Is Full-Service Interior Design Right for You?

How to Know Whether Full-Service or Online Interior Design is the Best Choice

TRADITIONAL WHYMSICAL HOME RENO - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN

When deciding where to eat lunch, some people may gravitate toward Panera Bread. Others may prefer The Capital Grille. 

There is nothing wrong with either restaurant, and you are sure to get fresh and delicious food no matter which you choose. But some individuals may find that Panera better satisfies their needs and expectations and others may say the same of The Capital Grille.

The same is true when choosing a furniture showroom stylist, interior decorator, individual interior designer, or interior design firm.

Though many designers can create, or help you create, beautiful finished spaces, the level of service, expertise, and quality they provide can differ greatly. 

5 Primary Types of Interior Design Services

The most common types of interior design services are full-service design, online design, design consultations, interior decorating, and furniture showroom design.

Full-Service Interior Design

Full-service interior design firms offer white-glove service for their clients. This option requires the least work from a homeowner and is the perfect turn-key solution for busy professionals with little spare time or desire to manage their own projects.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

Full-service firms fill many roles, including:

Creators who look at an existing space and envision what it could look like and what elements it needs to become a masterpiece. They create several items, including: 

a detailed vision of the design

fully thought out room boards, floor plans, and elevations

a full scope of work and a spec book for construction teams to follow

procurement and logistics of every single item presented

And, in Lisa Gilmore Design's case, hand-drawn illustrations of key rooms within the design.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

Sourcers work with a highly curated list of vendors, craftsmen, and artisans from around the globe who are carefully sourced, with whom we often have long-standing relationships that ensure an impeccable end product and endless opportunities for customization.

Installers who carefully place every item in the space to create the finished look.

Project managers who work to keep a project on time and budget and coordinate with vendors such as contractors and tradespeople.

It is truly full service in every sense of the word.

drawing Lisa Gilmore Design

Online Interior Design

Online interior design, also sometimes known as virtual design or e-design, has become increasingly popular since the beginning of the pandemic when many interior designers were unable to work with clients in person.

A designer providing services online does not visit a home in person or complete any measuring. They rely on a homeowner’s photos, videos, and measurements to get a feel for the space, and then use that information to create a design plan. This plan typically includes a mood board, floor plan, and links to suggested items.

These items will be retail products rather than the custom pieces often used by full-service firms. Then it is the homeowner’s responsibility to execute the design by ordering items and installing everything as dictated by the design plan.

Online interior design can be ideal for homeowners with a smaller budget who are willing to take on a larger portion of the work.

photo Andrew Neel Unsplash

Design Consultations

Design consultations can also be advertised as “design for a day” services. Though “design for a day” services are often performed at a person’s home, consultations can also be conducted virtually. 

Interior designers who perform design consultations look at a homeowner’s space and identify problems or opportunities to improve the space. They provide the homeowner with a list of recommendations and solutions and sometimes create a general shopping list of things the homeowner should buy. However, consultations typically do not include a list of specific items to purchase.

Those buying choices are the responsibility of the homeowner. Design consultations may be advantageous for design-savvy homeowners who have a knack for putting together rooms but would like a professional opinion.

photo Getty Images Unsplash

Interior Decorating

Interior decorators are the only providers in this list who may not be formally trained or educated. Many content creators on Instagram and Facebook fall into this category.

Decorators beautify an existing space, but unlike, interior designers, their designs do not include construction or remodeling aspects. They typically excel at refreshing spaces with elements like new paint, furnishings, wall treatments, and home decor.

photo Minh Pham Unsplash

Furniture Showroom Design Services

Many furniture retailers offer design services. Their interior designers provide services similar to design consultations. However, all the products included in their design plans are sourced from their brand(s), which can ultimately lead to a less-than-curated look that lacks personality.

photo Marcus Loke Unsplash

Which interior design firm type is best?

Lisa Gilmore Design is a full-service interior design firm, so obviously, we think that type is the best, especially for busy professionals who are looking for a comprehensive and luxurious interior design solution.

And these are the reasons why.

7 Advantages of Working with a Full-Service Interior Design Firm

You can leverage our well-rounded expertise.

Designers at full-service firms are experts at more than just interior design. We are also knowledgeable about floor plans, construction, sourcing, and textiles. We truly believe in enhancing a space and quality of life through well-executed interior design.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You avoid spending hours researching.

We already know the best sources for different pieces and the best price points, so we come to the table with the perfect options for you. This saves you hours scouring the Internet.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design in Paris

You get a unique space.

Unlike online designers, designers who consult, decorators, or furniture designers, full-service interior designer firms fill their clients’ spaces with custom elements that cannot be found anywhere else. The Lisa Gilmore Design team works with our partners to create pieces like custom draperies and linens and locally fabricated furnishings, and we often include antique and vintage pieces that we have purchased over the years.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You don’t have to be a logistics expert.

Imagine the logistics expertise required to manage 500+ pieces per project– everything from sofas to fabrics, trim, rugs, door hardware, hinges, and beyond. Items are coming from different places all over the globe, and their progress has to be carefully monitored and managed so they will arrive at a client’s home at the right time. Full-service means we handle all of the sourcing and procurement that is required.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You don’t have to manage multiple people.

Busy professionals like high-level executives, doctors, and lawyers do not have the spare time to field questions from designers, contractors, tradespeople, and vendors. Full-service interior design firms provide comprehensive and thorough project management and coordination to ensure that the work is true to the design intent and clear communication with all parties is a priority. We handle many of the construction conversations for you, so you are only contacted when absolutely necessary.

You can avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Novices at renovations can easily make mistakes that impact the project timeline or even the end result. But we have been managing these projects for over 10 years, so we have mastered the process of seeing a project from start to finish. We can spot a problem before it happens and help avoid mistakes or roadblocks.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

You can rest assured that your investment is being managed well.

Large-scale home improvements like renovations can be costly. It is important to allocate a homeowner’s budget wisely. We ensure that happens by listening to what is most important to our clients, condensing all the options so you can make educated decisions on your purchases for your dream home, and monitoring the budget throughout the process.

photo Lisa Gilmore Design

FAQs

1. What types of interior design firms are there?

Interior design firms can have many different specialties such as commercial design, sustainable design, home restoration, new construction, renovations, and production design for theatre, television, and movies. 

2. What are some of the most popular interior design styles?

Though there are many interior design styles, some of the most popular styles in 2023 are mid-century modern, Scandinavian, art deco, traditional, and modern farmhouse.

3. What does full-service interior design include?

Full-service interior design is a white-glove service because firms handle everything for their clients. These design companies create the design, handle procurement, execute the design, and manage all aspects of the project, including coordinating with vendors. 

When choosing an interior design professional for your project, it’s important to remember one thing when reviewing a full-service firm’s fees. That investment doesn’t just cover one portion of the project. Unlike other types of interior designers, full-service firms are there throughout the entire life of the project– the creative work, the procurement, the execution, and the management.

If full-service interior design is a good fit for your upcoming project, please fill out our design inquiry form to get started. 

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm located in St-Petersburg, Florida that provides luxury interior designer services to homeowners, luxury building contractors, and architects. We are a full-service design firm that creates tailored spaces through custom furniture, vintage elements, and carefully researched color palette. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in Tampa Bay, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, the Caribbean, and worldwide.

Formal Dining Rooms are Back in Style: 7 Grand Spaces to Inspire You

DESIGNED FOR HOSTING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, PERFECT FOR DINNER PARTIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Black & Gold Dining Room with Wine Wall - Lisa Gilmore Design

Formal Dining Room Sets Have Returned

Open floor plans have been the go-to home layout for decades. However, not all homebuyers like an open concept; an increasing number of people prefer a traditional layout with separate rooms. 

And as traditional layouts have regained popularity in recent years, so have formal dining rooms.

Where open floor plans often combine the kitchen, dining room, and living room into one large space, traditional floor plans have separate rooms for each. 

Formal dining rooms give homeowners a separate space for dinner parties and special occasions– a space specifically designed for hosting family and friends.

We are sharing a few of the formal dining spaces that the Lisa Gilmore Design team has created that illustrate how these rooms can add richness and character to your home.

7 Luxury Formal Dining Rooms

These seven dining rooms display a range of vibes from modern to traditional, colorful to neutral, and maximalist to minimalist.

Transitional Meets Modern Dining Room

Mid-Century Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

This mid-century formal dining room in St. Petersburg is a great example of mixing traditional and modern elements. Traditional pieces include an heirloom cocktail cart and vintage-inspired chandelier. For a modern twist, the Lisa Gilmore Design team included a banana leaf art print for a pop of color, and we collaborated with local artist Meaghan Scalise to create this hand-painted marbled mural.

Traditional Formal Dining Room with Sparkle

Farmhouse Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

At first glance, this space may look like your traditional formal dining room but don’t miss the wow elements throughout. 

Our client didn't want this room to feel too stuffy and over-decorated, but also not super relaxed. The classic farmhouse chairs symbolize togetherness and evenings filled with conversations and memories around the table, paired with the leopard host and hostess chairs for a bit of approachable glam! 

And the crystal chandelier adds elegance to this beautiful Terra Ceia Island dining room in Manatee County.

Formal Dining Room with Bold, Hand-Painted Drapery

The first thing you may notice about this Tierra Verde formal dining room is the hand-painted drapery fabric from Porter Teleo. When Lisa chose this orangey-pink fabric, she knew it would frame the windows beautifully during a warm sunset. She paired the drapery with high-contrast, black-and-white patterns for a bold look.

The other focal point of this room is the brass banana leaf chandelier that Lisa designed and fabricated locally. 

Lisa Gilmore Design photo

Neutral, Earthy Dining Room with a Modern Twist

Our team chose a neutral and earthy color palette for this dining room to balance the colorful adjacent living room. We paired a distressed wood table with acrylic chairs and bench seating covered in woven fabric. We added handmade textile art for texture and an antique, French-style chandelier for a touch of old-world glam. 

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Black and Gold Dining Room with Wine Wall

Wine Wall Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

Luxury Dining Room Details - Lisa Gilmore Design

This Snell Isle formal dining room’s details make it simply unforgettable. Your eye may be initially drawn to the room’s wine wall with lighted glass discovery boxes. 

But don’t miss the custom walls and wainscoting by T2TheS, a local millwork company, and the Currey & Company chandelier. 

Our team upholstered the dining chairs in Kelly Wearstler Graffito for Lee Jofa fabric and commissioned this large round dining table from Stine Custom Woodworks. The finishing touch was a gold corkboard-wallpapered ceiling. 

Colorful Formal Dining Room with Vintage Elements

Colorful Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

This dining room has so many small touches that add character and glamour. The chairs and striking royal blue sideboard were vintage pieces our team had restyled locally. 

Another dazzling piece is the table, which is a beautiful black cheruse. The eye-catching chandelier is from Arteriors, and the majestic side lamps are vintage from the 1940s. The drapery, which is a beautiful chartreuse green silk with a hot pink grosgrain, pops against the room's black walls and white wainscoting.

Maximalist Formal Dining Room

Colorful Formal Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design

Maximalist Formal Dining Room - Lisa Gilmore Design Tampa

This ranch-style home’s dining room is a visual feast for the eyes. The Lisa Gilmore Design team mixed old and new elements to create a space filled with conversation starters. 

Lift your eyes to the leopard-inspired wallpaper on the ceiling, then the blush-hued grasscloth wall coverings and chinoiserie drapery. For wall hangings, we added the client’s vintage plates gifted from her daughter and whimsical watercolor art for a bit more color boldness. The vintage Italian Murano glass chandelier illuminates the chartreuse performance fabric-covered host and hostess chairs and the client’s reupholstered and repainted dining chairs. 

Lisa Gilmore Design Tricks of the Trade

When our team of experts designs a formal dining room, there are a few things we like to keep in mind:

1. Consider the seating.

Different seating styles offer different energy and add personality to a dining room. Mix-and-match seating, matching chairs, and bench seats each add a distinct vibe to the space.

2. Dress the walls.

Interior designers are artists and each space is a canvas for us to create. That includes a room’s walls. We intentionally select a particular wallpaper, hand-painted details, and art to enhance a space’s aesthetic. If you really want to take it to the next level, don’t forget the ceiling!

3. Drapery is art.

Drapery is another way we had an artistic element to a formal dining room. Some homeowners want to save money by avoiding custom drapery, but this is one of those areas that make a significant impact on a space. It is an easy way to add color and visual height to a room.

4. Lighting can take a dining room to the next level.

Formal dining rooms often feel incomplete without a statement light fixture. Beyond its functional uses, the right light can add a unique element to the room, whether through its history, modern or traditional feel, funky shape, or custom design.

FAQs

1. What’s considered a formal dining room?

A formal dining room is often a separate room that is used for special occasions, dinner parties, and other entertaining. It may have doors, like pocket or French doors, that close it off from other rooms in the house. Formal dining rooms usually have a more elevated design than casual dining spaces and include a formal dining room set and high-end linens and dinnerware.

2. Are formal dining rooms still a thing?

Formal dining rooms became less popular when the demand for open floor plans increased, but in 2023, traditional floor plans and formal dining spaces are becoming more popular. In fact, a Rocket Homes survey found that nearly 50% of homebuyers prefer a traditional layout. And as a luxury interior design firm, we have designed many formal dining rooms for clients.

3. What is a good size formal dining room?

According to Spruce, the average size dining room in the U.S. is 14 by 16 feet. It’s important to keep your dining room’s size in mind when selecting a formal dining room table. We recommend a pathway of at least 36 inches from table to wall, although 42 inches is best and most comfortable for walking around when guests are seated.

We are glad to see that formal dining rooms are back in style, but when we work with a client, we place much more emphasis on what layouts and designs work best for their lifestyle and personality rather than what is trendy. Trends come and go, so your spaces should be a reflection of your life and preferences. 

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service design firm that creates one-of-a-kind spaces through the use of artisan-crafted pieces, antique elements, and custom designs. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Hyde Park, South Tampa, and worldwide. 

Sadie's Bedroom Fundraiser

HELP US RAISE FUNDS TO GIVE SADIE, 14, THE BEDROOM OF HER DREAMS.

Sadie’s Dream Bedroom - Lisa Gilmore Design

Meet Sadie

Sadie is a 14 year old girl full of light, recovering from Leukemia and a long battle with cancer. She will return home soon from her latest round of treatments in Orlando.

Her mom describes sadie as such a light: "She has made every day look easy even though it has been so tough, but she is so much tougher. She is 14 now and cancer has taken away enough of her chilhood. She is ready to heal and just be a kid again."

Together, let’s give Sadie a dreamy bedroom to help with her recovery. You can donate now to Savvy Giving by Design with Paypal or Venmo.

DONATE NOW

More on Sadie

At 12 years old, Sadie was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, bone cancer. She's had countless cvcles of chemotherapy, radiation treatments and gruesome surgery.

In March 2023, She was diagnosed with rare chemo-induced Leukemia. In June of this year she received a bone marrow transplant from her half brother.

Giving back

The Lisa Gilmore Design team is honored to partner up with Savvy Giving by Design Tampa to create Sadie's dream bedroom.

savvygivingbydesign.org

To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service firm, designing and managing renovations and new home construction projects from consultation to reveal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in St. Petersburg,  Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and worldwide. 

Designer Kids Rooms That Are Glamorous and Playful

GIVE YOUR KIDS THEIR DREAM BEDROOM AND A SANCTUARY TO GROW INTO.

Minty Fresh Eclectic Girl’s Bedroom - Lisa Gilmore Design

Kids Room Ideas with Luxury Interior Design

Kids' rooms can feel challenging for parents who desire a beautiful, luxurious home. Kids have a lot of belongings and often have plans for their rooms that are the complete opposite of yours.

We polled the team at Lisa Gilmore Design about what kinds of things we wanted in our rooms as kids that our parents wouldn’t let us have: floral wallpaper, a keyboard studio, a teddy bear wall border, lilac purple walls, and a Nintendo® 64.

6 Sophisticated Kids Bedroom Ideas

Our team has designed many families’ homes over the years, and we always enjoy exercising our creative muscles and remembering our younger selves when creating fun kids’ spaces. 

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Girl's bedroom - Lisa Gilmore Design

Blush and Gold Girl’s Bedroom in Vacation Condo

Our clients wanted their daughters to enjoy going to the family vacation home as much as the adults did. So we created a beautiful room for them to share that included blush and gold geometric wallpaper, a pair of trundle beds for when friends sleep over, fun lighting, and water-inspired art.

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Boy's Sport Inspired Bedroom

Boy’s Sports-Inspired Bedroom

As you can see, the son of this client loves sports. Many kids want a sports-themed room, but a theme that is too intense can come off as kitschy. We wanted to incorporate his love of sports in an elevated way, so we chose simplified and striking geometrics to create a nice backdrop for visually busy sporting goods items and memorabilia.

Girl’s Romantic Floral Bedroom

The focal point of this girl’s bedroom is the removable wallpaper with a large floral pattern. But don’t miss the gold-accented nightstand and four-poster bed. We paired modern clean lines with more girly, traditional pieces that would age well with a growing 5-year-old. The overall palette was neutral allowing the fun florals to steal the show! And the monogram initials over the bed add the perfect finishing touch to this feminine room.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Toddler Boy’s Vintage Car Bedroom

A classic car fan of any age would love this bed! It certainly made this 3-year-old’s wildest dreams come true. The youthful truck bed required that we be especially thoughtful about the rest of the room’s design. Everything else in this room is transitional and modern, so when he outgrows the truck, the parents can bring in a new bed without having to do an entire room overhaul.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Girl’s Eclectic and Minimalistic Bedroom

This minimalistic and polished bedroom was created for an older teen who was ready for a more sophisticated space. There are several pieces in this room that epitomize luxury. The chandelier has a “floating dandelion” feeling, and the trundle daybed is the perfect chic addition for lounging with friends, sleepovers, or quiet study time. And the rug we added has a vintage appeal that will age well with her as she grows up.

Lisa Gilmore Design photo.

Lisa Gilmore Design - Interior Designer Tampa

Teen Girl's Bedroom with Storage

Teen Girl’s Bedroom with Maximum Storage

This room has a more mature look for a teen girl. She dreams of traveling the world when she is older and has a whimsical personality, so the majestic fabric from Emma Shipley was the perfect addition to this playful yet mature space. 

This teen also has a lot of collectibles, records, crafts, and trophies, so we included built-in storage that would allow her to continuously update and restyle her belongings as her heart desires. The Lisa Gilmore Design team designed the built-in bookcases and worked with a local carpenter to create pieces that were the perfect fit for the space.

Design tips for kid’s and teen’s bedroom

When the Lisa Gilmore Design team designs a kids’ space, there are a few things we keep in mind.

• Make the child a part of the process.
  To create a room that a kid will feel at home in, it’s important to find out their likes and dislikes. Some children may enjoy creating a mood board for their room.

• Identify the child’s interests and hobbies.
  Knowing whether a kid is interested in reading, music, sports, etc. is key in designing the right room for them. It helps us choose the right decor and storage systems and plan the space’s layout. 

• Understand their storage needs.
  Many kids like to collect things or love toys like legos, Barbies, and action figures that have a lot of pieces. And some children have a large wardrobe. Identifying these things will help us plan accordingly. 

• Use peel-and-stick wallpaper.
  Peel-and-stick wallpaper comes in numerous prints and patterns, so it’s easy to find something that suits every child. And it is easy to remove and replace as the child grows and their interests change.

• Have fun with lighting.
  If the kid’s room doesn’t need a ceiling fan for air circulation, then the options for lighting are endless. There are so many whimsical and playful light fixtures that would pop in a child’s room.

• Create intentional spaces.
  Kids’ bedrooms are usually their main living spaces, so they need to be more than just a place to sleep. Based on the child’s age and lifestyle, we create spaces in the room to study or hang out by adding items like floor cushions, gaming chairs, tents, and window seats.

FAQs

1. How should a kids' room be set up?

When planning children’s bedrooms, be sure to include plenty of areas for storage, play, and sleepover guests. Add decor and color that the child can grow with rather than a theme that the child will be tired of in a year.

2. How can I decorate a bedroom for kids?

The most important tip when decorating a bedroom for kids is to include them in the process. Get their wish list for the room, incorporate their interests and hobbies, and collaborate on a plan for the space. Don’t forget to include areas for storage and to display their collections.

3. What should be in a child’s room?

Other than the basics like a bed, desk, and storage, a child’s room should include special touches like areas to hang out, a place to display their important belongings, beautiful and functional lighting, a cozy rug, and a bookshelf or bookcase. 

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To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.

Lisa Gilmore Design is an interior design firm based in Tampa Bay, Florida that provides luxury design services to busy professionals. We are a full-service firm, designing and managing renovations and new home construction projects from consultation to reveal. Lisa Gilmore Design serves homeowners in St. Petersburg,  Clearwater, South Tampa, Hyde Park, and worldwide.