Service
Interior Design in Houston, TX
Most Houston interior design firms only design — they hand the build to someone else. We do both. Debbie McKelvey trained in interior design at the University of Houston and Southwest Texas State, then spent 33+ years building what she designed. The result: a design that actually works once it's built, on a real schedule, with the contractor and the designer on the same team. Full design-build remodels, selections-only consulting, and per-room design packages — we'll match scope to what you actually need.
Our process
- Discovery & vision session — Walk the space, understand how you live, see existing inspiration.
- Design & selections — Layout, finishes, materials, fixtures, furniture — presented for review and revision.
- Source & coordinate — Order, schedule deliveries, manage installations. You're not chasing vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does interior design cost in Houston?
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Houston interior design typically runs $150–$300 per hour for consultation-only work, or $5,000–$25,000+ for full-room design packages including selections, sourcing, and project management. When interior design is bundled with a kitchen, bath, or whole-home remodel from McKelvey Designs, design is included in the quote — no separate fee.
- Do you do interior design without remodeling?
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Yes. We offer selections-only consulting (paint colors, finishes, furniture, art placement) and per-room design packages for clients who don't need construction work. Hourly or flat-fee depending on scope.
- What's the difference between an interior designer and a decorator?
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Interior designers (like Debbie) have formal training in space planning, building codes, and construction — they work on permanent changes to the home. Decorators focus on furniture, fabric, and styling within an existing space. McKelvey Designs is a design-build firm: we handle both the permanent structural work and the styling that finishes the room.
- What design styles do you work in?
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Traditional, transitional, modern, farmhouse, coastal, and Texas hill-country styles. We're known for warm, livable spaces that work for Houston families — not Pinterest sets that fall apart at the first sticky-handprint.
- Can you work with our existing furniture and finishes?
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Absolutely. Most of our design work blends new selections with pieces clients already own. We'll tell you honestly what works, what should be retired, and what's worth investing in.
- How does design fit into a remodel project?
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Design is the first phase. Before any demo or construction, Debbie walks the space, listens to how you live, and develops a design that solves what you actually need (not just what looks good in a magazine). Selections, layouts, and lighting plans are locked in before we order materials.