Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Washington.
Hi Desiree, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The idea for Designs By Des (Interiors became “Interiors” years later) came about when I realized how many fellow mom friends were struggling with home care and life balance. I went to school for architecture so I was very familiar with built systems and my Human Psychology in Design minor allowed me to understand the human condition in design spaces, so I always had a passion of blending those two worlds. At the time, a lot of my followers were young busy working professionals like me who wanted serene at home interiors that made them feel rejuvenated and grounded. I had a 7 month old baby at the time and was sharing my home upgrades on social media to help others who were in the same journey. I opened Designs By Des in January 2020 while having a full time job as a lighting specialist and manager, and wanted to create more time flexibility as my son was growing. My first project was actually my own mother who was an empty nester who though was not my original ideal clientele, I knew she had a need that I could help. I started figuring out my systems and design style early on and gained traction in my client based after sharing her reveal video and room transformation. So many people resonated with it and it became my fuel.
In March 2020, my corporate job restructured and I leaned more into this vision as I saw it was a powerful vehicle for my family. Originally, we were doing local in person meetings but most of our work was E-Design as we were growing through Covid.
Fast forward to a year later, I realized very quickly I needed some help in getting my projects to the finish and hired my family as contracted workers to help me with staging. Though our first few years were mainly residential work with more decorating needs, we pivoted into a full service interior design studio directly after. This was was Designs By Des changed to Designs By Des Interiors. Our projects grew into larger renovation and home addition work in larger scale residential homes and small commercial work. I started getting super intentional with building brand and trade relationships that have elevated me to where I am today, still heavy in creating beautiful multi-functional spaces that focus on functionality and elevating the everyday experience.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly has not as much as I wish I could say it was sometimes.
Understanding the ebs and flows of the business til this day is something I am still navigating. We as a design industry have our busy and slow seasons which comes with a mind shift in leaning into your own confidence and not a lack mindset.
In the beginning, it was hard understanding when that next client may come when you are in the slower seasons, which sometimes meant taking on clients just to pay the bills. That also came with understanding they were not my ideal clients. I had to learn how to set better realistic expectations, boundaries and projects that were more aligned.
There were also the learning curves that come with building your team whether that is your own staff, tradesman, and companies that align with your goals and work style. The stronger relationships you can build the stronger your team.
As you know, we’re big fans of Designs By Des Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I mentioned this a little in my introduction but one of the things that I didn’t mention is how much of a family team my business is. My father and husband are my assemblers and on site assistants, my mother is my stager project manager, and my sister is our additional stager and marketing director. We are a veteran Navy military family as we learned how to serve by watching my father in childhood and adolescence. My parents are also leaders in our church (Deacon and Deaconess) so I grew up as a church kid with parents who were entrepreneurs (Limousine and Wedding Planning Businesses) themselves. We are often on job sites together where our clients become an extension of our family team and we take that to heart.
Not only are we deeply rooted in family, but we are one of the few minority studios in southern MA (we are African American) which brings a new perspective in our approach to design and service.
As a firm we also handle all of our designs in house. With my architecture background, my passion is actually in 3D modeling and rendering where I love creating virtual spaces and making them realities, I’ve been known for creating unique blends of color splashes, plays on lighting design, and getting creative with maximizing space through better space utilization and multi-functionality.
All in all, I am a very upbeat spirit who truly just LOVE what I do!
One of the most proud moments brand wise are a few recognition in being a 2022 Small Business Grant Winner with Vistaprint, being a part of the renowned Wayfair Tastemaker program, being named one of the top 10 Black Designers to Watch in 2025 from Spruce, and being featured on HGTV in a little TV cameo on the show “Houses with History”. Those were all big moments that truly made me feel like I was being seen and heard.
Some of the things I want readers to know is a still do virtual design which means I can design outside of New England. Though I only take on a certain amount a year, it is service that was the basis for our business. Even if I am not the designer for them, I encourage them to follow along our socials as maybe we can inspire!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family make me happy. They are the reason why I go as hard as I do and provide like I do. I experienced two life/death experiences in my life (between a house fire and a ruptured appendix 26 week pregnant) that I feel tested my presence here on Earth. My family were always the ones to keep me grounded and surrounded in love. They are the most selfless human beings willing to always go above and beyond the call of duty to help anyone in need. We are a close knit group that are our biggest cheerleaders in life and I truly would not be here without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designsbydesinteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.desedge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designsbydesinteriors
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/designs-by-des-interiors
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@designsbydesinteriors
