I always value client feedback to refine my process for both current and future clients, as I believe there is always room for improvement. With the help of my client, Diana, from PA Lakehouse, I'm sharing some insights into her virtual design project and what we believe you should know.

Throughout our year-and-a-half collaboration, Diana often shared comments about mistakes made, things she wished she had known, or actions she would have taken differently based on her experience. Recently, she provided a comprehensive list of insights she wished she had known before starting her project—all things she wanted to share to help others in a similar situation. Like many of my clients, Diana had previously worked with another virtual designer whose process and deliverables didn't quite meet her expectations.

When I asked Diana how we could share this valuable information with future clients, she suggested creating an FAQ section with her honest answers. We collaborated to brainstorm a list of questions, and Diana provided her candid feedback to help you prepare for your project and empower you with the knowledge to assemble the ideal team for your needs.

Scroll down for behind-the-scenes photos from Diana's project that we'll be shooting in spring of 2026! And a huge thank you to Diana!

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What was unexpected in your experience of hiring me?

1. The amount of money and time I actually saved.

2. Your knowledge on not just interior design but your overall scope of building a home start to finish.

3. Your "down-to-earth" approach—being able to work within budgets and still create amazingly designed spaces that matched our inspiration.

4. The level of detail that goes into interior design—I truly had no idea—your like a mad scientist lol.

5. That you'd be so approachable and truly a friend throughout the full process. Never once did I feel like my questions or concerns were not addressed with sincerity.

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What would you do differently now that you're 95% done building your home?

I would have hired you from day one. If I had the opportunity to engage your services from the initial architectural planning phase, I believe it would have saved us significant time, money, and stress throughout the process.

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What is your biggest takeaway from hiring a designer?

It may seem like an unnecessary expense, and you may think you can take on the project on your own (I certainly did), but I can promise you, hiring an experienced interior designer is worth every penny. I never could have designed the cozy, lived-in spaces Katelyn created for our home. My biggest takeaway is that just like you need experienced professionals for a general contractor, plumber, and electrician, you also need an interior designer. The time and money they will save you are invaluable.

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What do you wish someone would have told you about building and designing a home?

When designing a new build or undertaking a large renovation, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Looking back, I realize that hiring professional help at the very beginning of my project would have saved me a significant amount of time and money.

For example, I purchased many items early on that we are no longer using because they don't align with the cohesive design that Katelyn and I ultimately developed. Additionally, those initial pieces didn't truly reflect my personal style. Katelyn was instrumental in helping me identify the overall aesthetic for my home. Before her involvement, I was attempting to blend numerous different design styles, and as a result, nothing truly flowed together.

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What was your favorite part about working with me?

I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for your realistic approach to design. I always felt that your designs were perfectly balanced and never "overdone." You consistently kept in mind how we actually live and use our home.

For instance, with little kids and dogs, your selection of durable and reasonably priced rugs—knowing that accidents are inevitable—was incredibly thoughtful and practical. This attention to our real-life needs made a significant difference.

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What items did you budget well for, what items did you budget poorly for? Or what items in the build did you not expect to cost so much?  

Before starting, I had no idea about furniture costs. Katelyn introduced me to brands and options I never would have discovered on my own. When we placed our furniture orders, I knew the items would be made with quality materials. For example, living in rural PA, I don't have the opportunity to sit on many different couches to test their comfort. I trusted Katelyn's experience with vendors, and she consistently made excellent recommendations.

We absolutely love all of our new furniture.

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What would you tell someone who is thinking about investing in a designer?

Don't think about it, just do it. It's not worth the headache of trying to do it by yourself. I cannot recommend Katelyn enough. She completely changed the fate of our home, and hiring her made the entire process so much more enjoyable. We could never have designed the spaces in our home the way Katelyn did.

I tell everyone who visits our home that I truly could not have done this without Katelyn. She took our vision and made it a reality and so much more.

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If you had to pick between building a slightly smaller home to be able to budget a designer, would you skip the designer or build the slightly smaller home? 

I would definitely build a slightly smaller home next time. From my experience, I can tell you that I will never start a new build without a designer by my side. It truly saves so much time and money in the long run, and I can't stress that enough.

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What is it like working with a designer who is remote? Challenges, annoyances?  

I often get asked about my experience working with Katelyn remotely on our 4,000-square-foot home, and people are always surprised by how smoothly it went. Katelyn utilized FaceTime, design boards, and Google Docs, and her exceptional organizational skills truly made the process easy.

The only real challenge we faced was with color variances in photos, but beyond that, her approach to the overall design was seamless. You'll find that as you work with her, she'll likely become one of your best friends.

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I know you originally hired a different designer and decided to go the James May direction, how was I different from the original pick?  

You cared about our vision. We previously hired another design firm that initially seemed promising. However, we later discovered that the designer assigned to our project was not one of their lead designers, and we had limited input on who would be assisting us. The aesthetic they presented on Instagram was not consistent with the designs we received. Furthermore, they had strict limitations on revisions and tight timelines.

With Katelyn, the process is much more collaborative. We engage in casual conversations about each space, working together to develop designs. This approach ensures that your design truly reflects how you envision living in each space, rather than simply sending photos and receiving a design back without personalized consideration.

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What would you tell someone who says a designer is too expensive?

Hiring an interior designer might seem like a significant investment, and perhaps not an essential one, but I can assure you it will lead to substantial savings in the long run. For example, we wouldn't have received the trade discounts we did on so many of our pieces without Katelyn's expertise. Beyond the financial benefits, the reduction in stress alone from having a professional guide the process is invaluable.

I often compare it to hiring a general contractor, electrician, or plumber—you need a professional to help design your home. Consider all the elements that go into just one small bathroom: shower tiles, floor tiles, vanity, plumbing fixtures, wall color, mirrors, and more. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions.

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After going in a new direction with a designer, what would you tell someone when it comes to interviewing and choosing the right designer for their project? What questions would you ask a potential designer?

1. How many people work at your firm? Who will I be working with? what are their qualifications? Can I see their portfolio?

2. What is the upfront cost? What's a realistic spend? How does your billing work?

3. What are your deliverables? Can I see an example?

4. Do you offer trade disocunts to your clients?

5. Do you recommend site visits? If so, how much do those cost?

6. What is your process for managing projects, budgets, and communication with clients and contractors?

7. Do you have a client reference I can speak to?

8. Can you describe how your design process works?

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What would you tell someone that thinks a designer is too expensive?

It's a common misconception! Hiring a designer has saved me from numerous design mistakes that would have ultimately cost more to correct. Additionally, the trade discounts Katelyn offers on so many items resulted in significant savings.

Beyond the financial benefits, investing in a designer to create a space you love and will share with your family for years to come is truly invaluable. I honestly couldn't have achieved the beautiful and functional spaces in our home without professional help. For me, it was worth every penny, and I would absolutely do it again.

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What would you tell someone who thinks they can design their project on their own?

I absolutely thought I could design my own home until I started the process and quickly realized it's nothing like putting together a trendy outfit. A home needs to age gracefully, like fine wine, and still feel fresh 10-20 years from now. It truly is a labor of love, requiring so much more thought and detail in its building and design. From mixing metals to combining vintage and new items, and selecting colors, creating spaces that feel lived-in is a completely different challenge that I believe absolutely requires professional assistance.