I’ve run into that too—people talking up “green” design but then can’t name a single supplier or show you a sample. If someone’s really experienced, they’ll have stories, maybe even photos, of past projects. Being upfront about sourcing shouldn’t be a big ask. If you get vague answers, trust your gut.
If someone’s really experienced, they’ll have stories, maybe even photos, of past projects.
That’s spot on. I always ask for a project portfolio and specific supplier lists—if they can’t provide those, it’s a red flag for me. Had one designer pitch “eco-friendly” but couldn’t tell me the VOC content of their paints. Details matter, especially if you’re investing serious money. Do they know lead times? Can they explain why they chose one material over another? Those answers tell you a lot about their process.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
I totally get what you mean about the details. When we started building our place, I was so excited about the “vision” that I almost missed the practical stuff. The first designer we met had a gorgeous Instagram, but when I asked about where she sourced her reclaimed wood, she just kind of waved it off and said, “Oh, it’s all sustainable.” That didn’t sit right with me.
The one we ended up hiring actually brought samples to our first meeting—like, real tiles and fabric swatches, not just mood boards. She even explained why she’d picked a certain tile for the mudroom (something about how it hides dirt better, which I never would’ve thought of). It made me realize that creativity’s great, but if they can’t back it up with real info and reasons, it’s just talk. I guess I learned to trust my gut when someone dodges the specifics.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
That “all sustainable” answer would’ve bugged me too. I’ve had designers pitch me on “eco-friendly” materials, but when I pressed for certifications or actual sourcing info, it was all vague. One even tried to convince me that bamboo flooring was always green—never mind the adhesives or how it’s shipped halfway across the world. I’m with you: if they can’t explain their choices or show receipts, it’s just marketing fluff. Real transparency beats pretty pictures every time, at least for me.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR BEFORE SIGNING WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
Yeah, the “sustainable” buzzword gets tossed around way too much. I ran into the same thing when I started my house build—everyone had a different definition of what “green” meant, and half the time it was just a fancy label slapped on regular stuff. I actually asked one designer to walk me through their process, like, how do you pick materials? Where do you source them? If they can’t answer that without getting all vague or defensive, that’s a red flag for me.
One thing I wish I’d done earlier: ask to see examples of past projects where they actually delivered on those promises. Not just pretty photos, but details—like, did they use reclaimed wood? What kind of paint? It’s wild how much you learn from the little things. Also, personality fit matters more than I expected. You’re gonna be working with this person for months, maybe longer... if you don’t vibe or feel heard, it’s just not worth it.
And yeah, bamboo isn’t always as green as it sounds. Learned that the hard way after reading up on shipping emissions and glue chemicals. Live and learn, right?
