Interior Design from Afar
My first remote design project, a Kiawah Island, South Carolina, condo.
Summary
Designing from afar has become a passion point for me, but that wasn’t always the case. From my "baptism by fire" on Kiawah Island back in 2015 to navigating "Texas-sized" renovations and the unique climate of project sites like Key West, I have learned over the years that distance and challenges are no match for a clear shared vision and strong team.
Whether I am sourcing local Heart Pine in the Florida Keys or navigating a new build in the rugged beauty of Kennebunk, remote design has proven that great results are always rooted in the same thing: communication, organization, and the ability to stay flexible and pivot. This month, my Interior Design from Afar blog takes you on a trip with me into the details.
A chaise lounge and chair sit comfortably in this Kiawah Island condo’s glass-encased nook.
Interior Design from a Distance: Baptism by Fire, Circa 2015
I fell into designing remotely. My in-laws had purchased a beautiful beachside condo on Kiawah Island in South Carolina and, to my surprise, asked me to help design the space. I say this with love and honesty: when your in-laws say jump, you usually leap, even if it’s into the deep end.
I had already worked on local projects for several years, but this was my first long distance opportunity. Honestly, at that point they had more faith in me than I did when it came to handling logistics from afar.
This spacious, open plan 4-bedroom, 3-bath condo had huge windows overlooking the ocean. A true paradise. The challenge, in addition to designing for my in-laws from afar, was adhering to a very strict color palette, specific taste, and a rule that we wouldn’t use anything blue. I’m always up for a challenge.
The finished product was beautiful and was something the whole Norwegian and American family enjoyed for years. It was also a breath of fresh air for my “designing remotely” confidence.
After having that first experience, I also realized that interior design, whether here or elsewhere, is really about communication and organization, two areas that I love. As long as you have the right team, you can do things from anywhere. Covid in particular further proved this point. Facetime and Zoom were priceless, and convinced me that there are almost no limits to designing from afar.
A Casa Millie new build project, currently in progress in Kennebunk, Maine.
What it’s Like to Oversee Interior Design from a Distance
So far, I've done projects as far south as the Florida Keys and as far north as Maine. They range from furnishing projects to brand new builds.
The locations can be quite dramatic. Our Key West project was a condo surrounded on three sides by the ocean. The first thing I have noticed with remote projects is how different it can feel to design when you’re outside of your typical environment. From the climate and scenery to the specific design trends, history, and materials used, no two areas are alike. Every location has a different look, feel and aesthetic. I wouldn’t put the look and feel of a Tribeca apartment, for example, into a coastal Maine project.
A rendering of a refreshed Key West kitchen (Note: We completed construction and furniture selections, but the owners unexpectedly had to change plans and move before install.)
I also try to look for opportunities to source locally to reduce our environmental footprint and support the local economy. I built strong relationships with vendors in the Florida Keys for products such as stone and tile and they were wonderful at sharing the best types of materials for the Florida climate.
Designing from afar can also test relationships if you’re not organized and communicative with all working parties, especially your contractor and client. There can be a lot of unknowns that pop up, and you need to be ready to pivot efficiently with your design partners.
When we do drop in to see the site, the visit can also feel very compressed (but productive!), which can make it even more memorable when you see the progress. We’re seeing incredible transformations in person at these specific moments, which can be even more dramatic than a local site.
A rendering of our Key West project primary bedroom with ocean views. (Note: We completed construction and furniture selections, but the owners unexpectedly had to change plans and move before install.)
Interior Design from a Distance: Key West, San Antonio, and Kennebunk Examples
Key West, Florida
This Key West condo was originally quite dated, dark and heavy. Our mission was to lighten and brighten the space, as well as make it more welcoming.
(Above and below) A few views of our Key West project, pre-renovation.
It also involved a full reconfiguration to make the space more functional for everyone, meaning comfortable for communing but also equipped with private spaces with small consoles and comfortable chairs for working.
Overall, our clients wanted the interior spaces to reflect the tranquility of Key West and I believe we hit the mark. The overall color palette harmonized with the incredible exterior views.
San Antonio, Texas
My parents made the choice to age in place in the beloved home that they’ve lived in since 1985. It had its challenges, with some split levels and original construction that wasn’t as comfortable, especially for anyone with mobility issues.
When we took on this remote project, our first challenge was to carve out a main level primary bedroom that was adequate enough for Texas-sized expectations (where we love everything bigger!)
The home’s elegant new powder room, repurposed from a small closet and hallway space, gives the owners more privacy for their primary bath on the other side of the wall.
We also had a full bath and hallway on the main floor that needed to be converted to a full and half bath. It was quite a puzzle but we made it work!
The renovated kitchen, shortly before the project wrapped up (#pleaseexcusethecrappyiphonepic). All elements were chosen to support comfortably aging in place.
The kitchen, a critical space for my father who loves to cook, was also begging for a lighter, brighter refresh. We reconfigured this to create a more open space, with a breakfast bar at the end. We also shifted the breakfast table to the former gym/office space off of the kitchen. The former dining room off of the other side of the kitchen was also converted to a sunny living room for lounging and this is where you often find my parents when they’re not eating out or meeting up with friends and family.
Ultimately, the space was transformed to accommodate the current and long-term needs of my parents, including a significant footprint across one stair-free level.
Today, my father still loves showing off the remodel, and it makes me smile. While designing from afar AND for your parents provides its own unique set of challenges and learnings, we ticked every box and made all of their requests a reality.
We also feel like the house has been returned to its full glory, ready to entertain the extended family for any and all holidays and visits!
Behind-the-scenes view of our Kennebunkport, Maine new build project, with a scan of the main floor currently in progress..
Kennebunkport, Maine
Finally, we’re rounding the bend at our current Kennebunk, Maine, project site. It’s for a family who I’ve worked with previously in Arlington, Virginia, so we definitely have that level of trust and communication pre-established.
The Kennebunk home is a just few miles from the beach, near a pond and surrounded by woods and nature. It’s also a place they plan to use for hosting family gatherings for years to come.
Here we’ve designed cozy gathering spaces, opportunities for reflection, and sleeping areas, without creating an overbearing coastal feel. It’s really about marrying the home’s interiors with the warmth of the nature-filled landscape that surrounds this family.
Soft organic finishes, wood, and natural stone mirror that feeling of nature. We also avoided selecting any elements that are too precious or loud. This is about creating a welcoming place for this family to have quality time together from now through grandchildren and beyond!
P.S. I have thoroughly fallen in love with Maine!!
Remote Interior Design - Future State
I see more remote interior design in my future. It gives me the opportunity to explore and learn, while seeing different parts of the country, which I love. It also teaches me that interior design is not a one size fits all practice for people or geographies.
I’m not happy unless there are a few surprises around the corner, so for now it remains a good fit in my design portfolio.
Feeling ready to explore new design opportunities in your home or further away? We are only a phone call away and look forward to hearing from you!
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Until next time!
