House of Araquette Interiors in Baltimore: Full-Service Residential Design with a Focus on Custom Millwork
House of Araquette Interiors is a full-service residential design firm operating in Baltimore that handles everything from space planning and material selection to custom cabinetry and project management. The studio works primarily with homeowners on single-family renovations, kitchen and bath remodels, and whole-home refreshes, positioning itself between mass-market design consultants and boutique architects.
What House of Araquette Interiors Actually Does
The firm operates as a design-build hybrid: designers develop plans and select finishes, but the studio also manufactures custom cabinetry and millwork in-house rather than outsourcing fabrication. This dual role affects both timeline and cost. A typical engagement includes an initial consultation, measured drawings, 2D and 3D renderings, material boards, and vendor coordination. The studio does not work on commercial projects or new construction, focusing instead on the remodel and refresh market where clients already own their space.
Services and Pricing Structure
House of Araquette Interiors charges design fees on a project basis rather than hourly. A kitchen or bath redesign typically ranges from $3,500 to $8,000 in design fees, depending on scope and rendering detail. Full-home design projects begin at $10,000 and scale with square footage and complexity. Construction or cabinetry costs are separate and quoted once designs are finalized. The firm requires a 50% deposit to begin work, with the remainder due upon completion of renderings.
Custom cabinetry fabricated in-house costs approximately 15 to 20 percent less than sourcing through third-party cabinet shops, according to the studio, because overhead is lower and revision cycles are faster. For a standard kitchen with 25 linear feet of custom cabinetry, clients should budget $12,000 to $18,000 for materials and fabrication alone.
The studio does not charge hourly rates for design revisions within the initial scope; unlimited revisions of approved concepts are included. Additional project phases (phased renovation, guest house design) are quoted separately.
How House of Araquette Interiors Compares to Other Baltimore Interior Design Options
Baltimore's interior design landscape splits broadly between large firms (Fenix Design Group, Chesapeake Design) that handle million-dollar projects and charge accordingly, independent designers who work on hourly or by-the-room rates (typically $75 to $125 per hour), and big-box design services (Best Buy's design consultation, IKEA design services) that are free or nominal but offer limited customization.
House of Araquette Interiors sits in the middle: higher caliber and more customized than box-store services, more affordable than firms that bill $200+ per hour, and unique in its in-house fabrication. The custom millwork advantage matters most if your project involves non-standard dimensions, built-in shelving, or finishes unavailable through standard cabinet manufacturers. If your project is straightforward (standard-size cabinets, stock finishes, minimal custom work), an hourly-rate designer or design-focused contractor will likely cost less. If you need a single room refreshed with selections from existing vendors, a design-only consultant charging $100 to $150 per hour may suffice.
Choose House of Araquette Interiors if your kitchen or bath requires custom dimensions, if you value having one firm responsible for both design and fabrication, or if you want local oversight of millwork quality. Skip it if your budget is under $5,000 for design or if you prefer working with a designer who has no stake in steering you toward custom solutions.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
This studio works well for homeowners renovating older Baltimore homes where walls are uneven, windows are oddly placed, or layouts resist standard cabinetry. It suits clients who value collaboration and want a designer present during installation to oversee fit and finish. The in-house fabrication also appeals to anyone nervous about miscommunication between designer and outside vendors.
It is not the right fit for renters, for cosmetic-only updates (paint and new hardware), or for anyone seeking quick turnaround. Custom millwork requires lead times of 6 to 10 weeks after design approval. It is also not suited to clients with very tight budgets or those who prefer choosing from existing product lines without custom options.
What the First Visit Involves
The initial consultation is typically held at the studio or your home, lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and is free. The designer walks through the space, discusses your goals, takes preliminary measurements, and explains the process and fee structure. You will leave with an estimate and timeline. If you proceed, a deposit is due before the firm orders measured drawings.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
House of Araquette Interiors operates by appointment Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Confirm current hours before visiting, as small design studios sometimes adjust seasonally. Street parking is available near the studio. The firm will arrange site visits at times convenient to you, including evenings or weekends for in-home consultations.
House of Araquette Interiors fills a practical niche in Baltimore's design market: homeowners who need custom solutions but lack the budget or project scale for a full architecture firm will find the in-house millwork and mid-tier pricing a genuine advantage over hourly designers or big-box services.
