House of Burgess in Baltimore: Custom Residential Design with Mid-Atlantic Sourcing
House of Burgess is a full-service interior design firm that handles residential projects across Baltimore and surrounding counties, from single-room refreshes to whole-home renovations. The studio manages design concept through installation, with particular strength in sourcing custom and vintage pieces within the Mid-Atlantic region.
What House of Burgess Actually Is
House of Burgess operates as a boutique design practice rather than a large corporate firm. The work spans residential interiors across multiple styles, though the studio has developed a recognizable approach favoring layered, collected aesthetics over trend-driven design. Projects typically involve custom millwork, upholstery commissions, and material selection rather than furniture-only consulting. The firm is rooted in Baltimore and maintains relationships with local fabricators, upholsterers, and artisans that shape how projects take shape.
Services and Pricing Structure
House of Burgess charges by project retainer rather than hourly rate, meaning clients pay a set fee for design services separate from the cost of materials and implementation. Retainers typically range from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on scope, with larger full-home projects spanning multiple rooms commanding fees at the higher end. This structure differs significantly from many Baltimore design consultants who charge hourly ($75 to $150 per hour) or apply a markup on furnished goods.
The studio provides full design packages including conceptual renderings, material boards, contractor coordination, and site supervision. Clients receive a detailed specification list and sourcing recommendations. Custom pieces sourced through the firm carry additional costs, which vary widely depending on upholstery, cabinetry, or architectural millwork involved. The firm does not typically offer a la carte advice or styling sessions; engagements are structured as projects with defined deliverables.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Design Options
House of Burgess differs from chain-adjacent practices like Ethan Allen Design Services (which operates within the furnishings retailer's Maryland locations) in that it is independent and maintains no retail showroom. This means clients are not purchasing design as an upsell to existing inventory; instead, the designer has freedom to source from multiple vendors, local makers, and wholesale suppliers. Ethan Allen's advantage lies in speed and integrated purchasing; House of Burgess suits clients prioritizing customization and local partnerships.
Compared to larger full-service firms headquartered in Washington, D.C., but serving the Baltimore market (such as studios handling projects across multiple states), House of Burgess operates at a smaller scale with deeper availability for client communication and site visits. The trade-off is less capacity for concurrent projects and potentially longer timelines during peak seasons.
For budget-conscious clients, design consultation services like those offered at local furniture retailers or online platforms (Decorist, Havenly) carry lower initial investment, often $300 to $1,000 for a single-room plan. House of Burgess is not positioned as a budget alternative; it suits clients investing $50,000 or more on a project who want continuity of vision and oversight.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
House of Burgess is best suited to homeowners undertaking significant interior work in established Baltimore neighborhoods (Federal Hill, Canton, Roland Park, Hampden) where older homes benefit from custom solutions, or clients with clear stylistic direction who want a designer to refine and implement it rather than start from blank canvas. The firm works well for clients comfortable with the design process itself—mood boarding, material selection meetings, iterative rounds—rather than those seeking quick decisions.
This is not the right fit for clients needing rapid turnaround, those with strict budgets tied to a single furniture showroom, or those seeking trendy, heavily styled interiors. Projects requiring extensive structural or architectural work are better paired with architects, though House of Burgess coordinates with them when needed.
What the First Visit Involves
Initial consultations typically occur at the client's home and are used to assess space, understand lifestyle, identify existing pieces to work around, and discuss budget and timeline. No fee is charged for this initial meeting. If both parties move forward, a design agreement and retainer are executed before conceptual work begins. Early deliverables usually include a mood board and material palette, which clients review and revise before the designer develops final specifications and sourcing recommendations.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
House of Burgess operates by appointment; there is no walk-in showroom or public retail space. Meetings are conducted at client homes or by video conference. The firm's administrative office is located in Baltimore, but much of the project management happens remotely. Site visits for installation supervision are scheduled as needed. Confirm current availability and project timeline when contacting the studio, as lead times vary depending on custom sourcing and local fabricator backlogs.
House of Burgess earns inclusion in Baltimore's design landscape because it represents a sustained, locally rooted practice that prioritizes relationship-building with regional makers and deep engagement with the city's architectural character rather than applying a standardized aesthetic across multiple markets.
