How to Choose the Right Interior Designer: Part 2
THE MASH GUIDE TO HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
THE MASH 4 Ps Every Homeowner Should Consider Before Hiring an Interior Designer
Part 2 of 4 • Projects
Beautiful Photos Aren't the Whole Story.
Beautiful homes don't happen by accident.
They happen through thoughtful decisions, collaboration, and problem-solving.
-MASH
A portfolio shows you the outcome.
The right questions reveal the designer behind it.
When you're interviewing interior designers, it's natural to start by looking through their portfolio.
And you should.
But don't stop there.
A beautiful project tells you what they created.
A great portfolio should also help you understand
how they think
who they design for
whether they're the right fit for your home
Here are the questions I encourage every homeowner to ask.
1. Do Their Projects Reflect Different Clients—or One Signature Style?
Some designers become known for a signature aesthetic.
Others intentionally design each home around the people who live there.
That means every project may look different because every family is different.
One client may want to preserve treasured antiques.
Another may have heirloom artwork that needs to be showcased.
Someone else may have a recently purchased sofa they love, existing countertops that aren't being replaced, or sentimental pieces they simply can't imagine living without.
A great designer knows how to blend those elements into a cohesive home that feels intentional—not like a collection of compromises.
When you're looking through a portfolio, ask yourself:
• Do all of the homes look nearly identical?
• Or does each project reflect the family who lives there?
• Did the designer create everything from scratch...
• ...or did they successfully incorporate existing furnishings, heirlooms, architectural constraints, and meaningful pieces?
Beautiful photographs only tell you what was created.
Ask questions that help you understand how it was created.
Because designing an entirely new home from an empty canvas requires a different skill set than thoughtfully transforming a home around the life that's already there.
Your home shouldn't become someone else's portfolio.
It should become a reflection of you.
2. Can You See Homes Similar to Yours?
Experience matters.
If you're remodeling a 1970s ranch, ask to see remodeling projects.
Building a custom home?
Ask about new construction.
Working with an older home?
Look for projects with similar architectural challenges.
A designer doesn't have to have completed your exact project—but they should demonstrate experience solving similar problems.
Pay attention to the scope of the projects as well.
If you're planning a whole-home remodel, you'll want to see examples of projects with that level of coordination and complexity.
If you're building a custom home, ask how they've worked alongside builders, architects, and contractors from the beginning.
The goal isn't to find someone who's done your exact house before.
—It's to find someone who has successfully guided homeowners through a project like yours.
A designer doesn't have to have completed your exact project—but they should demonstrate experience solving similar problems.
Pay attention to the scope of the projects as well.
If you're planning a whole-home remodel, you'll want to see examples of projects with that level of coordination and complexity.
If you're building a custom home, ask how they've worked alongside builders, architects, and contractors from the beginning.
The goal isn't to find someone who's done your exact house before.
It's to find someone who has successfully guided homeowners through a project like yours.
3. Do They Explain the Story Behind the Design?
Pretty pictures are easy.
The thinking behind them is where experience shows.
Ask questions like:
Why was this layout changed?
What problem was being solved?
What was important to the homeowner?
How did the finished design improve the way they lived?
Great design always begins with solving a problem—not simply choosing beautiful finishes.
4. Can They Show Before-and-After Transformations?
Finished photography is inspiring.
Before-and-after projects are educational.
They reveal:
Space planning
Creative problem-solving
Budget priorities
Function improvements
Long-term vision
Transformation tells you far more than perfection ever could.
5. Do They Balance Beauty with Function?
A stunning kitchen isn't successful if it doesn't cook well.
A gorgeous living room isn't helpful if your family never wants to sit there.
As you browse a designer's work, ask yourself:
Does this home feel livable?
Does it feel comfortable?
Could I actually imagine living here?
Beautiful homes should support real life.
6. Do Their Projects Feel Timeless?
Trends come and go.
Great design lasts.
Look for projects that still feel beautiful years later rather than those chasing the latest social media trend.
A well-designed home should reflect you, not a particular moment in time.
You're Hiring More Than Pretty Pictures.
A portfolio should give you confidence.
Not because every project looks beautiful.
But because every project reflects thoughtful decisions, intentional design, and solutions that support the people who call it home.
That's the difference between selecting finishes and creating a home that truly fits your life.
Rooftop Moment
If we could stand on a rooftop and tell every homeowner just one thing before they hired an interior designer, it would be this...
The best interior designers don't create homes that all look alike or are a copy/paste fro something seen before.
They create homes that feel unmistakably like the people who live in them.
That's the portfolio worth hiring.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Whether you're planning a remodel, building a custom home, or simply gathering ideas, we'd love to help.
Our complimentary Discovery Call is an opportunity to learn about your goals, answer your questions, and determine whether we're the right fit for your project.
Continue the MASH Guide to Hiring an Interior Designer
Coming Next:
Part 4: Pricing
Understanding Interior Designer Pricing: What You're Really Paying For
You'll learn:
Common pricing structures
Hourly vs. flat-fee vs. percentage pricing
What questions to ask before signing a contract
How transparency builds trust
Why the lowest price isn't always the best value
➡️ Part 4 will be published soon.
