Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Follow along as I create an interior design presentation and story/mood board for my clients. Not all architects consider interior design as part of their scope of work, but for residential architects it’s at least half of our work. It’s essential. I want a singular holistic vision and a reflection of the architectural design solution applied consistently throughout. There are, of course, varying degrees of influence we can exert. I’m hardly a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, but I always admired his ability to design every last detail in his clients’ homes. From window glazing to tableware, linens, art, and accessories. He designed every piece of furniture and, fixed their positions, to curate the overall experience, both inside and out. Although most people have limited budgets and patience for this degree of design integration (especially after 27 months in construction), for architects it remains an aspiration.
My interior design process is a combination of design and curation. Some elements, such as door and window details, cabinetry, hardware selection, plumbing, and lighting fixtures, need to be designed and integrated, while others, such as furniture, accessories, and textiles, can be left for curation.
Designing a home involves many decisions, from furniture and color choices to lighting and accessories. Every aspect contributes to the overall look, feel, and function of the space. Without a guiding concept, the result can feel like a disjointed collection of disparate elements. That's why architects and interior designers approach each decision from a holistic perspective, considering how it fits into the overall aesthetic and concept of the space.
For this project, the concept is drawn from the colors, textures, light and patterns in the natural surroundings. See how we use materials, scale, texture and color to mimic the boundary condition this home occupies between forest and sea.
To see the presentation slides and material palettes, be sure to check out the blog post: thirtybyforty.com/blog/interior-design-starts-with-this
▬▬▬▬▬ Resources ▬▬▬▬▬
➕ Download the Presentation Template: thirtybyforty.com/toolkit
➕ Digital drawing templates: thirtybyforty.com/digital-drawing-templates
➕ Specification + Schedule templates: thirtybyforty.com/spec
➕ Architect + Entrepreneur Course: thirtybyforty.com/a-e-course
▬▬▬▬▬ Timestamps ▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Design Concept
02:53 Material + Color
03:25 Why Neutrals?
03:58 Carlisle Wide Plank Wood Floor
05:23 Mosa Tile
05:55 Choosing the right White
06:25 Mood Boards for each space
07:22 Hardware, Plumbing + Light Fixtures
07:45 Kitchen Material Palette
08:51 One Palette, Many Options
09:14 Every last detail
10:15 Creating a Holistic Work of Art
11:23 Architectural Drawing + Presentation Templates
▬▬▬▬▬ MUSIC I USE (free 30-day trial) ▬▬▬▬▬
thirtybyforty.com/epidemic
▬▬▬▬▬ GEAR I USE ▬▬▬▬▬
thirtybyforty.com/kit
#interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #architecture
Follow along as I create an interior design presentation and story/mood board for my clients. Not all architects consider interior design as part of their scope of work, but for residential architects it’s at least half of our work. It’s essential. I want a singular holistic vision and a reflection of the architectural design solution applied consistently throughout. There are, of course, varying degrees of influence we can exert. I’m hardly a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, but I always admired his ability to design every last detail in his clients’ homes. From window glazing to tableware, linens, art, and accessories. He designed every piece of furniture and, fixed their positions, to curate the overall experience, both inside and out. Although most people have limited budgets and patience for this degree of design integration (especially after 27 months in construction), for architects it remains an aspiration.
My interior design process is a combination of design and curation. Some elements, such as door and window details, cabinetry, hardware selection, plumbing, and lighting fixtures, need to be designed and integrated, while others, such as furniture, accessories, and textiles, can be left for curation.
Designing a home involves many decisions, from furniture and color choices to lighting and accessories. Every aspect contributes to the overall look, feel, and function of the space. Without a guiding concept, the result can feel like a disjointed collection of disparate elements. That's why architects and interior designers approach each decision from a holistic perspective, considering how it fits into the overall aesthetic and concept of the space.
For this project, the concept is drawn from the colors, textures, light and patterns in the natural surroundings. See how we use materials, scale, texture and color to mimic the boundary condition this home occupies between forest and sea.
To see the presentation slides and material palettes, be sure to check out the blog post: thirtybyforty.com/blog/interior-design-starts-with-this
▬▬▬▬▬ Resources ▬▬▬▬▬
➕ Download the Presentation Template: thirtybyforty.com/toolkit
➕ Digital drawing templates: thirtybyforty.com/digital-drawing-templates
➕ Specification + Schedule templates: thirtybyforty.com/spec
➕ Architect + Entrepreneur Course: thirtybyforty.com/a-e-course
▬▬▬▬▬ Timestamps ▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Design Concept
02:53 Material + Color
03:25 Why Neutrals?
03:58 Carlisle Wide Plank Wood Floor
05:23 Mosa Tile
05:55 Choosing the right White
06:25 Mood Boards for each space
07:22 Hardware, Plumbing + Light Fixtures
07:45 Kitchen Material Palette
08:51 One Palette, Many Options
09:14 Every last detail
10:15 Creating a Holistic Work of Art
11:23 Architectural Drawing + Presentation Templates
▬▬▬▬▬ MUSIC I USE (free 30-day trial) ▬▬▬▬▬
thirtybyforty.com/epidemic
▬▬▬▬▬ GEAR I USE ▬▬▬▬▬
thirtybyforty.com/kit
#interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #architecture
