What to Expect When Working With an Interior Designer in New Orleans (Process, Timeline & Investment)

Most homeowners who reach out to us have been thinking about their project for two years before they pick up the phone.

They love their home's character — the original heart pine floors, the soaring ceilings, the bones of an Uptown shotgun or a Garden District double — but they don't know how to make it actually work for the way they live now. They're not sure if they're "ready." They worry about losing what they love. They worry it'll cost more than they imagined. They worry the designer won't listen.

If any of that sounds like you, this post is for you. Here's what actually happens when you hire an interior designer in New Orleans — written by one.

1. The Design Process

Every studio has its own approach. At Val Spaces, ours is built around how older New Orleans homes actually work — and how the people who live in them want to use their space.

Discovery & Documentation We start with a site visit. We walk through your home, ask a lot of questions, and document what's there — both what you love and what's quietly driving you crazy. The goal at this stage isn't to start designing. It's to understand.

Concept & Direction Once we have a clear picture, we shape the overall vision — layout, mood, materials, the direction the project is heading. This is where we make sure we're seeing the same home before anything gets final.

Design Development Now we get specific. Selections refined, finishes resolved, every detail documented. We also create the drawings and specs the contractors, painters, and craftsmen will need to bring it to life.

Procurement & Execution Once you approve, we order, track, and coordinate everything through install. You don't have to chase shipping, manage delays, or worry about whether the rug will work with the tile. That's our job.

2. Timeline

Good design takes time. Especially in New Orleans.

Older homes have surprises — termite damage behind a wall, plumbing that hasn't been touched since 1962, foundation settling that means nothing is square. Permitting in NOLA moves at its own pace. Custom millwork, vintage sourcing, and good craftspeople all have their own schedules.

A full-service project typically runs 6–12 months from kickoff to install, depending on scope. Furnishings-only projects move faster. Renovations with construction take longer.

The clients who love their result the most are the ones who let the design fully develop instead of rushing the next step. We've never had a client say "I wish we'd hurried this." We've heard the opposite plenty.

3. Investment

Every project is shaped by scope, level of customization, and the complexity of the home itself. A whole-home in the Garden District and a furnishings refresh on a Bywater bungalow are very different conversations.

For a full, transparent breakdown of what design projects actually cost in New Orleans — and what your budget can realistically cover , read our [New Orleans interior design cost guide] (coming next).

4. Communication & Collaboration

The thing most clients tell us they were nervous about was losing control of their own home.

Our process is built so that doesn't happen. Decisions are made at defined stages — you approve concept before we develop, you approve development before we order, you approve install before we celebrate. No surprises. No "we just went ahead and..."

Your home is yours. We're channeling what you already know you want — even if you can't quite describe it yet.

5. What Makes the Biggest Difference

After 15 years of doing this work in New Orleans, the projects that turn out best share a few things in common:

• A client who knows what they don't want (and is honest about it)

• Designers who listen way more than they talk

• A home that already has good bones — we don't need to fight the house

• Time and patience to let the design develop, not rush it

• Trust on both sides — once you've picked us, let us do the thing you hired us to do

If you have most of those, this is going to be a great project.

Photo: Anna Addison Davis

Final Thought

Working with an interior designer isn't just about the final result. It's about creating a process that feels clear, intentional, and well-managed from the start.

If you're still in the early stages of planning — sitting on the idea, not sure if you're "ready" — that's okay. Most of our clients started right where you are.

If any of this sounds like the conversation you've been putting off, let's have it.

About the Author

Valentina Lostalo is the founder and principal designer of Val Spaces, a boutique full-service interior design studio in New Orleans. With over 15 years of experience and a formal education in architecture from Argentina, she approaches every project with both creative vision and a builder's understanding of how spaces actually come together. She is known for colorful, deeply personal interiors — and for being the kind of designer who shows up to the job site. Val Spaces has been featured in New Orleans Magazine and serves clients across the Greater New Orleans area.