The Evolution of Interior Design

DIY television programming, design blogs, social media influencers, and digital mood boards like Pinterest have brought home improvement inspiration to the masses. However, being inspired, and executing on that inspiration, are two different things. While it’s easy to identify the products we like, putting the pieces together to create a cohesive interior design can be challenging, so many of us seek out professional guidance.

Traditionally, working with an interior designer has meant making an appointment for an in-home consultation where the professional would take measurements, discuss style preferences, and review color palettes. A mood board presentation would usually follow, at which point the client would turn over the project to the pro and wait for the finished product. 

Somewhere between doing everything oneself, and handing over complete control, is a sweet-spot of design; a world where one can get expert design guidance — tailored for their space and lifestyle — yet control how much is spent on products, where those products are purchased, and when the work is completed. eDesign has both empowered consumers and given them convenient, affordable access to highly qualified design professionals. 

One such pro is interior designer, Megan Hersch, who heads a high-end design firm in Los Angeles. Seeing a trend with people who were interested in design, but lacked the confidence to go it alone, Megan set out to create an accessible solution. Her digital interior design service, roomLift, brings design expertise to its customers more conveniently, and affordably, than traditional design consultations.

Megan  said, “Pinterest and Instagram are great for eye candy and dreaming about your #goals, but when faced with your actual space and budget requirements — and the pages and pages of chairs on some websites — analysis paralysis is a real thing!”

Q & A with Interior Designer Megan Hersch

We asked Megan to share some of her best designer secrets and explain exactly how roomLift works.

About roomLift

Q: How does roomLift work?

A: Customers provide photos and dimensions of their space, and complete an extensive questionnaire about their design preferences, budget, and lifestyle. Then, we create 2-3 designs that will meet their needs. Along with the designs, customers receive a box full of printed product cards, paint, wallpaper and fabric samples — as well as a purchasing worksheet with quick links to all of the products suggested for ease of purchasing when they are ready.

Q:  How is roomLift the same and different from a traditional homeowner/designer relationship?

A: First, your roomLift is serviced completely remotely. Typically an interior designer will come to your home and take photos and measurements. With roomLift, we have an online intake form and upload portal for customers to send all of this information to us digitally and on their own schedule.

Second, a traditional designer may take care of procuring and installing your furnishings and decor. With roomLift, the customer is armed with all of the necessary information to do this for themselves. Succinctly, when the customer does this for themselves they are not paying their designer to do it, which allows the cost of theroomLift to be significantly lower than an in kind full service design would cost.

Q: roomLift makes the client an active participant in purchasing and installing products. How does roomLift support the process?

A: We want to impart all of the information a customer needs to purchase and install the design we provide. Typically an extensive email with notes and suggestions follows the receipt of the customer’s design box along with a purchasing spreadsheet with quick links and a list of discounts available to them as a roomLift customer. It’s really a win-win-win!

Q: What are the advantages of using roomLift for one’s project? 

A: With roomLift, customers received 15 years of design expertise from myself in a tangible, offline, beautifully printed box of products along with samples and design notes on how to implement it all. Customers can work on their spaces on their own time, use their own credit cards for purchasing, and take advantage of the growing number of discounts provided directly to our roomLift customers (historically a design trade-only perk). We are really trying to bring good design to everyone.

Q: During this time when people are spending more time in their homes, how is roomLift a unique solution to home improvement? 

A: We are completely digital so there is no need for contact and everything that you need to design your space (including samples) is sent directly to your home in a lovely little box. Spending so much time at home, people really know how they need their spaces to look and function. All of this information helps us give customers an even better design!

Q: What is your wish for people who go through the roomLift process? 

A:  When I started roomLift I had a Jerry McGuire moment: I spend a lot of time looking at beautiful design, and I could see that Target had as many great opportunities for good design as Restoration Hardware. It could all be accessed with a little bit of guidance. I wanted people with every budget to be able to come home to a space that they loved and that made them feel good. The emotional benefits of being in a space that is well designed and makes you feel good are truly good for your health! That is the principal on which I founded roomLift.

Interior Design Secrets

Q: How important is it to balance style with function?  

A:  I have always been a more functional designer. I really feel if a space doesn’t work for you functionally, you will ultimately not enjoy living in it. I think it’s smart to be realistic about the needs of the space — storage, stain-proof fabrics, rugs for cold climates — and within these parameters with the wealth of furnishings that are out there, a great design will emerge!

Q: What are some of the top DIY design mistakes people make, and how can working with a professional designer can help avoid them?  

A: Space planning is very hard for most people. Matching schemes/colors/patterns can also be tricky. A professional designer can help with the theory behind small + large print queries as well as the scaling of furniture both in size and in style.

Q: Can you share a few of your favorite pro tips or tricks for interior design?  

A:  I’m currently LOVING layering a smaller printed rug on top of a sisal or natural rug. The sisal is typically less costly but also less cozy on your feet so by putting a beautiful rug on top of it, you are upping your design score at the same time as your comfort level! I have also come back to an accent wall (paint or wallpaper) behind a bed, and also running an accent tile up one side of a shower enclosure. So fun!

Working with Build.com

At Build.com, our goal is to provide the best selection in every home improvement category, as well as the best customer experience - including access to friendly, knowledgeable product experts.   

Q: Are your roomLift clients able to find unique, on-trend products, styles, and finishes for their projects on Build.com?  

A:  Absolutely! I have been using Build.com long before I started roomLift as an easy go-to for all ranges of pricing and design styles in anything kitchen and bathroom. (And) the other pieces that Build.com offers for our designs just adds to the options available to our customers.

Q: What is the advantage of shopping at Build.com?  

A:  In addition to the wide variety of options in styles and prices (the biggest I’ve ever come across), Build.com gives roomLift customers their own customer service rep which means more than just help with tracking orders. It also ensures what you’re ordering will come with all the right parts! Oh, and our customers are getting an exclusive discount on their Build.com order!   

Before roomLift was even born I have been working with Sydni who is now our dedicated customer service rep for roomLift clients. Sydni’s expertise and knowledge about all of the items you need is invaluable! I am forever asking her to verify if I have the correct valves (guts) for the shower fitting that I’ve specified, and the world of door hardware still eludes me. I’m so glad she’s just an email or phone call away. Anyone who has gone through a remodel and taken on the procurement will surely agree.

About Megan Hersch    

Principal of her own Los Angeles-based, full-service interior design firm, Studio MG Interiors, Inc., Megan has a pedigree from design royals Kelly Wearstler and Alexandra & Michael Misczynski, and the training to know what good, lasting design looks like. 

Motivated by a desire to help people who are actively engaged in solving, healing and energizing their homes and families, Megan created roomLift. Capitalizing on her keen eye, budgeting and sourcing expertise, and ability to work with clients in every style, roomLift provides the platform for her to distill their requests into actionable recommendations they can implement for their own unique spaces and needs.

Visit roomLift.com or follow them on social media: Instagram @_roomlift_ and Facebook @roomLift and Pinterest: Room Lift