Where passion meets expertise
Emily’s Design Style
Timeless elegance meets the perfect blend of California cool and East Coast charm. My passion for historical architecture is at the heart of every design, creating spaces that exude both sophistication and functionality. I prioritize creating living spaces that are not only visually stunning but also purposeful and functional for everyday living.
What sets Emily James apart from other interior designers?
Most interior designers order, mark up, and sell all of the products used in their designs to the client. This often leads to high minimum spends by the client, markups over retail prices, and less versatility of products available to use. Emily leaves all of the ordering and buying to the client. This leads to less project management for Emily James which directly means savings to the client because I can set lower than average design prices. Don’t worry, if I do have any design trade discounts, those will be shared with clients and those savings will be going straight to the client’s pockets.
Emily’s Story
A career rooted in excellence
I bring a wealth of experience from my successful corporate buying career at retailers such as Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma, Balsam Hill, and Shutterfly. With 15 years of industry knowledge under my belt, I’ve honed my skills in art direction, business and product strategy which are the foundation of my design business.
A seamless transition to interior design
After a move across the country from the San Francisco Bay to the DC Metro area, and a life-changing decision to leave behind the corporate world, I spent two years staying home with my two sons. During this time at home and a break from working full-time I began to crave being creative again, and that entrepreneurial itch came back! Interior design has always been my passion, and I finally decided to give it a try. Emily James Design was born as a small side hustle on Etsy, and I quickly realized that a more affordable streamlined approach to interior design was a need many people had.
Organically, Emily James graduated from a side-hustle to a full-fledged business. Combining my years of business experience in corporate retail with my design and the home decor knowledge. If you work with me, you can expect nothing less than exceptional expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of your vision. Let me transform your space into something extraordinary.
“Emily was brilliant to work with; she was attentive, creative, open to ideas and created a space that I’m really excited about putting together!”
- JoAnn, Client