We sat down with Azelia and Chantelle from Interiors by Design, one of Southern Utah's top interior design firms, to talk trends, mistakes, and what it really takes to create a home you'll love for a decade. Here's everything they had to say.
McKay: Tell us a little about Interiors by Design and what you've built.
Azelia: We're in our fourth year of business here in Utah. And we're going nationwide — that's a new thing as of three months ago. There are really two things I'll point to when it comes to our success. The first is a quote from Mr. Beast — he attributes his success to his speed, how fast he moves. He just moves faster than anyone else. That's our goal too. We want to always be at the top in terms of innovation, process, and the highest standard.
The second thing is our process. Our process focuses heavily on uniting and running parallel with the builder and the general contractor. We want to be on the same page as the builder and the architect as early as possible. There's a real powerful unity when those three are combined. The client has the best experience, you keep up with your timeline, you keep up with your budget, all the selections are applicable. It's just the most efficient way to run a design process.
McKay: Chantelle, tell us about your background.
Chantelle: I've been doing design for about 20 years. I started by buying a wallpaper company, which is not necessarily the first thing people think about when they think of interior design. But I purchased that company and it morphed into client relationships where I would go into people's homes and help them design a space. That helped me design more areas and look deeper into interior design. And then I met Azelia and I'm so excited to join Interiors by Design and get my feet wet here in Southern Utah.
McKay: If a homeowner wants to work with you, what's the best way to start? Do they come to you directly or go through their contractor?
Azelia: With remodels we see a variety. Clients will either bring us on themselves or the general contractor will bring us in. The purpose of getting an interior designer is to simplify your decision-making and take out the guesswork. We want to make it as predictable as possible. We can start with the GC, we can start with the client. Ultimately both need to be comfortable with us. It's always nice to meet on site and get a feel for the project.
McKay: What's the biggest mistake homeowners make when starting a remodel?
Azelia: Going to Pinterest. Definitely. Jumping on Pinterest, making boards — big mistake. It comes down to confusion. Pinterest is really not a show of real life. It's perfectly posed moments. You're seeing things you like, but what you really like isn't tangible. It's a $6 million chandelier. It scatters your overall vision. I really focus on making your house feel like you.
McKay: So what are people actually gravitating toward right now?
Azelia: Very warm, organic, and modern with a little bit of a transitional twist. That's where everyone's going. They're going to the white oak. Two-tone cabinets are making a comeback. Very warm whites — Chantilly Lace, Alabaster, Swiss Coffee. Venetian plaster is starting to come. I've seen it in a couple of restaurants and houses. Trends migrate from the east coast. If you want to know what's next, peek into New York, North Carolina, Georgia, and then it makes its way over.
McKay: What's on its way out?
Azelia: The cold colors are still going to be out. The grays. Black fixtures are going to go out — specifically black plumbing hardware against white. Timeless bronze will always be with us through the decades. Chrome's not going anywhere. Mixed metals are coming. Everyone's afraid of that right now but it's already in New York.
McKay: What separates a remodel someone loves for a year versus one they love for a decade?
Azelia: Going with what they love. The finishes they love versus what is trending now. Going back to making it feel like it's theirs versus just off the Pinterest board, because the Pinterest board isn't homey.
Chantelle: In terms of guiding a client and directing them, you have to give them one choice to start. A common misconception among designers is to give them as many options as they want. No. Give them one, start there, get their feedback. You've talked with them, you've met with them, you've gotten their inspiration images. Give one option, see where they go with it. They'll tell you — too bright, too dark, too traditional. Start them with one and then direct them toward the timeless. Everyone's different. A client will sometimes pick something that's a little out there. We explain that to them. We'll say, hey, it's probably not the most timeless thing, you'll have to update this in ten years, but if you love it, let's do it.
McKay: How does pricing work for interior design? What should homeowners expect?
Azelia: It comes down to how much time you want with the designer. If you want to send in some images and get selections and a 3D rendering, that's very minimal time, under ten hours or less. If you want to meet with the designer, visit showrooms, do multiple rounds of selections, that's fifty-plus hours. Both are great. But your time with the designer is where the cost really comes into play. Designers are quick. We know what looks good, we know what you like based on your images. One or two rounds of selections, 3D elevations, all selections delivered to the GC — ten hours or less.
McKay: Tell us about the team you've built.
Azelia: The company I've built consists of all women, which is kind of an accident. Most of the women that work with us are moms too. This is something they can do in addition to being a mom — work with their clients' schedules, still deliver a professional experience, and be a role model for their kids doing both. And it's really where our success has come from. All the feedback from the women I've worked with.
McKay: What is the most overlooked upgrade homeowners skip?
Azelia: Lighting. It's the one stick on the pig. The difference between a pendant or a chandelier can completely change a space. The difference between 3000 Kelvin and 2700 — if you're doing anything above 3000, are you in a doctor's office and are you okay? In the 2700s, that's my sweet spot. I will always recommend that lighting temperature.
McKay: Any final advice for homeowners working with a contractor?
Chantelle: Trust your general contractor. With your life. You should. A lot of what we're doing — that's where they come to you and give you feedback like, hey, I've seen that wall mount leak. They need to hear that so they can make an informed decision.
McKay: What's coming next for Interiors by Design?
Azelia: Big things. We're really excited about our new warehouse. We are launching a walk-through floor plan franchise. Life-sized floor plan renderings and elevations for you to walk through. That's coming soon.
Interiors by Design is based in Southern Utah and now works with clients nationwide. To learn more or get in touch, visit their website or reach out through Hyperpeak Remodeling.
Schedule Your Free Estimate
Book a call with McKay to discuss your project, ask questions, and get a clear proposal with pricing and timelines. No pressure, no obligation, just clear next steps.