How to Hire the Right Interior Designer
THE MASH GUIDE TO HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
The “MASH 4 Ps” Every Homeowner Should Consider Before Hiring an Interior Designer
Part 1 of 4 • Personality
Beautiful homes aren't created by having perfect taste.
They're created by making hundreds of thoughtful decisions that all work together.
-MASH
"I know what I like when I see it."
If I had to choose one sentence that sums up the beginning of so many Discovery Calls, it would be that one.
Maybe you've said it yourself.
"We're finally ready to remodel, but we don't know where to start."
"We're planning a new build, and now the builder is asking us to make selections before we're ready."
"We've saved hundreds of photos, but I can't figure out why they don't seem to go together."
"I don't want to make an expensive mistake."
If any of those sound familiar, let me reassure you...
You're exactly where many of our clients begin.
Here's the First Thing I Want You to Know
I don't believe people hire an interior designer because they don't have good taste.
In fact, I think the opposite is usually true.
Most homeowners have wonderful instincts…You know when a room feels warm. You know when a kitchen feels inviting. You know when a home feels collected instead of chaotic. You absolutely know what you like when you see it.
The challenge isn't recognizing beautiful design.
The challenge is knowing how to recreate that feeling in your own home.
Why Pinterest Isn't the Problem
Pinterest is full of beautiful kitchens.
Instagram is full of beautiful living rooms.
Magazines are full of beautiful homes.
But here's what they don't show you.
They don't show you the hundreds of decisions that had to work together to create that one photograph.
Your flooring affects your cabinetry.
Your cabinetry influences your countertops.
Your countertops influence your backsplash.
Your lighting changes how every finish looks.
Your furnishings determine how your family actually lives in the space.
Every decision influences the next.
That's why designing your own home can feel overwhelming.
It's not because you don't have style.
It's because you're trying to see the entire picture while only looking at one puzzle piece at a time.
So...How Do You Choose the Right Interior Designer?
Most people start by looking at portfolios.
And yes, beautiful work matters.
But if I were hiring a designer for my own home, I'd look for something else first.
I'd look for someone who
Listens more than they talk.
Asks thoughtful questions before offering solutions.
Explains why they're recommending something instead of simply telling you what to buy.
Respects your investment as much as your vision.
Works alongside your builder, contractor, and architect as part of one team.
Feels like someone you'll genuinely enjoy spending months with.
Because this isn't a one-hour consultation.
It's a relationship that may last months.
The right designer won't just help you create a beautiful home.
They'll make the journey feel less overwhelming.
The Biggest Compliment I Ever Receive
Yes, people compliment the finished spaces we've designed. (Award winning studio here.)
And I'm incredibly grateful for that.
But the compliments that stay with me are different.
They sound like this...
"You made this process so much easier than I expected."
"I finally felt confident making decisions."
"You helped us see possibilities we never would have thought of ourselves."
"It felt like you were part of our team."
To me, those words mean just as much as compliments about the finished home.
Because beautiful rooms are important.
But helping families enjoy the journey of creating them...
That's why we do what we do.
What You're Really Hiring
Yes, you're hiring someone to help with paint colors, cabinetry, furniture, lighting, wallpaper, and finishes. It’s important to develop a relationship with your designer, so they must be someone you trust, feel comfortable with, know everything pertaining to your project will be seen to.
But you're also hiring someone to...
trust. Your designer will be around for a while. Trust is paramount to that relationship.
organize hundreds of decisions into a clear plan.
narrow thousands of options into the right few.
offer ideas you may never have considered.
help you invest wisely.
keep your entire home feeling cohesive.
save you time.
advocate for your vision.
bring clarity when everything starts to feel overwhelming.
protect your budget from expensive mistakes.
That's the real value of great interior design.
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...
Don't necessarily hire the designer whose portfolio you love the most. Hire the one you trust to guide you through hundreds of decisions with honesty, expertise, and genuine care. Beautiful homes are created one thoughtful decision at a time—and the right designer helps every one of those decisions feel a little easier.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Whether you're planning a remodel, building a new home, or simply wondering where to begin, we'd love to help.
Our complimentary Discovery Call is an opportunity to talk through your goals, answer your questions, and help you determine the best next step for your home. No pressure. Just honest guidance from a team that's excited to help you create a home you'll love for years to come.
Continue the MASH Guide to Hiring an Interior Designer
This is Part 1: Personality because the relationship you have with your designer will shape every decision that follows.
Next, we'll talk about something equally important...
Coming Next:
Part 2: Process
What Actually Happens After You Hire an Interior Designer (And Why Great Design Doesn't Happen by Accident)
You'll learn:
What a professional design process really looks like.
Why skipping steps usually costs more.
How designers keep hundreds of decisions organized.
What you should expect from your designer from start to finish.
➡️ Part 2 will be published soon.
