Your Journey to a Beautiful, Soulful, and Seamlessly Designed Home

At Joe McGuire Design, working with us is not just about beautiful interiors—it’s about how those spaces feel. Our process is rooted in deep collaboration, technical expertise, and a holistic approach that creates homes aligned with your lifestyle and well-being.

If you’re considering hiring a luxury interior designer for your primary or second home in Aspen, Boulder, or beyond, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect—from our first conversation to the final styling touches. Whether you're embarking on a whole-home renovation or furnishing a mountain retreat, we are here to make the journey clear, thoughtful, and inspired.

Our Design Philosophy: Interior Design as a Force for Wellness

Before we discuss the process, it’s essential to understand why we do what we do. At Joe McGuire Design, we believe your home should be a sanctuary—designed not just for function or trend, but to support your physical, emotional, and energetic well-being.

This philosophy shapes every aspect of our client experience. We integrate wellness principles, sustainability, and intuitive spatial flow into every project, whether you’re living in Boulder full-time or retreating to your Aspen getaway.

The First Contact: Discovery & Alignment

Every project begins with a warm and focused discovery call. We get to know you, your vision, your lifestyle—and just as importantly, how you want to feel in your home.

What We’ll Discuss:

Your design goals and lifestyle needs
The scope of your project
Your timeline and investment level
Any collaborators already involved (architect, builder, etc.)

If there’s alignment, we’ll schedule an in-person or virtual walkthrough, followed by a proposal outlining our services, estimated design hours, and next steps.

Note: We typically work on a time billing model with clear estimates for design phases and furnishings budgets, so you’ll know what to expect from the start.

The Design Roadmap: Structured, Transparent, & Inspired

We follow a transparent, well-paced process that ensures your home unfolds with intention and grace. At each stage, our team—led by principals Joe McGuire and Matthew Tenzin—guides you with clarity and care.

Phase 1: Discovery & Visioning

Kickoff meeting to align on values, goals, and style
Review architectural plans or walk the space
Mood boards and conceptual direction
Establishing project milestones and communication rhythms

Phase 2: Design Development

Space planning and design drawings
Selection of finishes, furnishings, lighting, and materials
Presentations with samples and visuals
Coordination with architects, builders, and consultants

Phase 3: Procurement & Project Management

Ordering and tracking all furnishings
Custom furniture and material sourcing
Site visits to ensure seamless integration with contractors
Coordination with delivery, warehousing, and trades

Phase 4: Installation & Styling

On-site installation and white-glove setup
Final styling with art, accessories, and personal touches
Walkthrough and adjustments
A joyful moment of reveal

Case Study: Aspen Retreat Designed for Wellness & Family Connection

One of our favorite examples of a truly collaborative journey involved a family building their second home in Aspen. They wanted a luxurious yet relaxed mountain retreat that could host extended family for ski weekends, yet also feel deeply restful for just the two of them.

Key Highlights:

We collaborated early with the architect to influence the flow and sightlines of the home.
Sustainable and non-toxic materials were prioritized, including FSC-certified wood, low-VOC finishes, and organic textiles.
Our team designed custom built-ins for ski gear, created layered lighting for ambiance, and sourced art from local Colorado artists.
We brought in a trusted art consultant to select sculptural pieces that harmonized with the home’s natural surroundings.

The result? A home that invites restoration after a day on the slopes, and effortlessly hosts three generations over holiday weekends.

“Joe and Matthew created something more than a beautiful house—they helped us design a space where we feel grounded, restored, and connected. Every detail has soul.”

What Makes Us Different

Holistic Interior Architecture: We think about how your space supports your wellness—physically and energetically.

Luxury Furnishings & Custom Design: Every piece is intentional, high-quality, and made to last.

Mountain Town Expertise: We know the logistical realities of building and furnishing homes in Aspen, Boulder, and other mountain communities

Collaborative Leadership: Joe and Matthew are involved in every project, ensuring the vision stays clear and elevated.

Stellar Reputation: Many of our clients return for their next homes or refer close friends and family.

FAQ: Working With Joe McGuire Design

How long does the design process take?
Timelines vary by project scope, but most whole-home designs take 9–18 months from concept to install.

Do you work outside of Colorado?
Yes, we work with clients nationally. Often, we are hired to design a client’s home in Colorado, and then they hire us to design one of their homes in another location. We offer hybrid in-person and virtual collaboration models.

What if I already have an architect or builder?
Wonderful. We love collaborating and are happy to join the team at any stage of the project.

Do you require a minimum budget?
We typically work with clients who are ready to invest in high-end design and furnishings. We’re happy to discuss scope and alignment during our initial call.

What makes your process “holistic”?
We go beyond aesthetics to consider how each element affects your daily experience—your comfort, health, and energy. We incorporate principles from wellness, sustainability, and biophilic design into every project.

Read the rest of the Guide to Interior Design here —>

Behind the Scenes of a Seamless, Elevated Design Experience

In the world of luxury interiors, full-service design is more than a buzzword—it’s a promise of ease, excellence, and deep attention to every detail. But what does it actually mean?

At Joe McGuire Design, full-service design means we guide you through every phase of your project—from the initial concept and space planning to sourcing one-of-a-kind furnishings, managing contractors, and styling the final throw pillow. It’s a comprehensive approach built around your needs, your vision, and your lifestyle.

If you’re building, renovating, or furnishing a luxury residence—especially in places like Aspen, Boulder, or other high-end second-home destinations—this article will help you understand what true full-service design looks like, and why it matters.

The Short Answer: We Handle It All So You Don’t Have To

Many of our clients live full, fast-paced lives and often have multiple properties. The last thing they want is to manage dozens of vendors, coordinate installations, or wonder if something got missed. That’s where we come in.

Our Full-Service Interior Design Includes:

Architectural collaboration and space planning
Concept development and mood boards
Finish and materials selections
Custom furniture design and sourcing
Art and accessories curation
Lighting design and window treatments
Full procurement, logistics, and install management
Final styling and photo-ready presentation

It’s all integrated. And it’s all managed with care, clarity, and professionalism.

Why Full-Service is About Peace of Mind

Luxury isn’t just about what something looks like—it’s about how it feels to experience it. Full-service design gives you:

Time back: You don't have to oversee vendors, make dozens of micro-decisions, or manage deliveries.
Confidence: Every selection, material, and placement is considered and cohesive.
Consistency: Your design story is carried through every detail.
Support: Our team advocates for you at every step—resolving issues before they become problems.

Our Full-Service Process, Step by Step

1. Initial Discovery & Visioning

We begin with in-depth conversations to uncover your vision, lifestyle, and aesthetic sensibilities. Whether this is your forever home or a seasonal retreat, we aim to understand how you want to live in your space.

2. Collaboration with Your Architect & Builder

If you’re building or renovating, we work closely with your architect and general contractor to align the interiors with the structure. Our input at this stage ensures lighting, ceiling details, and built-ins are planned with the final design in mind.

3. Comprehensive Design Development

We curate every element of your home, including:

Floor plans and layout refinements
Custom cabinetry, millwork, and built-ins
Palette development: color, texture, materials
Lighting plans, switch locations, and mood layering
Selection of all furnishings, fixtures, and finishes

4. Procurement & Project Management

We manage the sourcing, ordering, tracking, and coordination of all materials and furnishings. Our team oversees:

Vendor communications
Custom fabrications
White-glove delivery and warehousing logistics
Budget tracking and approvals

5. Installation & Styling

This is the grand finale. We manage all installations and personally style your home down to the last detail—fluffed pillows, art hung just right, candles ready to light.

We often hear clients say, “It was like walking into a dream. Everything was done.” That’s the power of full-service.

Case Study: Full-Service Design for a Modern Mountain Escape in Aspen

A recent project in Aspen involved a newly constructed, 7,000 sq. ft. mountain home for a couple who split their time between Colorado and the West Coast. They wanted a modern, soulful retreat that embraced the views and created a deep sense of calm.

Here’s how our full-service model supported them:

We worked alongside their architect to shape the spatial flow and finishes from the ground up.
Designed custom dining and coffee tables to complement the home's sculptural woodwork.
Sourced sustainable and luxurious textiles in natural fibers for upholstery and drapery.
Managed a complex procurement process that included international artisans and local craftspeople.
Installed and styled the home over four days while the owners were away—so they could arrive to a fully completed sanctuary.

“We never imagined it would feel this complete, this calm. It’s like you saw things we didn’t even know to ask for. Everything flows.”

Why “Full-Service” Often Falls Short—And How We’re Different

Not all full-service designers offer the same depth. Some outsource key aspects or only handle furnishings. We stand apart because we:

Stay personally involved: Principals Joe McGuire and Matthew Tenzin are involved in all projects.
Have deep technical expertise: From construction coordination to lighting design, we speak the same language as builders and architects.
Design with soul: We layer in intention, wellness, and harmony—not just style.
Are true partners: We manage the details and hold the vision—so you don’t have to.

FAQ: Full-Service Interior Design with Joe McGuire Design

Do I have to be building a new home to work with you?
No. We often take on full-home furnishing projects or work on extensive renovations. We tailor our process to the scope of your needs.

What is included in your full-service package?
We customize services to each project, but most include design development, furniture sourcing, project management, and installation.

How involved will I need to be?
As much or as little as you like. Some clients enjoy being hands-on; others prefer to approve major milestones and let us take it from there.

Do you help with sustainable or wellness-focused materials?
Yes—this is central to our holistic approach. We regularly source low-toxicity, eco-friendly, and energy-conscious products.

Do you work in places outside Colorado?
Yes. Many of our clients have multiple homes, and we are happy to travel or collaborate remotely as needed.

Let Us Handle the Details—You Enjoy the Transformation

The luxury of full-service design is not just in the end result—it’s in the process itself. When every detail is managed by a team you trust, the experience becomes joyful and stress-free.

If you’re considering a new project and want to explore what full-service design could look like for your home, reach out for a complimentary discovery call. We’d love to meet you, learn about your vision, and begin the journey together.