Privacy Policy
Ciao Design Studio Last updated: July 2026
Ciao Design Studio (“Ciao Design Studio”, “we”, “us” or “our”) provides architecture, interior design, design support, project coordination and related services. CDS Window Furnishings operates as our specialist window-furnishings division. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use, disclose and protect personal information obtained through our website, enquiries, consultations, project communications and business activities. We aim to manage personal information responsibly and, where applicable, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles and other applicable privacy requirements.
Who we are
Ciao Design Studio
6/223 Upper Heidelberg Road Ivanhoe VIC 3079 Australia
Phone: 0452 656 228
Email: team@ciaodesign.com.au
Website: www.ciaodesign.com.au
Questions, access requests, correction requests and privacy complaints may be directed to the email address above.
Scope Of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through:
• The Ciao Design Studio website
• Website enquiry and appointment forms
• Email, telephone and in-person communications
• Consultations and site appointments
• Design and project engagements
• Social-media communication
• Marketing and business-development activities
• Our specialist division, CDS Window Furnishings, where relevant to an enquiry or project
This policy does not govern the privacy practices of independently operated third-party websites, consultants, contractors or service providers.
Personal information we may collect
The kinds of personal information we collect depend on the nature of your enquiry, relationship or project. Information may include:
• Your name
• Residential or business address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Preferred method of communication
• Property, site or project address
• Details about your property, business or proposed project
• Project objectives, scope, budget and anticipated timing
• Appointment and consultation information
• Plans, drawings, specifications and measurements
• Photographs, videos and other information about a property or site
• Design preferences and product selections
• Information about occupants, accessibility requirements or the intended use of a space
• Information about your architect, designer, builder, consultant, property manager or authorised representative
• Quotations, invoices and payment records
• Correspondence and records of communications with our team
• Feedback, complaints and service-related information
• Marketing preferences • Website usage, device, browser and technical information
• Internet Protocol address, referring page, access time and general website-interaction information
• Other information you voluntarily provide
Where a payment facility is made available through a third-party provider, payment information may be processed by that provider in accordance with its own terms and privacy policy. We do not ordinarily need to retain complete payment-card details.
Sensitive Information
We do not ordinarily request sensitive information. Please do not provide sensitive personal information unless it is reasonably necessary for your enquiry or project. Where sensitive information is required, we will seek to collect and use it only with your consent or where otherwise permitted by law.
How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect information directly from you when you:
• Submit a website form
• Contact us by telephone, email or social media
• Arrange or attend a consultation
• Attend our studio
• Request a quotation, proposal or design service
• Engage us for a project
• Provide plans, drawings, photographs or specifications
• Complete a questionnaire or provide feedback
• Subscribe to communications
• Interact with our website
We may also receive relevant information from:
• Your authorised representative
• Architects and interior designers
• Builders, tradespeople and project managers
• Engineers, surveyors and other consultants
• Property owners, occupants or managers
• Suppliers and manufacturers
• Publicly available sources
• Technology, analytics and security providers
Where practical, we will collect personal information directly from you.
Anonymous and Pseudonymous Interaction
You may generally browse our website without identifying yourself. However, we need accurate contact and project information to respond to an enquiry, arrange a consultation, prepare a proposal or provide project services. If required information is not provided, we may be unable to respond fully or provide the requested service.
Why We Collect and Use Personal Information
We may collect, hold and use personal information to:
• Respond to questions and enquiries
• Arrange consultations, meetings and site appointments
• Understand your project, property and design requirements
• Assess whether our services are suitable for your project
• Prepare proposals, quotations, scopes and design recommendations
• Provide architecture, interior design and project-coordination services
• Develop concepts, layouts, selections, schedules and project documentation
• Coordinate consultants, suppliers, builders, contractors and tradespeople
• Support procurement, installation and project delivery
• Manage window-furnishing enquiries through CDS Window Furnishings
• Communicate project progress, decisions, approvals and outstanding actions
• Maintain business, project and client records
• Issue invoices and administer payments
• Respond to feedback, concerns and complaints
• Manage warranties, defects and post-completion matters
• Improve our services, systems, website and client experience
• Maintain website and information security
• Prevent fraud, misuse and unauthorised access
• Meet accounting, taxation, insurance, professional and legal obligations
• Establish, exercise or defend legal rights
• Send service updates and permitted marketing communications
We will not sell your personal information as a commercial contact list.
Project Information and Authorised Representatives
Design and project work often involves multiple participants. Where reasonably necessary, we may exchange relevant project information with people involved in your project, including:
• Your nominated representatives
• Architects
• Interior designers
• Builders
• Project managers
• Engineers and consultants
• Surveyors
• Certifiers
• Suppliers and manufacturers
• Tradespeople and installers
• Property managers
• Body corporate or owners corporation representatives
• Other participants authorised by you or reasonably involved in project delivery
Project information may include contact details, site information, plans, photographs, dimensions, specifications, selections, schedules and installation requirements. We seek to disclose only the information reasonably required for the relevant purpose.
Disclosure To Service Providers
We may disclose personal information to trusted providers that support our business, including:
• Website hosting and website-management providers
• Cloud-storage and document-management providers
• Email and communications providers
• Customer relationship and enquiry-management systems
• Appointment and scheduling platforms
• Accounting and payment providers
• Information-technology and cybersecurity providers
• Analytics and website-performance providers
• Marketing providers where authorised
• Professional advisers, including accountants, insurers and legal advisers
• Government bodies, regulators or law-enforcement agencies where required or authorised by law
These providers may process information on our behalf and may have their own privacy obligations and policies.
Ciao Design Studio and CDS Window Furnishings
Where an enquiry or project involves window furnishings, outdoor shading, motorisation or related products, relevant information may be used by CDS Window Furnishings. Because CDS Window Furnishings is the specialist window-furnishings division of Ciao Design Studio, information may be shared internally where reasonably necessary to assess, quote, coordinate or deliver the relevant work.
Website Hosting and Overseas Processing
Our website is hosted using Wix. Information submitted through the website may be stored through Wix’s data-storage systems, databases and applications. Wix and other technology or cloud-service providers may use affiliates, infrastructure, personnel or service providers located outside Australia, including in Israel and other countries in which they operate. Other providers used for email, cloud storage, analytics, accounting or communications may also process information outside Australia. The countries involved may change as providers change their infrastructure or service arrangements. Where reasonably practicable, we use reputable providers and take reasonable steps to protect information disclosed to them. You may contact us for current information about the main service providers used in connection with your information.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies. Cookies are small data files stored on a visitor’s browser or device.
They may be used to:
• Enable essential website functions
• Maintain website security
• Remember visitor preferences
• Operate website forms or appointment features
• Understand website traffic and interaction
• Measure website performance
• Identify technical issues
• Support analytics or marketing functions where enabled
Cookies may be classified as:
• Essential cookies
• Functional cookies
• Analytics cookies
• Marketing cookies
You may be given the option to accept or decline non-essential cookies through the website’s cookie-consent settings. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings. Restricting cookies may affect some website functions.
Direct Marketing
We may send relevant information about our services where:
• You have consented
• You have requested information
• We have an existing relationship and the communication is reasonably expected
• The communication is otherwise permitted by law
Marketing communications will identify Ciao Design Studio and provide a way to unsubscribe.
You may withdraw your consent or unsubscribe at any time by:
• Using the unsubscribe link provided
• Replying with an unsubscribe request
• Contacting team@ciaodesign.com.au
We will process unsubscribe requests within the period required by applicable law.
Unsubscribing from marketing does not prevent us from sending necessary project, account, appointment, invoice or service communications.
Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical and physical steps to protect personal information from:
• Misuse
• Interference
• Loss
• Unauthorised access
• Unauthorised modification
• Unauthorised disclosure Measures may include controlled access, account security, password protection, reputable technology providers, backups and appropriate internal procedures.
No internet transmission, website or storage system is completely secure. You should avoid sending highly confidential information through an unsecured channel and contact us if a more appropriate method is needed.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for:
• Enquiry and client management
• Project delivery
• Design and project records
• Warranty and post-completion matters
• Professional, insurance and risk-management purposes
• Accounting and taxation
• Dispute resolution
• Legal and regulatory requirements
Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information and project. When information is no longer reasonably required, we may securely delete, destroy or de-identify it where practical and lawful.
Data Breaches
If we become aware of unauthorised access, loss or disclosure of information, we will assess the circumstances and take reasonable steps to contain and address the issue. Where required by applicable law, we will notify affected individuals and the relevant regulator.
Access and Correction
You may request access to personal information we hold about you. You may also request that information be corrected if it is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date, irrelevant or misleading.
Requests should be sent to:
We may ask you to verify your identity before providing access or making a correction. We will respond within a reasonable period. In limited circumstances, access may be refused where permitted by law. If that occurs, we will explain the reason where legally appropriate.
Deletion and Withdrawal of Consent
You may ask us to delete information or withdraw consent to a particular use.
We will consider the request in light of:
• Legal and regulatory record keeping requirements
• Existing contracts and project obligations
• Accounting and insurance obligations
• Legitimate business and dispute-management needs
• Technical limitations
• Any applicable legal rights or exceptions
Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing that occurred lawfully before the consent was withdrawn.
Privacy Complaints
Please contact us if you believe your information has been mishandled or this policy has not been followed.
Contact:
Please provide enough information for us to understand and investigate the matter.
We will:
• Acknowledge the concern within a reasonable period
• Review the relevant circumstances
• Request further information where required
• Explain the outcome and any action taken
Where the Privacy Act applies and you are not satisfied with our response, you may be entitled to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Third-Party Websites and Social Media
Our website may link to:
• Social-media platforms
• Suppliers
• Consultants
• Contractors
• Related businesses
• Other third-party websites or services
We do not control those websites or their information-handling practices.
This Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected independently by third parties. You should review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
Children
Our services are not directed specifically to children. Where information about a child or young person is relevant to the design or use of a space, it should ordinarily be provided by a parent, guardian or authorised adult.
Changes To This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our services, technology, providers, information practices or legal obligations change. The current version will be published on this website with the date of the latest update.
Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy or our handling of personal information may be directed to:
Ciao Design Studio
6/223 Upper Heidelberg Road Ivanhoe VIC 3079 Australia
Phone: 0452 656 228
Email: team@ciaodesign.com.au