Behind the Scenes: The Mistakes, Misfires, and Magic of Interior Design
Hi yβallβMegan here! If you caught this weekβs episode of MM Tells All, then you already know weβre pulling back the curtain. From my early days in design to full-blown install day madness, Iβm sharing what really happens behind the scenesβ¦ and letβs just say, itβs not always as flawless as the final photos.
I genuinely thought my career was over.
Truly. One of my very first big mistakes in this business came from not having a clearly documented, signed, and reviewed process. My client was (understandably) frustrated. At the time, I thought I had ruined everything before I even got started.
Looking back now? Itβs something we laugh about. But in the moment, it felt devastating. That experienceβand so many others sinceβhave become lessons we now build into our process. Mistakes happen. But how we respond to them? Thatβs where the magic happens.
The red flag test: would I get dinner with you?
We spend years with some of our clients. This is an intimate, collaborative relationshipβnot just a transaction. Iβve learned over time that the personal connection matters just as much as the creative alignment. These days, I ask myself early on: Would I enjoy a dinner with this person? If the answer is no, thatβs okay. The right fit mattersβfor both of us.
It took me years to be comfortable saying, βWe may not be the best match, but hereβs someone I trust.β And if a potential client feels the same? No hard feelings at all. Thereβs confidence in clarity.
Iβve absolutely missed the mark.
Design is a conversation. Sometimes, a clientβs inspiration folder looks like five people live in the same houseβand honestly, thatβs when it gets interesting. We explore ideas, we listen, we pivot. When the collaboration flows, the result is always stronger.
Give me honest feedback in real time. I welcome it. I donβt take it personallyβI take it seriously.
Everyone has a budget. Even if they say they donβt.
The most common phrase we hear at the beginning of a project? βWeβre pretty open on budget.β But once the design plan is presented, a number usually emerges. And thatβs totally normal.
Iβm a homeowner too. Iβve had my own sticker-shock momentsβfrom landscaping to lighting. But our process is built to keep things transparent, thoughtful, and aligned with your priorities. From there, we adjust and refine to make sure every dollar works hard.
Logistics: the underbelly of design
If somethingβs going to go sideways, chances are itβll be during ordering. Delays, damage, miscommunication, mislabelingβyou name it, weβve lived it. Once, I waited six months for a custom bed only to find out the shipping container it was on… had literally fallen off the ship. Into the ocean. Thatβs not a metaphorβthatβs real life.
But our clients donβt see the chaos. Thatβs the point. We track every item, field every call, and handle every hiccup so the experience stays seamless for you. Think of us as your design firm and your personal FedEx rep.
Install Day: beautifully orchestrated chaos
Picture this: 350+ items. Multiple trucks. A team of movers, electricians, drapery installers, and designers. Piles of cardboard. Miles of bubble wrap. Itβs like moving an entire household in a single dayβwith a surprise party at the end.
Thatβs why we ask clients to step away on install day. Not only is it a little intense, but we want your first moment in the finished space to feel magical. That grand reveal is one of the best parts of the processβand itβs always worth the wait.
Donβt DIY the stuff that matters
One final piece of hard-earned advice: hire professionals. Weβve hit pipes drilling into walls. Flooded powder rooms. Scratched wallpaper with art installs. Weβve learned (and re-learned) these lessons so you donβt have to.
Whether itβs electrical, custom upholstery, or styling that makes the space singβinvesting in the right people saves you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Yes, weβve had design flops, shipping disasters, and chaotic installs. But every challenge has made us better, smarter, and more prepared for the next one. This work is about trust. Itβs about relationships. And itβs about creating beautyβdespite the inevitable behind-the-scenes bumps.
Thanks for tuning in, cheering us on, and letting us do what we love.
Until next time!
xo,
Megan
