What made you start this service?

Friends who’d seen my work kept hitting me up to help them figure out how to optimize their spaces, and we had fun looking for the extra square feet.

 

There is a practicality to interior design that is often overlooked. For most of us, housing is expensive — specifically, space is expensive.

I’m here to prove that interior design isn’t frivolous. Done right, it will save you thousands of dollars in rent over time.

Whether you renting or own, real estate is expensive and it’s hard to optimize for all the things you want without living in a shoebox.

When I first moved to San Francisco, my design work helped me rent smaller, more affordable apartments in more desired neighborhoods.

The savings meant shorter commutes (and nicer wine.)

During the pandemic, social distancing mandated staying at home for hours on end.

You can’t easily just build a new balcony or room.

But we can do the next best thing - make your space feel 2x larger, through design. I’ve done it before, again and again.

I offer solutions for the occupant who wants to live your largest life right now, not in the future “when you make it” — starting with small, high impact changes.

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More FAQs

Beyond the Apartment Therapy online home tour, can I experience your place in-person?

We host overnight guests on Airbnb, and professional media shoots / events on Peerspace. You can also email unschooledinteriors@gmail.com for availability.

How are you different from the free interior design consults that West Elm et. al. offer?

I have no incentives to foist furniture on you.

(You’d be surprised how often I get this question.)

What makes you the right designer for me?

  • I am extremely detailed and empathetic. I am attentive to all your interior needs — the ones you know to tell me about, and the ones you may not be aware of yet.

  • My designs don’t require you to have zero clutter. This is not an IKEA showroom with 3 books and 2 hangers. People have stuff, it’s what makes a home, and my designs acknowledge that reality.

  • I’m good at the big picture. If you come to me asking about an awkward nook, I generally ask questions that lead us to re-work the whole room — and presto, everything feels better (including the nook).

Tell me about your philosophy working with clients.

  • Interior design gets personal. These are your most intimate quarters. I can’t design something you’ll love using if I don’t understand what lights you up. So, when I’m learning about how you’d like to spend time in your space, I’ll ask direct, high-value questions, but will remain discrete and respectful with the details of your life.

  • A well designed home is enabling. Loving the way your space looks is one thing, but it’s just as important to have more possibilities for socializing, working out, pursuing hobbies — so you’ll be likely to actually do those things (not just soapbox about them).

Tell me more about your ideal client.

I love working on all kinds of interior projects, and am excited to work with you, whether you’re renting or owning. There are fewer limits to what we can do together if you own your own place and are starting to budget for a renovation, and I’m down to help as your designer, not your GC.

My clients have made conscious choices to live in cities where space is premium. They own or rent a small space that may not be their forever home. They want to love their interiors, but they’re not sure how.

Some are in a more transitional place:

  • Renting or living with family temporarily.

  • Careful about acquiring more / the "wrong” possessions (don’t want to eventually lose $ on stuff that seemed nice in the moment, but wasn’t multi-purpose enough for the next place.)

  • Bewildered at how to make their small space perform one too many functions (dining, living, sleeping, hosting, collecting, etc).

  • Keen to learn about renter-compliant ways to decorate.

  • Aware what their dream space should look like, but unclear how to get there — especially if they hope to repurpose existing stuff.

  • Realizing that there’s nothing “wrong” with their space, but they’re just not feeling it. (It’s a relationship after all!).

Do these describe you? I’m here to create a space you love and build your confidence in co-creating that with me.

How can we work together?

  • You can send me targeted questions about your space at unschooledinteriors@gmail.com . I’ll send back a comprehensive answer. The more detail you give me, the more value I can provide.

  • I charge $150 per 90min consultation (for a room) and $1200 for a white glove experience for your entire apartment (up to 700 sq. ft). (Bigger digs? Lucky you. We’ll work something out.)

How do I pay for services?

Once you book a session, I will reach out. We are flexible, and take many forms of digital payment like Paypal and Zelle.

Can I see your work?

Yes — my work is on Apartment Therapy, and you can also start with this gallery / portfolio of small spaces I’ve done.

You can also send me a message if you have general questions about working with me, but aren’t ready to bite the bullet yet.