Hiring a company to redesign any or all your home can be extremely stressful regardless of the project size. Whether it’s a simple bathroom remodel or taking your entire home down to studs and starting over, it is no small investment and it is something you will be living with for years to come. That said, it is crucial to find a company you not only trust, but one that sees the project as a collaboration rather than a full takeover.

That’s where Designed Smart comes in. Its founder, Laila Ferri Johnson, has built a business rooted in a family-centered approach to design. Growing up in a family of engineers and architects, Laila’s passion for design comes naturally. She graduated with a degree in Architecture but found her true calling in interior design where she specializes in kitchen and bath remodels. As a seasoned interior designer, Laila has developed a process that emphasizes collaboration and listening to clients, ensuring every project is as unique as the people who live in it.

Laila’s business has been thriving ever since, as her approach to design is refreshingly different from so many other companies. “I really connect with and listen to my clients regarding what they want to achieve in their space and, more importantly, respect their selections and decisions, even if they aren’t always my personal choice,” she explains. “I believe a good designer should put their own tastes behind and guide the client in making informed decisions by pointing out the pros and cons of each option available,” she continues. Designed Smart’s portfolio reflects this philosophy. From modern minimalism to timeless traditional styles, each design is client driven. “Every project is led by the client’s needs and preferences,” says Laila. “It’s about creating a space that feels personal and livable, not just a showcase of my design style.”

As obvious as this might seem, it doesn’t always happen as many designers push their style and tastes to the point where every project looks like their design portfolio rather than someone’s home. Laila recalls a client saying she had reached out because the photos in Laila’s portfolio looked like actual livable homes. As the mother of young children, Laila is also great at multi-tasking and well-versed in what materials best hold up to little people and their little unauthorized art projects!

Designed Smart handles everything from furnishing a living room, to remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, to full-home remodels. Laila partners with architects and contractors to ensure every design is not only aesthetically beautiful but also structurally sound. “Then I hand the contractor a complete design package and they go to work,” she says. She doesn’t step out there, though, as Laila loves being in the dust on-site where everything is happening. “As my contractors know, I often drop in to check on things, sometimes unannounced,” she laughs.

Laila’s goal with every client is to have them walk into the finished project, feeling extremely happy with what they’ve accomplished together. “It is never my design, it is our design,” she stresses. To ensure this reaction happens, Laila has incredibly detailed conversations with clients up front and follows a strong process she has developed over the years to ensure all design phases are smooth and stress free.

As for materials, Laila sources from all over and is constantly searching for the best quality products for clients. “I attend the Kitchen & Bath show every year so I can see products for myself to assess their quality,” she says. She does the same with furnishings and fabrics, hitting the High Point Market show to check out unique brands to add to her portfolio of offerings.

Long-term, Laila hopes to expand her social media platform to function as a knowledge platform for her clients. As she says, “My clients and I become quite close during this process, and they so appreciate what we do. We appreciate them, too, and want to answer all their questions so they can keep their investment looking great for years to come!”

To learn more or view Laila’s portfolio, visit: designedsmart.com