The Journal

Thoughts on interiors, renovation and creating a home that feels entirely your own.

Thoughts and practical guidance from Los Angeles interior designer Rebecca Duke on residential renovation, interiors, furniture, materials and creating a home that feels entirely your own.

Interior material samples in warm natural tones, ready for a considered home renovation

Interior Design Advice

Home Renovation Checklist: Plan Before You Build

A practical sequence for defining your renovation, assembling the right team, and making decisions before the work begins.

Tailored double vanity with reeded stone, onyx basins, and warm walnut cabinetry

Interior Design Advice

The Interior Design Process: What to Expect

A clear, room-by-room look at how a thoughtful design project moves from the first conversation to a finished home.

Inviting dining room with sculptural chandelier, pale stone, and considered furnishings

Interior Design Advice

Questions to Ask an Interior Designer

A practical conversation guide for understanding scope, communication, budget, and whether a designer is right for your home.

Refined residential entry with a sculptural console, warm plaster walls, and layered artwork

Interior Design Advice

What Happens in an Interior Design Consultation?

What to bring, what a designer is listening for, and how to leave a first conversation with a clearer plan for your home.

Layered dining room with a graphic hat wall, sculptural lighting, and tailored seating

Interior Design Advice

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Interior Designer?

A practical guide to understanding design fees, project scope, furniture purchasing, and the questions that make an estimate meaningful.

Layered contemporary sitting room with warm wood and textured furnishings

Interior Design Advice

How to Choose an Interior Designer

A practical way to find a designer whose taste, process, and communication style suit the home you want to create.

Warm dining room with dark wood table and sculptural pendant

Interior Design Advice

Interior Designer vs General Contractor

Understand the distinct roles an interior designer and general contractor play during a residential remodel.

Serene bedroom with linen bed, walnut paneling, and plum accent

Interior Design Advice

What Does an Interior Designer Do During a Los Angeles Home Renovation?

A closer look at the decisions an interior designer guides from the first plan through installation.

Warm contemporary living room with walnut shelving and a curved cream sofa

Interior Design Advice

When Should You Hire an Interior Designer for a Renovation?

The best time to bring an interior designer into a renovation, and why early decisions matter.

Sculptural vintage furniture, stone, and greenery in a considered residential interior

Interior Design Advice

Custom vs Retail Furniture: Where Is It Worth Spending More?

How to decide when custom, retail, and vintage furniture each bring the most value to a room.

Interior material samples in warm natural tones

Interior Design Advice

How the Interior Design Procurement Process Works

What happens between approving a piece of furniture and seeing it in your completed home.