The recipe, the cake, and interior design

Why copying a room from Houzz or Instagram rarely works

There's the thing you want to make, the cake, and then there are the steps you have to take to make it, the recipe.

The cake and the recipe

The IKEA bookcase and the directions

The Instagram picture of the bathroom and the design plan

A picture of the cake, the bookcase, or the bathroom might be all an expert needs to produce a credible copy. The same cannot be said for the rest of us. We need more.

Interior designers help people go from a "look" to an actual room

That's where an interior designer can help. Most of my clients know what they want their new kitchen or bathroom to look like, but they're not sure how make that happen. Knowing how to achieve their look is my job.

Free Interior Design or Kitchen & Bath Design Consultation

If you're curious about hiring an interior designer (How does it work? How much does it cost? What will I get?), let's talk. I'm offering a FREE Interior Design or Kitchen & Bath Design Consultation to blog readers. What have you got to lose?

Photo by Deva Williamson

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About the author

She didn't know it, but Jackie Lopey's days as an advertising executive were numbered when she bought and renovated a 1950's bungalow. She soon went back to school and started her own design studio. Jackie is an award-winning, California certified interior designer and the founder of Wide Canvas.

As a California Certified Interior Designer, Jackie Lopey is qualified to plan, design, and document nonstructural, non-seismic interior work—including space planning, finish and fixture specifications, and interior construction documents suitable for permit submittal by clients and their licensed design professionals—within existing buildings in the state. Her services include programming client needs, developing code‑aware layouts, preparing detailed interior drawings and specifications for licensed contractors, and guiding the installation of finishes and furnishings.

In Nevada, Wide Canvas provides design consulting focused on selections and visualizations, helping you choose cabinetry, surfaces, fixtures, furnishings, and finishes that fit your style and budget. The team develops clear concept layouts, mood boards, and 3D views to communicate design intent, and then collaborates with licensed design and construction professionals so they can translate those ideas into compliant plans and a successful build.