Insider Interiors: Caroline Hartwell Design

July 11, 2023

INTERIOR DESIGNER FEATURE

We’re delighted to be shining the spotlight on Caroline Hartwell Design in this month’s Insider Interiors feature. Caroline shares her behind-the-scenes insight as to when to go the custom route and when to hire a design professional. Caroline’s work is refined and luxurious, while feeling genuinely inviting. You could really see yourself staying awhile in her spaces and leaving feeling refreshed and inspired. After all, that is what great design can do for you. Enjoying getting to know Caroline Hartwell Design!

About

Caroline Hartwell Design is a residential interior design firm based in Boston, MA. Caroline’s design sensibility is timeless and layered, with a propensity for inviting textures, personal touches, and a blend of old and new. Caroline loves creating bespoke and timeless spaces that are unique to each client’s needs and aesthetic.

Caroline obtained a Business degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and began her career in management consulting, where she learned valuable business and project management skills that she brings to every design project. After several years in consulting, Caroline decided to pursue her lifelong passion for interior design and studied at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Prior to establishing her eponymous firm, Caroline worked for distinguished design firms in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and North Carolina.

Q & A with Caroline

Why make custom goods instead of purchasing "off-the-rack" from retailers?

Purchasing bespoke items ensures that a piece is right for the space it's going in. Oftentimes, purchasing through retailers requires compromises on scale, materials, and quality. Customization will allow the piece to be more functional, such as adjusting the height of a side table to better accommodate the piece of furniture it's sitting next to. It also provides the opportunity to select materials that best compliment the space and to add details that elevate the piece. Purchasing custom goods allows your home to be personal, unique, and tailored to your needs. Interior designers have great trade resources for custom pieces, which can often be a similar, or even lower, price point to the retail option.

When should a home-design enthusiast enlist the help of a design pro?

If you're working on a renovation or new-build project, it's incredibly helpful to have a team in place early in the process. Builders, architects, and interior designers all bring unique perspectives to the project, and it's important to have each voice represented. I've worked on projects where I was brought in after the plans had been finalized, and once I started working on the furniture plan, it was clear that architectural changes would be needed in order to accommodate the furniture. Building and/or furnishing a home is a huge investment, and interior designers are a vital asset for ensuring that a space is both functional and beautiful and that mistakes aren't made that need to later be corrected. Even if your budget doesn't allow for a full-service designer, there are so many different ways to hire a design professional, from an hour-long phone consultation to a one-room design package.