Using different hard finishes to create interest or make a statement is one design philosophy many firms use — this one included — and so is the concept of layering soft goods. Upholstery fabric, window treatments, textured wallpaper, and floor coverings can make for a beautiful space. One that is full of depth and meaning, if done correctly.

I love the excitement clients have when they talk about how they want to change up parts of their existing house or furnish a new home. There is the excitement, and then there is the slight halt when I ask about budget. Almost as if they know there needs to be a budget, and there is a vague one, but no one wants to talk about it. We have to talk about budgets! If you want a designer to work with you, and help you, you need to talk about your actual budget. I don't want to know your budget so I know what I can spend. I want to know your budget so I know how I can help you achieve all that you want, realistically and without wasting time looking at things that won't make the cut. I want to help clients invest in their furnishings strategically.

Hiring an interior designer isn't for everyone, and that's okay. I tell people it's a helpful luxury. I have many clients with great design sense but zero time to manage the project. I have other clients who don't know exactly what they want, and are happy to hand over the design process and management to a professional for a done-for-you experience. I always ask potential clients what they are hoping to get out of the experience and if they are ready to invest in the project for the design and the furnishings.

Environmentally friendly design for interiors means more than just using low voc materials and sustainably harvested raw products. If you can live longer with the same furnishings, that means less materials going into the landfills and less replacement furnishings needing to be produced from raw materials.

Designing residential interiors often involves mediation skills. I find myself mediating between clients and builders, vendors and clients, and quite often between couples whose tastes vary widely. Everyone should have a say in how their home is going to look and feel. It is possible to create designs that meet everyone's expectations. The key is having all interested parties involved in the decision making from the beginning.

Since I work on a lot of family vacation homes, the usual name of the game is "practical" but in every project I try to add in some more luxury textiles because they definitely elevate a room by adding in either color, a unique pattern or just a beautiful tactile touch. 

Think about the difference between those pieces of furniture you know you'll have forever, versus the furniture you bought in a hurry because you needed a temporary fix. Great design and high quality construction and materials makes the difference between heirloom furniture and quick fix furniture. The most cherished pieces of furniture I have are the ones that I acquired over time and found uses for them no matter where I lived.

People ask me all the time what style I design in and it's not really something I want to answer with a one category word or phrase. I design using elements I like and feel they go well together, but are necessarily from one singular genre or era. Using items you love and are drawn to usually ends up with a well rounded collection of furnishings that work well together.

Interior Designer Molly McGinness loves to infuse colors and patterns into the high end vacation homes for her clients on Cape Cod. Color and patterns are essential elements to layer into custom interior design.

These odd nooks and crannies are opportunities to create functional spaces! The obvious and most expensive way is to have a carpenter build a custom built in to fill every inch of the space. This could be a simple bench with storage underneath in an entryway or hall. It could be an elaborate build out of a wet bar (add in the plumbing, lighting, and additional materials) in a living or dining area. It really depends on the location of the space and what function would enhance the experience.

An area rug can be a big investment, especially when it’s for a living room or family room that is going to get a lot of foot traffic and, let’s call it, visual traffic. You want to love what you see every time you walk by it. I think of buying a quality area rug similar to buying a piece of art. It’s an investment upfront but you will enjoy it for a lifetime.

Interior Designer Molly McGinness designs vacation homes with her clients in mind, and that usually means kids, guests, parties, summer fun and all that goes with summer homes. Specifying durable finishes and fabrics that can clean easily and endure pets and bathing suits is a high priority.

Wondering if custom window treatments are worth the investment? They are! Here are a few reasons why they are a smart addition to your space…

The first step when planning for an interior design project is both the most challenging and the most important: preparing a budget. Whether it’s building from the ground up, tackling a home renovation, or furnishing an entire room or rooms, having a budget will guide the project’s style, quality, and design and give clarity into what is possible. Having a budget of $200,000 for a kitchen versus $25,000 for a kitchen will yield a very different process, team, and result.

Homeowners often have a beautiful vision in their heads, but aren’t quite sure how to translate it into a budget. As an interior designer, a large part of my role is helping clients to understand what things cost (especially when it comes to renovating and building as those numbers aren’t readily available like a coffee table price or rug price might be) and then working within their budget to design a functional space they love.

Moving into a new home can be overwhelming, and even more so if it’s a vacation home because you’re managing all the details from a distance. If you’re wondering when is the best time to bring on an interior designer, it’s as soon as you think you’ll need help! I always recommend working backwards from any deadlines you might have, leaving some cushion, especially for projects that involve construction.