8 Trustworthy Experts In The World Of Interior Design

Engaging the services of a professional interior designer is an important step for those seeking to transform a personal or commercial space. Having an expert provide guidance on style, color, furnishings, and accessories can help the process run more smoothly. Here, in no particular order, are authoritative and knowledgeable design companies providing their decor skills to clients worldwide.

Starting off the list at #1 is Mindy Gayer, founder and principal designer of MGD, a full-service residential design studio based in Orange County, California that specializes in bespoke homes tailored to everyday living. Prior to opening the firm in 2014, she owned and operated a letterpress stationery store. Her design work has been featured in Style Me Pretty Living, MyDomaine, and Sunset Magazine.

Among the services Gayer and her team provide are space planning, bathroom and kitchen design and finishes, and fixture and materials selection. The firm's curated Amazon shop offers items for the home such as lighting accessories, candles, and holiday decor. Through its blog, The Design Log, MGD features tips on decorating and fashion, as well as book recommendations.

In the #2 spot is Richard Rabel. His firm, Richard Rabel Interiors + Art, Ltd., is a Manhattan studio offering interior residential design and decorating services. He spent ten years at the international art auction house Christie's as a senior vice president and senior specialist, and studied at the University of Texas at Austin and Parsons School of Design.

Rabel's work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Forbes, and The Washington Post, among other publications. His studio was selected for New York Magazine’s Best of New York Design, and by Sotheby's to design a room for its prestigious Designer Showhouse. Global Lighting hails Rabel's ability to create livable, warm, and unique interiors.

Coming in at #3 is Carole Marcotte, lead designer behind Form & Function, a boutique interior design studio in Raleigh, North Carolina. Marcotte was honored as one of Midtown Magazine's 30 People You Need to Know for her work as producer of Design District Raleigh. She has been featured in several local media outlets, including The News & Observer and ABC11 Eyewitness News in Durham.

In 2013, Marcotte expanded her design business to include The Shops at 1700, an antique store. The shop features handcrafted, made-in-America merchandise, as well as items made from sustainable materials and refurbished furnishings. Specialty pieces include shaving mirrors, ottomans, painted trunks, and Persian rugs.

At #4 is Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab in Sacramento, California. She is a fellow and chair of the national board for the American Society of Interior Designers, and writes a column for Style Media Group. In addition, she serves as an on-air talent for Coyote Outdoor Living, and is the author of "Home Decor: A Sunset Design Guide," and Pearson Education's "MyInteriorDesignKit."

On top of its design services, the company develops items such as tiles, outdoor furniture, and accessories in collaboration with brands including Feizy Rugs, TileBar, and GO Home. Among the firm's accolades are a first place finish at the California Paints Exterior Color Palette Competition; runner-up at the LuciteLux Just Imagine Awards; and a pick as a HomeGuide 2017 Top 10 Interior Designer. Media highlights include Bloomberg, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Entering the list at #5 is Philpotts Interiors. Founded in Honolulu in the 1960s, the firm's portfolio includes residential and commercial clients such as The Royal Hawaiian and the Kalihiwai Ranch Pavilion. NAIOP Hawaii recognized it as Design Firm of the Year in 2018, and Architectural Digest named its Hotel Wailea project as one of the Top 5 Best Designed Hotels on Maui.

The firm's founding designer, Mary Philpotts McGrath, is the author of "Hawaii, A Sense of Place: Island Interior Design." The book highlights the influences of the state's culture and climate on local home decor. Philpotts has been profiled in Vogue Living, the San Francisco Chronicle, Domino, and Dwell.

Next up at #6 is Elicyon, a multi-award-winning luxury design firm based in Kensington, London. It offers turnkey residential interior design and project management for private individuals and property developers. Founder and director Charu Gandhi is registered with the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Among the projects in the firm's portfolio are The Garrison Club at Chelsea Barracks, and London's One Hyde Park development. Elicyon has also completed work in Saudi Arabia, China, and New York. Country & Town House named the company to its list of 50 Finest Interior Designers, and it is the recipient of The International Design & Architecture Award.

Landing at #7 is Amy Lau. Her eponymous firm has been featured in such publications as Vogue, O, The Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and Luxe Interiors + Design. She was named to New York Magazine's Top 100 List and was honored with a House Beautiful Next Wave Award. Lau's portfolio of luxurious residential interiors includes an array of artistic and sophisticated homes throughout the world.

Lau is the author of "Expressive Modern," which features photos of past projects, design tips, and insights into her creative process. Elle Decor praises the designer's imagination and energy. A native of Arizona, she received her master's in fine and decorative art from Sotheby's Institute of Art.

Rounding out the list at #8 is ITALIANBARK, a resource for the latest trends, design news, and original interiors from Italy and abroad. Founded by architect Elisabetta Rizzato in 2013 as a personal inspirational blog, it is now a platform with an international editorial team and original digital offerings dedicated to design professionals. Its mission is to forecast trends, highlight new designers, and provide motivation to young creatives.

ITALIANBARK has been listed among the Global Design Post's Top 25 Interior Design Blogs, while Vogue Australia named Rizzato as a leading Italian interior designer to follow on Instagram. Its Trend Membership offers original content in the form of webinars, e-books, exclusive newsletters, and podcasts. The group also provides bespoke experiences for companies, brands, and educational institutions, giving updates on new innovations through one-on-one consultations or workshops.