What You’re Really Paying for When You Hire an Interior Designer

Hint: It’s not just throw pillows and paint colors.

If you’ve ever wondered what interior designers actually do, you’re not alone. On the surface, it may look like I swoop in, pick out some pretty things, and wrap it all up with a bow. But the reality? The value of what I do lives in the thousands of decisions, hours of coordination, and years of experience behind every “effortless” detail.Here’s a look behind the scenes—because designing a home that works (and wows) takes far more than good taste.

 Let’s Talk Rugs. Just One Rug.Selecting a single area rug is a multi-hour process involving:

Filtering through dozens of options based on pile height, durability, stain resistance, fiber content, texture, and scaleMaking sure it complements every other finish and fabric in the roomConfirming stock status, lead time, dimensions, and whether it can be returnedRequesting and tracking samplesEvaluating those samples in person for color accuracy and qualityEntering every shortlisted option into a detailed tracking spreadsheet with links, pricing, tax, shipping, material breakdowns, and availabilityCreating visual mockups and presentations so you can see the product in context and make an informed decision

And if you don’t like it at presentation? That process starts all over again—gladly, and without missing a beat.Multiply that by every piece of furniture, every material, every finish, and you start to understand: it’s not one decision—it’s hundreds, orchestrated seamlessly.Designing Is Just the Beginning. Executing Is Everything.Once selections are made, I enter another phase of the process:

Communicating with vendors to confirm specs and lead timesCoordinating with receivers for white glove delivery and storageFollowing up on damages, replacements, and delaysProviding exact product details to my rendering artistCreating scaled floor plans, elevations, and visual renderings so we can spot issues before they become problems

And yes, if the arm of your sofa is half an inch too high for the end table? I’ll notice. And I’ll adjust.I review every image, refine every detail, and reselect anything that doesn’t feel exactly right. Why? Because your home should function beautifully—not just photograph well.

Managing Construction Like a Producer Runs a Film SetWhen construction is involved, I become the project manager, creative director, and air traffic controller—rolled into one. That includes:

Hosting trade days with electricians, painters, plumbers, wallpaper installers, and flooring crewsProviding detailed scope-of-work packets, timelines, and deadlinesDesigning technical plans for tile layout, electrical placement, millwork specs, and lighting coordinationEnsuring the site stays on schedule and that everyone’s working toward the same visionMaking high-stakes decisions on site when unexpected issues arise—and they always do

While you’re enjoying the anticipation of your new home, I’m deep in the details, making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

 Grace Under Pressure Is the Secret SauceThrough all of this, I’m showing up to every design meeting with your favorite coffee in hand, managing multiple vendors across time zones, negotiating partnerships to secure elevated client gifts, and never once asking you to carry the stress of it.You don’t see the spreadsheets. Or the sample chaos. Or the dozens of back-and-forth emails to fix a fabric dye lot delay.What you see is ease.Because I believe that designing your home should be joyful, inspiring, and fun—not overwhelming. My job is to make the hard parts invisible so you can enjoy the process.

So What Are You Really Paying For?You’re paying for:

Expertise that prevents costly mistakesTime saved (hundreds of hours of it)Peace of mind through every phase of your projectThe emotional labor of keeping everything (and everyone) on trackA trusted partner who cares about your home as much as you do

You’re paying for an experience that feels effortless—because someone is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.And that someone is me.

If you’re ready for a home that reflects your taste, functions for your life, and feels like you, without the stress?Let’s create it—together.