08/12/2026
Beautiful interiors don't begin with perfect projects. They begin with people who understand how to work well together.
That’s the conversation behind my new book, Trust the Design Process: How Interiors Professionals and Their Clients Work Best Together.
Over the years, through my own work in interiors and conversations with interiors professionals and clients, I kept hearing variations of the same challenges: expectations that were never clearly defined, decisions reopened after approval, confusion about professional roles, and misunderstandings about how the pieces of an interiors project fit together.
These aren't one-offs. And many are avoidable.
The book walks readers through the 12 sequential stages of an interiors project—from Discovery through Final Layering—explaining not only what happens at each stage, but why it happens, what needs to be accomplished before moving forward, and how decisions made along the way affect everything that follows.
It also clarifies the roles of the many professionals who may contribute to a project, from interior designers and decorators to architects, contractors, fabricators, installers, workrooms, lighting professionals, wallpaper and fabric designers, and others.
Interior designer Shannon Allen calls the book “a raw, honest guide” for helping homeowners and design professionals work together more cohesively. Interior designer Kadija Taylor calls it “an invaluable resource for interior professionals,” sharing that it challenged her to rethink aspects of her own client process.
Because trusting the design process isn't about surrendering your voice. It’s about understanding the process, communicating openly, respecting expertise, and knowing how everyone involved can contribute to a successful outcome.
Trust the Design Process is available now in paperback exclusively online through the link below:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/gabrielle-hewson/trust-the-design-process/paperback/product-zmn78p8.html