask us to coordinate a more extensive renovation during their absence. Access arrangements, approval timelines, site communication and financial procedures are agreed before work starts. A successful remote project depends on trust, transparency and disciplined communication. When these are established from the beginning, distance does not need to prevent the creation of a highly personal and carefully managed home.