How These Two Experts Work Together to Create Exceptional Homes
When planning a major renovation or new home build, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I need an interior designer or an architect?”
The short answer? You likely need both—and the earlier each is involved, the better.
At Joe McGuire Design, we’ve partnered with exceptional architects and builders on projects throughout Aspen, Boulder, and beyond. Our most successful, harmonious homes are always the result of a collaborative process between client, architect, designer, and builder. Each professional brings a unique lens, and when working together from the start, the result is a seamless, inspired, and highly personalized home.
In this article, we’ll clarify the distinct roles of an architect and an interior designer, explain how we collaborate throughout a project, and offer insight into the best time to bring each onto your team.
Understanding the Roles
While there’s overlap between the disciplines, architects and interior designers focus on different but complementary aspects of your home.
What an Architect Does
Architects are responsible for the overall structure and exterior envelope of your home. They:
Create the building’s form, layout, and structure
Plan the rooflines, windows, doors, and exterior materials
Develop permit drawings and construction documents
Address structural and code-related considerations
Coordinate with engineers and consultants
An architect ensures your home meets safety standards, flows spatially, and functions well at a macro level.
What an Interior Designer Does
Interior designers work from the inside out, shaping how you will live and feel within the space. At Joe McGuire Design, our scope includes:
Interior architecture: ceilings, lighting, millwork, built-ins
Space planning for furniture, art, and everyday flow
Selection of all materials, finishes, and color palettes
Custom furnishings, lighting, and window treatments
Full procurement, project management, and final styling
We focus on how each room will be experienced, how the design supports your lifestyle, and how all the elements work in harmony—functionally, visually, and energetically.
Why You Don’t Need to Choose Just One
While architects and designers are both highly trained, they are not interchangeable. Rather than viewing this as a choice, we encourage clients to see it as a strategic collaboration.
An architect ensures your home is structurally sound, spatially efficient, and well-integrated with the site. A designer ensures it’s comfortable, cohesive, and soulful.
Too often, clients bring in an interior designer after construction has begun—only to find that key opportunities were missed early on. For example:
A lighting layout that doesn’t support furniture placement
A kitchen that looks sleek but lacks intuitive workflow
Ceiling heights or window placements that limit art and furniture choices
When we’re involved from the beginning, we can help you avoid these pitfalls and bring a level of detail that enhances the architectural design.
How We Collaborate With Architects and Builders
At Joe McGuire Design, we’ve worked alongside some of the top architectural firms and custom builders in the region. These long-standing relationships allow for smooth coordination and mutual respect across all teams.
Our collaboration typically includes:
Reviewing architectural plans for design opportunities or refinements
Coordinating ceiling and lighting plans to align with furnishings and focal points
Ensuring millwork, built-ins, and finishes integrate beautifully with the architecture
Attending site meetings and walkthroughs to ensure alignment as construction progresses
Providing clients with a unified design experience, rather than siloed decision-making
We also work closely with specialists like lighting designers, art consultants, and landscape architects to ensure that every aspect of the home feels cohesive and complete.
When to Bring Each Professional Onto Your Team
Ideally, you should hire your interior designer at the same time as your architect, or shortly after.
Bringing your designer in early allows us to:
Influence spatial flow and floorplans
Prevent costly change orders down the line
Align finishes, lighting, and details with your lifestyle
Begin furnishing plans early to meet long lead times
In one recent project in Aspen, we were brought in during the architectural concept phase. Our involvement allowed us to recommend subtle layout shifts, increase natural light in living spaces, and ensure the furniture plan supported the family’s desire for both entertaining and retreat. The result was a home that felt as good as it looked—and functioned beautifully from day one.
Case Study: Collaborative Success in Boulder
A recent client was building a new residence in Boulder and had already engaged a modernist architectural firm. They brought us in just after initial plans were drafted. By collaborating with the architect early, we were able to:
Integrate layered lighting for mood and functionality
Customize built-ins that blended with structural elements
Select flooring and millwork that enhanced the home’s clean, serene design
Develop a holistic material palette that supported the architecture while softening its edges
This level of collaboration not only streamlined the build but created a truly livable and emotionally resonant home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do architects offer interior design services?
Some architectural firms do offer limited interior services, but their focus is generally structural. For a fully integrated, layered interior, a dedicated design team brings a deeper level of refinement and curation.
What if I already hired an architect—can I still bring you in?
Absolutely. We’re happy to join your existing team at any stage. The earlier the better, but we’re skilled at integrating into projects midstream.
Can you recommend architects and builders?
Yes. We’ve built trusted relationships with some of the region’s most talented professionals and are happy to make recommendations based on your needs, style, and project scope.
Do you design both interiors and exteriors?
While our primary focus is interior architecture and furnishings, outdoor living areas are an important feature of most homes. We design outdoor seating, dining, wellness and entertainment areas. We also consult on exterior finishes and lighting, and collaborate with architects and landscape designers to ensure a cohesive indoor-outdoor experience.
The Most Successful Homes Begin With the Right Team
You don’t need to choose between an architect or an interior designer. You need both—working in harmony, with clear communication and a shared vision.
At Joe McGuire Design, we’re proud to be that kind of collaborative partner. We know how to bridge the gap between technical excellence and soulful living. If you’re ready to build or transform your home, we’d love to hear more and help you assemble the ideal team to bring it to life.
Reach out today to begin a conversation.