Simply Wesley in Baltimore: Custom Residential Interiors for Mid-Atlantic Homes
Simply Wesley is a full-service residential interior design firm operating in Baltimore, specializing in custom home furnishings and design consultation for single-family homes and condos across Maryland and neighboring regions. The practice focuses on personalized spaces rather than staged showroom aesthetics, with an emphasis on functional layouts and client-directed material selection.
What Simply Wesley Actually Does
Simply Wesley provides interior design on a project basis, moving from initial consultation through final installation. The firm handles space planning, color and material selection, custom furniture sourcing, and coordination with contractors and fabricators. Projects typically involve one primary designer assigned to a client, with involvement scaling based on project scope. Work ranges from single-room refreshes to whole-home renovations, and the studio maintains relationships with local upholsterers, carpenters, and tile suppliers to execute designs without relying on national chain furniture retailers.
Services and Pricing Structure
Simply Wesley charges design fees in two ways: hourly consultation at rates that begin around $150 per hour for initial room assessments, or flat-project fees for full renovations, typically ranging from $3,500 to $12,000 depending on square footage and complexity. Material and furnishing costs are separate and vary widely based on client preference for vintage finds, semi-custom pieces, or bespoke elements. The firm does not mark up product purchases; clients pay wholesale prices directly. A typical small bedroom redesign (material sourcing, layout, color scheme, and shopping list) runs $2,000 to $5,000 in design fees plus material costs. Larger projects (kitchen-living area combination or whole-home refresh) often command flat fees in the $8,000 to $15,000 range, with material budgets starting at $10,000 and scaling upward. No initial consultation fee is charged; the first meeting establishes scope and fee structure.
How Simply Wesley Compares to Other Baltimore-Area Options
Baltimore's interior design market splits between big-box furniture retailers with in-house designers (often free but limited to that retailer's inventory), independent designers charging hourly rates without project minimums, and higher-end boutique firms focusing on luxury residential work. Simply Wesley sits in the middle: more structured than a freelance designer met through referral but less expensive than firms billing $200+ per hour or requiring $20,000+ minimums. Local competitors include designers operating solo from home offices (lower overhead, but less continuity if unavailable) and small studios attached to furniture showrooms (access to their own inventory, but less independence in material choice). Simply Wesley's model suits clients who want accountability and a finished plan but are managing material purchases themselves or mixing sourcing methods. Choose a showroom-affiliated designer if you want to move quickly and don't mind their specific aesthetic; choose Simply Wesley if you want flexibility in where pieces come from and a written design plan to execute over time.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Simply Wesley works well for homeowners planning renovations over several months, willing to shop for individual pieces, and comfortable with a designer who stays in the background (communicating via email and occasional site visits) rather than overseeing every detail. It suits people moving into older Baltimore rowhouses and needing layouts that work with existing bones, and couples with differing tastes who want a neutral third party to mediate. It does not suit clients wanting full project management (general contractor oversight, weekly meetings, or coordination with electricians and plumbers), those needing furniture delivery within two weeks, or people who prefer to pick from a curated showroom rather than making selections from multiple sources. It also does not fit clients with budgets under $5,000 total or those seeking high-end design names and trophy pieces.
What the First Visit Involves
An initial appointment lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The designer walks through the space, takes photographs, measures key areas, discusses the client's daily use patterns and aesthetic preferences, and asks about existing pieces staying or going. No mood boards or drawings are produced at this stage. Within five business days, the designer sends a written proposal stating the fee structure, proposed timeline, and next steps. If approved, a second meeting focuses on material selection, with the designer bringing fabric, paint, and flooring samples. The client typically takes 48 hours to decide, then the designer produces a floor plan, material specification sheet, and shopping list.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Simply Wesley operates by appointment only; there is no showroom. Consultations happen at client homes or via Zoom. The studio is based in Canton but serves all of Baltimore County and the surrounding region. Project timelines typically run 8 to 16 weeks from initial consultation to final install, depending on custom fabrication needs. Confirm current rates by phone or email before booking; hourly rates adjust annually.
Simply Wesley fills a practical niche in Baltimore's design market for homeowners who want professional guidance without a six-figure budget or the commitment of hiring a general contractor. The approach suits the city's mix of older homes and budget-conscious professionals.
