Home is a Feeling:

D+D: How do you uncover how a client wants to live rather than simply how they want their home to look?

Alex Thies: A huge part of our process is getting to know our clients on a personal level and learning how they live and what makes them tick. Do they love cooking with family gathered around, or do they prefer to entertain with a private chef? Do they use their living room for cocktail hour with guests, or are they curled up on a deep sectional watching a movie with the dog at their feet? Will grandchildren be running in from the pool, or do they prefer formal dinners around a large table? Understanding those everyday moments allows us to create homes that are not only beautiful, but that function as a true reflection of each client’s lifestyle. 

D+D: What role does emotion play in your design process, and how do you create interiors that evoke a feeling rather than simply achieve a style?

Alex Thies: It all comes down to the small details that are truly personal to our clients. From incorporating cherished family heirlooms in a fresh way to integrating hidden step stools for a client who has always been too short to reach the top shelf, we’re always looking for ways to tailor the design to each individual. Beyond those personalized touches, color, texture, and lighting create emotional connections. Layered linens and bouclé invite you to relax, while rich, color-drenched rooms with moody lighting create a completely different feeling. Every decision is made with the emotional experience of the home in mind.

D+D: What design decisions have the greatest impact on everyday living, even though homeowners may never consciously notice them?

Alex Thies: We really geek out on the functional details and spend an incredible amount of time on things most people never consciously notice—but they would certainly notice if they weren’t done correctly. I like to imagine myself living in every space, physically walking through daily routines before anything is built. Something as simple as placing the shower valve where you can turn on the water without getting wet may seem minor, but it’s those thoughtful details that quietly improve everyday life. 

D+D: How do lighting, proportion, circulation, and sightlines quietly influence the way people experience a home?

Alex Thies: They’re everything. They are the foundation of good design and have an enormous influence on how a home feels. In new construction, the  first thing I do with a set of plans is ‘walk’ through the home on paper, evaluating every door swing, window placement, and sightline to ensure everything flows naturally. When circulation and proportion are thoughtfully resolved, people rarely notice them—they simply experience a home that feels comfortable and intuitive. 

D+D: When is restraint the most important design decision?

Alex Thies: Clients should be excited about designing a new home, but sometimes they want every space to be a ‘wow’ moment. I often remind them that if everything is a wow, nothing is. Practicing restraint allows the eye to naturally settle on the moments that deserve attention. Balance is what creates homes that feel timeless, peaceful, and comfortable rather than overwhelming. 

D+D: What do your clients appreciate most five or more years after a project is complete?

Alex Thies: One of my favorite things is visiting a home   ve or more years after completion and seeing how clients have truly made it their own. The greatest compliment I can receive is hearing they wouldn’t change a thing. That tells me we’ve created a home that still reflects their lifestyle, functions beautifully for their family, and feels just as relevant years later as it did the day they moved in.