Q&A with Nancy our in-house interior designer

Great interior design is about more than selecting finishes or following the latest trends. It is about understanding how people live and creating a home that feels functional, personal and timeless.

We sat down with Nancy, our in-house interior designer at Kostel, to discuss current design trends, renovation planning and the improvements that can make the biggest impact when buying, updating or preparing a home for sale.

What Is the Most Important Lesson You Have Learned About Great Design?

Q: Looking back on your career, what is one lesson about great design that has stayed with you? What still excites you when you enter a new home for the first time?

Nancy: The biggest lesson I have learned is that great design is never about simply following trends. It is about creating a home that reflects the people who live there.

Every family has different routines, priorities and ways of using their space. When a home is designed around those needs, it does not just look beautiful, it functions beautifully too.

What still excites me is the possibility. Every home has something unique to offer, whether it is incredible natural light, interesting architecture or a layout that can be completely transformed. I love entering a space and immediately imagining what it could become.

Where Do You Find Design Inspiration?

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your projects? Are there designers, brands or resources you regularly turn to?

Nancy: Inspiration can come from almost anywhere, including travel, architecture, nature, boutique hotels, art and fashion. I also spend a lot of time visiting showrooms and learning about new materials and products.

Rather than recreating someone else’s work, I use those influences to design something personal for each client. Every project should feel collected, timeless and unique, not as though it came directly from a catalog.

What Interior Design Trends Are You Loving?

Q: What are some of the biggest interior design trends you are enjoying right now?

Nancy: I love the shift toward warmer and more inviting interiors.

Natural wood tones, layered textures, handcrafted materials and earthy color palettes are replacing the cool gray spaces that dominated design for many years.

Homeowners are also thinking more about wellness. They want better lighting, functional storage, comfortable gathering spaces and rooms that genuinely support everyday living.

Which Design Trends Are Starting to Feel Dated?

Q: What trends are beginning to disappear?

Nancy: Design is moving away from stark, all-white interiors and spaces that feel more like showrooms than homes.

There is also less emphasis on making everything match perfectly. Homeowners are becoming more comfortable with contrast, personality, vintage pieces and natural materials that develop character as they age.

Why Should Buyers Involve a Designer Before Purchasing?

Q: One service we love offering buyers is the opportunity to meet with you before writing an offer or while they are in escrow. Why is involving an interior designer that early so valuable?

Nancy: It can be one of the smartest investments a buyer makes.

People often enter a home and only see what it looks like today. They may struggle to imagine what the property could become with the right changes.

Meeting before writing an offer or during escrow allows us to evaluate renovation possibilities, discuss budgets, identify opportunities and prioritize improvements before the purchase is finalized.

This gives buyers greater confidence in what is realistic and allows them to move forward with a clear vision rather than uncertainty.

How Can Buyers Prepare for Renovations During Escrow?

Q: How does planning with an interior designer during escrow help work begin sooner after closing?

Nancy: The earlier the planning begins, the smoother the project is likely to be.

During escrow, we can begin developing design concepts, selecting materials, gathering contractor pricing and identifying items with long lead times.

Once the purchase closes, the homeowners may be able to move directly into the next phase instead of spending several months making decisions. Early preparation saves time and can help prevent costly construction delays.

Can Design Help Buyers See a Home Differently?

Q: Have you worked with buyers who initially could not see a property’s potential?

Nancy: Absolutely. It happens all the time.

Many buyers focus on cosmetic issues such as outdated flooring, older cabinetry or paint colors because those are the first things they notice.

Once we help them visualize improved lighting, updated finishes, a reconfigured kitchen or the removal of a wall, the home can feel completely different.

We have seen buyers change their minds about a property after realizing that a dated space could become their dream home with thoughtful planning.

Which Improvements Make the Biggest Impact?

Q: When someone buys a home that needs updating, which projects do you typically recommend addressing first?

Nancy: Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting and paint usually create the most noticeable transformation.

Lighting alone can dramatically change how a home feels. Beyond cosmetic improvements, creating better flow between rooms and improving the home’s overall functionality can provide greater long-term value than simply replacing finishes.

Where Should Homeowners Spend or Save?

Q: When someone has a limited renovation budget, where should they invest their money and where can they save without sacrificing style?

Nancy: Invest in the elements that are difficult or expensive to change later. This may include layout improvements, cabinetry, quality flooring, plumbing fixtures and lighting.

Decorative pieces are often easier to update over time. Homeowners may be able to save on furniture, accessories, mirrors and certain tile selections without compromising the overall design.

A carefully planned budget can make a home feel luxurious without selecting the most expensive option for every finish.

Which Materials Require the Most Advance Planning?

Q: Are there any materials, finishes or products that homeowners should order early?

Nancy: Custom cabinetry, specialty lighting, natural stone slabs and certain plumbing fixtures can have extended lead times, depending on the manufacturer.

The earlier these decisions are made, the better. Selecting and ordering materials before construction begins can prevent delays that affect the entire renovation schedule.

Where Do You Source Furniture and Finishes?

Q: Where do you typically source furniture, lighting, fixtures and finishes?

Nancy: We use a combination of trade-only vendors, artisan makers, local workrooms and trusted manufacturers known for their quality.

We also enjoy incorporating vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces. These elements add character and prevent a home from feeling overly designed.

Thoughtfully combining different price points can create a space that feels authentic, layered and lived in.

What Luxury Feature Is More Accessible Than People Realize?

Q: What is one luxury design feature that has become more affordable or accessible?

Nancy: Layered lighting is far more accessible than many homeowners realize.

Combining recessed lighting, decorative fixtures, sconces, under-cabinet lighting and dimmers can create an elevated atmosphere without requiring a luxury-level budget.

Lighting has one of the greatest effects on how polished and expensive a home feels.

Which Design Updates Help a Home Sell?

Q: When preparing a home for sale, which improvements tend to appeal to the widest range of buyers and provide the strongest return?

Nancy: Fresh paint, updated lighting, refinished flooring, modern hardware and thoughtful staging consistently make a strong impact.

Buyers are generally drawn to homes that feel bright, clean and move-in ready. Smaller improvements that create a cohesive look can sometimes produce a greater return than expensive renovations that may not appeal to every buyer’s taste.

What Is the Most Common Design Mistake?

Q: What is one mistake you see homeowners make repeatedly that could easily be avoided?

Nancy: Making individual decisions without first creating an overall plan.

Homeowners may choose flooring, paint, countertops and furniture separately, only to discover that the finished elements compete with one another.

Creating a complete design direction before purchasing materials or furnishings usually produces a more cohesive result and can save money in the long run.

What Is Your Best Advice for Homeowners?

Q: What is the one piece of design advice homeowners should keep in mind when buying, renovating or preparing to sell?

Nancy: Think beyond today’s trends and invest in timeless design that supports the way you actually live.

Beautiful homes are not created by spending the most money. They are created through intentional decisions.

When a home functions well, feels welcoming and reflects the homeowner’s lifestyle, it will never truly go out of style.

Create a Clear Vision for Your Home

Whether you are considering purchasing a home that needs updating, preparing for a renovation or getting ready to sell, involving an interior designer early can help you understand what is possible.

With the right plan, even small changes can completely transform how a property looks, feels and functions.