How to Decorate Podcast – Episode 434

Demystifying Interior Design with Gordon Dunning

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Caroline (Marketing), Taryn (Product Designer), Liz (Creative)
Guests: Latham Gordon & Kate Dunning, Gordon Dunning Interior Design

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Ballard Designs team welcomes back Latham Gordon and Kate Dunning—the duo behind Atlanta’s Gordon Dunning interior design firm—to demystify the process of working with an interior designer. The conversation unpacks every stage, from before you hire a designer to what happens after install day. Latham and Kate share hilariously candid insights about communication, budgeting, relationship dynamics, and the realities of the design business, all while emphasizing the importance of personality, clear communication, and authentic storytelling in the design process. The episode is full of practical advice for anyone considering hiring a designer, whether for a single room or a whole house project.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Hiring a Designer Feels Mysterious

There’s no single, uniform process for working with a designer, making it seem mysterious or “behind the curtain.” Every designer works differently, so expectations and methods vary.
[02:02] Caroline: “Because so many designers work differently, there’s not a right answer...it feels secretive.”
[02:21] Latham: “It can be very irritating to shop for a designer because it’s not apples to apples. So, let’s talk about that.”

2. Preparing to Work with a Designer

Start by identifying your priorities: timeline, aesthetic, budget, process style, etc.
Use resources like social media, local events, and especially personal referrals to scope out designers who might be a fit.
It’s more about vibe and process fit than just aesthetic.
[04:00] Kate: “Thinking about how you work with other professionals. When do you feel heard? When have those relationships gone well?... If somebody—I could get an update every week, or I prefer it when we get to have phone calls, or people who validate me or who listen or talk in pictures...”

3. The Interview Process: Designer Meets Client

Both sides are interviewing each other. It’s expected—and healthy—for clients to interview multiple designers.
Be transparent; designers are used to it.
The initial process typically starts with email, moves to a phone call to gauge personality, and then an in-home walkthrough if there’s mutual fit.
[09:06] Latham: “It is important to interview multiple folks. And it’s totally understandable. We all understand you’re probably doing that.”

4. Money & Budget Conversations

Be open and “get cozy” discussing your budget. Even if it’s an estimate or a range, sharing it up front saves time and helps designers respect your limits.
Pricing structure varies: some designers are fee-based, some hourly, etc. Ask about this early.
It’s normal (and okay) to have your project paused until your budget matches your goals.
[15:35] Kate: “If people give a bigger budget, they’re like, ‘They’ll just work towards that budget, and I could have gotten it for less.’ Totally valid fear...I would probably give a range just like we are.”
[16:26] Kate: “That’s uncomfortable. But you’ve got to get comfortable doing it, because what is going to be worse is you’ve gone through the design process, paid for that design process, which is already thousands, and then it can’t happen at the end.”

5. Process: From ‘Love/Hate’ Meeting to Install

Gordon Dunning’s unique “Love Hate” meeting asks clients to react candidly to samples (fabrics, layouts, tile, etc.), which sets the tone for open dialogue--and saves costly indecision later.
Clients are encouraged to be brutally honest: “Say it now!”
[28:13] Latham: “Love Hate is the first one. Most people might call it ideation, but we call it Love Hate because...we need them to say ugly things about tile, fabric, layouts, whatever it is, because—say it now, because once we get here, you got to pay extra to say no or say, ‘That’s ugly.’”
Everyone with a meaningful opinion should attend “Love Hate,” especially partners or family members who might later object or have veto power.
[23:14] Kate: “If [your partner] is going to have veto power, he needs to be doing it during the process…It could be your mama, could be your best friend…Whoever is going to completely take the wind out of your sails—they need to be a part of the process.”

6. Communication is Key

The relationship is very communication-heavy; designers serve a customer service role as much as a creative one.
Discuss communication preferences—email vs. phone, frequency of updates, etc.—and make sure it matches yours.
[78:03] Kate: “Communicate as much as you want to. Don’t text and don't DM. That’s a big, big for us...email all you want…I can’t find it [in my email] if it’s DMed!”
[07:08] Caroline: “It’s a really communication-heavy relationship. You all are also in the customer service business, like, oh yeah, big time.”

7. What If You Don’t Like the Result?

It’s rare for an entire finished project to disappoint, thanks to layered feedback. But designers should have a clause for returns or mistakes.
[45:13] Kate: “We have had elements not been liked. Not the whole thing, thank God. I think that’s everyone’s worst nightmare, the client obviously, but us too…”
The possibility of “install day regret” is mitigated by iterative meetings, honest feedback, and by encouraging all stakeholders to attend design meetings.

8. Handling Existing Furniture

Good designers will work with your existing pieces if they matter to you. The design fees are similar whether you use new or old, since the planning and layout is the same.
[57:22] Kate: “That’s a common misconception—designers are like, get rid of it all…We will absolutely use your existing stuff and your mama’s existing stuff and whatever, because that is what tells the story and makes it function and gives it life and depth and all that sort of stuff.”
[60:04] Kate: “If they come with existing furniture... you procure less furniture... But we’re still designing the same amount of stuff, whether it’s for free, the table is free or not.”

9. Art, Accessories, and the “Finishing Touches”

Art selection is handled as collaboratively or designer-led as a client wishes.
There is typically an accessory budget, which is approved up front and finalized post-installation.
[68:07] Latham: “There's always an accessory budget in the invoice…We have taken notes during the design process and in their questionnaire about things that tell their story. Like little weird things we love, little weird things that we get to add.”

10. The Realities of Scope, Timelines, and Minimums

Be upfront about a firm’s minimums—some only take full house projects; some work room by room over time.
Timeline and involvement adjust based on whether it’s a gut renovation or decorating a single space. Processes are largely the same, but larger scopes require more meetings and longer timelines.
Install days for decorating-only projects can feel like an “HGTV reveal,” but Gordon Dunning leaves before clients return, so they can have their own reactions—no performance pressure.

11. Common Misconceptions & Tips

Not all designers want to “take over” and do everything their way—good ones care deeply about your story and preferences.
Designers aren’t judging the state of your home at your first meeting—“If your house was perfect, we would not have a job.” [82:26]
There are few “quick questions”—changing one thing often impacts many others, and thoughtful changes take time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On communication style:
[77:59] Kate: “Don’t text and don’t dm. That’s a big, big for us…It’s just so we can find your information and care about you.”
On honesty during the process:
[28:13] Latham: “We call it Love Hate because we work with a lot of nice people, and we need them to say ugly things about tile, fabric, layouts, whatever it is, because—say it now.”
On bringing your partner or key decision-makers into the process:
[23:14] Kate: “If he has an opinion, he needs to come to our love hate meeting. He needs to come to the very first design meeting, say he loves and hates stuff, and then he can be Smith and go on.”
On the personal nature of the relationship:
[05:30] Latham: “It is a very personal relationship. So really thinking through those things and taking your time on the front end and not rushing in will make a huge difference in your experience.”
On expectations:
[13:20] Kate: “Don’t be afraid to say what your priorities are, because we can’t do our job well if we don’t know all the details of your goals.”
On the aftermath of an install:
[42:10] Kate: “We want you to go and, like, sit and celebrate it with your family and be like, oh, this is what… that’s who it’s for. We’re not who it’s for.”
On budgeting:
[76:42] Latham: “We do try to talk about money a lot throughout the process. It’s really important that we’re comfortable with it...it’s only one of the only ways we can do our job well.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Why the designer process seems secretive | 02:00 – 03:00 | | How to prepare before reaching out | 02:44 – 06:06 | | The importance of communication fit | 04:00 – 05:30 | | Budget transparency & financial structure | 05:08 – 17:37 | | Interviewing designers: what to ask & expect | 09:00 – 15:00 | | The “Love/Hate” meeting & feedback process | 27:17 – 35:54 | | Managing partners & outside opinions | 22:21 – 24:32 | | Handling install day and client reactions | 41:13 – 44:09 | | What happens if you dislike a result? | 45:01 – 47:39 | | Working with existing furniture & art | 57:03 – 63:08 | | Accessory budgets & finishing touches | 68:07 – 73:56 | | Common misconceptions & “quick questions” | 80:06 – 82:49 | | Designers are not judging your home | 82:09 – 82:49 |

Tips & Takeaways

Prioritize personality and process fit over just visual style.
Be ready to discuss money openly and early.
Involve anyone with veto power or strong opinions from the very start.
Expect clear, regular communication—figure out what style works for you and your designer.
Engage fully; your feedback, honesty, and story are essential to a successful collaboration.
Designers welcome your existing pieces; don’t preemptively purge or hide family treasures.
There’s rarely a truly “quick question”—embrace the process for thoughtful, cohesive results.

Where to Find Gordon Dunning

Instagram: @gordondunning
Website: gordondunning.com
Newsletter & consultations available via their site.

For more decorating tips, podcast notes, and to submit your own design dilemma, visit howtodecorate.com/podcast.

How to Decorate Podcast – Episode 434

Demystifying Interior Design with Gordon Dunning

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Caroline (Marketing), Taryn (Product Designer), Liz (Creative)
Guests: Latham Gordon & Kate Dunning, Gordon Dunning Interior Design

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Hiring a Designer Feels Mysterious

There’s no single, uniform process for working with a designer, making it seem mysterious or “behind the curtain.” Every designer works differently, so expectations and methods vary.
[02:02] Caroline: “Because so many designers work differently, there’s not a right answer...it feels secretive.”
[02:21] Latham: “It can be very irritating to shop for a designer because it’s not apples to apples. So, let’s talk about that.”

2. Preparing to Work with a Designer

Start by identifying your priorities: timeline, aesthetic, budget, process style, etc.
Use resources like social media, local events, and especially personal referrals to scope out designers who might be a fit.
It’s more about vibe and process fit than just aesthetic.
[04:00] Kate: “Thinking about how you work with other professionals. When do you feel heard? When have those relationships gone well?... If somebody—I could get an update every week, or I prefer it when we get to have phone calls, or people who validate me or who listen or talk in pictures...”

3. The Interview Process: Designer Meets Client

Both sides are interviewing each other. It’s expected—and healthy—for clients to interview multiple designers.
Be transparent; designers are used to it.
The initial process typically starts with email, moves to a phone call to gauge personality, and then an in-home walkthrough if there’s mutual fit.
[09:06] Latham: “It is important to interview multiple folks. And it’s totally understandable. We all understand you’re probably doing that.”

4. Money & Budget Conversations

Be open and “get cozy” discussing your budget. Even if it’s an estimate or a range, sharing it up front saves time and helps designers respect your limits.
Pricing structure varies: some designers are fee-based, some hourly, etc. Ask about this early.
It’s normal (and okay) to have your project paused until your budget matches your goals.
[15:35] Kate: “If people give a bigger budget, they’re like, ‘They’ll just work towards that budget, and I could have gotten it for less.’ Totally valid fear...I would probably give a range just like we are.”
[16:26] Kate: “That’s uncomfortable. But you’ve got to get comfortable doing it, because what is going to be worse is you’ve gone through the design process, paid for that design process, which is already thousands, and then it can’t happen at the end.”

5. Process: From ‘Love/Hate’ Meeting to Install

Gordon Dunning’s unique “Love Hate” meeting asks clients to react candidly to samples (fabrics, layouts, tile, etc.), which sets the tone for open dialogue--and saves costly indecision later.
Clients are encouraged to be brutally honest: “Say it now!”
[28:13] Latham: “Love Hate is the first one. Most people might call it ideation, but we call it Love Hate because...we need them to say ugly things about tile, fabric, layouts, whatever it is, because—say it now, because once we get here, you got to pay extra to say no or say, ‘That’s ugly.’”
Everyone with a meaningful opinion should attend “Love Hate,” especially partners or family members who might later object or have veto power.
[23:14] Kate: “If [your partner] is going to have veto power, he needs to be doing it during the process…It could be your mama, could be your best friend…Whoever is going to completely take the wind out of your sails—they need to be a part of the process.”

6. Communication is Key

The relationship is very communication-heavy; designers serve a customer service role as much as a creative one.
Discuss communication preferences—email vs. phone, frequency of updates, etc.—and make sure it matches yours.
[78:03] Kate: “Communicate as much as you want to. Don’t text and don't DM. That’s a big, big for us...email all you want…I can’t find it [in my email] if it’s DMed!”
[07:08] Caroline: “It’s a really communication-heavy relationship. You all are also in the customer service business, like, oh yeah, big time.”

7. What If You Don’t Like the Result?

It’s rare for an entire finished project to disappoint, thanks to layered feedback. But designers should have a clause for returns or mistakes.
[45:13] Kate: “We have had elements not been liked. Not the whole thing, thank God. I think that’s everyone’s worst nightmare, the client obviously, but us too…”
The possibility of “install day regret” is mitigated by iterative meetings, honest feedback, and by encouraging all stakeholders to attend design meetings.

8. Handling Existing Furniture

Good designers will work with your existing pieces if they matter to you. The design fees are similar whether you use new or old, since the planning and layout is the same.
[57:22] Kate: “That’s a common misconception—designers are like, get rid of it all…We will absolutely use your existing stuff and your mama’s existing stuff and whatever, because that is what tells the story and makes it function and gives it life and depth and all that sort of stuff.”
[60:04] Kate: “If they come with existing furniture... you procure less furniture... But we’re still designing the same amount of stuff, whether it’s for free, the table is free or not.”

9. Art, Accessories, and the “Finishing Touches”

Art selection is handled as collaboratively or designer-led as a client wishes.
There is typically an accessory budget, which is approved up front and finalized post-installation.
[68:07] Latham: “There's always an accessory budget in the invoice…We have taken notes during the design process and in their questionnaire about things that tell their story. Like little weird things we love, little weird things that we get to add.”

10. The Realities of Scope, Timelines, and Minimums

Be upfront about a firm’s minimums—some only take full house projects; some work room by room over time.
Timeline and involvement adjust based on whether it’s a gut renovation or decorating a single space. Processes are largely the same, but larger scopes require more meetings and longer timelines.
Install days for decorating-only projects can feel like an “HGTV reveal,” but Gordon Dunning leaves before clients return, so they can have their own reactions—no performance pressure.

11. Common Misconceptions & Tips

Not all designers want to “take over” and do everything their way—good ones care deeply about your story and preferences.
Designers aren’t judging the state of your home at your first meeting—“If your house was perfect, we would not have a job.” [82:26]
There are few “quick questions”—changing one thing often impacts many others, and thoughtful changes take time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On communication style:
[77:59] Kate: “Don’t text and don’t dm. That’s a big, big for us…It’s just so we can find your information and care about you.”
On honesty during the process:
[28:13] Latham: “We call it Love Hate because we work with a lot of nice people, and we need them to say ugly things about tile, fabric, layouts, whatever it is, because—say it now.”
On bringing your partner or key decision-makers into the process:
[23:14] Kate: “If he has an opinion, he needs to come to our love hate meeting. He needs to come to the very first design meeting, say he loves and hates stuff, and then he can be Smith and go on.”
On the personal nature of the relationship:
[05:30] Latham: “It is a very personal relationship. So really thinking through those things and taking your time on the front end and not rushing in will make a huge difference in your experience.”
On expectations:
[13:20] Kate: “Don’t be afraid to say what your priorities are, because we can’t do our job well if we don’t know all the details of your goals.”
On the aftermath of an install:
[42:10] Kate: “We want you to go and, like, sit and celebrate it with your family and be like, oh, this is what… that’s who it’s for. We’re not who it’s for.”
On budgeting:
[76:42] Latham: “We do try to talk about money a lot throughout the process. It’s really important that we’re comfortable with it...it’s only one of the only ways we can do our job well.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tips & Takeaways

Prioritize personality and process fit over just visual style.
Be ready to discuss money openly and early.
Involve anyone with veto power or strong opinions from the very start.
Expect clear, regular communication—figure out what style works for you and your designer.
Engage fully; your feedback, honesty, and story are essential to a successful collaboration.
Designers welcome your existing pieces; don’t preemptively purge or hide family treasures.
There’s rarely a truly “quick question”—embrace the process for thoughtful, cohesive results.

Where to Find Gordon Dunning

Instagram: @gordondunning
Website: gordondunning.com
Newsletter & consultations available via their site.

For more decorating tips, podcast notes, and to submit your own design dilemma, visit howtodecorate.com/podcast.

Ep. 434: Demystifying Interior Design with Gordon Dunning

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Summary

How to Decorate Podcast – Episode 434

Demystifying Interior Design with Gordon Dunning

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Hiring a Designer Feels Mysterious

2. Preparing to Work with a Designer

3. The Interview Process: Designer Meets Client

4. Money & Budget Conversations

5. Process: From ‘Love/Hate’ Meeting to Install

6. Communication is Key

7. What If You Don’t Like the Result?

8. Handling Existing Furniture

9. Art, Accessories, and the “Finishing Touches”

10. The Realities of Scope, Timelines, and Minimums

11. Common Misconceptions & Tips

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tips & Takeaways

Where to Find Gordon Dunning

Summary

How to Decorate Podcast – Episode 434

Demystifying Interior Design with Gordon Dunning

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Hiring a Designer Feels Mysterious

2. Preparing to Work with a Designer

3. The Interview Process: Designer Meets Client

4. Money & Budget Conversations

5. Process: From ‘Love/Hate’ Meeting to Install

6. Communication is Key

7. What If You Don’t Like the Result?

8. Handling Existing Furniture

9. Art, Accessories, and the “Finishing Touches”

10. The Realities of Scope, Timelines, and Minimums

11. Common Misconceptions & Tips

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tips & Takeaways

Where to Find Gordon Dunning