Adapting Design for Property Developers: How Interior Designers Rethink Their Processes

Working with property developers is a different kettle of fish from designing for private residential clients. The latter requires a dedication to learning about the whims and fancies of your clients, taking a keen interest in their tastes, ways of life, and unique requirements. On the flipside, developer-led projects demand scalability, roll-out-ability, and efficiency, not to mention a serious focus on commercial outcomes. For designers, this means shifting the objectives of the creative process and the business decisions needed along the way.

This week, we spoke with three interior designers and studio founders who have successfully navigated working with developers. Read on to discover some of their candid insights, a few lessons learned, and some take-home strategies they now use to balance design integrity with developer priorities.

Dr. Esther Milardi, Interior Design Director

“When I first started out, I somehow landed not one but two developers roughly at the same time,” says Dr Esther Milardi, Interior Design Director of Di Oro Interiors. “One of the projects was renovating a small hotel, and the other was converting two neighbouring properties into flats.”

For Milardi, it was all a flurry of excitement, and it was until, as she says, “reality set in.” She had underestimated how much work was involved, agreed to vague 'all-inclusive' flat fees with no clear scope, “and forgot to include things such as travel costs, extra site visits, and the endless hours of 'quick changes' and finding cheaper alternatives that were anything but quick.” With no staged payments or proper sign-off process in place, Milardi found herself working flat out, waiting for late invoices that did not match her billing schedules. “By the time I had added it all up, I had basically broken even, or worse,” she says.

“That was my crash course in why agreements with clear inclusion and exclusion clauses, as well as planned stages of payment, are not optional luxuries but absolute lifesavers in design work,” says Milardi. “Now, when I work with developers, I make sure every stage is defined, from concept to design development, and from procurement to installation, with approvals and payments tied to each. I also specify the number of revisions included, so the scope doesn’t creep endlessly.”

After learning these harsh lessons, the biggest changes that Milardi made were to her workflow and contracts. “Once I had proper boundaries in place, I found I could actually enjoy the fast pace and the collaborative nature of developer-led projects,” she says. “Developers want a design that sells, but they also want partners who are reliable and structured. Learning that balance has been one of the most important evolutions of my career.”

Karolina Adamczyk, Chief Visionary Officer, Ademchic Ltd

“At Ademchic, we work primarily with property developers, and over the last nine years I’ve learned that this requires a fundamentally different approach to private clients,” says Karolina Adamczyk, Chief Visionary Officer at Ademchic. “Private residential projects often reflect personal taste, while developer projects demand efficiency, commercial impact, and a lack of ego.”

For Adamczyk, specification choices when working with developers are frequently shaped by budget, and almost every scheme goes through at least one round of value engineering. “Protecting the integrity of the design through that process is essential, ensuring the scheme remains commercially viable without losing the elements that made it distinctive in the first place.”

“I often see our role as a form of risk management or insurance,” she says. “We’re making sure that design and cost decisions are justified to attract a very specific audience. That could mean aligning the look and feel with local buyer demographics or ensuring that the material palette feels aspirational without being financially unfeasible.”

“Ultimately, the greatest value an interior designer can bring to a developer is confidence,” says Adamczyk. “It’s the confidence to launch a product that is unique, targeted, and compelling, driving demand early to de-risk sales. It’s not about indulging personal taste, but about building a product that sells, while still holding onto a clear design identity.”

Karl Openshaw, Creative Director of Baya Interiors

“At BAYA Interiors, some of our most rewarding collaborations are with property developers,” says Karl Openshaw, the Creative Director of Baya Interiors, founded by the team behind Blocc Interiors. “These partnerships grant us access to exceptional properties where we can truly elevate the vision.”

For Openshaw, a successful developer relationship begins with full immersion into the client’s aspirations, as well as the end-purchasers’needs, “delivering narrative-driven turnkey interiors that resonate on an emotional level.”

“Our approach centres on storytelling, creating spaces that reflect how people actually live, incorporating those essential elements that transform a property into a home,” he says. “This attention to detail delivers results. Our recent installation sold within 48 hours, proving that thoughtfully designed, market-informed interiors accelerate sales and maximise value for developers. Timelines can be tight, but we love a challenge that lands well.”

Adapting Design for Property Developers: How Interior Designers Rethink Their Processes

Dr. Esther Milardi, Interior Design Director

Karolina Adamczyk, Chief Visionary Officer, Ademchic Ltd

Karl Openshaw, Creative Director of Baya Interiors

Anya Cooklin-Lofting

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