The Value of an Interior Designer: The Mistakes I Help Our Clients Avoid
As an interior designer, I get to do what I love every day: create beautiful, functional, and deeply personal homes for my clients. My work, which I describe as “warm modern,” is all about layering—building a narrative through carefully chosen materials, textures, and light that reflects the people who live within the walls. We work on everything from new builds and comprehensive renovations to custom kitchens and baths, and all the details in between, from art to drapery.
While the end result—a stunning, cohesive, and timeless home—is what everyone sees, the true value of a professional designer lies in the journey. It's not just about selecting fabrics and paint colors; it's about navigating the countless decisions that go into a project, large or small, to ensure it doesn't just look good, but feels right. It’s about being a guide who helps you avoid the common, often costly, mistakes that can turn an exciting project into a stressful, budget-busting nightmare.
For my clients in Atlanta, across New England, and throughout the US, the process is a partnership. I’m here to tell you about some of the most common pitfalls we work together to sidestep.
The Perils of Piecemeal Purchases
One of the biggest mistakes I see is the "piecemeal" approach. A client might fall in love with a beautiful sofa or a unique light fixture and buy it on impulse, thinking they’ll build the room around it. This almost always leads to a disjointed space that lacks a cohesive vision. The pieces may be lovely on their own, but they don't speak to each other.
My process is different. We begin with a comprehensive design plan—a roadmap that considers the entire space, from the floor to the ceiling. We select all the key elements—furniture, lighting, finishes, and textiles—in a coordinated way. This prevents those last-minute, panicked decisions and ensures that every piece contributes to the overarching story of the room. It’s the difference between a collection of individual items and a thoughtfully composed environment.
Underestimating the Importance of Scale & Proportion
Scale and proportion are the unsung heroes of good design. A room filled with furniture that is either too large or too small will never feel right, no matter how beautiful the individual pieces are. An oversized sofa can swallow a small living room, making it feel cramped, while tiny furniture in a large space will look lost and unbalanced.
We spend a significant amount of time on space planning. I create detailed floor plans to ensure that every piece of furniture—from the custom dining table to the accent chairs—is the right size for the room. This extends to things like area rugs that are too small or a chandelier that hangs at the wrong height. Getting this right is foundational to creating a space that feels comfortable, effortless, and intentionally designed.
The Wrong Finishes & Materials
Choosing the wrong materials can be a costly mistake, both visually and functionally. A beautiful material in a magazine might not be practical for a high-traffic mudroom or a busy family kitchen. You might love a certain tile, but will it be durable enough for a wet floor? Or you might choose a sofa fabric that looks stunning but will stain easily with children and pets.
My specialization in custom high-end kitchens and baths means I have deep expertise in specifying materials that are not only beautiful but also durable and timeless. We work with natural materials like soapstone and wood because they age gracefully and tell a story. I help you select finishes that are resilient, easy to maintain, and perfectly suited to the way you live, saving you from a costly replacement down the line.
Getting Lighting Wrong
Lighting is the single most transformative element in a home, and it’s often an afterthought. A room with only a single overhead light can feel flat and one-dimensional. A well-designed space uses a layered approach to lighting, combining ambient, task, and accent lighting to create warmth, define zones, and highlight key features like a piece of art or a beautiful texture on a wall.
I create a detailed lighting plan for every project. We consider how you'll use each space, from cooking in the kitchen to relaxing in the living room. We’ll select fixtures that are both beautiful and functional, and we’ll place them strategically to create a warm, inviting glow that makes your home feel welcoming at any time of day.
Mistaking Trends for Timeless Design
It’s easy to get swept up in the latest trend you see on social media or in a magazine. While a certain look might be captivating today—be it a specific color palette, a geometric tile pattern, or a bold furniture style—it can often feel dated in just a few years. Chasing trends is a costly cycle that can leave you with a home that feels like a time capsule, rather than a timeless sanctuary.
My approach is to create a foundation that transcends trends. We select classic, high-quality materials and clean lines that will look beautiful for decades. This allows us to use more decorative, trend-driven elements in smaller, less permanent ways—perhaps with a custom throw pillow, a piece of art, or a wallpaper in a powder room. A designer helps you build a home that is effortlessly elegant and enduring, ensuring your investment in the space is a lasting one. It’s the difference between a fleeting moment and an eternal style.
The Difference Between Designing & Decorating
Ultimately, these mistakes boil down to a single distinction: the difference between decorating and designing. Decorating is about filling a space with pretty things. Designing is about crafting an environment that is a true reflection of you—a space that is thoughtful, functional, and deeply personal. It's about creating a home, not just a house.
As a designer, my goal is to guide you through this complex process, so you can avoid these pitfalls and end up with a home that is as beautiful as it is livable. It’s an investment in a space that will bring you joy and comfort for years to come—a true return on your investment in a life well-designed.
Ready to embark on building a warm, modern home with the expert support of an experienced interior designer specializing in custom luxury? We invite you to reach out and share details about your upcoming project in Atlanta, NH, Maine, or anywhere across the US. Let's create something extraordinary together.
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