Everett Design Studio in Baltimore: Custom Residential Interiors Without the Markup
Everett Design Studio is a full-service residential interior design firm operating from a Fells Point studio, founded by designer Sarah Everett, that charges clients directly rather than through markup-based sourcing and handles projects ranging from single-room updates to whole-home renovations across Baltimore neighborhoods.
What Everett Design Studio actually is
Everett Design Studio operates as a one-designer firm (Everett handles all client work personally) rather than a large multi-person agency. The studio works exclusively on residential projects, from 400-square-foot apartments to 6,000-square-foot townhouses, primarily across Baltimore County and City. The business model depends on hourly consultation fees rather than a percentage markup on furniture and fixture purchases, which distinguishes it from firms that profit from contractor relationships and inflated material costs.
Services and pricing
Everett offers three engagement tiers: consultation only ($150/hour), project design with material sourcing ($2,500 flat fee for rooms under 150 square feet, $4,500 for full homes), and full project management including contractor coordination ($5,500 plus 10 percent of construction costs). Clients can engage for a single room or complete renovation. The flat-fee model means the designer has no financial incentive to specify expensive finishes; material selections come from a curated list of local and online retailers, with no hidden fees or supplier commissions. Most projects take 6 to 10 weeks from initial consultation to final delivery, though complex renovations involving structural work extend that timeline. Material costs and construction are billed separately and quoted upfront by contractors Everett coordinates.
How Everett compares to other Baltimore design services
Baltimore Design Works, based in Canton, charges 15 percent markup on all materials and uses a retainer model starting at $3,500, making total project costs higher for equivalent work. that firm suits clients who want agency-scale resources and don't mind paying for sourcing convenience. Baltimore Interior Design, operating from a Towson showroom, ties design services to furniture purchases through their retail operation, requiring clients to buy substantially from inventory. Everett suits clients who want independent specification, lower project costs, and say over where materials come from, including existing pieces they own.
Who suits this service and who does not
Everett's single-designer model works best for clients comfortable with direct, ongoing communication with one person and projects under $75,000 in construction cost. The hourly consultation option appeals to homeowners doing incremental updates or seeking second opinions on their own plans. Whole-home projects requiring simultaneous contractor management across multiple trades benefit from the full project-management fee. This service does not suit clients needing fast-track timelines (Everett maintains a waitlist during spring and early summer), those wanting to avoid contractor conversations entirely, or clients seeking a specific designer whose work is already in their preferred style range. Initial consultations require a brief phone call to discuss scope, which determines engagement tier.
What the first visit involves
Clients schedule a 90-minute paid consultation ($150) at the Fells Point studio or at their home, during which Everett photographs the space, takes measurements, and discusses existing furniture, lighting, layout problems, and aesthetic direction. No mood boards or sketches are generated during this initial meeting. After the consultation, Everett sends a written proposal indicating which service tier fits the scope and a timeline. Clients who proceed sign a service agreement and provide a 50 percent deposit; the remainder is due upon completion of design documents.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The studio operates Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment Saturday mornings. Street parking is available on Thames Street in Fells Point; the studio has no dedicated lot. Everett does not maintain a showroom or sample library on-site; material selections are presented digitally and via samples sent to the client's home. Remote consultations are available for out-of-state clients or those unable to visit in person. Confirm current hours by phone before visiting, as holiday and project schedules affect availability.
Everett Design Studio fills a gap for Baltimore homeowners who want design expertise without the cost structure of larger firms, and who value having one consistent designer across the project lifecycle.
