Why It’s Worth Hiring an Interior Designer
If you’ve ever taken on a renovation or new build, you know just how many decisions go into creating a beautiful, functional space. It can be exciting—but also overwhelming. That’s where working with an interior designer can make all the difference.
It’s not just about choosing paint colours or sourcing the perfect light fixture (although we love doing that too). It’s about guiding the entire process—so that the space not only looks incredible, but works seamlessly with your lifestyle, your goals, and the architecture of your home.
Here’s why hiring an interior designer is one of the best investments you can make in your project.
A Clear Vision from the Start
Designers help distill your ideas—your inspiration, your wishlist, your needs—into a cohesive, thoughtful plan. From layouts to materials to detailing, we bring it all together in a way that feels natural, intentional, and uniquely yours.
Saving Time, Stress & Second-Guessing
With so many choices to make, it’s easy to get stuck or overwhelmed. Designers streamline decision-making by narrowing options, sourcing quality pieces, and creating clarity. You don’t have to spend hours scrolling or second-guessing—every choice has purpose and a place.
It Can Actually Save You Money
Yes, hiring a designer is an upfront investment—but it’s one that often saves you money over the life of the project. We help you avoid costly mistakes, unnecessary rework, and impulse purchases that don’t quite fit. With a solid plan in place, materials are ordered once, timelines are tighter, and you make more confident, informed decisions. And when it comes to resale, thoughtful design can increase the value of your home far beyond the initial design fee.
Creative Problem Solving
Every home has quirks, every project has challenges. Designers bring fresh thinking and practical creativity to the table—finding solutions that make the most of your space, whether it’s a tricky layout, a tight budget, or a unique architectural feature.
Cohesion, Not Just Style
Great design isn’t just about how things look—it’s about how they work together. We consider flow, light, materiality, proportion, and how each detail contributes to the whole. The result? A home that feels calm, intentional, and deeply considered.
Connections to Trusted Trades
Designers come with a network. We know the right millworkers, upholsterers, tile installers, and tradespeople—people we trust to do the job beautifully. That means better communication, fewer surprises, and higher-quality results across the board.
A More Efficient Process
Designers work closely with contractors, architects, and suppliers to keep things moving. We anticipate decisions before they’re urgent, help coordinate timelines, and act as the central point of communication—so things stay on track and aligned.
Investment That Pays Off
A well-designed home isn’t just easier to live in—it often holds and increases its value over time. Design decisions influence everything from durability to layout to resale appeal. Good design is timeless, and that makes it worth every penny.
Your Vision, Fully Realized
Sometimes what’s in your head is hard to express. A designer helps translate that vision into something tangible. From early concepts to final styling, we work with you to shape a home that feels like an extension of who you are.
Ready to Bring Your Space to Life?
If you’re planning a renovation, new build, or simply looking to reimagine a room—we’d love to hear about it.
Get in touch with us here, and let’s start building something beautiful together.
What Is West Coast Modern?
It’s early morning, and light is just beginning to stretch across the floor. The ocean is a faint shimmer through the evergreens. The cedar soffits glow gold in the sun. Inside, the space feels still—soft, spacious, grounded. This is West Coast Modern.
It’s a style, yes. But more than that, it’s a feeling. A way of living that’s deeply connected to the natural world, to craftsmanship, to restraint. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t chase trends. It leans back, lets in the view, and invites you to breathe.
West Coast Modern emerged in the mid-century, shaped by the climate and culture of the Pacific Northwest. The rain, the mountains, the trees—they all left an imprint. Architects like Arthur Erickson and Ron Thom imagined homes that lived with the land, not against it. They blurred the lines between indoors and out. They used simple, honest materials. They let structure and landscape speak.
Today, that legacy continues—but with a softer edge. Wood tones are warmer. Textures are layered. Concrete, steel, and glass still ground the palette, but they’re often paired with wool throws, handmade ceramics, and wide-plank floors that feel like driftwood underfoot.
West Coast Modern is not minimalism in the stark, gallery-white sense. It’s minimalism in the way a forest path is minimal: everything is in its place, nothing is wasted, and beauty comes from simplicity, not excess.
There’s a generosity to it. Wide overhangs that shield the rain. Picture windows that frame the changing seasons. Built-in benches that encourage you to stay a while. It’s as functional as it is serene—designed for real life, but elevated in every detail.
It’s also deeply personal. No two homes are the same, because no two sites are the same. A home perched above the sea will ask for different choices than one tucked into a cedar grove. Designers respond to these cues—to light, to slope, to wind. The result is a space that feels rooted. Quiet. Timeless.
At LRD Studio, we often find ourselves returning to the principles of West Coast Modern—whether we’re designing in the mountains, by the coast, or deep in the city. We believe in homes that breathe. Spaces that feel calm and enduring. Materials that wear in, not out.
If this resonates with you, we’d love to help you shape a home that reflects not only the land it sits on—but the life you want to live in it.
Contractors & Interior Designers Make a Great Team
We often hear the question: Do contractors and designers actually work well together? And the answer is—when it’s the right match—absolutely. In fact, many contractors will tell you that some of their best projects have been the result of a strong relationship with a designer.
At its core, it’s a partnership. Designers bring the vision. Contractors bring it to life. And when those two elements are aligned, the results speak for themselves.
Here are a few reasons why contractors value working with interior designers—and why the best builds usually start with design.
A Clear Vision from Day One
Interior designers help translate ideas into something tangible. With plans, drawings, finishes, and material selections prepared in advance, contractors have a clear roadmap of what’s expected—so the build can begin with confidence and clarity.
Fewer Surprises Along the Way
One of the biggest stressors on a job site? Last-minute changes. Designers help guide clients through decision-making before construction begins. That means fewer change orders, fewer delays, and a smoother, more efficient process for everyone involved.
Seamless Communication
Designers often serve as a bridge between the contractor and the client—communicating details, answering questions, and keeping everyone aligned. This flow of information helps avoid missteps and allows each trade to focus on doing what they do best.
Thoughtful Details, Handled Early
From outlet placement to tile transitions, lighting plans to hardware specs—designers think ahead. By addressing the finer details up front, they help prevent those “wait, what about this?” moments on site.
Elevated Sourcing and Style
Designers often bring access to beautifully curated materials, custom details, and refined fixtures that elevate the overall finish. When paired with quality craftsmanship, the results are memorable—and portfolio-worthy for everyone involved.
A Problem-Solving Mindset
No project is without its challenges. But when a designer and contractor work collaboratively, solutions come faster—and often with a creative twist that enhances the final outcome.
Shared Respect for Craft
Both designers and contractors take pride in the details. When that respect is mutual, it creates an environment where ideas are shared, creativity is welcomed, and excellence is the standard.
A Better Client Experience
Designers help manage expectations, guide decision-making, and often serve as the main point of contact—making the process easier and more enjoyable for clients, and less fragmented for contractors.
Long-Term Relationships & Referrals
Many contractors find that working with a designer opens doors to future collaborations, new clients, and more design-forward projects. It’s not just one job—it’s the beginning of a working relationship that can span years.
In the End, It’s About Building Something Great—Together
At the heart of it, both designers and contractors are trying to achieve the same thing: a well-built, well-loved space. When those two forces are aligned, the process becomes more creative, more efficient, and more rewarding—for everyone involved.
Ready to Start Your Next Project?
Whether you're a contractor looking to collaborate or a homeowner just starting the design journey, we’d love to hear from you.
