Luxury Remodeling Paradise Valley Fanfol Project

by Lauren Lerner | Jan 21, 2024 | Uncategorized

Our objective for the Paradise Valley design project was to create a stunning and modern second home that perfectly complemented our clients’ laid-back lifestyle. We began by focusing on the entryway, aiming to make it a true showstopper. To achieve this, we incorporated an exquisite alabaster crystal chandelier and painted the ceiling black to create a captivating contrast. Moving into the living room, we carefully selected a custom sectional and a cement console table, accentuating the space with beautiful statement pieces that invite comfort and warmth. In the primary bedroom, we implemented an eye-catching statement wall and adorned the ceiling with intricate details and paintwork. Lastly, we transformed the theater room into a cozy haven, ideal for a relaxing night in. This Paradise Valley home stands as a testament to exceptional design.

Home Remodeling & General Contracting – Areas Served

• Tucson, Arizona

• Chandler, Arizona

• Sedona, Arizona

• Flagstaff, Arizona

• Scottsdale, Arizona

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Paradise Valley, Arizona

• Mesa, Arizona

• Cave Creek, Arizona

• Gilbert, Arizona

Lauren Lerner

Lauren Lerner is the founder of Living With Lolo, a nationally recognized Scottsdale interior designer and an Arizona licensed general contractor. She is celebrated for creating luxury homes that are warm, livable, and deeply personal, blending thoughtful design with seamless construction and curated furnishings. Recognized as one of Arizona’s top interior designers, Lauren has worked with celebrities, athletes, and executives across the country. Her work, known for its elevated yet inviting style, has been featured in multiple national publications. Guided by the belief that great design should feel as good as it looks, Lauren transforms houses into homes that truly reflect her clients’ lives.

livingwithlolo.com/

Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator: Understanding the Differences

When you begin a home project, one of the first questions that comes up is difference between an interior designer vs. interior decorator. And honestly, I hear this from clients all the time. Most people feel the difference intuitively but aren’t totally sure how each role shows up in an actual project. Once you’re investing in your home, clarity becomes everything. You want to know who is handling the construction details, who is guiding the flow of your home, and who is making sure your space looks beautiful and functions beautifully too. My clients at Living with Lolo typically come in with a sense of what they want but appreciate having someone walk them through what each professional truly does so they can choose the right fit with confidence.

Open-concept Scottsdale kitchen and living room designed by Living with Lolo, featuring light oak flooring, custom cabinetry, and modern luxury interior design that blends comfort with elevated style.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Knowing what is the difference between interior decorator and interior designer helps you avoid hiring someone who isn’t equipped for your project. A decorator focuses on the visual layer only like furnishings, décor, styling, colors, accessories. Whereas designer can absolutely help with those, but their role goes much deeper as they handle space planning, construction decisions, architectural oversight, lighting layouts, cabinetry details, and all the technical elements that shape how a home lives. When you’re remodeling a kitchen, designing a new build, or updating multiple rooms at once, it becomes essential to know who has the expertise to guide that process.

The Functional Role of Interior Designers

When you break down the core responsibilities in the interior designer vs. interior decorator, designers hold the responsibility of shaping the structure and flow of the home. They make decisions that affect longevity, functionality, and the way your family lives in each space. They’ll know how lighting should be layered, how cabinetry should be designed, how materials will wear, and how every choice is balanced on the one before it. So when clients ask what is the difference between interior decorator and interior designer, I tell them this: decorators elevate what already exists; designers transform it from the inside out.

Luxury bathroom design in Scottsdale featuring a custom black stone sink, matte black faucet, and curated styling by Living with Lolo—showcasing the refined details top interior designers are known for.

What Decorators Do Best

Decorators do a great job once the hard decisions are already completed like when the walls are up, the lighting is in, and the home simply needs thoughtful choices to pull everything together. Their talent is in creating warmth, interest, and personality through furnishings, fabrics, accessories, and color. If you’re not changing anything structurally, a decorator or furnishing-focused designer can be exactly what you need. Many of our furnishing only projects begin this way, and clients return later when they’re ready for a remodel. You can see more of our interior design furnishing project here.

Sophisticated Scottsdale living room remodel with layered textures, custom furnishings, and a statement fireplace styled by award-winning interior designers at Living with Lolo.

When it Makes Sense to Hire a Designer

If your project involves rethinking the layout, moving walls, adding built-ins, selecting hard finishes, or working alongside trades, then you need to hire a designer.. This is where the distinction between interior designer vs. interior decorator becomes not just helpful but essential. Structural decisions require someone who understands scale, construction, and how materials work together. Decorators don’t work in this world but designers do. And choosing someone qualified saves you time, money, and headaches later.

Modern living room with beige and white sofas and black marble table

Expansive Paradise Valley great room with neutral tones, custom seating, and modern luxury interior design by Living with Lolo, recognized nationally for elevated residential projects.

When Your Project Is Furnishings Only

If the bones of your home are already in place and you’re simply looking to elevate the look, bring in new pieces, or create a cohesive feel, then a furnishing-focused project is ideal. You still want someone with taste, vision, and an understanding of scale, but you don’t need construction support. Many clients begin by asking what is the difference between interior decorator and interior designer because they aren’t sure which type of support they need. Once they understand their goals, the direction becomes clear.

How Full-Service Design Blends Both Worlds

Full-service interior design offers the structure of a designer with the beauty and styling expertise of a decorator. It covers everything from architectural decisions to furniture selection to installation day. This is why so many clients prefer a single, experienced partner rather than multiple vendors. When you revisit the question of interior designer vs. interior decorator in the context of full-service design, the difference becomes obvious: designers guide the entire journey, start to finish, so the result feels effortless for the client.

modern-interior-design-company-scottsdale-az

High-end Paradise Valley living room featuring a custom media wall, statement lighting, and bespoke furnishings curated by Living with Lolo’s full-service design team.

Why Emotional Intelligence Is a Real Differentiator

No matter which professional you choose, the relationship matters just as much as the skill set. You deserve someone who listens closely, anticipates what you need, and communicates with warmth, clarity, and confidence. People feel most connected when they feel seen, and I’ve found that to be completely true in design. You can feel a designer’s emotional intelligence in the first call and it shapes the entire experience. It makes the vision clearer, the decisions easier, and the process far more enjoyable. It's important to feel like your personalities are aligned, and that you'll work together well throughout the entire process.

Let’s Talk Pricing and Investment

Pricing often reflects the scope and responsibility. Designers typically charge more because they manage more things such as technical decisions, construction oversight, drawings, project management, and procurement. Decorators charge based on their time, aesthetic expertise, and styling work. When clients ask about interior designer vs. interior decorator in terms of investment, the best answer is this: you’re paying for the level of involvement and the complexity of the project.

Resort-inspired bathroom design in Scottsdale with a freestanding tub, luxury stone finishes, and timeless details by Living with Lolo interior design.

Bringing It All Together

Once you understand the difference between an interior designer vs. interior decorator, choosing the right partner becomes far less overwhelming. If you’re changing the structure of your home or selecting finishes for a bathroom or kitchen for example, you want a designer. If you’re refreshing the look and feel, a decorator or furnishing-focused designer is perfect. And if you want someone who guides every detail so you don’t have to, full-service design is the most seamless path.

Final Takeaway

When you choose a partner who aligns with your project’s needs, the entire journey becomes simple and joyful. If you’re look to remodel your home, to add new furnishings, or to new build a new home and want to understand what working with our team might look like, visit www.livingwithlolo.com. Once you’re clear about what is the difference between interior decorator and interior designer, the path forward becomes beautifully obvious.

“Before working with Living with Lolo, we didn’t fully understand the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Lauren walked us through every decision with clarity and confidence, handling everything from layout and construction details to the final furnishings. The process felt seamless, and the result was a home that not only looks beautiful but functions perfectly for how we live.”

Steven G. | Paradise Valley, Arizona Client

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an interior designer the same as an interior decorator?

No, an interior designer and an interior decorator are not the same. An interior designer is trained to handle space planning, construction decisions, finish selections, lighting layouts, and collaboration with architects and contractors. An interior decorator focuses primarily on furnishings, décor, color, and styling once the structure of the home is already complete. If your project involves remodeling, new construction, or layout changes, an interior designer is the appropriate professional.

Do I need an interior designer for a remodel or new build?

Yes. If you are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, building a new home, moving walls, or selecting hard finishes, you should hire an interior designer. Designers understand construction processes, building coordination, material performance, and how all decisions work together long-term. A decorator does not typically manage these elements. For full-home remodels or custom builds in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, full-service interior design ensures both functionality and beauty from start to finish.

What does full-service interior design include compared to decorating?

selection, furniture sourcing, project management, and final installation. Decorating focuses on styling an existing space with furnishings and décor only. Full-service design blends the technical expertise of an interior designer with the aesthetic refinement of a decorator, offering homeowners a seamless, guided experience—especially valuable for large-scale or luxury residential projects.

Looking for a Scottsdale Interior Designer?

We specialize in:

Full-service interior design
Whole-home furnishings
Remodels and new builds with in house construction
Second homes and vacation properties

Minimum investment starts at $75K. We serve clients across Scottsdale, Arcadia, Paradise Valley, and surrounding Arizona cities.

Explore our full range of Scottsdale interior design services

Let’s Design Your Next Chapter

👉 Ready to elevate your Scottsdale or Paradise Valley home? Book your design consultation today.

📍 Based in Scottsdale, Serving Clients Nationwide

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